| November 9, 2009 Meeting Minutes |
|
City Council Meeting
Draft Minutes
Non-public session in
accordance with RSA 91-A: 2, I (b)
to discuss collective bargaining strategies.
November 9, 2009
City Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.
Action: Councilor St. Hilaire moved approval of the October 13, 2009 meeting minutes. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
Action: General Services Director Chip Chesley explained that New Hampshire the Beautiful in a non-profit organization that has helped support the City of Concord in their recycling effort, most recently a grant in the amount of $25,000 used to underwrite the cost of the recycling bins. Members introduced themselves and explained that the organization was formed in 1983 to do what is right with recycling. It was noted that they support towns with buying machinery with signage with litter free programs with school recycling. It was explained that since 1983, the organization has donated $2.5 million to almost every city and town in New Hampshire. It was indicated that Northeast Resource Recovery started in 1981 and they promote the type of recycling that the city is currently engaged in.
On behalf of the city, the Mayor thanked the organization for their commitment.
Action: Councilor Lemieux moved approval. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
- Consent Agenda Items –
Action: Councilor Lemieux moved approval the consent agenda the motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
Referral to the Parking Committee
Referral to Community Development and Administration
Items Tabled for a December 14, 2009 Public Hearing
From the City Manager
Consent Reports
Consent Resolutions
Consent Communications
Appointments
**End of Consent Agenda**
34. November 9, 2009 Public Hearings
A. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement with Waunetta Cutting concerning the sale of tax deeded property located at 45 Runnells Road; together with report from the Assistant for Special Projects. (10-9) (Report from the Planning Board; not previously submitted)
Action: City Manager Tom Aspell provided a brief overview explaining that the Cutting Family had approached the city in regards to the acquisition of 45 Runnells Road. He explained that the property is 0.17 acres and owned by the city and they would like to acquire it to merge it with their property at 47 Runnells Road. He noted that the Planning Board, City Administration and the Conservation Commission have reviewed it and all are in agreement that it makes sense to sell this property as long as it is merged with the other existing property.
Mayor Bouley declared the hearing open. Their being no public testimony, the
Mayor closed the hearing.
B. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title V, Administrative Code, Chapter 35, Classification and Compensation Plan, Schedule D of Article 35-2, Class Specification Index, Business Manager – General Services, change in labor grade; together with report from the Deputy City Manager – Finance. (10-10)
Action: City Manager Tom Aspell provided a brief overview explaining that this was the position proposed and explained within the June budget discussions.
Councilor Blanchard inquired as to the salary difference. Mr. Aspell indicated that he did not currently have that information on hand but would get that information.
Mayor Bouley declared the hearing open. Their being no public testimony, the
Mayor closed the hearing.
C. Resolution appropriating the sum of $20,000 from the Economic Development Reserve to support the Main Street Concord, Inc. façade improvement program; together with report from the Assistant for Special Projects. (10-11)
Action: City Manager Tom Aspell provided a brief overview explaining that during the budget presentation his recommendation to Council was to reduce the amount of dollars going to Main Street Concord, Inc. for operations and to set aside $20,000 in case they wanted to bring in a capital project that was acceptable to Council for expense out of the Economic Development Reserve fund.
Councilor McClure asked of the status of the renovations at Pitchfork Records. Mr. Aspell responded that they have gone as far as they can with the current owner and whether or not they would be interested in making any more investment until they have a user is another question.
Mayor Bouley declared the hearing open.
Public Testimony
Jessica Eshleman, Main Street Concord, Inc. Executive Director, Gena Cohen Moses, Board of Director member for Main Street Concord, Inc., and Jay Haines, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Main Street Concord, Inc. introduced themselves to the Council. Ms. Eshleman explained that they are here this evening in follow up to their funding request that came before Council earlier this year. She explained that they were offered a two part funding model with the first being a straight operating grant and the second was to come before Council and request a supplemental grant to fund a specific project or program. She explained that fostering economic development within the context of historic preservation is central to Main Street Concord’s mission and that members are here tonight to ask the city to be their partners in this pursuit by granting supplemental funding in the amount of $20,000 to support Main Street’s façade improvement program. Ms. Eshleman provided an overview of the program explaining that it started in 2004 to enhance the appearance of individual buildings and the overall attractiveness of the district. She added that over the years, the program has been funded with private grants and contributions and that Main Street Concord makes matching grants of up to $10,000 available to property and business owners throughout the downtown to help plan and execute improvements to the exterior of buildings. She noted that grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis and may be used for design planning, construction or material costs or to purchase signs and/or awnings. She added that since the program they have supported 22 projects which represent an investment of $77,586.71. She distributed photos to Council: The Butters façade at 70 North Main Street; Endicott Furniture at 19 Pleasant Street; Lillios Building formerly known as Pitchfork Records at 2 North Main Street. Ms. Eshleman indicated that façade projects benefit the community and the city in a number of ways including: improve the appearance of a building; increases the building’s value; in some cases one project may spur an additional project by neighboring businesses; and restored buildings are important for attracting new businesses. She explained that taken together these benefits provide a strong foundation for economic activity and a vibrant streetscape for downtown Concord and that for these reasons they believe that Main Street Concord’s façade improvement program to be especially well suited as a recipient of the supplemental funding proposed by city staff and if awarded the $20,000 will be reinvested in its entirety to enhance the physical appearance, bolster the sense of vitality and fortify the tax base within downtown Concord.
Councilor Black inquired whether there any current projects. Ms. Eshleman responded that they are working closely with Mr. Lillios to complete the project that has been going on for the past few years and when the funds are replenished, she is certain that the applications will come through.
There being no further public testimony, the Mayor closed the hearing.
November 9, 2009 Public Hearing Action
Action: Councilor McClure moved approval. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
Action: Councilor Nyhan moved approval. The motion was duly seconded.
In response to Councilor Blanchard’s question during the public hearing phase, Mr. Aspell explained that the current position is a labor grade 23 which is a range of $64,854 to $93,932 and is being reduced to $58,760 to $85,092.
Councilor Stetson inquired whether this position is currently filled. Mr. Aspell responded that it is vacant but funded.
Councilor Nyhan’s motion to approve passed with no dissenting votes.
Action: Councilor Lemieux moved approval. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
Unfinished Business
Action: No action taken. Item remains on the table.
Comments, Requests by Mayor, City Councilors
· City Council Orientation.
· City Council Priority Setting Session.
Referencing City Council Orientation, Mayor Bouley noted that orientations were usually held in December for new and existing members and suggested that since there are only two newly elected Councilors that those two sit with the City Manager and whoever else is appropriate instead of having the entire Council attend unless they would like a refresher. He asked whether any Council members would like to take a tour of city facilities and there was interest in this. Referencing the Priority Setting Session, the Mayor explained that this is done in January and feels that the most efficient way to set this date is to have the City Clerk send out some possible dates for Council to respond to. He added that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) review typically meets in January and the City Manager suggested at the last budget to go from six year to a ten year CIP so there may be more discussion this upcoming year. Lastly, he suggested that the swearing in ceremony be held the first week of January.
Councilor Shurtleff pointed out that Wednesday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day and that there will be two local observances: the first to take place at 9:00 a.m. at the State House, Hall of Flags; the second to take place at 11:00 a.m. at the NH Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen.
Councilor Patten noted that the 58th Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 21st beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the Heights. He explained that the parade route has been altered and that it will be stopping at Entertainment Theaters. He added that the 23rd annual Christmas tree lighting is scheduled at the State House Plaza the day after Thanksgiving with activities starting 4:00 p.m. and the lighting of the tree at 6:00 p.m. He noted that they are attempting to set a Guiness Book of Records by the wearing of Santa Claus hats at the event. He further added that on the day of the parade, the Troop 90 will be scouting for food and that Toys for Tots will be at both the tree lighting and the parade.
Mayor Bouley reminded anyone attending the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast scheduled for tomorrow morning to bring in a canned food item.
Councilor Shurtleff noted that on November 30th the Village of Penacook will have its annual tree lighting ceremony.
Consideration of Suspense Items
Councilor Nyhan moved to take up the suspense item not previously advertised. The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.
11 Sus1 Notice of New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009.
Action: City Council nominated Councilor Coen as the Council representative.
Adjournment
The time being 7:43 p.m., Councilor St. Hilaire moved to enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:2,(b) to discuss collective bargaining strategies. The motion was duly seconded and passed on a roll call vote with Councilors Black, Blanchard, Mayor Bouley, Councilors Bouchard, Coen, Keach, Lemieux, McClure, Nyhan, Patten, St. Hilaire, Shurtleff, Stetson and Werner voted yes.
A true copy; I attest:
Michelle Tiffany
Deputy City Clerk