City Council Work Session
April 27, 2015
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Rozek, and Theberge; absent were Councilors Morgan Allain, Higbee and Nelson.
Others present included City Manager James Wheeler, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Tom McCue, Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and introduced Tom McCue who is the City’s North Country Council representative as well as the City’s voice on the NHMA legislative committee. He is also a Berlin Planning Board member and a member of the Coos County Planning Board.
NCC & NHMA Update – Tom McCue
Mr. McCue reported that North Country Council is the Regional Planning Commission for the area and the Coos County Planning Board has been using the services of their Professional Planner Tara Ramsford to update site plan review regulations and zoning regulations. NCC has come under new management in recent months and they are reviewing their policies. Certain communities have received a discount for many years and the reasons were never formalized; no one remembers why the discount is in place. It seems that communities with full time planning staff were given the discount. If NCC decides to remove the discount, dues for Berlin would nearly double.
Councilor Gentili asked what benefit we get from being a member of NCC . Mayor Grenier noted that TIP funding as well as other grant funds go through the NCC. Councilor Rozek commented that much of NCC’s focus has been on the Connecticut River Valley with less emphasis on the Androscoggin River Valley. There has been a lot of attention paid to Route 3 compared to Route 16. He said he would not support an increase in dues as proposed. Mr. McCue reiterated that consensus of the Council that we don’t want to see such an increase.
With regard to NHMA, Mr. McCue updated the Council on HB 192 and HB 547 which will likely be referred to the assessing standards board. SB30 would have unincorporated places able to participate in TIF districts which could pave the way for the Balsams redevelopment.
Neighborhood Revitalization Update is postponed to the next meeting.
Reconsideration of Application for Junk Yard
Mayor Grenier reported that there are a number of issues for the City Council to reconsider pertaining to the request for a junk yard license. Councilors discussed the fact that Mr. Croteau has junk at several properties that he has been ordered to clean up. He has an established pattern of non-compliance. Councilor Rozek asked what is the best way to contain the activity and limit the cost to the City.
Ms. Laflamme said that Mr. Croteau is making an effort to obtain a license and he is working with York Land Services and an attorney.
Councilor Rozek noted that in a show of good faith, Mr. Croteau should clean up the three lots he has right now and then the Council could issue the permit. Councilor Remillard added that back taxes should also be paid. Clean up and pay taxes, then the City could give an option for the license. Mayor Grenier stated that this issue will go to the Planning Board who will set conditions.
Ms. Laflamme questioned how the items will be stored if we are asking him to clean up his properties without allowing him access to the new property. Mr. Wheeler stated that staff will come back to the Council with a plan.
Summary of Burgess Biopower
Mr. Wheeler referred to a letter that was prepared by Skip Sansoucy. Burgess Biopower filed with DES for pollution exemptions per RSA 72:12A. The City was advised that if they want to challenge the request, it was time to do it during the application process. The City has a PILOT for the term of 22.5 years. The exemptions would come into effect if the plant were to be sold or in year 23. Cate Street asked for $83 million in exemptions and the city requested close to $53 million to be non-exempt and $8 million to be partially exempted.
DES reviewed what has been submitted and factually determined according to the pollution control definition. DES said $41 million of the request meets the exemption and the City will not object.
Primex Multi-Year Agreement
Mr. Wheeler reported that Primex offers a guarantee of no more than 9% increase for Property Liability and 10% for Worker’s Comp insurance in exchange for a two year agreement. Councilor Remillard moved to approve the multi-year agreement with Primex for worker’s comp and property liability insurance for FY17 & FY18; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Proposed FY16 Auditing Services
Mr. Wheeler referred to the fee sheet from the Vachon Clukay proposal. The City went out for Proposals last year and two firms submitted proposals. The Council approved the Vachon Clukay proposal for one year. Mr. Wheeler stated that Mr. Vachon confirmed that the pricing in the proposal is still good. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to enter into a contract to engage the services of Vachon Clukay for 2016 for $46,012 and $47,224 for 2017; so moved, the motion carried.
Other
Councilor Rozek asked for the street sweeper to go by in the area of Providence Avenue from St. Vincent de Paul during the day to remove sand. Councilor Remillard disagrees with running the sweeper during the day unless it is raining. Mr. Wheeler indicated that Public Works is working in conjunction with Water Works to wet the area that will be swept. He added that every effort will be made to get the streets swept and to do it safely
Non Public Session
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3(d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilors were updated on a land matter.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to come out of non-public session. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to adjourn. So moved, the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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