Work Session
December 19, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others present included: Linda White, Denise Morgan Allain, students from the BHS Civics class, media and public
Request for Proposals for Telephone System
Councilor Nelson moved to add the item to the agenda; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried.
Housing - Linda White
Ms. White explained that she and Andre Caron have come up with property recommendations for properties that have been taken by tax deed. The time required by law has passed on these and the purchase price is calculated from what is owed to the City in taxes and upkeep. Councilor Remillard confirmed that the parcels will be put out to the public for purchase by sealed bid. In response to Mayor Grenier’s request for a summary of the process, Ms. White indicated that properties having met the time constraints in the law are put out to bid by the City. They are advertised through the local paper and are on the City’s web site. Prior to the closing date of the bid, a pre-bid meeting is held where the property can be viewed, and questions are answered. Bids received by the deadline are open in a
public setting and a property will be sold to the highest qualified bidder.
Mayor Grenier affirmed that anyone who is not current on property taxes, water or sewer is not considered a qualified bidder. He asked if there is anything preventing land management corporations from being involved. Councilor Remillard suggested that owner occupied have priority over investors. Mr. MacQueen commented that the Council can exclude non-owner occupied. Ms. White added that a stipulation exists that the property is to be brought to code within one year or it reverts back to the City. The consensus of the Council was to limit a sale to someone who will use the property as a primary residence, owner occupied and to revisit those properties that don’t sell.
Councilor Nelson asked if anything prevents the City from putting the properties on the market through a realtor and Ms. White responded that the City can do that; however any proceeds over the amount due the City for back taxes and expenses would go back to the previous owner. Mayor Grenier established that taxes due include 18% interest and a 15% of assessment penalty fee. Councilor McCue commented that someone could buy and bring the property up to code making it their primary residence and then sell it in a year.
Councilor Remillard questioned the 4th Avenue property saying that it was in foreclosure and the bank will typically pay back taxes. Ms. White said she would check on what occurred; however the City has the deed to the property. Mayor Grenier expressed that we don’t want to recycle properties to perpetuate issues that we have in the city but we want to add to the good housing stock.
Councilor Evans moved with a second from Councilor Remillard that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions: that the property is sold to be a primary residence, owner occupied; bidders must be current on taxes, sewer and water; and other conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 118-0015.0000, 567 First Avenue: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will be subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 110-0041.0000, 615 Fourth Avenue: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will be subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 110-0066.0000, 819 Fourth Avenue: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will be subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 130-124.0000, 290 Grafton Street: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
CDBG Grant Proposal
Ms. White reported that she is looking for authorization to apply to CDFA for a $500,000 CDBG to continue with housing revitalization and handicap accessibility for the Holiday Center. The present CDBG is 2/3 from completion and it has assisted 35 local homeowners with $12,000 each for electrical upgrades, life safety code issues, insulation, weatherization, hot water heaters, and roofs. Assistance for the Holiday Center will help the City’s older population.
Mayor Grenier asked who would write and administer the grant and Ms. White said that she would write the grant and if awarded, the City would be required to hire a grant administrator. Councilor McCue asked if we are competing with other communities and Ms. White noted that there are 25 communities looking to receive funds.
I & I Amendment #5
Mr. MacQueen explained that the basis for this I & I agreement #5 is for design and construction administration for the bid that we received. Councilor McCue confirmed that the total for this amendment is $121,300. He asked why there is a need to come back with these amendments, 5 so far. Mr. MacQueen noted that we have a base agreement for the I & I work with Wright Pierce and amendments are made as each aspect of the project is tackled.
Councilor McCue moved to approve Amendment #5; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
PD Grant Carry-Over
Mr. MacQueen indicated that the funds in the resolution were inadvertently left out of the Carry-Over Grants resolution from a few weeks ago. This resolution will carry over the PD grants to the new fiscal year.
Telephone Request for Proposals
Mr. MacQueen explained that Mr. Caron could not be here this evening. The City received proposals from several companies for a new telephone system and after review; Mr. Caron is recommending Goulet Communications out of Colebrook. He had the best overall proposal when put together with service. Mayor Grenier stated that the County uses Goulet Communications; Councilor Ducharme added that CAP uses them as well.
Councilor Rozek asked about the condition of the current system. Mr. MacQueen responded that it is a Winn system which is not common and we’ve had trouble with service. There are significant problems including dropped calls. Ms. White added that the interface cards are malfunctioning and a total system failure is imminent. Councilor Théberge commented that Goulet is not offering a maintenance contract. Councilor Rozek affirmed that there are 42 different units at City Hall and the courthouse that would be replaced with this agreement. Councilor Remillard acknowledged that the phones can be relocated to city hall if the courthouse is rented. Councilor Rozek asked if this system can be added to. Councilor Théberge commented that Goulet has an older version and he wanted
to be sure the newest version is acquired. Councilor Remillard asked if we could buy a system that ties into the existing newer systems so that eventually they would be tied together. The issue will be put off until the next meeting when Mr. Caron can answer questions.
Other
Councilor Remillard suggested leaving the Resolution for the Salt Shed on the table so that more research can be done. She indicated that she met with Roger Guilmette and she has viewed the salt shed in Dummer. Mr. MacQueen said that he did not have a problem with not moving forward; the last direction was to bid the shed and come back to the Council for final approval.
Councilor Rozek reported that he also researched the issue and has heard from his constituents who called and expressed concern for the condition of city streets. He asked, what are other communities using? Lancaster, Monroe, Pike Industries are using a salt and sand shelter made of structural steel covered by a fabric that lasts ten to 15 years. The base is built with six feet of cement blocks. He noted that the shelter he priced was 30 x 60, 26’ high at the center and 24’ under the truss; it would be paved through the center and he estimated that it would cost about $30,000 to build. www.shelterlogic.com has several options that would be a good alternative.
Councilor Rozek went on to say that sand stored in the basement of the public works garage stays dry and flows well through the truck. If sand is kept in the elements, there could be frozen chunks that will get stuck in the equipment creating a new problem. He commented that poking the product out of the sander would be a safety issue.
With regard to the heat loss because doors are open during sand fill ups, he suggested an automatic door. Money should be spent on city streets. He added that this is not an emergency situation. He commented that what is appropriated is what will be spent and suggested that projects go out to bid first with a not to exceed limit. He felt that a salt and sand shed bid at a not to exceed price of $125,000 to $150,000 could have been built for that. There are a lot of alternatives and what we have will work for the time being. Councilor Théberge said that the heaters can be set to automatically shut off when the door is open.
Mr. MacQueen stated that Mr. Perreault will revisit to see if it can be built for significantly less.
Non-Public Session
Councilor McCue moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 Nonpublic Sessions. II. (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to seal the minutes as releasing them would render to proposed action ineffective; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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