City Council Work Session
October 19, 2015
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Gentili, Remillard, Theberge, Rozek, Higbee and Morgan-Allain; Councilor Nelson was absent.
Others present: City Manager James Wheeler, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Main Street Program Chair Sylvia Poulin and Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun
Parade of Lights
Ms. Poulin informed the City Council that the Parade of Lights normally held on the day after Thanksgiving will be held in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus Family Christmas Festival on December 5 at 4:00 p.m. The parade route will be the same as that of Homecoming from the 12th Street Bridge to Heritage Park. This is an effort to collaborate with other groups. Ms. Poulin noted that she is trying to get sponsors to provide fireworks.
Councilor Otis asked if the Main Street businesses are comfortable with moving the parade and Ms. Poulin indicated that the parade does not affect the businesses. In November there will be a state wide effort to encourage shopping local and Main Street will participate. The theme for the parade is Heritage Christmas. Mayor Grenier asked if 4:00 is too early and Ms. Poulin stated that they wanted to be mindful of the existing event that the K of C is doing. Mayor Grenier noted that the City could potentially participate with funding fireworks if sponsorships run short. Fireworks would be launched from Horne Field. Ms. Poulin left the meeting at this time.
Housing Property Motion
Linda White reported that the keys to 801 Third Avenue were handed to the buyer and they are an extended family who plan to house three generations in the building. 99 Pine Island is being offered for sale with bids due October 22. Properties that were not sold on October 7 are having the minimum bid reduced and offered for sale again with a November 12 due date.
Ms. White noted that 1051 Main Street is a buildable lot that has been offered several times already. Mayor Grenier suggested that the City keep the lot for the time being as potential parking for the Heritage Park.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Higbee that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 106-0014.000 115 Jericho Road (formerly Map/Lot 106-13,14 & 15) .45 acre – assessed value $12,300. This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the general public as a buildable lot with permitted uses including residential, under Business General zoning. All commercial uses are subject to Site Plan Review. The minimum bid is $ 7,000 (reduced from $15,000)
Map/Lot 127-0182.000, 56 Iceland Street .12 acre – assessed value $97,000: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being determined by condition (fair), lot size, and assessed valuation. Minimum bid is $9,700. (reduced from $12,125.) 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 the sale are not met.
Map/Lot 129-0065.000, 650 Sullivan Street .11 acre – assessed value $77,400: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size, and assessed valuation. Minimum bid is $9,675. (reduced from $11,610) 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 the sale are not met.
Map/Lot 135-0036.000, 1764 Hutchins Street .25 acre – assessed value $62,300: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size, and assessed valuation. Minimum bid is $9,345. (reduced from $15,575) 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 the sale are not met.
Map/Lot 130-0035.000, 677 King Street .23 acre - assessed valuation: $66,100. This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being determined by condition (fair), lot size, and assessed valuation. Minimum bid is $8,263. (reduced from $15,360) 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 the sale are not met.
Map/Lot 129-0047.000, 569 Main Street .32 acre – assessed valuation: $97,100. This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being determined by condition (poor/fair), lot size and assessed valuation. Minimum bid is $19,420. 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 the sale are not met
So moved, the motion carried with all in favor.
Candidate’s Night Request
Ms. Laflamme reported that the Berlin Daily Sun and North Country Listens will host a Citizens Academy called Candidate’s Night. The Mayor will do a welcome and there will be an introduction by the City Manager and Superintendent of Schools. There won’t be a debate. People will be asked to rotate among the groups to ask questions and hear the candidates. Candidate profiles will be out in the newspaper and this event will be one week before the election. Councilor Rozek asked if the cable company would broadcast and Ms. Laflamme said it has not been done in a long time, but she would look into it.
Ms. Laflamme went on to describe a meeting to be held at the High School November 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 regarding the current problem with drugs and heroin in the community. There will be a panel including the Police Chief, AVH, Fr. Kyle, Northern Human Services, AWARE, Friendship House, Coos County Family Health and other stakeholders who will speak to prevention, treatment and long term recovery.
Other
Mr. Wheeler informed the Council that there is a resolution appropriating $200,000 to demolition. We are taking $200,000 from 12th Street Bridge repair reimbursement and appropriating for demolition. Councilor Higbee asked about $39,000 that will be left from the reimbursement and Mr. Wheeler stated that it will go into unappropriated fund balance.
Mayor Grenier mentioned that he received an invitation letter from Trans Canada to a dinner Thursday November 12. He indicated that it is important that either he or the City Manager attend.
Non-Meeting
At 7:10 p.m. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A: 2,I(b) collective bargaining. So moved, the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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