City Council Priority Setting Session/Recessed Meeting
January 19, 2010
Minutes
 Beaver Meadow Golf Course Club House
40 Sewalls Falls Road, Concord, NH
6:30 p.m.

Note:  Dining from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m

  1. Mayor Bouley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
  2. Roll Call.   Councilors Bennett, Blanchard, Bouchard, Mayor Bouley, Councilors Coen, DelloIacono, Grady, Keach, McClure, Nyhan, Patten, St. Hilaire, Shurtleff, Stetson and Werner were present. 
  3. Public Hearings (tabled at the January 11, 2010 Council Meeting)

A.     Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application in an amount of up to $450,000 and accept and appropriate grant proceeds of up to $450,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of the Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) for development of 45 units of affordable housing at the so called Sanel Block in downtown Concord and re-adopting the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan; together with a report from the Community Development Advisory Committee.   (12-11)  (1-45A; 1-46)

It was noted that handouts were available at the door.

Action:  Mayor Bouley opened the public hearings at 6:32 PM and recognized Matthew Walsh, Assistant for Special Projects, who addressed the City Council regarding this application.  Mr. Walsh explained that Community Development Block Grant funds are available to municipalities for economic development, public facility and housing rehabilitation projects and feasibility studies that primarily benefit low and moderate income persons.  The City of Concord is eligible to apply for $500,000 each calendar year for public facility/housing rehabilitation, and economic development projects, as well as emergency funds.  Feasibility Study funds are available for up to $12,000 per year.

Mr. Walsh further explained that the purpose of this Community Development Block Grant funding request was to authorize the City of Concord to apply on behalf of Concord Area Trust for Community Housing for up to $450,000 to support the Theater Street Housing development.  Mr. Walsh explained that this project is a component of the so-called Sanel Block Redevelopment Project, and would feature forty five (45) one and two bedroom units of affordable housing.

Mr. Walsh also noted that the purpose of this public hearing was to also secure public testimony concerning the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan as well as its Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, which will be specifically re-adopted by the City as part of the approval of the resolution authorizing the City to apply for these CDBG funds. 

Mr. Walsh explained that this CDBG project conforms with to the goals and objectives of the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan.

Relative to the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, Mr. Walsh explained that although this particular CDBG sponsored project does not involve any displacement or relocation of persons (or businesses), if the City were to undertake a CDBG project which involved displacement or relocation they would follow this plan.  He noted that the plan outlines the measures they would take to find comparable, suitable housing for persons (or businesses) displaced or relocated.

Following Mr. Walsh’s remarks, the Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s $450,000 application for Community Development Block Grant funds to support the CATCH project.  

Rosemary Heard, President of Concord Area Trust for Community Housing, addressed the City Council and spoke in favor of the City pursuing CDBG funds to support this project. 

Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director of Main Street Concord, addressed the City Council and spoke in favor of the City pursuing CDBG funds to support this project.  She emphasized that the project would be an improvement for downtown Concord and would help to provide a more diverse housing stock for the City.

The Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s Anti-displacement and Relocation Plan.

There was no public testimony.

The Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s Housing and Redevelopment Plan.

There was no public testimony.

                  The Mayor then closed the public hearings.

B.     Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application in an amount of up to $50,000 and accept and appropriate grant proceeds in an amount up to $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of the Friends of Forgotten Children for renovation of their facility located on Bog Road and re-adopting the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan. (12-12) 
(1-45B; 1-47) 

Action:  Mayor Bouley opened the public hearing at 6:40 PM and recognized Matthew Walsh, Assistant for Special Projects, who addressed the City Council about this application.  Mr. Walsh again explained that Community Development Block Grant funds are available to municipalities for economic development, public facility and housing rehabilitation projects and feasibility studies that primarily benefit low and moderate income persons.  The City of Concord is eligible to apply for $500,000 each calendar year for public facility/housing rehabilitation, and economic development projects, as well as emergency funds.  Feasibility Study funds are available for up to $12,000 per year.

Mr. Walsh further explained that the purpose of the Community Development Block Grant funding request was to authorize the City of Concord to apply on behalf of Friends of Forgotten Children for up to $50,000 to support renovation of their Bog Road facility.  Renovations would likely include energy improvements and appliance upgrades. 

As with the previous hearing, Mr. Walsh again also noted that the purpose of this public hearing was to secure public testimony concerning the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan as well as its Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, which will be specifically re-adopted by the City as part of the approval of the resolution authorizing the City to apply for these CDBG funds. 

Again, Mr. Walsh explained that this CDBG project conforms to the goals and objectives of the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan.

Relative to the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, Mr. Walsh again explained that although this particular CDBG sponsored project does not involve any displacement or relocation of persons (or businesses), if the City were to undertake a CDBG project which involved displacement or relocation they would follow this plan.  The plan outlines the measures they would take to find comparable, suitable housing for persons (or businesses) displaced or relocated.

Following Mr. Walsh’s remarks, the Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s $50,000 application for Community Development Block Grant funds to support the Friends of Forgotten Children project.

There was no public testimony.

The Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s Anti-displacement and Relocation Plan.

There was no public testimony.

The Mayor opened the public hearing on the City’s Housing and Redevelopment Plan.

There was no public testimony.

                  The Mayor then closed the public hearings.

Public Hearing Action

  1. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application in an amount of up to $450,000 and accept and appropriate grant proceeds of up to $450,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of the Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) for development of 45 units of affordable housing at the so called Sanel Block in downtown Concord and re-adopting the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan; together with a report from the Community Development Advisory Committee.   (12-11)  (1-45A: 1-46)

Action:  Mayor Pro-Tem St. Hilaire moved approval of the resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for up to $450,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of Concord Area Trust for Community Housing from the NH Community Development Finance Authority, along with re-adoption of the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan.  Councilor Werner seconded.  The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

  1. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application in an amount of up to $50,000 and accept and appropriate grant proceeds in an amount up to $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of the Friends of Forgotten Children for renovation of their facility located on Bog Road and re-adopting the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan. (12-12)  (1-45B; 1-47)

Action:  Councilor Blanchard moved approval of the resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for up to $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds on behalf of Friends of Forgotten Children from the NH Community Development Finance Authority, along with re-adoption of the City’s Housing and Community Development Plan and Displacement and Relocation Plan.  Councilor Bennett seconded.  The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

  1. Mayor Bouley’s City Council Committee appointments.   

a.       appointments listed by committee.

b.      appointments listed by councilor.

c.       Mayor Bouley’s proposed appointment to the 21st Century Library Task Force.  Ruth Perenevich

Action:  After brief Council discussion, Councilor Nyhan moved approval of the proposed appointments as outlined within items a, b, and c.  The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes. 

  1. Discussion on proposed Councilor Orientation Sessions from the City Manager.

Action:  City Manager Aspell indicated that in contrast to prior citywide bus tours, staff was proposing holding this orientation session over several days throughout the next several months unless members of City Council disagreed.  Councilor St. Hilaire moved approval of the report from the City Manager.  The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes.   

  1. Mayor’s recommendation for 2010-11 City Council priorities.
  2. City Manager’s recommendations for consideration for 2010-11 City Council priorities. 
  3. Suggested priorities submitted by members of City Council. 

Action:  Members of City Council discussed items 8, 9 and 10 with City Manager Tom Aspell. As a result of their discussion regarding possible 2010-2011 priorities, Council members came up with the following list of priorities, as goals to focus on over the next two years. 

1.      Expanded Tax Base                                                     

·        Loudon Road/106

·        Downtown Streetscape

·        Downtown/2nd  & 3rd Story Development

·        Storrs Street Connection

·        Penacook Redevelopment

·        Revenue Enhancement

·        Redevelopment Authority Partnership

·        Creative Incentives/Code Flexibility

2.      Balanced Budget Issues                       

·        Information Technology/Website/Customer Services

·        Downtown Parking Improvements

3.      Concord Library Planning

4.      Maintain Core Services

·        Paving Maintenance

·        Fire Training Facility

·        Public Safety Initiatives

5.      Parks, Recreation, Open Space

6.      Langley Parkway – North

7.      Multi-Generational Community Center

8.      Odor Control at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

9.      Loudon Road Corridor Improvement Plan

  1. Most recent CY08-09 City Council Quarterly Priorities Update.

Action:  Councilor Nyhan moved approval.  The motion was duly seconded and passed with no dissenting votes. 

  1. There being no further Council business Councilor Grady moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

A true copy; I attest:

Janice Bonenfant
City Clerk