OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Laconia City Council Meeting - October 14, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 14, 2025
BodyLaconia, New Hampshire
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 14, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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5:49

Katie Ross said.

5:55

Okay.

5:55

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

5:57

The hour is seven o'clock.

5:59

I'd like to call the meeting of Laconia City Council meeting to order.

6:09

I am Mark Haynes.

6:10

I am filling in for the mayor who is traveling.

6:15

I am the counselor from Wood for.

6:20

Glenn Smith, would you uh lead us to the salute to the flag, please?

6:27

I applied for the flag of the United States of America.

6:42

Thank you, Glenn.

6:45

You're joined by our recording secretary, Katie Gargano.

6:49

Madam Secretary, would you please call the law?

6:51

Roll.

6:52

Councillor Cheney.

6:53

Here.

6:53

Councillor Susi.

6:54

Here.

6:55

Councillor Hoffman.

6:56

Present.

6:56

Councilor Haynes?

6:57

Here.

6:57

Counselor Broker?

6:58

Here.

6:58

Councillor Couch.

6:59

Here.

7:00

Thank you, Katie.

7:02

We are joined by our city manager Kurt Biati and our business administrator Glenn Smith.

7:12

We have no council proclamations.

7:15

Article uh item seven is the acceptance of minutes.

7:18

Uh minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of September 22nd, 2025 were distributed to the members of the city council on September 26, 2025.

7:30

With no corrections or changes submitted to the clerk at this time, the minutes will be accepted as distributed.

7:42

Item eight is a consent and action item.

7:44

Um temporary traffic order two thousand twenty-five-19.

7:50

Uh Laconia High School homecoming parade.

7:53

Uh Laconia High School has requested approval of a temporary traffic order for Laconia High School homecoming parade from 4 30 to 5 30 p.m.

8:04

on Friday the 17th.

8:07

Um just for the uh information, the uh parade will go down Union Avenue from Laconia High School to the intersection of Church Street to Church Street, Pleasant Street to the intersection of New Salem Street to Bank of New Hampshire.

8:25

Uh there are uh number of streets that are listed in the traffic order that uh will not allow traffic during the uh parade roof.

8:35

Um I need a motion.

8:40

Councillor uh Susi.

8:43

I move to approve the temporary traffic order two thousand twenty-five-two thousand nineteen.

8:48

Uh Konya High School homecoming parade to be held on October seventeenth, two thousand twenty-five from four thirty to five thirty p.m.

8:57

Is there a second?

8:58

Seconded by Councillor Cheney.

9:00

Is there any discussion?

9:03

Seeing none, all those in favor.

9:06

Six votes in the affirmative.

9:09

Thank you.

9:11

Uh article uh item nine.

9:14

Citizens' comments for matters not on the agenda.

9:18

This is the time set aside for anyone in the audience to uh address the council on matters that are not on the agenda.

9:27

Mr.

9:28

Mayor Pro Cham, I've asked a young lady representing uh uh Standard Village to come in tonight and do a short presentation if you wouldn't mind.

9:37

This is the 50th year.

9:39

And uh so I'd ask her to come up and wherever the heck she is.

9:46

Is there any objection?

9:47

No from the council.

9:49

Okay.

9:50

Um I also have my presentation that I had created.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████16%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Procedural█████████████13%
Affordable Housing█████████████13%
Parking Management████████████12%
Community Engagement███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Laconia City Council Meeting - October 14, 2025

The Laconia City Council met on October 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, a consent agenda, public hearings, presentations on Christmas Village and the Pumpkin Fest, and votes on several ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included approval of a $5,000 donation for Christmas Village flooring, adoption of the Housing Redevelopment Overlay District (HROD) ordinance, and acceptance of multiple grants.

Consent Calendar

  • Temporary Traffic Order 2025-19: Approved unanimously (6-0) for the Laconia High School Homecoming Parade on October 17, 4:30-5:30 PM, along Union Avenue, Church Street, Pleasant Street, and New Salem Street.
  • Minutes of September 22, 2025: Accepted as distributed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christmas Village Presentation: A 17-year-old representative requested a $10,000 donation for new flooring at the Community Center (50-year-old carpet with mold and rips). Councilor Cheney moved to donate $5,000; the motion passed 6-0. The City Manager noted the funds would come from a non-capital reserve, requiring trustee approval.
  • Public Hearing on Snow/Ice Ordinance (13c): Chris Gilmette (Ward 4) expressed concern about city sidewalk plows creating snow piles on his property, asking if he could be fined. Public Works Director clarified the ordinance targets large commercial operators, not residents. Councilor Cheney advised contacting the city if issues arise.
  • Public Hearing on Residential Parking Permit System (13d): Leslie MacAvoy asked about applicability to specific streets. Council clarified no streets are currently identified; the ordinance creates a framework for future requests.
  • Public Hearing on Social Districts (13f): John Hildreth (Ward 1) asked whether the social district would supersede one-day liquor permits. The City Manager indicated it would be a permanent fixture, but event permits might still be required. No action was taken; the question is on the November ballot.

Discussion Items

  • Pumpkin Fest Presentation: Amy and her team presented the October 25 event (11 AM - 8:10 PM). Highlights include a 34-foot pumpkin tower (900 carved pumpkins), 90+ vendors, 80 craft vendors, bounce houses, a kid zone, laser show (replacing fireworks due to drought), and three beer tents. Sponsorships total $18,000 cash and $70,000 in-kind. Next year’s event is planned for one week earlier (October 17-18, 2026) to allow amusement rides. T-shirts and mugs are for sale.
  • Resolution 25-32 (TIF Funds for Pumpkin Fest): Councilor Susi asked about using purchased equipment in other TIF districts. City Manager noted TIF rules are set by state RSA, so legislative change would be needed. Councilor Bogart suggested amending a future bill.
  • Housing Redevelopment Overlay District (HROD) Ordinance: Rob (Planning) presented data showing 692 parcels under 0.25 acres in the RG district, with potential for ~700 affordable units. Councilor Wolga raised concerns about deed restrictions limiting income-qualified tenants and parking shortages. Councilor Cheney noted developers typically provide more than the state-mandated one parking space. Councilor Bogart’s motion to remove Ward 5 failed. Final vote: 5-1 (Bogart opposed).
  • City Manager’s Report: Highlights include a busy September for Fire (five days with over 20 calls), the Mobile Integrated Health program (first in NH), and a 50+ increase in building permits year-to-date. Two new ambulances are delayed by up to three years. The TIF balance is being drawn down for projects.

Key Outcomes

  • Donation to Christmas Village: Approved $5,000 (motion by Councilor Cheney, second by Councilor Feltz, vote 6-0).
  • Resolution 25-30 (Tethered Drone Grant): Approved $133,542 from DHS Homeland Security grant for the Police Department. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Resolution 25-31 (Side-by-Side Vehicle Grant): Approved $51,000 grant for Police Department. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Ordinance 25-201-7/13 (Snow/Ice Deposits): Approved amending streets and sidewalks code to prohibit dumping snow on sidewalks. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Ordinance 25-221-36 (Residential Parking Permit System): Approved creating a framework for limited streets. Initial fee $10, set by City Manager. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Resolution 25-32 (TIF Funds for Pumpkin Fest): Approved $12,500 for traffic, $2,000 for generator, $22,500 for light towers. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Lot Unmerger (436 Elm Street): Approved restoring two lots (book 263, page 208) per RSA 674:39-a. Unanimous (6-0).
  • Hill Street Parking Restrictions: Referred to Government Operations Committee for review. Unanimous (6-0).
  • HROD Ordinance (25-235-21): Adopted 5-1 (Councilor Bogart opposed).

Meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Katie Ross said. Okay. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. The hour is seven o'clock. I'd like to call the meeting of Laconia City Council meeting to order. I am Mark Haynes. I am filling in for the mayor who is traveling. I am the counselor from Wood for. Glenn Smith, would you uh lead us to the salute to the flag, please? I applied for the flag of the United States of America. Thank you, Glenn. You're joined by our recording secretary, Katie Gargano. Madam Secretary, would you please call the law? Roll. Councillor Cheney. Here. Councillor Susi. Here. Councillor Hoffman. Present. Councilor Haynes? Here. Counselor Broker? Here. Councillor Couch. Here. Thank you, Katie. We are joined by our city manager Kurt Biati and our business administrator Glenn Smith. We have no council proclamations. Article uh item seven is the acceptance of minutes. Uh minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of September 22nd, 2025 were distributed to the members of the city council on September 26, 2025. With no corrections or changes submitted to the clerk at this time, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. Item eight is a consent and action item. Um temporary traffic order two thousand twenty-five-19. Uh Laconia High School homecoming parade. Uh Laconia High School has requested approval of a temporary traffic order for Laconia High School homecoming parade from 4 30 to 5 30 p.m. on Friday the 17th. Um just for the uh information, the uh parade will go down Union Avenue from Laconia High School to the intersection of Church Street to Church Street, Pleasant Street to the intersection of New Salem Street to Bank of New Hampshire. Uh there are uh number of streets that are listed in the traffic order that uh will not allow traffic during the uh parade roof. Um I need a motion. Councillor uh Susi. I move to approve the temporary traffic order two thousand twenty-five-two thousand nineteen. Uh Konya High School homecoming parade to be held on October seventeenth, two thousand twenty-five from four thirty to five thirty p.m. Is there a second? Seconded by Councillor Cheney. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor. Six votes in the affirmative. Thank you. Uh article uh item nine.

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