City Council Recessed Meeting
Minutes
April 16, 2007
Non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A: 2, I (b)
to discuss collective bargaining.
City Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.
Reports
Action: Councilor McClure, Council Advisory Committee on Wages and Compensation Chair, thanked the committee for dedicating many hours reviewing all the material. She also thanked Personnel Director Norm O’Neil, Deputy City Manager - Finance Jim Howard, City Manager Tom Aspell and the staff committee who were always available for questions. Councilor McClure explained that when the committee reviewed the wage structure, the compensation plan, the statistics for the workforce in Concord it was found that Concord is a good place to work; employees are content and feel that they are treated fairly; and there is little evidence that Concord is experiencing any difficulty in hiring or retaining employees. She noted that the committee concluded that the study was not being done because of any discontent on the part of the employees or that the city is having trouble keeping or attracting employees. As with any compensation plan and any workforce, she explained that there are always changes in job responsibilities over time. She added that the last time the city did a study was in 1998 and that it is recommended that these studies be done on a periodic basis. Councilor McClure added that it is important that the city continue to pay its employees at market wages and in order to do so, studies need to be done to determine what that market rate is and whether or not it is being met. She indicated that Concord has experienced compression in which there are many employees at the maximum step of their pay grades and they are no longer progressing along and increasing their future salary, sometimes creating inequitable compensation patterns among the entire workforce. She explained that the committee saw its charge as working with the consultant, the staff and reviewing this study to develop recommendations that both fairly support the city’s employees and that are in the best interest of the taxpayers. Referencing appendix C, Councilor McClure explained that the appendix is a salary survey summary in which the consultant took a number of positions within the city and compared them to the survey communities. She indicated that it was then determined how Concord compared in terms of the entry salary, mean salary and maximum salary in each pay grade to the participating salary communities. Referencing page 25, the second page of appendix C, Councilor McClure pointed out the two percentages at the bottom of the chart not labeled explaining that the committee determined that those two percentages are meaningless statistics. She noted that this does not detract from the fact that in comparing these individual jobs in the study that these percentages for each job are accurate. Secondly, she pointed out that the committee did not look at the reclassification aspect of the study and focused primarily on the compensation and wage structure plan. Councilor McClure summarized the recommendations: 1) the committee recommends that Concord continue to compensate its employees at competitive market rates – the committee looked at a number of compensation plans and it was decided that employees should be compensated at 100 percent of the market; 2) the committee recommends the city adopt a new wage structure with sixteen 2.5 percent steps with a 45 percent salary spread between the lowest and highest steps in each grade; 3) the committee decided that with a new salary structure, that the lump sum bonus program was not needed because there would be a salary structure that compensates employees equitably at all levels and recommends that the city abandons the lump sum bonus program for employees who have reached the maximum salary in their grades. Councilor McClure noted that the City Manager recommended that this program be retained for one year because he needs time to develop a performance based merit system for all employees; 4) the committee recommends that all “red lined” employees be frozen until the table rates of their salaries exceed their current salaries; 5) the committee recommends that Council consider delegating future wage and compensation studies to the City Manager with specific, Council-imposed, budgetary guidelines for employee compensation.
City Manager Tom Aspell pointed out that there are five steps involved if Council were to accept this report: 1) to give employees the opportunity to make suggestions and recommendations regarding the classification and compensation plans; 2) have the recommendations and suggestions provided to the Personnel Director in which he will review, clarify as necessary and forward them to the City Manager; 3) the City Manager would then review, make modifications, amendments or recommendations as deemed appropriate; 4) submit a report from City Administration to City Council; 5) Council would either approve or reject the entire study and recommendations.
Referencing the five steps, Mayor Donovan inquired whether employees would be reviewing just the reclassification aspect of the study. Mr. Aspell indicated that to be correct explaining that employees would be looking at their own personal position in terms of how their job descriptions were rewritten, make comments, and provide that information to the Personnel Director. Mayor Donovan inquired as to when this process is expected to be completed. Mr. Aspell responded that staff could get this information back to Council for action at either the November or December Council meeting with implementation of January if approved.
Councilor McClure pointed out that the implementation cost for the first year of this current plan is $385,767 and over five years it is $2,796,302. She explained that the review is not going to change anything within the report except for the figures. Mr. Aspell noted his agreement.
Mayor Donovan inquired whether the plan itself will change. Councilor McClure responded that the classification may change and explained that the committee made decisions about structure based upon cost.
Mayor Donovan inquired as to why the employee review of the reclassification wasn’t done during the study so that there was employee input while the consultant was still on board and that the final study reflected the employees input.
Personnel Director Norm O’Neil indicated that employees need to be given the opportunity to provide input in terms of the classification. He explained that initially, a position description questionnaire was sent out asking employees what types of functions and duties they performed. Once these were completed by employees, they were sent back and the consultant prepared classifications and job descriptions and sent these back to the employees in which they reviewed these and provided feedback and input regarding changes. He explained that the consultant then sent the revised changes to the employees and after this review, the classification plan was then issued which showed the relative position of each employee to another within the organization, adding that this is the part in which employees had not had the opportunity to make any suggestions on.
Councilor Brochu noted his confusion indicating that it sounds as though the employees have been questioned and giving their input on whether they feel they should be promoted into a new classification or not. He indicated that in any business, employees if given the chance would like their job descriptions to be higher. Mr. O’Neil explained that department heads and supervisors have had input as to what the employees have given for their job descriptions. He indicated that staff would review any requests or suggestions that an employee has with the department to ensure that it is understood as to what the positions do and understand the relative internal relationships from one position to the next noting that this is critical from a perspective of an employee feeling as if they are treated fairly within the organization. Councilor Brochu inquired as to how many employees have reached their maximum as far as advancing any further. Mr. O’Neil responded that 45 percent of employees are at the top step.
Mayor Donovan asked for clarification as to whether there would be only three employees that are at the maximum step if this new plan goes into effect. Mr. O’Neil responded that there would be three employees that would be red lined, above the maximum step. Mayor Donovan inquired as to how many would be at the maximum step. Mr. O’Neil responded that he was unsure of this number adding that there is not a lot initially but it doesn’t take a long time for some people to go back to being maxed out again.
Councilor McClure noted that she had posed this question a week ago and indicated that she was given the total of seventy four employees that would be at the top of their grade within a few years. Mr. O’Neil indicated that to be correct. Councilor McClure inquired as to how this proposal is different from grievances. She noted that it was her impression that this process had taken place during the consultant’s study and that was why the staff committee had been formed. Furthermore, she noted that she recalled that there was a great deal of discussion about rushing to do this so that it can be implemented by July 1st along with the new budget cycle. Mr. O’Neil responded that the ordinance indicates that the employees be asked their suggestions and recommendations. He explained that there is a formal appeal process that can occur after a plan is implemented. He added that staff is trying to ensure that there is not as many formal appeals that occurred last time.
City Manager Tom Aspell inquired as to how many formal appeals there had been last time. Mr. O’Neil responded that there were approximately one hundred appeals.
Referencing item 4, developing new job descriptions, on page one of the consultant’s report, Councilor Stetson inquired whether the consultants interviewed the employees when they looked at the job descriptions for Concord. Mr. O’Neil indicated that to be correct. Councilor Stetson inquired whether they had compared these interviews with others used for their statistics. Mr. O’Neil responded that they gave a summary of what the job description was and sent this out. Councilor Stetson noted that the comparison, therefore, may not be accurate. Mr. O’Neil explained that the approach the consultants used was benchmarked jobs and benchmarked job descriptions and indicated that they followed generally accepted practices to include position title and a summary of what the job description is. He added that no jobs are exactly alike or identical in any community. Councilor Stetson noted that he realizes that they are not identical but that they should be similar or otherwise they cannot be compared to each other. He noted that he feels that, as part of the report, the new job descriptions that they came up with should have been included.
Councilor Rowe noted his concern with the report not containing any private sector comparisons. Mr. Aspell responded that the selections had been chosen by the committee explaining that the private sector such as Concord Hospital and the Concord School District had not sent in their submittals and if Council would like to supplement the study with these submittals, they could be added.
Councilor Coen inquired as to the definition of red lined. Mr. O’Neil defined this as a person that is above what the maximum wage is for what their labor grade would be. Councilor Coen inquired whether the state comparisons had been included within the study. Mr. O’Neil indicated that there are positions from the state that were considered within this study. Councilor Coen noted that in his experience in job classification they are usually done by the organization looking at what needs to be done and the jobs that need to be fulfilled so that the job description is designed for that particular job. Mr. O’Neil explained that it is currently what the employee is doing and not what would they like to do. He explained that there are tasks that are being recognized that employees are doing and that is why there are supervisors who look at them. Mr. O’Neil indicated that employees were asked to describe what they currently do and what percentage of time is spent doing these activities.
Councilor Nyhan pointed out the second paragraph, under the background section of the report, does indicate that surveys were sent out to private industries including the hospital, the Concord School District, as well as Pike Industries. He noted that the committee also had concerns that responses had not been received by these entities.
Mayor Donovan inquired as to how much work occurred on this effort before the committee met. Mr. O’Neil explained that he had approached the original committee chair, former Councilor Jim McGonigle, and asked if he had wanted to participate in selecting the consultant and he had indicated that he was comfortable with staff making this selection. He noted that the staff committee included former Police Chief Jerry Madden, City Clerk Janice Bonenfant, Library Director Pat Immen, Deputy City Manager - Finance Jim Howard, City Manager Tom Aspell and himself.
Mayor Donovan inquired whether the list of comparable communities and employers had been developed with the input of the committee or whether this had been developed before the committee became involved. Councilor Nyhan responded that this was with the committee input.
Councilor McClure explained that the Council committee met in March and this is when they chose the survey communities and private entities. She noted that the next meeting occurred in late September at which time the committee received the draft report.
Councilor Nyhan clarified that the first time that the committee first met in March was with the consultant at which time he described the process of the interview. He indicated that the selection of the consultant had taken place prior to the March meeting.
Councilor Coen inquired whether the committee had looked at the State of New Hampshire’s labor statistics for the county. Councilor Nyhan responded that the state was one of the survey recipients and noted that he was unsure as to the data that the consultant had looked at and incorporated within the report. Councilor Coen clarified that he was inquiring specifically on the statistics done on the private sector and the wages and labor for all employees in the county or state. Councilor Nyhan responded that he was not sure whether this information had been looked at.
Councilor Black noted that in previous years discussions had occurred regarding performance based items and inquired whether this leads to more compression at the top. Councilor Black further inquired whether red lined is a super compression. Mr. O’Neil explained that he has provided copies of all of the information utilized to train supervisors; copies of the performance management system used for management, employees and supervisors; and performance management guidelines provided to supervisors utilized to move people along the step process. He noted that an individual only moves from one step to the next step based upon satisfactory performance over the previous year. He added that the city has a performance management process that is in place currently. He responded that red lined can be looked at as being super compression and explained that red lining is when a person is actually above the maximum of their wage scale.
Mayor Donovan asked for an explanation of the interplay between the plan and union contracts if Council were to adopt this report. Mr. O’Neil, referencing page 19 of the consultants report, explained that this is a reverse listing of the positions starting with grade 27 and going down. He indicated that these grades are attached to wage schedules that are listed on pages 9, 10, and 11. Mr. O’Neil noted that the labor grades listed here relates to the labor grades listed on the compensation plan and if Council adopts this report, those wage plans would only apply to non-contractual employees and explained that any bargaining unit would need to be negotiated. Mayor Donovan inquired as to how many employees would receive the new compensation levels. Mr. O’Neil responded that there are approximately 115 non-contractual employees. Mayor Donovan inquired whether the other positions would need to be negotiated within the labor contracts. Mr. O’Neil indicated that to be correct.
Mayor Donovan asked for clarification as to when the City Manager would be submitting his comments. Mr. Aspell clarified that he would be submitting his comments in his report back to Council. Mayor Donovan inquired whether these would include comments on the committee’s report. Mr. Aspell clarified that his comments would be on what he proposes noting that the ordinance indicates that only the City Manager can propose a compensation plan to the Council. Mayor Donovan questioned whether he dissents from any of the committee’s recommendations or whether he supported the report overall. Mr. Aspell noted his agreement with the recommendations 1, 2, 3 and 5 within the report. Referencing the red lined employees in recommendation 4, Mr. Aspell explained that this was something that had come up last time and was suggested by the Slavin Report and Council had chosen not to do this. He noted that he wanted to have a conversation with Council about this item explaining that he sees the logic behind this but doesn’t know why Council chose not to do this last time. Mayor Donovan, referencing recommendation 3, explained that over the years Council has been told that what the city has currently, the step plan, is a merit system and inquired whether this is a change within the philosophy of the City Manager on this. He indicated that he had also been told, two City Managers ago, that the Council could not force a merit plan. Mr. Aspell responded that the way recommendation 3 is worded is that the system that is in place is a merit plan in the sense that a person needs to pass their performance evaluation satisfactorily to receive an increase. He noted that the real piece here is that, when the seventy four will be at the top of the plan in several years, instead of getting lump sum bonuses because one is at the top, there would be a performance measurement system which would look at whether the employee performed so well that they would receive some type of bonus. Mr. Aspell clarified that there is technically a merit plan and approximately 99 percent of the employees meet the criteria every year and receive a step increase. He explained that what happens when an employee gets to the top is that they get a lump sum instead of a step. He noted that many individuals on the committee suggested that instead of stopping immediately, a performance system should be implemented so that if an employee is at the top and performing extremely well, that there be some way to reward the employee. Mayor Donovan indicated that the City Manager had a system with the authority to award a lump sum merit bonus to employees, not just to those at the top step. Mayor Donovan inquired as to whether what is being said here is that that system would be replaced as well. Mr. Aspell indicated that to be correct explaining that all employees would be eligible based on superior performance. Mayor Donovan, referencing section 44, Compensation, in the City Charter, indicated that it reads that “the compensation of all officers and employees not specifically provided for by the Charter shall be fixed in a merit system by a scheduled pay which shall include a minimum and a maximum at such intermediate rates as made to be deemed desirable for each class of position.” Mayor Donovan inquired that based on this, what the city has currently is a merit system. Mr. Aspell indicated that to be correct. Mayor Donovan inquired whether the City Manager could change the criteria for determining movement from one step to the other. He noted that he had been told in the past that if Council forced something like this it would violate the City Charter. Mayor Donovan inquired as to whether Council could ask the City Manager to develop a system that is more rigorous in terms of performance in order for an employee to advance from one step to the next. Mr. Aspell responded that he was sure Council could ask. He explained that when he discussed this with the committee, this was the idea of going from the 3 percent to the 2.5 percent increases and having more of an increase of salary relied upon performance. He noted that the committee looked at a 2 percent step and the reason that they decided not to was because it would push the city so far out of the way from everybody else in this business and would therefore be a competitive disadvantage.
Councilor McClure explained that as the committee was working through this and reviewed the performance evaluation program that the city has, the committee didn’t feel that they would call it a merit system because these step increases are virtually automatic. She added that the committee was told that there needed to be a step system of some sort. She indicated that this leaves a system that the committee did not feel left room to reward superior performance. Councilor McClure explained that a potential is being created for mediocre work force and the fact that the city has superior performers is not because of any incentive that the wage structure creates for them it’s because they enjoy working for the city. She explained that the idea was to create some sort of merit system that would be over and above the step system for all employees and not just employees that are at the top of pay grade.
Councilor Nyhan added that during the committee meetings, concerns had been relayed regarding the automatic step increase from year to year. He noted that he feels that it had been made clear that the committee did not desire to see the automatic increase pass from year to year. He indicated that rather than a step increase program for satisfactory performance that it be a step increase program for satisfactory performance based upon a higher set of criteria.
Mayor Donovan noted that it should be observed that, in fairness to the system, the city doesn’t do it any differently than the rest of the government does.
Councilor Nyhan noted that what was difficult for individuals from the private sector to grasp was the fact that municipal employees basically are eligible for two pay raises a year which includes the step increase in addition to the cost of living increase.
Referencing the table on page 3 of the committee report, Mayor Donovan inquired whether the first year was supposed to be fiscal year 2008. Mr. O’Neil responded that it would be for a twelve month period. Councilor McClure indicated yes, explaining that the idea was to implement it approximately a year after the statistics were created. Mayor Donovan indicated that he was curious as to how much of these increases were due to reclassification versus the elongation of the range. Mr. O’Neil responded that a lot of it has to do with initially how individuals would fall on the wage schedule. Mayor Donovan inquired whether these numbers consider that, under the present plan, 45 percent of the employees are at maximum and therefore will not be getting the step increase and cost of living increases. Mr. O’Neil indicated that to be correct. Mayor Donovan inquired as to how much of the numbers include that. Mr. O’Neil indicated that he was not sure of that number. Mayor Donovan inquired whether these numbers, as they project out over time, make assumptions of the cost of living increases or would this be on top of these numbers. Mr. O’Neil responded that they do not make the assumptions of the cost of living increases. Mayor Donovan inquired whether they would reflect the movement of all the employees from one step to the next. Mr. O’Neil indicated that to be correct.
Councilor Stetson asked for clarification of the reclassification. Mr. O’Neil explained that the consultant proposed a reclassification from the current eighteen grades into twenty seven grades. Councilor Stetson inquired whether this has been done and considered within the table. Mr. O’Neil responded that it is. Councilor Stetson inquired whether the reclassification in which the employees can make suggestion or argue their case is not included within this report. Mr. O’Neil responded that it was not included.
Councilor McClure noted that if there are 45 percent of employees at the top of their pay grade those increases, when the structure is elongated, are going to be higher dollar values than the increases that occur in the middle of the pay grade and inquired whether it is fair to state that at least half of this figure is due to the elongation of the structure. Mr. Aspell explained that they still receive the lump sum bonus. Councilor McClure inquired whether the status quo includes the lump sum bonus. Mr. Aspell indicated that to be correct.
Councilor Nyhan indicated that the committee did understand that this plan would be viewed by others as a base line and explained that the committee focused on the fact that they wanted to look at the positions and price them at 100 percent of the current market rate.
Mayor Donovan thanked the committee for their work particularly Councilor McClure for undertaking the chairpersonship of this committee. He further thanked Councilors Nyhan, Bennett and Lemieux for participating on the committee. Mayor Donovan explained that at the time when he made the suggestion for this study and Council adopted it that it was something important that needed to be tackled and that the city needs to have a pay plan that is kept up to date. He indicated that the overall percentage is 1 to 1.5 percent of an increase in the city’s overall expense.
Councilor McClure moved to accept the committee report. The motion was duly seconded.
Councilor Bouley inquired whether the report should be referred to City Administration.
Mayor Donovan noted that by accepting the report, the City Manager has made it clear that the plan is not implemented until it comes back to Council in an ordinance form. He added that Council would be just adopting the committee report and not the plan at this time and also referring the consultant study to City Administration.
Councilor McClure moved to amend her motion to include referral of the plan to City Administration. The motion was duly seconded.
Councilor McClure clarified that she sees Council accepting the committee report, that the recommendations the committee has made will be considered, and that Council is not weighing in on the plan itself at this time. She added that the report is clear in the recommendations that Council accept the committee report and decide how to implement the recommendations.
Mayor Donovan explained that no action that Council takes on this report this evening is going to commit any Councilor to any single budgetary vote. Mayor Donovan noted that to implement this, Council has to do three things: pass an ordinance; successfully negotiate into collective bargaining agreements; make budgetary decisions.
Councilor Stetson noted that he feels that the committee did a good job putting together the information they had to work with. He added that he feels that the consultant’s report is incomplete and feels that he cannot accept the committee report if the consultant’s report is a part of the acceptance.
Councilor McClure added that the committee had both the advisory committee and Council “hats” on in terms of looking at the impact on the tax base and the taxpayers when reviewing the proposal.
Councilor Blanchard inquired as to the cost of the consultant. Mr. O’Neil responded that the cost was $49,500 with $5,000 remaining.
Mayor Donovan asked for clarification of the motion. City Clerk Janice Bonenfant indicated that the original motion was to accept the report noting that Councilor McClure later amended her motion to include referral of the plan to City Administration.
The motion passed on a voice vote.
Unfinished Business
Action: This item remains on the table.
Action: This item remains on the table.
Action: This item remains on the table.
Comments, Requests by Mayor, City Councilors
Mayor Donovan indicated that is his understanding through emails that he received that, as a community, the city weathered the nor’easter storm reasonably well and thanked all of the employees for a great job keeping the city safe and being prepared.
Mayor Donovan added that many of the traffic lights throughout the city were out for several hours and noted that all of the drivers were very courteous and patient and going one at a time.
Councilor McClure commended the Police Department for the work they have done over the last few weeks.
Comments, Requests by the City Manager
Consideration of Suspense Items
Action: Councilor St. Hilaire moved to suspend the rules to consider suspense items 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
4 Sus1 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit an application to the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness, Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program as outlined in its current grant program for the purpose of purchasing specialized equipment and providing specialized training in order to enhance emergency incident response; together with report from the Fire Department.
Action: City Manager Aspell provided a brief overview explaining that this is specifically for conducting national standards for driver/operator training of fire vehicles.
Councilor St. Hilaire moved approval. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
4 Sus2 Referral to the Recreation
and Park Advisory Committee
Communication from Patricia Kraft, asking the City of Concord to consider
providing the community with a municipal senior center.
Action: Councilor Stetson moved to refer this item to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded.
Councilor Brochu noted that the old steam plant in the Page Belting building cannot be torn down because it is within the historic district in the city. He noted that he feels that this building could be converted into a community building for senior citizens and indicated that he feels that it is worth looking into to see whether this can be considered.
Councilor Bouley noted that there appears to be many issues within the correspondence and not just about recreation and inquired whether this should be referred to other committees or departments as well.
Mayor Donovan noted that it could be referred to the Community Development Advisory Committee as well explaining that some communities use community development grants to help build senior centers.
Councilor Stetson amended his motion to also refer this communication to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
4 Sus3 Report from the City Clerk recommending June 5, 2007 as the date to hold a Special Election to fill the vacant Ward Five City Council seat.
Action on this item was taken at the April 9, 2007 Council meeting.
4 Sus4 Referral to Planning and the
Conservation Commission
Communications from Steven Rattee, 320 Mountain Road, expressing his concerns
with the city competing with private citizens in the purchase and/or lease of
land within the city as well as expressing his desire for City Council to vote
in opposition to the purchase of conservation land on Loudon Road within the
floodplain.
Action: Councilor Bouley moved to refer this item to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. The motion was duly seconded and passed on a voice vote.
4 Sus5 Street closure request for the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
Action: Councilor St. Hilaire moved approval subject to public safety and administrative requirements. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
4 Sus6 Report from the General Services Director regarding Arena bleacher replacement.
Action: City Manager Tom Aspell explained that over the years there have been instances with children falling through the openings of the stands at the arena. He explained that staff is working with Primex at trying to mitigate this risk. He explained that staff came up with three options: 1) to replace both the main and upper bleachers for an estimated cost of $109,000; 2) to enclose the existing bleachers with the estimated cost of $35,000; 3) to replace the main bleachers with a donated set of bleachers and enclose the upper bleachers with an estimated cost of $27,000. Mr. Aspell indicated that the MDC rink in Taunton, Massachusetts is replacing their bleachers and explained that the city has the opportunity to pick up bleachers free of charge, transport them to Concord, and install them for the cost of $27,000. He noted that the city should be able to get another ten years out of these bleachers and indicated that they are better what the arena currently has. He added that the only downside that he sees to this is that the arena would lose about 325 person capacity and indicated that the arena never uses all of the stands, even at larger events held. Mr. Aspell explained that the revenues and expenses were looked at over the past year with revenues being up and expenses moderate. He added that there is approximately $23,000 over budget this year in additional revenue. He explained that he will need an answer this evening from Council because the deal is only good through April 24th.
Councilor St. Hilaire inquired whether city staff has seen the bleachers. Mr. Aspell responded that Jeff Bardwell has been to Taunton to inspect them and indicated that they are good condition. Councilor St. Hilaire noted that his concern was that somebody else is getting rid of them. He inquired as to what they are made out of. Mr. Aspell indicated that he did not know the specifics of the bleachers. Councilor St. Hilaire inquired whether it was cheaper to go out of state, transport them to Concord, and install them than it is to board up the current ones. Mr. Aspell indicated that to be correct.
Councilor Coen inquired whether the Everett Arena Advisory Committee had been advised of this. Mr. Aspell responded that they have a meeting later this week to make a recommendation.
Referencing the replacement bleachers, Councilor Brochu inquired whether they were wood or fiberglass. Mr. Aspell indicated that he was not sure.
Following additional Council discussion, Councilor McClure moved to accept the report and the recommendation of the donated bleachers subject to the agreement of the Everett Arena Advisory Committee. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
Mayor Donovan indicated that he was disturbed to read, in the sports section, about the deterioration of the running track after only ten years. He noted that it has only lasted half as long as what Council had been told it would last after spending over $100,000 and noted that he would like a brief report as to what happened and who is responsible.
Adjournment
The time being, 8:35 p.m., Councilor Bennett moved to adjourn the meeting and to enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A: 2, I (b) to discuss collective bargaining. The motion was duly seconded and passed on a roll call vote with Councilors Bennett, Black, Blanchard, Bouley, Brochu, Coen, Mayor Donovan, Councilors McClure, Nyhan, Rowe, St. Hilaire and Stetson voting yes.
A true copy; I attest:
Michelle Tiffany
Deputy City Clerk