WORK SESSION
July 2, 2012
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Nelson, Higbee, Théberge, Ducharme, Otis, Morgan-Allain, Remillard and Rozek
Others present included Mark & Barry Kelley; Nicole Plourde, Renney Morneau, Chief Trull, Henry Sanschagrin, Linda White, Pamela Laflamme, Rene Boutin, Reverend Jason Jalbert , Deacon Andrew, media and public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Request for Land Purchase
Barry Kelley explained that the property at 717 Fifth Avenue is abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Typically the city sells land of that size in the range of $2,000 to $3,000. He offered to tear down the building and pay for the assessment; however he wanted the City to pick up the cost of tipping fees. The property would be joined with the neighboring parcel which belongs to their uncle. Councilor Remillard confirmed that the abutters have been notified and there was no interest from them. Linda White explained that the property was offered to the abutters with no minimum bid; however the owner would be responsible for the abatement and demolition.
Councilor Rozek commented that he sees the good in this proposal but it would set a precedent. Ms. White estimated that it would cost $800 to $1,000 to fully assess the building for lead and asbestos. Mayor Grenier proposed to quitclaim the property to the Kelley’s in return for razing and removing debris at their expense.
Barry Kelley noted that he could simply wait and the city would incur the expense of razing. Ms. White established that his property is not to code; however in the inventory of city owned properties, this would not be a top priority for demolition at this time. Councilor Nelson stated that the abutters were not given the same opportunity in the bid process.
Mr. Kelley indicated that they will pay for the assessment and come back to the Council once controllable cost is known. He said that they are trying to do what is in the best interest of the City and so that they acquire the property.
Parade Permit Request
Fr. Jason Jalbert and Deacon Andrew addressed the Council regarding a request for a procession to celebrate the Feast of St. Anne on July 26. He stated that they have modified the route so that the procession will go from Good Shepherd Church to Pleasant Street to Mason Street and Main Street; back to the church. Fr. Jalbert said that the new bishop loves Berlin and he wanted to do something to honor the parish and Berlin’s contribution to the diocese. The day is scheduled with events and there are buses booked to come. He said that he realizes it is the day of the Farmers Market; however some may contribute to the economy by visiting the market. The schedule is a 3:00 p.m. mass at church with the procession to follow. Councilor Remillard moved to approve the parade permit; Councilor
Théberge seconded and the motion carried.
Historical Society Request for Exemption of Fire Alarm Fee
Renney Morneau addressed the Council saying that the Historical Society received a bill for its fire alarm fee which is a new fee structure for any business or non-profit that has a fire alarm system linked directly to the Fire Department. The Moffet House is run by volunteers with money derived from donations and memberships. The Historical Society’s Board is asking to be exempted from the fee.
Mayor Grenier stated that he would be willing to help the Historical Society gain a corporate sponsor that would cover the cost. Councilor Nelson moved to deny the request to waive the fire alarm fee; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Emergency Management Resolutions
Chief Trull reported that the Emergency Management Committee reviewed the City’s emergency plan and it is in need of an update. The cost of an update would be $5000 and there is a grant available for that amount. Match from the City would be met with in-kind from payroll of the Committee members.
There is also a $600 grant for updating radios to narrow band which is required by January of 2013. Matching funds will come from the Fire Department budget. The Health Officer’s radio is included.
Other
Traffic Safety
Councilor Remillard indicated that she has items to bring to a Traffic and Safety meeting that she will schedule in a few weeks.
Nascar
Councilor Nelson reported that she went to Concord to choose a driver in the “Race for Education” at the request of the Council and she came back with 20 race tickets for July 14 & 15. The sponsors were pleased with the publicity in the 13 cities. They will now send an additional 100 tickets and if anyone has ideas of how to distribute the tickets to people who will use them, please contact Councilor Nelson or Pam Laflamme.
OHRV Ordinance
Ms. Laflamme reported that the current trail behind the Big Apple will be closed to traffic for about 8 weeks because the biomass plant is laying conduit on Goebel Street and they need the space. The current ordinance does not allow quick changes; however the amendment will allow a change by vote of the City Council.
Mayor Grenier suggested that the City have an organized committee so that Councilor Théberge would have more say. He would be the Council’s representative. He called for an OHRV Trail Committee.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Nelson moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property…; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
At 7:45 Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Théberge moved to seal the minutes until transactions discussed are complete as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY, July 2, 2012
Mayor Grenier called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:45 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Otis, Rozek, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain and Théberge, Nelson and Higbee. Also present: Pamela Laflamme, Henry Sanschagrin, Rene Boutin , press and public.
Minutes, Previous Meeting
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2012 Work Session/Regular Meeting. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims to pay all bills dated 6/21/2012 to 6/30/2012 for a total cash disbursement of $1,774,728.21 Draft #1668; and those dated 7/1/2012 to 7/3/2012 for a total cash disbursement of $557,905.67 Draft #1669. Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Higbee to accept the disbursement summaries and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS there were no comments
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Council Committee Reports – no reports.
NEW BUSINESS
- Ordinance 2012-04 Authorizing Council to Detour OHRV Trail by Motion (1st read)
Councilor Remillard moved with a second from Councilor Otis to table Ordinance 2012-04 and schedule a public hearing for July 16. So moved, the motion carried.
- Resolution 2012-21 Appropriating $12,,000 from CAP to Recreation Department Summer Programs (1st read)
Councilor Remillard moved with a second from Councilor Otis to table Resolution 2012-21 and schedule a public hearing for July 16. So moved, the motion carried.
- Resolution 2012-22 Emergency Management Grant for Radios (1st read)
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Higbee d to table Resolution 2012-22 and schedule a public hearing for July 16. So moved, the motion carried.
- Resolution 2012-23 Emergency Management Grant for Update of Emergency Operation Procedure (1st read)
Councilor Théberge moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to table Resolution 2012-23 and schedule a public hearing for July 16. So moved, the motion carried.
Jericho Lake Campground
DRED announced plans last week for the first phase for a campground at Jericho Mountain State Park. The campground is anticipated to be open by July 26; it will offer primitive camping this season with 5 cabins, 6 tent sites and 9 RV sites, with only water available and porta potties. As OHRV is a popular activity at the park, with 75 miles of trails, sites will accommodate OHRVs as well. Reservations will start being taken by the second week of July.
What did not make the press release put out by DRED was the fact that use of the day area at Jericho Lake is free for Berlin residents as negotiated by the City when Jericho Lake was sold to the State in 2006. Residents need to show some proof of residency such as their driver’s license to have the fee waived.
Public Works Update
Public Works has started discussions with Pike Industries to develop cost estimates for paving Hutchins Street and the area where the urban compact ends on Route 110. The Public Works Director is in the process of getting these projects underway and will be putting out requests for bids on these and other projects shortly.
A plan is also being coordinated to make repairs to the Main Street and Mason Street intersection. Public Works is working with utility companies to repair structures in the intersection and is looking to try and grind the pavement in the intersection and put down an overlay as well.
WWTF Improvements
The improvements at the WWTF are on track. Staff indicates that the blasting has been finished and the excavating for the new clarifier is complete. The concrete has been poured for the foundation for the new disinfection structure as well. Things are moving along smoothly.
NH-JAG Summer Youth Program
Twenty-three students will be working around the community this summer as part of the NH JAG Summer Youth Program at Berlin High School. There will be students working with our own Parks and Recreation Department including one student who is old enough to work with the maintenance staff. There will be students at the Northern Forest Heritage Park and at Berlin High School working with the technology staff. The remainder of the students will working with the AMC again maintaining the trails on Mount Jasper as started last summer. These students will also have an opportunity to work with the WMNF on trails located on Mt. Washington. This program continues to connect youth with productive skill building tasks that help the community and prepare the students for the workforce.
Housing Coordinator Update
Of the 36 properties Tax Deeded in 2012….
- Three (3) have been repurchased for the taxes by owner,~with two (2) more expected to be repurchased.
- As of 7/2/12 -~ Of the 9 remaining occupied homes/buildings,~ 4 have/will be vacated by the end of this week
- As of 7/6/12 -~We will issue a Writ of Summons on the remaining occupied properties.
Berlin Neighborhood Revitalization Program
- We are presently beginning the inspection process on the waiting list of 20 homes.
- We hope to service between 14-16 homes with remaining funds~
Home Ownership Day
- On June 27 – Everyone came out for a work day at the home of Steve and Michelle Landry – 636 Beaudoin St., (who are also participants in the BNRP program).~ A great example of the partnership between HUD – Rural Development,~TCCAP, Better Buildings and the City of Berlin. Painting, gardens,~electrical work, insulation, new garage doors, mowing etc. were some of the projects that volunteers worked on.
NSP1 – Additional Funds
- 81-83 Mason has completed the abatement and preparation/demolition for the re-construction phase
NSP3 -~Abatement bid for 216 Grafton, 735 & 729 Second Avenue awarded to Northridge Contractors.
FEMA Flood Mapping Update
FEMA and their contractors will be holding public outreach meetings sometime in August to discuss the update to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Property owners with properties that are proposed to be part of the floodplain will be required to purchase flood insurance if they have federally backed mortgages. Staff has spent a significant amount of time talking with FEMA, Office of Energy and Planning, and Senator Shaheen’ s staff to figure out a way to make this as easy on the affected residents as possible. The process is not user friendly process and that has required extra advocacy on our part. We are finally starting to see some progress. The new maps add a little over one hundred new structures to the floodplain and it is unclear how many of those structures will be required to purchase flood insurance.
The City will be asked to adopt the maps sometime this fall. It is not clear what the repercussions are not for not adopting the maps but one of the obvious issues would be that if there were a flood event, we would not be eligible for reimbursement of damages in the areas of the floodplain. Staff continues to clarify the process so we can communicate it to the public. Staff has asked about sending direct notices to affected property owners and we were informed that direct outreach was an optional activity and would be the financial responsibility of the community if we decided that was something we wanted to pursue.
Legislative Matters
NHMA Policy Process This was discussed in the last manager’s report and we have included the floor policy proposal document for Council’s use if anyone has any proposals in mind for submission. Also attached are the NHMA final legislative policy recommendations which Council normally reviews and gives direction to the City’s representative (currently former City Councilor Tom McCue) on how the Council feels about the recommendations. The Planning Board will review the recommendations related to planning oriented recommendations at their next meeting.
New floor policies need to be submitted no later than August 17. Feedback on the recommendations for Tom McCue will need to be given to him by mid-September so he has it for the conference.
Mayor Grenier recommended that people who’s status in the flood plain is changing receive registered notices at the City’s expense so that they realize their property’s flood zone status has changed.
Councilor Rozek asked if the City Manager’s report could include a more detailed report of street repairs and a timeline of what is planned. He also asked for an update on the project at 97 Main Street.
Councilor Remillard asked for an update of the progress for paving at the Morrissette house.
Councilor Rozek moved accept the Manager’s report and place of file; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
- Mayor’s Report – there was no report
- PUBLIC COMMENTS
Henry Sanschagrin, 35 Crestwood Drive, Gorham and President of the Presidential OHRV Club commented that neither the City nor State was notified ahead of time that work would be done by the biomass plant in the trail. The Presidential Club is responsible for the trail to Gorham. He was informed that it was upper management that failed to notify the state and city. He encouraged the Council to take the action necessary to provide trail access to Gorham.
- Council Comments - there were no comments
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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