Mary Ellen Prescott

The City Council meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2025 meeting. Key actions involved approving a temporary traffic order for the Laconia Little League parade. The council also voted to approve collective bargaining agreements with the Laconia Education Association (anticipated first-year cost of $650,853) and with the Public Works Department employees local 534. Furthermore, authorization was sought to execute a grant agreement with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics for obstruction removal and other airport projects at Laconia Municipal Airport, which carries no budgetary impact for the city. Appointments were finalized, including appointing Donald Forsberg to the Trustees of the Trust Funds and approving candidates for various boards and commissions, such as the Downtown TIF Advisory Board and the Planning Board. During the public hearing segment, a representative from the Housing Authority raised an urgent concern regarding the potential loss of $400,000 in state funding for the congregate housing support program, which serves 28 residents and prevents institutionalization. A public hearing was also held regarding a request for tax relief per RSA 79E for the owners of 622-634 Main Street (the PMICO building), related to significant rehabilitation efforts downtown.

The meeting, which included the Government Operations and Ordinance Committee session, focused on the procedural review of Grant applications, confirming that current city procedures align with the City Charter regarding the authority of the City Manager to apply for grants. The committee discussed adopting enabling legislation (RSA 31:95-b) to administratively handle grants under $10,000, while amounts of $10,000 or more would continue to require full Council approval through readings and public hearings. The Council also approved a temporary traffic order for the annual Holiday Parade scheduled for November 29th. Two public hearings were conducted concerning resolutions to authorize the City Manager to expend funds previously received from the Department of Justice (Federal and State). Presentations included awarding a Front Porch Award for building renovation to the Case and Keg store.

The meeting focused on discussing alternatives for fixing the parking garage. The committee reviewed preliminary cost estimates obtained from an architect for an exterior staircase and/or an exterior elevator, noting that the estimated cost for the city's portion of the structural repairs, including an elevator, aligns with a previously discussed $400,000 figure. Discussions involved potential financing mechanisms for the privately owned portion of the garage, contingent upon an agreement between the current owner and a potential buyer (Genesis). The committee debated the path forward, ultimately favoring a conditional recommendation to the full council to proceed with engineering work on the city-owned portion of the repairs, with the privately owned section and aesthetic upgrades (exterior stairs and elevator) treated as add-alternates.

The meeting began with introductions and confirmation of a quorum. Key discussions involved addressing administrative items, specifically correcting member names and emails, and noting a member's temporary absence due to medical reasons. The commission addressed the minutes from the previous meeting, noting an apparent discrepancy in the date listed on the document. A significant portion of the meeting focused on establishing procedures for engaging with the new City Council, including appointing a liaison and securing time on the Council's agenda to present the Commission's projects. Old business items, such as groundwater aquifer protection and climate change adaptation strategies (e.g., encouraging shade trees, energy conservation, stormwater evaluation), were reviewed, with assignments given to members for follow-up tasks. The conservation easements review was also assigned as a project for a new member.

The meeting addressed several agenda items concerning land use and planning applications. Key discussions included an application for a two-lot subdivision and boundary line adjustment on Parade Road, which required deliberation on a request to waive sidewalk construction requirements due to the rural nature of the area. Another significant item involved the proposed construction of two additional units in an attached barn structure at a four-unit multifamily property on West Street, necessitating review of various preconstruction and construction requirements related to water service, fire safety, and sewer upgrades. Finally, the board considered a zoning amendment to rezone a single parcel on Blueberry Lane from residential single-family to residential apartment to better align with the area's character and the city's growth strategy concerning mid-market housing. A motion was made to table the zoning amendment for further review.