City Council Work Session
February 13, 2012
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge; Councilor Higbee was absent.
Others Present: Chris Dubey, Karina Shaink, Patrick MacQueen, Michael Perreault, several Civics Class students, media and public
Mayor welcomed those present and opened the meeting at 6:30 PM
Theatre North Request
Chris Dubey explained his plan to produce a local tv show that would be aired on local access television on channel 12. Artists, musicians and other talent would be invited to perform to show the cultural face of Berlin, with four shows being produced for the first season.
Mr. Dubey stated that he is not asking the City Council for money but is looking for the Council’s endorsement and support. Shows will not involve politics or religion. The program could be used to promote upcoming events. Mr. Dubey added that he may ask to use the Council Chambers for a courtroom setting and may ask that a curfew on using parks at night be lifted to allow shooting a scene. Mr. MacQueen mentioned that Cathy McKenna and Jim Michalik are also working on programming for the access channel. Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Dubey and Ms. Shaink and they left the meeting at this time.
Proposal for Change to Solid Waste Ordinance
Mr. MacQueen explained that in response to the Council’s request to increase recycling in the City and to address those who do not comply, changes are being proposed to the City’s solid waste ordinance. A clear definition between residential and commercial would be implemented.
Article II deals with suitable containers for recycling that would have to be put out to the curb in the morning. Councilor Rozek confirmed that there would be penalties for non-compliance. Mr. MacQueen went on to say that there would be a 240 lbs limit per household in containers of not more than 30 lbs each. Citizens would have to separate recyclables and put them out on the morning of pick up in separate, clean containers. The ordinance would not deal with items that the city does not pick up such as yard waste and large items which go directly to the AVRRDD by the resident.
In this proposal, all commercial and industrial properties would be charged $15 for pick-up. Commercial properties over 3 units would pay an additional $5 per unit. Councilor Théberge stated that they are already paying taxes and that would be double dipping. Mr. MacQueen indicated that no other municipalities in the state provide commercial garbage pick-up to businesses. Councilor Remillard established that these are options that are being considered and they are not being implemented, just brought up for discussion.
Phased penalties are proposed that start with warnings and end with a $300 citation and loss of service until paid. The appeal would be to take it to court. Councilor Rozek emphasized that the objective is to stop recyclables from going in the trash.
Councilor Théberge asked about people who take cans from the recycling and Mayor Grenier stated that they are stealing from the city and should be reported. Councilor Théberge suggested encouraging people to use the transfer station without paying and Mayor Grenier pointed out that the city is billed based on the amount of refuse that goes in; the money we get from passes defrays some of the cost associated with garbage.
Mayor Grenier commented that he does not want to punish those who do the right thing to punish those who do not care. He suggested implementing the ordinance on those who do not comply. Councilor Remillard indicated that the fee is minimal and the problems of non-compliance are usually with the multi unit buildings.
Councilor Otis said that this is a step in right direction and he asked the Council to consider purchasing bins. Councilor Rozek suggested that decals could be free for people to put on a bin that they purchase. Councilor Nelson expressed concern over charging existing businesses that are struggling already. Mayor Grenier added that the intent is to recycle and to have people comply; it comes down to comply or pay. Councilor Remillard noted that if the business stays within the maximum weight limit of the ordinance, they could continue with pick-up.
Mayor Grenier stated that such a change would require personal interaction with property owners through a public meeting and certified letters. Punitive measures should be the last resort with the goal being compliance.
Councilor Rozek informed that there is liquid waste leaching from garbage trucks that presents a foul odor in the summer and is against federal law. He noted that a cap is left off to prevent spray and a secondary containment vessel is needed to catch the leachate and deal with it.
Councilor Remillard reasoned that the commercial service fee could be eliminated and the fines could be left in. Mr. MacQueen indicated that he would come back with another draft of the ordinance. Council members thanked Councilor Remillard, Mr. Perreault and Mr. MacQueen for working on this ordinance on their behalf.
Audit Proposals
Mr. MacQueen commented that it is always good practice to vary auditing firms to get a different perspective. An RFQ for auditing services was sent out to 17 firms and we received two proposals, one of which is from Vachon & Clukay. In a memo, Mr. MacQueen explained that the difference in cost is twice as much. Councilor Ducharme asked to see Vachon & Clukay’s most recent peer review. A decision will come after receiving the review.
President’s Day Holiday
The consensus of the Council was to meet on President’s Day, February 20.
Proposed Budget Schedule
The proposed schedule was acceptable to the Council.
Councilor Rozek stated that in order to have level budget, the city will have to cut about $300,000 from current expenses to avoid a tax increase. He warned the Council that it is hard to say no and hard to withdraw funding from a worthy cause.
Councilor Ducharme stated that she will be looking for accounts where there is money left and focus on those for cuts.
Councilor Nelson confirmed that the Council has not raised taxes in several years. She warned that a flatline budget can only go for so long then services will be affected and deterioration will cost more in the end.
Mayor Grenier contended that for the purpose of honest budget discussion, the City Manager has to present a needs budget. He stated that the budget is the work of the City Council. The budget process should be a discussion of what people are willing to live without. If a budget with no tax increase is submitted, it is a disservice to the community and avoids discussion. We need to let the process work.
Other – there were no items.
Non-Meeting
Councilor Rozek moved to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2,I(b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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