City Council Work Session
June 13, 2016
Present were: Mayor Grenier; Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Morgan Allain, Higbee, and Rozek. Councilors Theberge and Councilor Nelson were absent
Others present included City Manager James Wheeler, Public Works Director Michael Perreault, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, Finance Director Patty Chase, Colleen Poulin, Scott Clorite, Recreation Director Terry Letarte, Assistant City Clerk Elaine Riendeau, media and public
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
Skate Park
Colleen Poulin reported that the last time she came to a Council meeting, different sites for a Skate Park were discussed. City staff suggested Community Field Park and the Skate Park Committee is excited about the site. Mr. Perreault indicated that test pits were done revealing that there is 8 inches of loam, ash and bank run soil at the site. Ms. Poulin stated that this site has everything; it is central, there is a restaurant and store nearby and there is high visibility. She went on to say that there is a preliminary design in place and there is a lot of interest from students and potential volunteers. David Bean who is the consultant that worked with Bethel is willing to be the construction coordinator for a fee of $5,000.
Mr. Wheeler proposed having a detailed plan so that a proposal can be brought to the Council. The proposed design is likely to be a $100,000 project. Mr. Perreault noted that with as much local match as is available, there is a potential for grants. Ms. Poulin indicated that the group would be fundraising.
Razor Event Temporary Camping
Ms. Laflamme reported that a committee met with fire and police to talk about prospective rules for temporary camping at the upcoming ATV events. The group came up with a list of rules for the Jericho ATV Festival and Camp Razor events. One concern is for Police and Fire to know who the land owner is and that they have the ability to contact them. This will be addressed with an application process that will have contact information of the owner and manager of the camping area.
Chief Morency was concerned that people parking in municipal lots may have a false sense of it being secure. It was suggested that signs be put up to encourage visitors to lock their vehicles. Chief Trull expressed concern about propane storage and that will be addressed by having campers follow State rules and fire codes. The group took language from Laconia’s ordinance to keep order and access for emergency vehicles.
Councilor Rozek stated that he is willing to install a 1300 gallon septage tank so that rv’s can dispose of their wastewater; he would then remove the tank when the festival is done. He would then come and pump the tank as needed which he would have to charge for. He stated that someone will have to monitor and collect fees that will pay for removal.
Ms. Laflamme indicated that the rules could be in place for the festivals without putting into an ordinance. Mayor Grenier suggested having a special use regulation in the ordinances that the Council could enact when there is a special event. Councilor Remillard added that once the event has occurred, the regulations could be critiqued and altered to fit the need.
Vision/People GIS Presentation
Ms. Laflamme presented the City’s GIS mapping software in response to a request for having tax cards on the City’s web site. The City recently changed assessing software from Avitar to Vision. The parcel maps on the City web site were being updated daily from the Avitar software; however with the change to Vision, reprogramming was necessary. Avitar also allowed third party users to pay for access to the tax cards; Vision does not do that.
If the city were to have the tax cards on the web site changes made more than once per year would cost $200 each in addition to $2,500 per year for the service. People GIS has been working to sync their GIS with Vision so that information on the tax cards can be available. Ms. Laflamme stated that photos should be available within a few weeks. Councilor Remillard asked about square footage and Ms. Laflamme noted that it can be added to the City’s GIS Mapping. Councilor Remillard and Councilor Morgan Allain agreed that as long as the information is available, it does not matter if it’s on a tax card. Councilor Higbee confirmed that the data pulled from Vision to People GIS is done electronically.
Budget
Mr. Wheeler stated that the final read of the budget is next week. In order to have no tax increase, he proposed increasing the amount taken from unappropriated fund balance to $1,020,000 which would leave $1.6 million. Mayor Grenier added that the school has been working to return funds and he wanted to assure them that funding would be in place to purchase a bus. He also noted that $25,000 could be appropriated to the skate park. He wanted to be sure that the fundraising goals for the skate park are not unrealistic.
Mr. Wheeler established that there is no appropriation for demolition in this budget; however there is still about $140,000 from the last budget. He added that the city took in a fee from Burgess Biomass to reduce I & I on the east side. There are several tax deeded properties, with flat roofs and sump drains and it would benefit I & I if those properties were taken down. This is a preliminary review but it looks like some demo funds could come from the sewer fund.
With regard to the Skate Park funds, Councilor Remillard wanted to be sure that the City would put in money as funds get dispersed from the fundraiser. She did not want all the City’s funding to go in first. Ms. Poulin stated that it is the intent of the group to have the money in place before starting the project.
Councilor Higbee asked if Vachon Clukay would agree to a ufb of $1.6 and Mr. Wheeler stated that we are still well over the 5% recommended by the DRA.
Mayor Grenier confirmed that Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Perreault and Ms. Poulin will meet about the Skate Park.
Other
Councilor Gentili reported that the Rainbow Family Gathering which is a group of peace loving individuals who have a yearly regional gathering is set to occur in either the White Mountain National Forest or Green Mountain National Forest. A final decision on the location should come soon.
Councilor Rozek asked about the grinding of Route 16 and suggested that it gets done at the onset of the project. Mr. Wheeler noted that there should be a schedule soon.
Councilor Rozek asked for the matrix of union contracts that Pat used to provide showing the employment changes being proposed.
Councilor Morgan Allain asked about tax deeded properties. Ms. Chase stated that we took 23 properties. Letters have gone out offering the prior owner the opportunity to repurchase and so far, no one has come in to repurchase. Councilor Remillard asked for a list once the final number is known.
Councilor Remillard asked when the traffic and safety committee is meeting. Councilor Rozek commented that he wants to receive a review and comments from PWD and PD; however it should be within two weeks.
Adjournment
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Morgan Allain to adjourn. So moved, the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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