Work Session
April 23, 2012
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Remillard, Morgan-Allain, Otis, Nelson, Ducharme, Théberge; Councilor Higbee was absent
Others: Corinne Cascadden, Linda White, Pete Morency, Patty Chase, Dan Buteau, Pamela Laflamme, media and public.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm and asked to add “Application for Economic Development Funds from Coos County” to the agenda.
Councilor Remillard so moved with a second from Councilor Théberge and the motion carried unanimously.
Proposed PD Budget Revenue-Chief Morency and Dan Buteau
Mayor Grenier noted that he and Chief Morency reviewed the PD budget and he heard ideas about creatively increasing revenue at the PD. Chief Morency commented that when revenues are increased, there is not a credit that shows in the PD budget but the revenues go into the general fund.
He suggested an ordinance that would hold offenders financially responsible for their behavior. This would not be for those citizens who call the police in an emergency but for those whose negligence is expending unnecessary resources. Councilor Ducharme asked if there is law that supports such an ordinance and Mr. MacQueen noted that since NH is not a Home Rule state, there needs to be enabling legislation that allows the action. He indicated that he and Chief Morency could check with the city attorney.
Chief Morency went on to describe functions of the PD where existing charges could be increased to add revenue. Suggestions included landlord tenant eviction notices, accident report charges, civil standbys to retrieve property; unlocking vehicles, VIN checks, and fingerprints; all of these having projected revenue of about $23,000.
Councilor Rozek asked about other permits and Chief Morency stated that a pistol permit fee is $10 which is regulated by the State. These take at least an hour of time.
Mr. MacQueen suggested that if this is put in place, the projected revenues should be reduced to $15,000 to be safe. Mayor Grenier supports increasing fees as an experiment. Councilor Nelson agreed and added that the PD should not be held accountable if this does not work. Councilor Remillard asked that records be kept to show the breakdown of charges and Councilor Ducharme stated that if there are increased expenses due to the additional fees; those should be tracked as well. Council members were in general agreement to add $15,000 of projected revenue to the PD to be derived from fees.
Changes to the fee schedule and an ordinance change would be prepared to be implemented July 1. Mayor Grenier thanked Chief Morency and Lieutenant Buteau for their work and commented that this will add to the tools necessary to do a good job.
Tax Deeds
Patty Chase reported that there are 74 notices of impending tax deed that were issued and if they are not paid by May 3, they will be tax deeded. She expects quite a few to come in prior to the deadline. Mr. MacQueen stated that the main purpose here is to have the Council approve tax deeding and to approve deleting any deeds that have environmental issues on the properties.
Councilor Remillard questioned whether payments could be worked out if the property is owner occupied. Mr. MacQueen indicated that State law is particular and specific on how to handle properties with unpaid taxes. The process should and is done by the law and he recommended that we continue with the current process. The only reason for not accepting a deed would be if there is a concern about environmental issues.
Mr. MacQueen went on to say that once a property is taken, the owner will be given the opportunity to repurchase. That is where the City can offer some discretion on owner occupied properties by relieving the buyer of the 15% assessment penalty provided the meet the criteria.
Councilor Rozek moved to accept the 2009 impending tax deed list as presented and to allow the City Manager to add or delete properties as he sees fit; Councilor Nelson seconded.
In discussion Councilor Remillard commented that the City should make an extra effort. Mr. MacQueen and Ms. White explained that particularly in Berlin an extreme effort is put into finding and notifying owners of the properties. The process is not discriminatory; and notifications have been going to these people for three years. Ms. Chase added that we have to help but we have to be consistent.
In the vote that followed, all voted in favor of the motion.
Establishing the Sewer Rate
Mr. MacQueen reported that he is recommending the same rate of $7.99/hcf. He is proposing to take $103,000 from the sewer fund’s unappropriated fund balance to maintain the existing rate.
Councilor Rozek moved to approve the sewer rate at 7.99/hcf; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
School Board Vacancy
Corinne Cascadden reported the resignation of Karin Dorval stating that she is about half way through a four year term. She has been an instrumental member of the board and she brought a lot to the table.
Councilor Nelson moved that the position be advertised, with letters of interest accepted until May 11, at 4:00 p.m. and a new School Board member will be selected by the Council on May 14; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
River Study Recommendation
Mr. MacQueen informed the Council that two proposals were received and both offer the services that meet the City’s requirements. Henry Noel confirmed in a memo that all the work listed is being done. Mayor Grenier proposed waiting one week before coming to a decision and the item will be added to next Monday’s agenda.
Partnership Agreement with NCC for Regional Planning
Mr. MacQueen explained that back in August the City was asked to send a letter of intent supporting North Country Council’s grant application for Sustainable Communities. North Country Council got the grant and they want the city to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
Pamela Laflamme indicated that the grant will help regional planning commissions throughout the State to put together a state wide master plan. They are asking for a big commitment of time from the communities who will be part of the effort but not be reimbursed for their work. Mayor Grenier suggested that it makes sense for the city to participate. Ms. Laflamme reported that there are quarterly meetings of the committee with a few hours of reading for each meeting.
Councilor Nelson moved to enter into a partnership agreement for “Granite State Future” with North Country Council; Councilor Morgan-Allain seconded and the motion carried.
CDBG July Round
Linda White explained that she applied last year for a $500,000 CDBG grant for Neighborhood Revitalization and it was not funded. There were $4.7 million in requests and $2.3 million in funding. The City has received two such grants that help people rehabilitate their homes. There is a $12,000 cap per household and we will have serviced 63 households with grant money. Recipients have to live in the home and these grants have helped to bring homes up to code; added a second means of egress; and updated electrical. There is a waiting list of 20 people for these services.
Mayor Grenier stated that CAP has asked the City to apply for the same funds to do an energy efficiency project on the former Guardian Angel building. CAP has a need and their programs keep a lot of people off city welfare.
In the discussion that followed it was determined that CAP has its funding in place with the exception of the CDBG grant. Better Buildings money needs to be committed by May of 2013, making the time table for the CAP application tight. To the suggestion of submitting both applications for $250,000 each, Ms. Laflamme stated that though it sounds great, the effect is diluting both applications over all and she worried that neither would get funded if they were submitted this way.
Mayor Grenier commented that he remains committed to Neighborhood Revitalization but there is a demonstrated need from CAP.
Councilor Remillard moved to support a proposed CAP energy efficiency project for the July round of CDBG grant funding; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Ducharme abstained.
Application for ED from Coos County
Mayor Grenier established that the Coos County Commissioners decided to make available economic development grants to communities in $5,000 increments rather than funding $15,000 of the economic development director’s salary. The governing body of each community applies for $5,000 and at their May meeting the Commissioners will allocate the funds.
Councilor Nelson questioned whether allocating the City’s $5,000 from the County would reduce the budgeted amount for economic development to $10,000. Mayor Grenier noted that the goal is to provide half of the funding between the City and County for an economic development professional and the remainder would be provided by CAP.
Councilor Remillard moved to approve the application for $5,000 of funding for economic development from Coos County to fund Max Makaitis’ position; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried; Mayor Grenier and Councilor Ducharme abstained.
Other
With regard to the boil order that was issued on April 18, Councilor Ducharme questioned whether there is a Reverse 911 system in place that would call elderly residents. She indicated that she saw the notice on Facebook.
Councilor Ducharme confirmed that the UFB for the sewer fund is around $4 million. She asked about the progress of the audit Mr. MacQueen hoped to have it this week.
Mayor Grenier commented on the boil order saying that the Emergency Management procedures were initiated and under those guidelines there is one spokesman and that was Chief Trull. Considering the Water Works received test results after 4:30 pm, the BWW did a good job notifying.
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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