City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire 2022 - 2024 City Council, 6 Feb 2023

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2.6.2023 City Council

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Good evening, everyone and welcome to monday february 6 2023 city council meeting, I will.

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First await a motion to leave the non-public and to seal the minutes. Second, all in favor.

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Aye next up a roll call for this evening's meeting.

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Here assistant mayor kelly, here, councilor tabor, here councilor denton, here council moreau here.

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Council bagley here, council lombardi here, council blaylock here councilor cook here.

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Can you please join me in the pledge of allegiance.

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We have a proclamation for black history month that will read now.

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Whereas the celebration of black history in america was created by dr carter g woodson,.

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In 1926 is a week-long commemoration that has become black history month.

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Dr woodson chose the second week in february because it contained the birthdays of two.

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Major influences and black life at that time, abraham lincoln february 12th in february.

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Frederick douglass february 14th and whereas february is observed throughout the nation as.

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Black history month with special programs and events, and whereas the stories of african and.

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African-American residents are woes in deep in the fabric that is portsmouth since the first.

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African was brought here in 1645 through those who were buried in the african buried ground.

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In the 1700s and 1800s and through to the robust african-american community of today and whereas.

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In june 15 2020, the portsmouth city council passed a resolution which declared portsmouth.

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To be a racial justice, municipality and whereas we stand proudly with the seacoast naacp, the.

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Seacoast african-american cultural center, the black heritage trail of new hampshire, bipoc.

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And many other who many others who celebrate the deep history of africans and african americans.

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In portsmouth and whereas we resolve to a friend from the city's commitment by hosting resources,.

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Providing helpful pathways to additional resources, alerting employees and board commission members of.

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Training opportunities identifying ways to advance dialogue with stakeholders for racial justice.

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Now, therefore, ai, diego mccarran, mayor of the city of portsmouth, on behalf of the members of.

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The city councils and city citizens of portsmouth to hereby proclaim the month of february 2023 in.

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Portsmouth new hampshire as black history month, and urge all citizens to improve our.

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Record of equity inclusion and be welcoming of diversity throughout our community, given with.

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My hand in the sale of the city of portsmouth on this sixth day of february 2023. foreign.

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Next up the acceptance of minutes for october 24th, 2022 november 1st 2022 and november 14, 2022.

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That's so moved, second, all in favor all right, any opposed, oh good, on to recognitions and volunteer.

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Committee reports, we don't have any listed, but that's because we set the agenda slightly before.

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The cold snap that that we had uh just over the weekend- and I could take a minute just.

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To recognize some of the folks that uh were out freezing their butts off, while we were watching.

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Our thermostats, you know, hopefully keep above 62. um in the early hours of saturday february,.

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4Th beginning at 2 a.m: dpw crews responded to water main breaks on green street and vaughn.

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Street in the vicinity of indirectly affecting the ac hotel, the vaughn street water main service.

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Was restored by 2pm and the green street water main service was restored by 5 pm, with thanks.

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For assistance from mac construction, who was called in to help the city manager received.

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A call thanks this morning from the ac hotel senior management for the hard work done in the.

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Extreme call buyer crews like to read the names of the dpw staff and firefighters who brave the.

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Elements and restored service in a timely manner on the dp w side, doug sparks carl snyder nate.

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Campbell chad, robinson jason, gordon matt, gregoire cody, newman joseph barlow donnie fate, brad meade.

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Randy bosvort john kudlick jason beavers devin belden jim dumont bill faulkner, jim toe, who was.

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On vacation and on his way to the airport and leading the way throughout director, peter rice.

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On the fire side, we had captain mark hurls, firefighter paul mckendree firefighter peter.

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O'sullivan firefighter brian foster and firefighter chad cameron and on the plead.

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We had officer ian esteveau and officer jeff road. Thank you all for for being out there fort smith,.

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Is a great city because we have a lot of great people and you guys uh were were certainly among.

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The best it was really cold and we thank you knowing that that you got our backs foreign.

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But that wasn't all um on uh just after midnight on sunday, the fire.

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Department responded to a fire alarm at the motel 6 on gosling road upon.

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Apprival, the firefighters found a water pipe break which left the entire property.

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Without heat domestic water, automatic sprinkler coverage between 1am and 5 a.m, the scene, the.

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Team, the city team successfully relocated a total of a hundred people, also 21 cats.

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17 dogs- this, I didn't even know- was allowed in hotels but five birds to other area. Hotels,.

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So that was a a big effort on the fire department, lieutenant peter gordon uh firefighter scott.

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Young firefighter bruce goslin firefighter james sheldon, firefighter nolan godfrey lieutenant brian.

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Wade firefighter james o'brien firefighter wayne, the catalade firefighter terry bedel, firefighter.

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Max riffert firefighter ethan grover, lieutenant duncan riga, nini uh firefighter uh zeke tappan.

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Firefighter greg hair noise, firefighter todd nicholson, firefighter alan schultz, firefighter.

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Tim cold fire prevention officer, sean wheeler, fire chief bill mcquillen and welfare director ellen.

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Tully, along with police officers, sarah stark and and jeff uh roday again uh doing double duty. So.

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um Just want to thank them as well. It's not easy. There's folks that were living in those hotels at.

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The time and to move all those people with short notice took an enormous amount of coordination and.

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Again, it's times that test us that that really show how we respond in crisis, and I feel like.

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The city of portsmouth handled themselves incredibly well, and I sincere thanks and.

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Appreciation to those city, employees that spent their weekend uh helping others. So thank you again.

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So next up we have public comment. So uh just some rules around public comment uh call your.

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Name, uh come up uh just city of residence and you have three minutes to speak. It looks like we have.

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So we have how many do we have here? One two, three.

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Twenty twenty: two: okay: we're going to shorten it to two minutes to speak.

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Because we have 22 speakers tonight so two minutes to speak. The microphone is yours.

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Yeah, oh sorry, roy you knew you signed up and I saw you coming up. Roy come on up.

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Royale 777 middle road unit 22. good evening. I have a statement and a question for the council.

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Tonight, most portsmouth citizens want our city to be nice and a vibrant city.

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That they can enjoy and have visitors and tourists to also come and visit.

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But has the council thought about or considered if the portsmouth average homeowner the elderly.

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And retired citizens, with their incomes and with these costly projects, these huge over developments.

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Throughout our city is really what they want or need. Have you considered if these are what the.

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Average citizen of court must want and have you ask them most of us, don't really want to know.

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As be known as little boston, we just want to have a nice, vibrant, small, new england.

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Town, thank you. Thank you. Roy next up is paige trace on the topic of wish. You would listen.

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Page trace 27 hancock street portsmouth um city councilors, mayor mceachron, with all due respect.

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The issues that confronted the neighborhood of pan away manor the other night were disturbing.

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No one sat here: everyone here was there, you were all in attendance, but you were there.

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To sell a project that you'd already decided on, you didn't listen, you presented a project.

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And mayor mccacklin, with all due respect, I adore you and you held your own.

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But that's not what the residents of panaway manor wanted to hear. They wanted to be listened to.

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The city of portsmouth has approximately 175 pieces of property.

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And did you have a conversation with them? Did you ask them? I am the first person to say that.

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Workforce housing is desperately needed in this city, but not at the extent of not listening to.

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Residents mowing them over sort of talking about them hanging out on the wall like the school dance.

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The girls on this side and the boys on that side and you didn't listen. You tried to sell a project.

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This is not a piece of glass, this is people's lives and their livelihoods and their property.

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Please find another place other than disturbing their property and listen.

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To them, thank you. Thank you. Paige [applause], eric anderson uh on the topic of portsmouth.

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um Good evening, mr mayor city, councilors, my name is eric anderson, 38, georges terrace, portsmouth.

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New hampshire, I'll be brief. um I I was glad that you were there at sherman the other day there were.

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Even it was by far the most well-attended public forum I've ever been to in um going to a lot of.

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Public forums, so I think there was a recognition from the from the neighborhood that they have.

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Concern with what was discussed and um the only response- and it wasn't, it wasn't the type of forum.

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That you, you could have a complete exchange with with questions and answers and type of thing, but.

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um uh The only thing that the closest thing to the response that I've got was in the article.

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In in a paper today, where it seemed to still be leaning on the fact that there will be some type.

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Of housing project here, maybe I'm wrong. I that's how I read it and from the opinions of people.

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That they quoted in that that article that there there is, you know, there's a need for housing and.

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There'll be some type of project there and kind of the texture that that project will be housing. So.

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I hope that you'll listen to the community again and have a legitimate dialogue on what other. What.

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Possibilities, other possibilities can be used for that piece of property. I I in my written report to.

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You or my written testimony to you, I I framed it in a question that I think is, is um the overall.

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Picture, what is the best use of site of this site for the city, financial or otherwise, with the least.

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Impact on the neighborhood community, um I hope uh we'll be standing by for further dialogue and and.

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um And just be just be transparent about this whole process. I appreciate it. Thank you. Eric.

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Next up riven [applause], uh sorry, I can't pronounce your last uh zaguar ruben zaguar.

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How do you say, oh you'll, have to say it up there uh on the topic at the sherman school yeah, my name.

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Is reuben izagiri I live at 337 colonial drive and please excuse me public speaking, isn't my.

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Forte here so um we, the residents of panaway manor, demand the due diligence owed to us by the council.

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Right, it is your responsibility to acknowledge the wants and needs of our community right. We.

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Request you restore our faith and trust in your ability to make decisions that are that are in.

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The best interests of our on unrepresented voice right. uh If you know I took a petition outside.

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The other meeting- and I present this petition of close to 200 people that are your constituency.

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We want a reconsideration of the proposed use of the sherburne property for below.

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Market rate housing, our voices being one formally request that.

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You create and research a list of alternative uses for this property.

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We also demand a vote on this project, as was done with the sidewalk project in our neighborhood.

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And we would like this recorded in the minutes. Thank you did pretty good if I was speaking years.

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Next up, uh hershey.

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Oh, that's right! No! Hey! It's uh all right! Next up is uh sloan muskie on the topic of sherman school.

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Hello, I'm sloan muskie. I live on 9 sherman ave with my parents, um yep, okay, okay,.

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um I wanted to talk about um the girls, softball team and how I have you can see many friends. I go.

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To school with who put uh playing for the softball team, so I have like lots of memories. There.

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Cheering on my friends rooting on their games and I have lots of more like cheerleading I had. I did.

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Some cheerleading there and lots more yeah. My name is genevieve back said: musky, I'm sloan's mother.

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um Sloan wanted to come and speak to you and let you know exactly how this will affect these young.

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Ladies here, in addition to many other students throughout portsmouth, your decision to place.

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The condominium there, where workforce housing, I understand the argument. However, the location that.

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You're, discussing or insisted upon, we've quickly discovered, is not appropriate. It's not appropriate.

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For our neighborhood and other than that other than how it affects our values, how it affects our.

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Access to our properties, it affects our children. These children do not have the ability to vote for.

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Any of you, but I do um these children don't often have a voice, but they are here to tell you that.

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Your actions not only affect the residents and the taxpayers of our neighborhood; it affects our youth.

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So please reconsider the use of that land. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sloan.

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Next up, uh megan corsetti on the topic of the sherburne school.

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Corsetti I live at 177 colonial drive here in portsmouth. I do want to thank the city council.

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For listening to our concerns expressed by my neighbors and coming to an agreement that the.

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Deadline of august 31st for the proposed pha development is too aggressive. I'm grateful.

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That this pressure of the deadline has been erased, and this will give us all time you.

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And the pha included to really take a moment to carefully review is the sherburne school.

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Site truly the best site for this project. What use of the space would fit? The vision for this.

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Long-Standing portsmouth residential neighborhood and what we see for ourselves and the portsmouth.

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Community, what other sites could be used for this project, such as the community campus.

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Which was mentioned by some of my neighbors, my neighbors and I were invited to a q a last week.

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And there were many questions asked, but very few were answered. I hope that the suggestion by the.

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Mayor to put together a web page with all of the answers for our questions does come to fruition.

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And keep in mind that in asking all of these questions and attending the meeting, we were.

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Looking for clarity, we were looking to become informed because there has been no community.

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Involvement or education on this huge ask of our neighborhood over the years. I've had many of you.

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Drop flyers at my door or even talked to me at the threshold of my home, about your commitment to our.

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City and how you'd be grateful for my support on election day, and yet not one of you showed up at.

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My door to invite me or my neighbors to talk about what we would like to see happen at the.

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Sherburne school prior to releasing your plans and vision for the school, and this is where you went.

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Wrong in order to effectively promote change those agents of change, yourselves must hear.

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From the key stakeholders, without transparency, involvement of the stakeholders, any change no.

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Matter how well intended will likely be met with resistance, fear and frustration.

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I recognize you are all human, as am I mistakes will happen, but I hope that we can learn from them.

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And I hope that my suggestion for the sherburne site committee that was stated at our meeting.

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Could be considered and that immediate residents of the neighborhood surrounding the sherman school.

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Be appointed to be a part of this committee, a committee that would be centered on creating.

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A vision for the sherburne school that we all can be proud of. Thank you. I'm sorry. I went over.

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On the topic of information.

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So bolidora middle street and I just want to say I was at the meeting uh last week and I don't think.

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Even I've seen many meetings that I've attracted that many people, with the exception of the first.

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Meeting of mcintyre, which is announced, another project that is very interesting out there, so.

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I just want to voice my support for the people in that pennaway manor area. They do have their.

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Concerns- and I would appreciate, if you listen to them, I also would like my my way of information.

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As many as you know, I follow many issues that had to do with the historic district and the wall that.

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Is part of the historic district over another 93 pleasant, which is the old treadwell mansion? It.

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Was not supposed nothing was supposed to happen to that wall without providing a plan to the htc on.

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How they were going to handle it, apparently they had been a trench dug up and other things that.

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Have happened this week or maybe last week and um nobody seems to know anything about it. I'm saying.

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There's not not just for you, but for the people watching that follow this issue as well, and they.

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Should be interested, we have a commitment from the developer that they needed to come to the.

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Htc with a plan- and they have already started working doing something in there, so the details.

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Of what they have done and what they've dug up are not um are not available, so we don't know.

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What happened, but I just wanted to bring that as a piece of information to you. Thank you next step.

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uh Is rick bexton a topic of a simple request.

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Good evening, rick beckstead 1395 islington street um to the four years of government that I sat here.

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Where you are tonight, there's one thing that always came to mind both in my first term and.

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My second term and I wouldn't like to pass that information on to you. You need to start asking.

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The community, what they want, rather than what you want I'm here tonight, to go and ask that.

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You ask your community and the public about or not outdoor dining, not to go and tell the.

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Public what outdoor dining is all about tonight, I would like to ask you to ask the community about.

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Manipulating downtown traffic and its downtown functions not telling them what's going to happen.

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Tonight I would like to ask you to ask the neighbors what their thoughts are about.

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Preliminary plans and changing the character of their neighborhoods, not telling them what you're.

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Going to do tonight, I would like to ask you to ask the youth softball league that you were about.

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To eliminate at what they would like to see, only one of two fields in the entire city of portsmouth.

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They use not tell them what you're going to do tonight. I'd also like to ask the community like.

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You to ask the community about community campus, I was on the I was on the council when we went to.

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The agreements of that we talked about asking the community. There has been nothing for over a year.

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We've been told, what's going out there, and I think that the community has has a right to be able to.

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Ask what they want to do not be told. What's going to be out to do mayor, I would like to simply ask.

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That you suspend the rules, because this room is filled with a lot of the functions of sherburne.

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School that you would move to suspend the rules, move up your topic under your name, so at least.

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We can get this out of the way we can get kids to bed. They do have school tomorrow. I'm sorry, kids.

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For that one and then I simply would like to ask when it comes to the time frame. I did not speak.

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At tuesday's meeting and if I did speak, one thing I would like to say is the timeline they say is.

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Going to slow down and everyone talks about august, the one I'm worried about is the transfer the.

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Ownership of that land in march to the portsmouth housing authority. Thank you. Thank you. Rick.

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Next up, susan steery on clg certification,.

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Good evening I'm susan starry, I live at broad street in portsmouth and I'm also.

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Co-Chair of the cemetery committee and that's why I'm up here tonight.

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um Later on your agenda, you have an application for membership as a certified local government.

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I just want to take this time to thank everybody that was involved to get that application in front.

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Of you last may, I went to nick cracknell, who I didn't know at all, who I know very well now and.

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Asked him if he knew about this certification and of course he said yes, I was the new one. He.

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Put all the work and energy into this, it was a large application. It wasn't just yes or no.

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There's a lot of research involved. Then it was presented to the historic dish district.

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Commission, which had to be approved by them, and I also know this application- went around to a.

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Few other departments- those I don't know, but I want to thank everybody that was involved in this.

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For putting the time and effort into it, because it was not just a simple yes and no questionnaire and.

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This process, I already have my list of what I'm going to present to cl.

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um G, so that we can start or not start continue working on our historic cemeteries.

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So I appreciate everyone's effort in this endeavor. Thank you. Thank you. Susan [applause].

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um Next up is uh farida ibrahim, fareed she's, not here.

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Did I mispronounce your name she's, just nervous? Okay, that's that's! That's totally! Fine.

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It's okay, that you're here is uh is the most important thing.

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um Madison uh madison we're gonna take a pass too again. I will.

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So we have madison, we have nora. Thank you.

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What do you do you place myself? Yeah we play softball yeah. Why do you want.

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You want to save your field, yeah.

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Yeah we love the field yeah, we have a lot of memories there and we don't want.

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It to be taken away from us, we don't want it to impact our game schedules.

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Yeah yeah. Thank you very good. Thanks for coming out tonight, [applause].

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Next up is uh peter huda on various topics, one being cip. There will be.

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A public hearing after that, um but I am sure that you know that.

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Thank you, mr rare good evening, peter huda, 2a south street.

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uh First thing uh that was on there, I guess you didn't mention uh the budget. I guess I'd just like.

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To uh address the motion that city councilor tabor is going to make on the 4.5 uh increase.

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I would like to remind you that you had an 8 million dollar increase last year.

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um Of which 6.6 was a surplus from five uh from fy 21.. I'd like to also remind you when you.

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Consider this that there are really big numbers in the cip as far as ps and the police station.

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So I'd like you to consider the residents pockets when you're looking at this tonight.

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I will speak to the public hearing on cip later. The next thing I just want to talk.

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About is outdoor dining. I hope that you have reconsidered and put a more.

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Fair plan forward, as far as this sidewalk dining on the on the 500 fee- and I hope you have looked.

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At the size of the businesses that would be participating here, uh in my opinion, somebody.

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That has 15 feet on the sidewalk should not pay the same price as somebody who has 500.

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200 or anything larger, I understand you are giving a discount, but um I still don't think.

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Your scale is fair. Thank you. Thank you future. Next up, uh liza hewitt on resident engagement.

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Good evening liza hewitt middle road- I was not going to speak tonight, but here I am. I.

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Read in the paper this morning that mayor mceachron plans to ask the council to move.

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The proposed development at sherburne school to the land use committee to look at and report back.

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I want to remind the council that the land use committee meets the first friday of every month.

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At nine o'clock in the morning not convenient or accessible for working people. So if you plan to.

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Be transparent and encourage resident involvement. I would suggest that you either refer this to the.

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Planning board which meets on thursday nights at seven o'clock or move the land use committee.

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To the evening, please don't continue to treat resident concerns as an afterthought and cause.

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A repeat of tuesday night, thank you. Thank you. Liza. Next up sean muskie on the sherburne school.

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Thank you, council for letting me speak tonight. I'd like to start off by saying I've never spoken to.

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The couch before, but what's going on at sherburne, has concerned us to the point that people like.

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Myself, who generally stay quiet in town, are waking up. Many of us don't like what we're seeing there.

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Not only are you taking away a softball field from the girls.

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But I know from running men's softball leagues that we've used that field as well to practice.

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And you're, taking that away from us as well green space is a very important part of what.

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We talked about for a long time in this town and by putting large buildings there.

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Takes away just more green space, there's a long list of things I could sit up here and.

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Drone on about what we don't like about what we've seen but I'll stay with those two and.

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You'll probably be seeing me again to talk more about what we're seeing. Thank you. Thank you. Sean.

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Next up peter jones on the topic of sherburne.

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Hello, everyone, uh peter jones, greenland road right across the street, from the sherburne.

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School so naturally been talking to a lot of our neighbors councilor playlock, being one of them and.

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um Just kind of wanted to pose a question to you all, because you know we first heard about this at.

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Least at length on the january 12th meeting. So basically the question is: why was the sherburne.

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School property selected without taking in perhaps into consideration some other properties that.

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The city already owns like community campus mayor. You pointed out in that january 12th meeting that.

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That community campus does have ample acreage for a project just like this one and beyond that.

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The community campus is much closer to a number of things that all these you know, new residents.

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Would benefit from multiple grocery stores, employment opportunities, the walmart's right.

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There, restaurants, the daycare on the community campus and other essential amenities that you.

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Know all those families would benefit from additionally, obviously gather who I know may or.

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May not be involved in the project they're about a quarter mile down the street and there's also.

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The new sports complex again for the benefit of all those families. So I'm not any sort of.

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Land expert, but just from a layman's point of view, I and a lot of my you know: neighbors, who.

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Have discussed this with? It appears that at the community campus, where both my boys go to.

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School some over there all the time that land you know as compared to the sherburne land appears to.

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Be flatter you certainly don't have the noise constraints like you would, with 95 and dealing.

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With that, and probably the biggest thing of all, you wouldn't be shoehorning four-story.

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Buildings into you know a quiet, residential neighborhood of small single family homes, so.

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uh I guess in closing, what did you all use as criteria along with the pha to determine that.

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The sherburne school that property is actually the best of all the city-owned properties, 175.

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Of them it sounds like how did you determine specifically that the sherburne school is the.

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Best for this property or for this housing project. Thank you. Thank you. Peter [applause],.

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It's the peter officer also on the topic of the sherburne school.

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How's it going council, my name is peter officer, I'm a resident of 627 colonial drive, the pan.

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Away neighborhood, um I'm gonna keep it short and sweet tonight, because so many of my neighborhood.

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Neighbors and fellow citizens or community members have done an excellent job and probably.

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A more eloquent job than than I could do raising their concerns. um Obviously, I'm a resident of the.

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Neighborhood, I'm a father of one um little girl and uh we have hopes of expanding our family so.

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I you know we we wanted to lay down roots in in that neighborhood and be there for a long time.

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um So I'm glad that I have so many neighbors that are doing so well at voicing our opinions.

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And our concerns, but I just have a quick question so when we showed up to the meeting.

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um There was some back and forth before the meeting and different news articles and.

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Social media posts, like you, know whether or not the meeting was going to be recorded and by whom.

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um When we get into the the gym at the sherburne school anybody, that was, there would sure recognize.

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A big professionally uh or a professional kind of style, video camera, as well as audio equipment and.

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A microphone, moreover, mayor when you started the the whole thing off. You started speaking.

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Into that microphone, which would make it look to everybody that that was kind of an official.

T

um Mike used for city purposes, um you then uh pass it over to craig. He did his whole spiel, which was.

T

Fine um and from there instructed the q a using that same microphone, inspect instructing everybody.

T

To speak into that microphone, my concern is that during the land use committee that took place.

T

Just this past week it was discussed and uncovered that the microphone, the video camera and the audio.

T

Equipment were not provided by city council, we're not provided by the city of portsmouth.

T

But instead were provided by a private documentarian working on behalf of the pha.

T

So I think it's a little upsetting to show up to a meeting where we as neighbors want to have our.

T

Voices heard and our concerns addressed and have an open discussion to be seemingly led.

T

On to believe that the microphone and camera would be used to then educate the broader city.

T

I didn't want to show up here tonight because I thought we had our conversation. That night.

T

When I found out that that conversation was for a private documentary and not for the education.

T

Of the overall citizens, it just felt again kind of shady- and I know shady is not the.

T

Most, maybe professional term just seemed that way. So you know that's a concern that there.

T

Just continues to be things that are going on in private intentionally misleading at times.

T

um And also seemingly done, as someone else mentioned, to push a project along.

T

You know, instead of really engaging with the community pulling fast ones on us and then.

T

Again, I'm glad that so many of my neighbors spoke tonight because they've done such an excellent job at voicing our concerns and our questions.

T

But to then be demonized and you know portrayed as again in the same land use meeting um to say.

T

That we had one tone at the meeting and that our questions were immediately disqualified and.

T

um It was, it was upsetting to see two city councilors there engaging in that type.

T

Of discussion when they themselves were at the meeting, hear the questions to hear the concerns.

T

So I hope there's more transparency moving forward. I hope that, like all of us, hope that we'll be able.

T

To be engaged, it will be treated with respect and our opinions will be heard. Our concerns addressed.

T

As well, but anyway, thanks again, I said I was going to keep it short thanks. Thank you, peter [applause],.

L

Next, up uh dave, cosgrove also on the showroom.

U

Good evening, honorable mayor council, good to see you.

U

um Yeah just hard not to hearken back to time when I felt like a high density, housing.

U

Development was going to be effectively thrust upon my neighborhood. I live at 174 echo avenue.

U

um I know at least one of the council members here today really pushed local business leaders.

U

To to speak in favor of that, even though that the scale in particular of that project.

U

I felt was just completely inappropriate, given the density of my neighborhood, so.

U

You don't want to spend too much time looking backward just looking forward.

U

I appreciate the forum the other night and listening to the neighborhood. It sounds like.

U

Voices of a herd- I just recommend, staying as transparent as possible to move forward.

U

um I'd like to thank the girls for coming out. Both of my girls played with pgsa, have used that field.

U

And you know it's one of only a couple of fields: uh it's not in great shape. It could use some.

U

Improvements, but um you know, should you look at the roster of potential locations for housing and.

U

You do choose that spot. At the very least, I think you should find another spot to replace that field.

U

um Rather than just come up and not come up with a solution, I know, as you know, I'm involved with.

U

The skate park at portsmouth hopefully break ground this summer, given that the park it be.

U

Implemented in the near future, it's possible that maybe we could look at the greenleaf rec center.

U

In that space, where there's already existing high density housing as a possible site for additional.

U

Affordable housing adjacent to existing, affordable housing. That's it thanks! Dave, [applause],.

A

Next up, esther kennedy, who I believe is celebrating a birthday today, is that correct.

V

To talk about a woman's age, just just 25 all right.

A

No I'm proud of my age. It gives me maturity to stand up here. um Esther kennedy, 41, pickering, f,.

V

uh Jaylin didn't say, or the mayor did not say my topic. Oh sorry, uh is it civil rights, no specific.

A

Rights, yes, civic rights. um I am very concerned about the fact I keep hearing from the council.

V

That we want a vibrant community and I can tell you: we have a vibrant community.

V

And I really want you to start thinking about citizens, rights.

V

Now I know many of you were supported and put on by developers on this council.

V

But I really want you to think about what happened on tuesday night when you didn't go out and ask.

V

The citizens, what they wanted, I'm concerned that we have a new mcintyre plan on the website.

V

That does not look like the citizens plan. I'm concerned that we did not.

V

Deal with outdoor dining by making sure that we had the citizens conversation, I miss the.

V

Days of portsmouth listen. Mr tabor ran that when citizens came together and made a plan.

V

Right now, I'm feeling like we have a little bit of a dictatorship. We are not working with the.

V

Citizens to come up with a plan for a multitude of things as a council, I worked really hard to make.

V

Sure that I included citizens, many of you were on my citizens walks. We were trying to do the sound.

V

Barrier, we had the citizens there, we have the state people there. We are the city people there.

V

I want you to think about that it's time to do that again, and my last thing is mayor. You forgot.

V

One group of people on saturday I went to the transfer station and there's some great people out.

V

There in the really cold wind, making a difference and helping people quickly to try to get their.

V

Bags of trash into the combos area and actually came to help cars because some elderly people.

V

Were truly trying to work hard to get their trash out so that whole group of people did a beautiful.

V

Job and I want to thank them personally, thank you and have a good night. Thank you.

A

Foreign next up sue doyle on the topic of the sherburne.

A

Oh you signed up, so that's why you don't have to speak, but maybe somebody else signed you up.

W

uh Not being prepared to do this, but uh I can tell you the overall theme for or since tuesday.

W

When many of us who live in the neighborhood really started learning what was on your minds.

W

um And not speaking for everybody, of course, just um thoughts that I've been having and.

W

In discussions with a lot of neighbors who have lived there for a long time, I don't.

W

Know that we are absolutely against anything happening there. It is a good spot. The school.

W

Is a fabulous building? I know it needs work, but a lot of people have great memories there. A lot of.

W

People went to school there, we've got look, look at this look at this crew. Look at this softball team.

W

Here to talk about it, let's do something, but let's do something that makes sense.

W

As a realtor in this community for almost 20 years.

W

Having a spot, I don't know we're not they're not for sale they're for rent, but you know what.

W

When I get those six to ten phone calls every week, I want to live in portsmouth. I love that.

W

I hate the fact that I can't get many people into the community and a lot of that is inventory.

W

I'd love to have a big, beautiful building, to bring people to and experience what we do as residents.

W

In portsmouth it's an awesome city. We have the best services anywhere fire police hospital.

W

Teachers, it's all awesome and I would love to introduce our city to a vast amount of people.

W

However, workforce housing or whatever we're going to end up calling it that's, not thought.

W

Out carefully and I've been involved in a bunch of projects when it's not done right, it fails.

W

And we cannot absorb a failure of this project, so do something that's okay, I think for most.

W

But it has to be right whether it's fewer units and that 40 range seems to be kind of popular.

W

I know there are some requirements, let's do something, but let's do something. That's right.

W

And just for the record of where this goes, the comments about we're all not in my backyard and.

W

How we're you know uh portraying people who can't afford the million dollar condos as you.

W

Know we're terrible people for thinking this way. None of that was anybody's point. There.

W

Were a couple of questions asked about the type of housing which is fair? I just want to know it.

W

Doesn't mean that we're against any of it on any different group or, however, you want to deem it.

W

We just need to make sure it's done correctly, so it's not a failure. Thank you.

A

All right, oh, we have one on one on zoom and is.

A

The portsmouth representative uh or president uh jackie uh kelly, pitts.

X

I'm a former representative, it's hard to um forget it's the honorable jacqueline.

A

I took a lot of people to make me honorable. I have three quick.

X

Things one I was at the sherman meeting and what delighted me most about that.

X

Meeting was people coming out and people voicing their opinion and not afraid to.

X

I I've had a lot of time on my hands having covered and all watching meetings.

X

And I'm a little bit dismayed about the way it. This is perceived that the.

X

Neighborhoods and I appreciate that the neighborhoods have a loud voice, so does.

X

You know my neighborhood, but what happens in any neighborhood affects every citizen.

X

Of portsmouth, I consider myself a citizen of portsmouth, as well as the state.

X

And I think that it doesn't sound like well. They you want participation from other citizens.

X

And that bothers me, one of my concerns is and I'm going to just keep rolling, because this is the.

X

Reader's digest the wetlands project going out on peace conservation commission sent a letter saying.

X

That they were against it, but that's all I've heard about it. There's another hearing on thursday.

X

At one o'clock at peas and they're discussing that that's serious and that's a serious implication.

X

For portsmouth what happens out there and the third thing, I'm really concerned about.

X

Is roundabouts that and and what woodbury avenue is going to look like, and I hope that.

X

There's going to be a hearing on that because you know if a neighborhood want something different.

X

I think all the citizens, woodbury avenue, becomes a major third thoroughfare.

X

We have to cons, you have to consult people about what happens we've seen when, when road projects go.

X

I won't say wrong, but twisted.

X

You know I drive that road every single day I drive I come through by the sheraton, every single.

X

Day and I cannot understand why we're going to put these traffic circles, which are a disaster so just.

X

Please consider all the citizens, and not just the neighborhoods. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for.

A

Being here, kelly pitts now we're doing it from now on the honorable all right, um yep, oh, come on up.

A

We're just limiting into two minutes just because there's a lot of really quick. Oh.

Y

So I'm kate fish, 9, 4 46, greenland road. Thank you for listening on tuesday and adding that.

Y

To your plate, after hearing about the proposal for the sherburne school site, which sits directly.

Y

Across the street, from our dead end road of about 12 houses, I was shocked. We have a small.

Y

Single-Family neighborhood of affordable houses for portsmouth. uh Mr welsh said last week at the.

Y

Land use committee that, as evidenced on tuesday they're often demonized and discriminated against,.

Y

When speaking of low-income people of portsmouth and referencing, the tuesday meeting where we spoke.

Y

And I just because the meeting on tuesday wasn't filmed, I feel it necessary to say that I believe.

Y

That's not necessarily a fair statement, the vast majority of neighbors who came and spoke.

Y

At the meeting on tuesday were not demonizing or discriminating against low-income parts with.

Y

Residents, in fact, I would argue that many of us are exactly that. Some of the people you heard.

Y

Speak were teachers, nurses and police officers who work in this very city and live in the sherborne.

Y

Neighborhood the rents that were shown to us during the presentation on tuesday were the.

Y

Same or higher than many of our mortgages in this in our neighborhood, so we've worked hard to buy.

Y

What we could afford in portsmouth and ended up in the sherborne neighborhood, we love this city.

Y

And our neighborhood loud highway and plane noises included, we've spent our hard-earned savings to.

Y

Live here- and we don't want our quiet neighborhood to vastly change. Of course, change is necessary and.

Y

I understand that our concerns are or not that there will be others just like us living here in.

Y

Our neighborhood, our worries, stem from the sheer number of people who will be living here as save.

Y

Them a proposal and how that will affect things like traffic getting on 33 in route, 1 questions.

Y

Of what the building or buildings will look like what this will do to class sizes at the portsmouth.

Y

Schools how this will affect the softball teams, how we will get to know and trust, so many new.

Y

Neighbors in order to feel safe having our kids walk and play, will there be enough green space.

Y

Will there will they have? Will residents have access to borthwick avenue? Will services be housed.

Y

Here in a mixed-use village, what will happen to the current school building and more? We are asking.

Y

You to look at the scope of this project and do the research required to know how it will affect.

Y

Us in our neighborhood, I believe our neighborhood has been unfairly portrayed, and I worry that our.

Y

Concerns will be minimized or overlooked, based on the perception that we are discriminatory.

Y

And that our concerns are being raised based on the demographic of people who will live in the.

Y

Units, this is largely a false narrative that has come about due to the lack of transparency. I feel.

Y

As though the neighborhood should have been more informed and concerned should have been heard before spending lots of resources on this proposed project that the first council meeting.

Y

Where the proposal was brought public, it was said that there was an aggressive timeline for.

Y

This and it was even asked how you could help expedite the project. Transparency builds trust.

Y

And I'm hopeful that you can build that with the neighborhood moving forward. Thank you. Thank you.

A

All right next up we'll go back to hershey hershkop.

A

From over the river foreign.

Z

Executive director of seacoast outright, I live in south berwick in the great state of maine. I am.

Z

Here to thank you so much for your support. Last year of our pride event, um it uh the portsmouth.

Z

Herald, I think estimated 10 000 people. I think that was an overreach, but we certainly had more.

Z

Than five, maybe less than ten, uh it was a great success. We appreciate the mayor speaking your.

Z

Support and the great work of the city manager and all of the various town departments that go.

Z

Into making it a great day, we had a day without incident, we had added a beer tent. We were very.

Z

Happy about that and we're looking forward to this, our ninth pride celebration that once again will.

Z

Launch from pleasant street and go down state street and end up at the strawberry bank museum.

Z

They've, given us a little more space this year, so we'll have over a hundred vendors, our beer.

Z

Tent will sell a rainbow swag and have a great day. We invite the mayor once again and to open.

Z

The event for us at the march and I'd also like to announce that we have designated the city as our.

Z

Community partner this year, thank you so much that comes with a huge banner and a lot of thank yous.

Z

um In invest, especially inside in uh in honor of the 400 celebration of the city, so thank you. um It.

Z

Is june 24th put that on your calendar. We hope the city council will come as a group to march.

Z

Behind your own banner, we encourage all sorts of non-profit partners and businesses and sponsors.

Z

And supporters to come out and support us on our big national holiday. Thank you. Thank you. Hershey.

A

Okay um with that, I think we have all the public speakers correct.

A

Anybody else going once going twice all right uh gianna. I motion that we suspend the rules.

AA

Spring forward item 15 500 your name on the disposition of the sherburne school. Second,.

A

All in favor, so this is a verbal report uh thanks um former mayor uh rick beckstead for.

A

uh Having the idea- and I know that, there's a a lot of folks that are need to get to bed.

A

um But the uh would like to start with, um I guess it was the idea that anybody is being uh demonized.

A

You know I flatly reject um that characterization. uh If this was the new franklin school and it was.

A

The crick we would have just as many people that have just as many questions, because in portsmouth.

A

We have a lot of questions uh and we we want to be involved now. We also have to weigh and and.

A

This is, you know, an effort uh to weigh. That is the amount of work that goes in so that you can answer.

A

Some of those questions and the amount of uh you know or lack of work to to get folks involved, try.

A

To split the difference on that doesn't seem like it worked, and for that I will take responsibility.

A

And appreciate that you know more information is, is always better and and bringing more people in.

A

um Is is the biggest uh is the biggest thing we can do, especially if we want to do things.

A

That, I believe, are needed in the city and that's uh to create uh below market rate or affordable.

A

Housing, some of the things that uh that I heard um were size and scope. You know probably the biggest.

A

um You know what's gonna, what's gonna be impacted of the traffic, these are things.

A

That we would have to have a pretty good idea of um another one um green space, rec softball.

A

um There is a huge component of that. We talk a lot about green space in all parts of the city.

A

The sherburne, neighborhood or pan away is no different um than that. um What else uh would go.

A

Here I think that that was in addition to housing. What would happen in the the sherburne school? We.

A

Probably need to look at this um collectively and holistically together. Instead of you know, behind.

A

The sherburne and then ahead of the server, and that has to be you, know, a plan that that goes in.

A

um In in unison, the um who's going to live there, I think that you know part of the.

A

um The way that the meeting got you know maybe a little twisted. There was a lot of questions.

A

The federal government with regulations on uh the federal income low or the the federal.

A

Low-Income tax credit, it's tricky, um you know if you earn uh sixty thousand dollars, um you might.

A

Be you might be surprised to find out, the federal government defines you as low income in our region.

A

There's a lot that needs to be explained there. We need to do a better job of explaining that.

A

um Finally, I think one of the biggest things and why I would ask this to go to the uh the.

A

Land use is why sherburne well. First, I think that there's um we are looking at all uh land.

A

In the city, I think we identified um previously and there's a lot of um a planning board member.

A

Hewitt has sent us many instances of where uh of the 174 watts. Many are unbuildable because.

A

Of the uh because of the wetlands, he has also stated that he'll provide some more information.

A

On that, but we have in the atlantic heights next to the senior center uh granite way uh next door.

A

Grants you next to the alumni field and then, of course, the community campus being able to.

A

Come back and say this is why we think that this parcel is best to go first in a longer plan and.

A

An understanding of everything that uh we do, I don't think we're just going to build one project.

A

um In the city of portsmouth, but why would sherburne go first is a question that we need.

A

To be able to understand, and then um you know, I think that affordable housing is a.

A

um It's just difficult, you know, there's so many definitions. I've had one person tell me email me.

A

Today that you can't call it affordable housing, nobody knows what that means. Another person, email.

A

Me you got to keep calling it below market rate, because affordable means all these other things. I.

A

Think that there is a lot of not education, because that sounds patronizing. But collaboration with.

A

Us to talk about what this project is going to be, and so um on. The last point peter mentioned.

A

That there was a video recording when I went in there didn't think we were recording it. I asked.

A

We're going to put this on the website. That's still my expectation to put that on the website.

A

Anyone is able to to film, I saw um artie cloud film and if we can't get you know the folks of.

A

The fancy cameras I'll ask artie to put his uh and we'll get that on on city council or on the.

A

City website, but that was the expectation when we started that and I still feel like that's the.

A

um That's what we're going to get to is it's going to take a little longer.

A

um In terms of what I would like to see next, and what I think would be useful um is to to have this.

A

Go uh to the land use committee at this point, so we can answer probably the biggest question that.

A

We have is what happens next and why? If we're going to go down the path of the sherburne, why.

A

Would this project be ahead of other projects? I also want to make clear that you know the.

A

The august 15th timeline is not tenable. I think it was a tough uh timeline to get through planning.

A

Land or all the land use committees, it was tough uh even in if everybody loved this idea- and you.

A

Know that wasn't the case on on tuesday there's a lot of questions. I think we can get people.

A

um And people will, if we can address some of those issues, get to a point where this is something that.

A

As I said at the meeting three out of four like instead of three out of four dislike or have.

A

Concerns about and if we can do that, then you know we can focus on the the following year. If.

A

This is something that's going to go forward, so I'd weigh in a motion uh to move this to.

A

The land use committee with a report back at the at the next, uh the next council meeting.

A

So moved second, any discussion tomorrow um at the next city council meeting would be before.

O

We even have another land use committee meeting so we'll extend it out to uh uh to come back to.

A

The city council and I know that there were folks that were taking down signatures, we'll.

A

Make sure that we get that um back to uh reuben, who I saw had a lot of signatures. um He can be a.

A

Point person we'll we'll let the ahead of the next meeting that will make sure that that's addressed.

A

Bouncer table uh yeah just to speak to the motion. um I think you've identified the major questions.

AB

How does this compare to other city sites, and is it the best, and why and should it go first.

AB

What's the traffic impact, what's the tenant mix, what do we do about the.

AB

Softball field and there's other issues: the sound overlay zone, the.

AB

Potential of of liberty mutual, um so I think it's smart to refer this to the land use.

AB

Committee, so we can explore all those and get the facts. I would advocate that the report back.

AB

Is not just to the city council, but to the neighborhood as well, and that we host some evening.

AB

Work sessions to relay all that information, and I would also urge us to build in um some.

AB

Time for the neighborhood to deliberate on what they've learned, whether that's in small groups or.

AB

Some methods so that they can then come back and report to us on their opinion, based on the facts.

AB

I think, in other words, like stretch structure of a way for a a very thoughtful second look at it all.

AB

With the facts- and you know, I think that's that's worth doing if we build in the time for that.

AB

um I'm glad we're going we're not going for the august date. You can't rush a public process.

AB

So my hope would be that we report out both to the council and to the neighborhood and build.

AB

In time for the neighbors to deliberate on the information that we give them.

A

So to re uh phrase that moved to have a report back on the sherburn and other.

A

Locations with a report back to the council and a work schedule's work session scheduled.

A

To be hosted at the sherburne school, if you would be willing to change your motion to.

AB

That yeah sure all right we could. I apologize a friendly amendment to potentially move it to.

AC

um Not sherman so that it can be recorded, potentially the senior center, so that we're.

AC

We're still out that way, but we have the ability to record and stream that meeting.

A

I'm seeing some nods in the in the crowd there, we, oh, we have the auditorium in the.

A

Back, can we record in the in the cafeteria I'm looking at staff.

AD

um We don't have that ability in in the large gathering space at the senior center.

AC

We potentially break it into two sessions. Now we gotta keep it at one session. um I think here.

AD

Would it might be the best place, so we've got met friendly amendment removed? I think that.

A

um To a place determined by capacity and audio visual equipment,.

A

um uh To record, I would love to be able to figure out recording at a outside location.

A

And this should be a good instance to get that done from a city standpoint.

A

Okay, any other comments. Oh sorry, uh counselor bagley, then counselor cook. Thank you. Honor.

AE

um I'm gonna upset the apple cart here. A little bit hearing everybody speak tonight.

AE

And on the meeting tuesday night, I don't know if procedurally, it might make more sense to.

AE

Have the work session with the full council, so the community has a chance to engage with all.

AE

Of us and then after that work session, refer to the expertise of the land use committee.

A

So the reason why I guess is we're trying to answer some some questions on uh site location, the.

A

The land use committee has already put together a list um and has weighted that uh report back.

A

In terms of uh buildable lots, I'd like to go there because I'd like I feel as though there.

A

Was a lot that was said a lot that was questions, um we need to deliver more answers around that to.

A

Have better conversations and better questions to come back, so I would very much like to see.

A

This go from the land use committee where there can be a report generated around some.

A

Of those questions that we had, namely why the sherburne, why the sherburne location at all.

A

Because I think, if there'd be a lot of people in the audience that um and in the neighborhood that.

A

If, if there's a better location, they want to know that, maybe if uh there's multiple locations, they'd.

A

Want to know uh timing, but I think that's probably the first question that we need to be able to.

A

Answer is why, here uh before, we can talk about traffic and and schools and all the other stuff.

A

Council cook, uh thank you, your honor. um I actually wanted to speak a little to process. If I can.

AF

Because that's really, what we're discussing is, what is the correct process to handle this.

AF

And I wanted to highlight for everyone here the council process, because I think there is.

AF

Some confusion about where the council, what the discussions have been with the council and the.

AF

Reality is the council received the presentation from the portsmouth housing authority, the the.

AF

Same presentation that everyone here saw, that was the first engagement with that was the the first.

AF

That was the first time that the proposal was presented to us as a council, and then we.

AF

Went and heard comments from the community- and I think what's important- is that this is the first.

AF

Time me sitting here with the council. Besides asking a question at the work session that I've.

AF

Even been discussing this in the council with the entire council, the council hasn't met to make any.

AF

Decision yet so what we're trying to do at this point is try to decide what the process is to.

AF

Make that decision- and so I don't want there to be any confusion that the council has made some.

AF

Decision in the past that we've met that we've decided. This is what we're doing, and this is.

AF

Where we're doing it, we're actually having that discussion here in public and that's what we do.

AF

As a council and and that's how I like to engage and so um because that's that's the way that we're.

AF

Required to do things by law, so I just don't want that confusion out there and that's what we're.

AF

Trying to decide is: how do we further engage? What are the next steps that we need to take to make.

AF

Sure we continue to hear your input as a community to make sure that the council has an opportunity.

AF

To ask questions because, as of right now, the questions I'm asking is I'm making individual.

AF

Phone calls to different people and saying so: what are the numbers for the schools? So what is the the.

AF

Housing authorities, options for other locations, I'm making those phone calls on my own. I'm not.

AF

Having them with the council yet- and I need to have those discussions in public and that's what.

AF

The council wants to do we're just not that far along in the process we're at the very beginning. I.

A

Think councilor cook any other questions, counselor denton comment and then uh I guess two comments.

AA

um The first one being having gone door to door the weekend prior with councilor blaylock, putting.

AA

Up those flyers to make sure as many people could participate and less than other questions, I was.

AA

Not taken back or surprised by the neighborhood's reaction, and my other comment is simply if we're.

AA

Gonna send it to the land use committee and, if they're going to give us a list of all the.

AA

Potential places and if there's a chance that at the top of the list, might be another location, the.

AA

Sherburne school shouldn't we hold off until we get that report back before we determine where.

AA

We're going to have the meeting because if it comes back saying, there's another location, that's.

AA

Better than sherburne school and we might want to have that meeting at the better location than.

AA

The sherburne neighborhood and the um whatever the report comes back with I'm hoping we would pursue.

AA

As much affordable housing as we can in the city.

AA

I think council denton council moreau just to make a quick comment about. I have actually spent.

O

Many hours looking at the map geo of the city and looking at every zone municipal lot that we have.

O

Or at least as many as show up on that specific um thing and and a lot of them ones that I thought.

O

Really had promised have wetlands and with wetland buffers the sometimes the developable portion of.

O

Even if you put three lots together is not get any access to a rope or the only access to it might be.

O

The rail trail that will eventually go through there so access to develop a land on lots and.

O

A lot of our our land is actually a national resource protection because we own it because of.

O

Barry's broker we own it because of the sagamore creek, like we have a lot of land that we do own.

O

Not a lot of it is actually outside of wetlands, but I would be happy to formally put all of that.

O

Together and see, if I'm missing anything and try to get it back to everyone, it comes tomorrow.

A

And the counselor denton's point of of let the process uh deliver that so we'll strike the.

A

We'll rescind the portion of the motion that uh has us go to a specific location, okay,.

A

Any other questions.

A

Okay, so to recap- uh because this is pretty sometimes can be quite confusing when you make.

A

The sausage up here the goal is from the land use committee to report back on the best locations for.

A

Or the buildable locations for affordable housing listing the pros and cons, we will not host that.

A

At a specific location because and we'll host it at city hall, given the fact that we don't know.

A

Where that's going to come and from there any next steps that involve the sherburne parcel, we will.

A

Certainly be back in the neighborhood to discuss that align with folks of piercing and councilor.

A

Tabor and just to clarify, we were going to have that report of the different sites and pros and.

AB

Cons go to a neighborhood work session night work session as well was that that was my understanding.

AB

Did I get that wrong yep so we'll have it so we'll have that report at a or at a work session of the.

A

Council, so that there can be questions uh raised and hopefully answered uh in that and not the.

A

Dice uh typical uh commentary or public speaker that kind of stifles them back and forth. Yeah.

AB

I mean I sense that if I could your honor that there are multiple views within the neighborhood.

AB

um Not everybody is opposed to everything anywhere. um Some people uh are talking about uh something.

AB

Of a scale that could meet our need for housing, but also complement the neighborhood, and I just.

AB

Want to allow time for the neighborhood itself to deliberate in some way whether we do that through.

AB

Facilitated small groups or as an adjunct to the the work session. Well, that's I think the.

A

Only way we're going to get to a project that is supported by any neighborhood that we uh that we.

A

Look at- and you know I'll just say that the before we uh we have a vote. I appreciate everybody that.

A

Comes out and speaks, um you are the most important part of the the government, your our boss, or, as my.

A

Daughter calls it, you know, the citizen is the boss of everybody on the council, you have the.

A

Highest role and uh thank you for bringing the the children in to to or the young women in to speak.

A

On uh this, this process, it's important to stay, engaged and stay in involved, and I hope that.

A

You know, there's a big need for affordable housing and- and I it's hard to look at our city on a whole.

A

And then, on the micro level, I understand both. I understand my neighborhood feel what we would.

A

Respond to something like this, but also when it comes to uh you know, um you know, need to to hire.

A

Para, educators, that that that that that you know that we're not attracting enough of the current.

A

Pay scale because portsmouth is is too expensive to live in when it comes to service economy. When.

A

It comes to people on the first year of a police officer's uh salary or that of a fire officer.

A

Those are things that that weigh on me as well. As I know, they weigh on you because collectively.

A

We have to figure out in a very um popular destination how we we maintain some measure.

A

Of affordability, so that we continue to provide the services, you know the dpw workers that were.

A

Out to 2 a.m or starting at 2 a.m, uh they need to have a place that they can call home in portsmouth.

A

uh Because they serve our city and so weighing all that is going to be a test for our city.

A

um I hope that we can pass that test and align on a way that we can have a dialogue that shapes.

A

um You know the future of portsmouth uh as well as potentially uh your neighborhood and.

A

I appreciate everybody. That's come out tonight uh that spoke eloquently in a very respectful.

A

um Passionate way about your future, I just I hope we all remember as well that we are.

A

All citizens of portsmouth and that we will continue to to try to make.

A

um Try to make our way in this city so with that, um I think we're all in favor, but all in favor.

C

Aye any opposed no post. Thank you. We'll take a five minute recess foreign.

C

It's a bad point, a very valid point. Welcome back.

A

To the meeting after a short recess, we now have um the public hearing on the.

A

Capital improvement plan we'll first start up with the city council questions because.

A

The presentation was last week, any city council questions that we want to get right into the to.

A

The public hearing assistant mayor, um yes, sir, I have a question for the police department.

AC

um About the proposed cost that we have listed out at 38 million if we had eddie, I know that.

AC

The police commission was looking at proposed locations, and so I was looking for, I guess.

AC

um Some more information on if we had narrowed down any types of locations, any.

AC

Pre-Existing city plots or anything like that as we're looking at those numbers.

AG

To answer your question assistant mayor, we have just.

AG

In the process of finalizing a design team and we have several different locations and once we get.

AG

With that design team, we'll work on can specific about what uh those locations will fit best and so.

AG

At this point in time, we do not have a location that answers the question that does thank you.

A

Any other questions from the council counselor cook.

AF

um I I wanted to ask the chief a question as well so before he sits down here.

C

Sorry about that, um so uh my question is about the police body cameras. I noticed that we have.

AF

Them in the budget for fiscal year 26. um is, is that the earliest? We think we can you.

AF

Explain that we needed to do a study is that the earliest? We think that we can complete the.

AF

Study before we ordered no, that was just to put it in as a place marker. I I think we're going.

AG

Into contract negotiations, so a piece of that is was working with the unions to get agreement on.

AG

uh Implementing the the uh body cams, so once that's done, I think things will moral really.

AG

Fast, I just think it's just a goal of hopefully having achieved in in place, at least by then.

AG

But more than likely they'll be implemented long before that. Thank you. I appreciate it.

AF

I have several more questions, go for it, we're all good okay. um So, let's start with infrastructure.

AF

Upgrades um the fleet street utilities upgrade streetscape. I noted that we have three million.

AF

We have two million dollars in the fiscal year 24 budget, but it's in 3 million in fiscal year, 26.

AF

um Is there a reason why we're pausing, or is it that the first part of the project's.

AF

Going to take a full two years or that you know, is there a reason why we have.

AF

To wait another two years before we fund the second part of the project.

AH

AH

Good evening miss mayor city council, peter rice, director of public works.

AH

The the enabling work, which is to put a new drain line from.

AH

Hanover street to the north mill pond we'll take.

AH

A year and a half, so the the project really would not get done. So it's a matter.

AH

Of getting that first project done and then and then working through the second project.

AF

Thank you. I have more if you want to stay and it's up to you sure I hope the city manager wants you.

AF

To stay and answer all of these um I'll go ahead and skip to uh bike pad improvements.

AF

um Greenland road middle road bike pad improvement is in fiscal year. 26 585 000. um is, is it there.

AF

Because we won't get to it by then, or is it just just timing, made sense financially um in terms.

AH

Of the timing, um I can't speak to howard got to that point. You know when it could. We worked with.

AH

uh The former planning director or two planning directors ago uh to come up with that schedule.

AH

um Our intent is to revisit the bicycle pedestrian master plan before that project was going to get.

AH

Completed uh so the thought was, it would be an opportunity to to look at the priorities.

AH

We really want to focus on connectivity. We want to make sure our sections, the city.

AH

Aren't isolated, so you know we would we would revisit that schedule as part of that exercise.

AF

Okay, thank you. I I think it's probably the same answer then, for the market street side path,.

AF

um Fiscal year 25, there's 160 and 50 fiscal year. 26 is um this: we have state funds that coming.

AF

In yeah, the cmac grant air quality congestion, congestion mitigation, air quality grant right.

AH

uh That's been requested for at least the pre-applications been in, um so the thought.

AH

Is that if those money's become available that would move forward so, okay, okay, thank you and.

AF

um On market square upgrades, I noted that the funding for the planning is is in fiscal year. 25.

AF

um Is there a reason it's in 25 instead of 24 I'll, take a stab at that and look to the planning and.

AD

Sustainability director to clarify the year there is a hundred and ten there's a hundred.

AD

Thousand dollars already encumbered for this use and the additional 50 is in support of community.

AD

Engagement related to the plan, but peter belfry, to save me from myself here. That's that's pretty much.

AI

Right, yeah it'll be it'll, be to look at the uh the plan and then the 50 000 was going to follow.

AI

On with public engagement to let people know what we're doing and where to go next um as a follow-on.

AF

Then does do we anticipate that it will take a full year before we get to the public engagement.

AF

Peace um and that that hundred thousand dollars will be enough to do the initial discussions.

AF

Without engaging the public, well, we're we're looking at the market square um proposal that.

AI

Was put forward uh last two council meetings ago, I guess it was and we're going to have a report back.

AI

On that, in terms of the cost of the looking at the outdoor dining in a slightly expanded.

AI

Area so it may be that we want to accelerate the funding a year if, if that's needed, or we.

AI

Can stick with the course stick the course come up with the designs. Then. Do the public outreach.

AI

As planned, so we'll have a report back on that, probably the next the 21st, and so it's anticipated.

AF

That the one the fiscal year, 26 million dollars- is part of the project itself. After the planning.

AF

Piece or is that still project planning now that would be the beginning of designing construction.

AI

Yeah, the father out here, yeah, excuse me yep, okay, okay and then another question. That's related to.

AF

That on utilities undergrounding, I noticed that we we have 2.5 million in the cip, but.

AF

It's pushed out to fiscal year 29., um so would we need to move some of that funding up as part.

AF

Of the market square redesign, if we start tearing up streets in market square market square already,.

AH

Has underground utilities the the first uh amount of money was for fleet street, and that was in last.

AH

Year's cip, this money was identified as an out year project because we know there's other areas.

AH

And it was really just a matter of showing that there was interested in continuing this effort.

AH

And it really, you know, wasn't anything specific programmed at this time. Yeah we have. We have an.

AH

Idea of market street, which has dual pulse as a you know, a section there would be the next area.

AH

But the idea is to connect it to another project, so there's a energy and leveraging of funds.

AF

So, thank you. um I guess I would I'm I'm generally asking is if we expand the which.

AF

I know we're looking at um if we expand the market square upgrades to include surrounding.

AF

Streets that don't have um undergrounding, we would then have to move up some of these funds.

AH

Is that if it's appropriate, yes, we would bring that forward. um You know peter is just picking.

AH

Up this aspect, I have been involved in the in the market square discussions prior to that and the.

AH

Thought would be that you know public involvement would start right out of the gate. It wouldn't.

AH

Be something that we wait? You know that's that's integrated into the whole process. The thought was.

AH

That additional money would be for expanding it and continuing it, and just the acknowledgment that.

AH

There is going to be a very robust interest in this section of the city. It's something that's you.

AH

Know of huge interest and importance to everybody. Okay, thank you. I only have a few more questions.

AF

um South mill pond playground um right now that that funding was moved out to fiscal year. 29.

AF

um If we were just to take the ada accessible playground, piece and move it up in the budget,.

AF

How much of that entire 1.5 million dollar budget would be just the playground improvements.

AH

I don't have an opinion, a cost uh for that that project was was. That number was was.

AH

um Engineering experience and based on what the types of things we could be.

AH

Necessary to get it done, um you know I hate to throw a number out specifically.

AH

um You know if you know order of magnitude, um I believe the the park when it was built 20 years.

AH

Ago was in the 200 000 range that was a while ago, um so you're, probably looking at you know twice.

AH

That, maybe you know five six hundred thousand dollars, I'm you know, but that's just a grab number.

AH

At this point, you know if that is something that the council is interested in. uh We could start.

AH

That, first year with we have 15 000 in the first year, the thought was that we would be able to.

AH

Scope, the project using that money to get a better feel for what the overall project cost would be.

AF

Thank you. um My last question is about the prescott master plan, improvements.

AF

um I noted that we have the 1.75 million in the fiscal year 24 budget. I know that that's the.

AF

Council's already discussed that phase 1a piece, um but the next set of funds does not come until.

AF

Fiscal year, 28 is that when we have the funds in to anticipate rehabbing, the building space.

AH

The the the intent is to um well we're trying to do a number of things, one as.

AH

You know we try to work to keep the um debt ceiling within that debt ceiling. 10 percent.

AH

uh And working with our finance staff, um we we looked at the scheduling and we determined.

AH

That's we needed to push it out into that time frame uh whether that means that that would the.

AH

Building would not have funding until that point um is dependent upon whether private participation.

AH

Occurs whether there's additional grants out there, um you know the intent was to to protect.

AH

The existing shaw building so that it doesn't get inundated like it did the other day and to.

AH

Be able to get it stabilized and restored to the point where it looks like a a building. That is you.

AH

Know ready to be used, so the question really comes down to if, if the council decides to invest in an.

AH

Addition, whether the addition is a larger scale or whether it's smaller scale, just treating the the.

AH

Elevator shaft and mechanical equipment, or whether there's additional space for other programming.

AF

Thank you so much yeah, sorry for all the questions. That's okay.

A

Yeah peter don't go too far. Thank you.

C

Following up on the on prescott park, I also noticed that the.

AB

Additional workout to go from phase 1a to further work on the shahs pushed out a year.

AB

um I'm concerned about the 1.7 million doing all the storm water improvements.

AB

um Raising the elevation doing the underground electrical and water.

AB

um I'm concerned that that that's not going to be enough that that we'll start.

AB

Something we can't can't complete, as in terms of phase 1a. I share that concern.

AB

AB

You know, I think that that I take that we would have drawings and then we'd get bids, and so we'd have a chance to look at this.

AB

Before authorizing anything, yes, so, where we're at right now is um we have a design that's fairly far.

AH

Along for the phase one a we have permits that are been submitted, permanent applications that have.

AH

Submitted to the department of public department of environmental service- and you know we were not.

AH

When the schedule right now is not anticipated to start any work until uh spring of of 2024. prior.

AH

To that time we were planning, or we anticipate the city council- would revisit the master plan.

AH

As a whole and decide whether they, you know want to have additional monies put forward to make.

AH

Sure there's adequate monies to do the addition at whatever scale that they feel appropriate and be.

AH

Able to complete have a complete project versus having a building, that's renovated to the point.

AH

It looks great it's it's there, it's just that the internal aspect of it is not completely done yet.

AH

um So you know these are things that we anticipate are bringing for the council.

AH

uh And having further discussions, but you know at this point it was a matter of making sure.

AH

The the program as it was uh was moved forward, so we get at least to that phase. 1A amount of monies.

AH

um But we understand that there is concern uh about a building. That's you know, partially.

AH

Renovated in his is left um in that condition until additional monies are appropriated, yeah.

AB

And then not just the building too, but if we get into the excavation and site work.

AB

Never know what's under the ground in portsmouth.

AH

Well, hopefully, we've done enough pre-investigation work to identify those uncertain. You know identify.

AH

The uncertainties uh to the point where it's you know, we know kind of the difficult conditions and.

AH

They're not so radically different that we run into something much more expensive. Okay,.

AB

um And my other question was: uh maybe this is nathan lonnie as well as you, the fit up for.

AB

Moving lister academy to the community campus, I recall um nathan, you said the 2 million figure.

AB

You might come back with more information on that later. Do you think it's going to hold it to me.

AJ

Good evening, mayor counselors uh right now we're working on moving forward to find a construction.

AJ

Partner and tighten up estimates, I definitely believe that we will have a number believe. I.

AJ

Anticipate and expect we'll have a number for you before we come back. Looking for your bond.

AJ

Authorization because we still need to ask you to repurpose the 1.5 that had initially been.

AJ

Approved for the window project that will now do with federal funding so right now, 2 million.

AJ

Is the best number that we have, but we are eager to find a better number and won't. I don't expect.

AJ

We'll have that number before you close this process, but we certainly will have it before.

AJ

We come back and ask for authorization. Okay, thanks! You don't have a question.

AA

For nathan molly's standing there in the um in every fiscal year in the budget, there's a.

AA

Couple hundred thousand dollars for paving and lighting do you know if the school department.

AA

Would consider at least laying the conduit for ev chargers whenever you pave a parking lot.

AA

It's a make whenever so when um it makes the most sense like we did for the bridge street.

AA

Lot, when you're paving a lot that that's when you actually lay the uh the wiring down since.

AA

There's a lot of money, I'm hoping you guys would consider that I I certainly I don't. I.

AJ

Don't think there'd be any resistance or any opposition to to uh strategic about laying.

AJ

Things underneath before we lay new pavement down uh the uh the 1.3 million dollars in.

AJ

Paving initially, I think the first year in that plan is at uh dondero elementary and then the.

AJ

Following years all are related to different portions of the high school, so there there's.

AJ

Plenty of opportunity to anticipate before we get into there awesome. Thank you. Thank you.

A

Oh sorry, council bluff. Thank you. um I believe this question is for uh todd henley rec director. um I'm.

AK

Looking at the additional outdoor recreational fields, I noticed it's been pushed back to fy 29.

AK

um There's notes in here studies, comprehensive rec need study from 2010.

AK

um So I mean this is still fulfilling stuff, that we know we needed 19 years ago from.

AK

Well now it'll, be you know if we put it in 29. my question for todd, I guess would be.

AK

Is this correct? Could this actually wait till 29? Is there a need right now? um My perception.

AK

Is not it's not, it could not wait till 29. I don't. I don't think I know we had the softball team in.

AK

Here earlier I know um we haven't done anything to address softball or baseball fields in town as.

AK

Far as usage and everything- um but I guess I want to ask todd sure uh good evening, mayor counselors.

AL

um You know, I think, to speak to that. The the turf field that we have currently is heavily used.

AL

um Coming up this spring we're looking at seven days a week, saturday, sundays 8 a.m. To you know.

AL

8 30 10 p.m. uh During the week pretty much right after school hours, 3 30 till 8, 30 10.

AL

P.M, depending on what leagues are out there so and that's pretty consistent throughout the year.

AL

So you know right now: there's groups like portsmouth youth, football that are still looking.

AL

For additional field space, and so there's there's still a need. There's still, um you know different.

AL

Groups that are reaching out on a consistent basis looking to to book more turf time, and we just.

AL

Don't have it so I guess to answer your question in my opinion. Yes, it would be. um You know great to.

AL

Move that up and and to be able to accommodate that and any other things that we could do.

AK

Thank you, um I do know we're waiting for the results of the latest rec study as well.

AK

um But I I can't help, but we talked about green space. We talked about you know when.

AK

We are going to build, affordable housing or where that would go. um I just know that.

AK

This adding turf fields adds more green space to portsmouth. It has more usable green space, um so.

AK

If, if any other, you know, if that small softball field at sherburne school is going to go away.

AK

um The next the next turf field is something that could alleviate that if it was blind for softball.

AK

For little girls and then for adult softball, um so I just I think that would be something that.

AK

Maybe want to be looked up and moved up in the cip. Thank you, council, bullock. Any other questions.

L

um Yes, this is I'm looking at the russell market street intersection upgrade this.

L

Year is 2.2 million fiscal year. um 26 is another 1.3 1.4 million almost that.

L

Project, I guess my question is, is what is that project about? We.

L

Have construction coming up in that area within with a new development.

L

um Is there a chance? I remember when uh that project was originally came for us, that.

L

The the developer was going to participate in that as well. That's probably not happening anymore. Yeah.

L

That was a different developer at the time. I know that the current developers not participating it.

AH

In that area, they're doing other things. Other improvement offset improvements, but not not.

AH

At that intersection, so the intersection has not been finalized in terms of what.

AH

Type of intersection, whether it be a traffic circle, whether it be a signalized intersection.

AH

um You know that study and and discussion needs to be made and had.

L

So what is the 24 two and a half 2.2 million? For then it's to authorized monies for the the.

AH

Construction of an intersection in that area- and um I don't have that- I don't have the the element.

AH

Sheet in front of me so yeah I'm at a loss yeah, I just I'm always looking for a way to save money.

L

This year too, you know and I'm just not I'm in his- I presume that's bonded. Yes, it would be and.

AH

It's already bonded; no, it's not bonded. This is the. This is the first step in that process. Okay,.

L

If I may add to the conversation mayor, the developers contributed uh over 117.

AD

000 toward what will be the ultimate configuration and product project there.

AD

Previous developers or the current developer, I believe I'm sorry, yes, previous. Thank you.

A

Any other questions before we open the public uh hearing or go to the public hearing speakers.

A

We do have opportunity to go back all right. um Anybody that wants to speak at the public hearing, please step up to the microphone uh and do so now.

A

We have two hands on.

A

Three hands on zoom. Thank you again for your time. Dave, cosgrove, 174, echo, ave.

U

Like mine will probably be one of the easier questions or comments to field.

U

um With respect to the greenland road recreational facility, I see in fy24 an amount budgeted of 170.

U

000 uh 350, I'm just looking for some clarification as to what that is. Does that address phase two as.

U

Described in this particular project related to pump, track and additional parking, or is that 170.

U

000 for something else, I don't know, if that's a question, it says it right here it reflects the.

AK

Fundraising completed at the end of 20 fy22, um so the fy 24 funding was completed in fy 23 through a.

AK

Movement in the funding during the budget process this under, I believe this reflects just the lights.

U

Okay, so the 170 000 is the expected contribution.

U

From citizens in terms of fundraising, yes, I believe that's just the lights so.

U

I also see in foy 29 6.1 million dollars budgeted and that was pushed out. So is that the residual.

U

Amount for the master plan for the entire facility. Sorry! So sorry, um just uh the the in order to.

A

um I guess create an orderly process around here, yep. If you ask the the questions we'll answer them.

A

In the discussion after feel free we're writing them down. I understand we'll take them back.

A

um And okay, so yeah just seeking clarification on the the 170 350 for fy24, as well as the 6.1.

U

Million in fy 29 and then I noticed, uh there's an amount budgeted for borthwick bike path that.

U

Sounds exciting, I wanted to hear a bit more about that um for 400 000. So if I'm gonna, maybe just.

U

Explain briefly what that that covers, I appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks dave, any other speakers.

E

um You're close to the 10 ceiling bouncing up and over and we're worrying about.

E

Making the sidewalks more vibrant downtown you obviously, and if I probably quizzed the.

E

City manager or members of different staff departments, I'd probably find out that you.

E

Have so many valuable, viable projects that require large amounts of money.

E

That you're sitting here going- oh my god, we're hitting the 10 mark and the city manager spoke.

E

At the first meeting of the cip, when she was kind enough to hand me her paperwork and.

E

Probably regrets doing that, but I have to ask you're talking about making sidewalks vibrant.

E

And yet this should be near and dear to your heart. You have children at new franklin who.

E

Don't have a sound barrier coming and I know declan you fought for that, but 1.5 million.

E

Will provide a sound barrier for new franklin just outside the federal right-of-way.

E

And I for the life of me, don't understand.

E

Why we're worrying about? Let's make the streets prettier when our children can't hear.

E

And we're not worrying about them. That should be first and foremost on the cip.

E

You know it boggles the mind and I'm sure there's some thoughtful reason, but why aren't we looking.

E

At that and what is it? My last thought question is, I know the answer to it would be: are the bugs.

E

Still alive after after the other week, and I'm assured by the manager of the dpw that.

E

They are still alive and well so then I say what the heck are: all the pipes down on mechanic street.

E

So I get that it goes on, um but honestly worrying about city streets and giving people 30 percent.

E

Decreases for yes, composting is important, but giving somebody a 33 percent increase on or.

E

Decrease on composting you know, maybe this is the reason that we're looking for money. Maybe this is.

E

The reason that some of your projects have been put out so long because you don't have the money.

E

To do it fiscally responsibly, please look at the hearing of the kids in new franklin. First.

E

That should be most important and councilor tabor. I think the world of you. I sat on a subcommittee.

E

With you but sir, you are conflicted: you're, the head of prescott park, arts festival and you're.

E

Asking all these questions about the city funding for the prescott park, arts festival.

E

um And you're, a private non-profit, you're, not part of the city.

E

So there are a lot of questions and I'm sure there are a lot of answers and I won't take.

E

Any more of your time, but please be aware of the um manner in which you're looking at.

E

More vibrancy when we have children that may not be able to hear. Thank you. Thank you. Paige.

V

Esther kennedy 41 pickering ave and I came before you before we talked about the cip.

V

And I'll continue that mantra of asking you to really think about mental health in our city.

V

um I've shared with you that I've been dealing with it.

V

In my professional life- and I would encourage you to think about our mental health and make it part.

V

Of our thought process for our infrastructure, I would ask: do you think about that skateboard park.

V

And I would ask you to really look at some resources that are coming into.

V

Our state for children's mental health and recreation and, let's get it done.

V

As I shared with you before, some of the people that take advantage, some of the children to.

V

Take advantage of a place like a skateboard park, aren't necessarily on the in-crowd quote. Unquote.

V

That some people might think, and I would ask you to seriously think about making sure that.

V

Becomes that we do the whole thing and we think about that children we consider infrastructure.

V

Pastries brought on about infrastructure and the sewers treatment plant.

V

As I said before, we asked that the plant we moved out to peas. It was not.

V

And yet now we're spending millions and millions of dollars for upgrade for both the peas and the.

V

Pierce island plant, I ask why I agree again part of that community getting out into the.

V

Neighborhoods there's a big lot of pipes down on my street and I have no idea why.

V

What are we doing with them? What is a, what are we doing to do for our water.

V

I haven't, I see very little in here about storm water and how we're going to support our community.

V

Members and that becomes part of the laws of the land. I hear a lot about taking care of our.

V

Maybe some other things about electric chargers and all that stuff, which is a very important.

V

But not one of you have been talking about the storm water. What is it what.

V

Does our cip need to be added for that? I question our drinking water.

V

Where is the cip for our drinking water? So I know there are bits and pieces of everything I.

V

Said in at cip, but I think it should be front and foremost. We need to think about our infrastructure.

V

Or else you can request all the vibrant city you want, but if you don't have a solid infrastructure.

V

That will not be happening so, even though we've talked about all these grandiose plans.

V

Of uh downtown sidewalks, the bottom line is, we need to start taking reality.

V

And paige trace is right, we're getting close to that 10 percent.

V

So it asks that you think about our infrastructure and I would actually seriously think about as part.

V

Of the infrastructure, the mental health of our population, and that should be on.

V

The forefront of your cip, thank you. Thank you, esther and once again, happy birthday.

V

Hey we're honored.

AD

Good evening, I'm sure you've been waiting for this all right. Listen, I'm gonna we're gonna print! You.

A

Up a budget book this year, thank you featured hood at 280 south street, so um I have quite.

P

A few questions, and quite a few things for you to think about asking before you take your vote.

P

um Just to be clear, my information comes from city reports, um namely the budget report. Kafir.

P

The bonding reports and um that's how I get my my questions just so there's no confusion.

P

Okay, so my first question: um I don't know if, uh if nathan answered it or not uh the two million you.

P

Have for community campus? I know it was discussed at one time that we would be able to use arpa.

P

Funds and we'd be switching funds out here, um so my question would be: um why do we still have.

P

That in a bonding category, I'm I'm sure we have time to get it moved. If, uh if that's not the case.

P

Next question: um groundwater study to identify impacts in the water. Now I guess I would ask.

P

You here why this is in building an infrastructure and not water. That's my easy question for that. One.

P

um Next, the greenland road practice fields.

P

um The only thing you have in here is the uh raising of the uh 170 000 for the lights.

P

um You'll have every place else you have put in here, amounts that have been bonded.

P

um City manager, I would really like to see where, and what time this uh one million 805 will be.

P

Started to be used and give us an idea when the when this feels will be starting to be constructed.

P

um Outdoor pool so last year the uh we we had money authorized for an outdoor pool house. This.

P

Year the the name changed to outdoor pool aquatic upgrade and you're, asking for another million five.

P

um As I recall when we were on council coming out of covet, it was very important to get the pool up.

P

And running, and we had some problems, um we also um took some money and actually did the repairs.

P

uh To the tune of uh 260 some thousand dollars, so I guess I would ask uh what would we be doing here.

P

um And why are? Why? Are we changing the name? um It's getting a little confusing, especially.

P

When you go out for bonding on what you are bonding for prescott park, um I think councilor.

P

Tabor asked a lot of the questions I was on the committee and uh we had a process going and.

P

Public works director rice is correct, um everything was running fine and it would. There was.

P

A plan for everything, so I guess my question would be uh at what point in time did we did? We change.

P

Our mind and move push all of this out because it now it's pushed way out and yes, we do have the.

P

Prescott park arts festival as a lesser over there, and we have to think about how this is.

P

Going to affect them uh next, um I have a question on the um there's: a report that came out that.

P

um From the rockingham planning commission uh on 123 23, I don't know if you're familiar with.

P

That councilor moreau, but my question is: has the information and the data from that report the most.

P

Updated one been incorporated into here because there are four or five places that the rockingham.

P

County playing board would be putting money in here or changing their changing their timing.

P

Or changing the status of projects that I don't see included in here, so um I would ask that the.

P

This plan be updated for you, so you can make a uh educated decision on on what other funds you're.

P

Going to be receiving and what their timing is, there's quite a few projects that were on there.

P

um Counselor denton's electric stations uh there there was money in there for that.

P

And there was quite a few other ones: elwyn park, I just I'll just hit them uh elwyn park market.

P

Street and russell there was money in that for a circle. um The the concern here is that they have.

P

Pushed these out and we haven't and the money will not be available. So um if you could look at that.

P

um Next question is uh on the financial software upgrade. This has been pushed out for many years.

P

And uh I would like to ask you to move this up. We now have a cio and um it would be great if we.

P

Could move this up and get our systems upgraded, so they would all at least talk to each other.

P

The traffic coming and the street, paving also uh please take a look at how much money is already.

P

Out there bonded um that's one thing that um I would like to ask. I went and looked up the.

P

um The rsa that applies to capital and when you ask for capital there's a couple things that are.

P

Required that it doesn't appear that we are doing so, I would like to ask if we would check the rsa.

P

Number 327a appropriations for capital projects.

P

um Most of the appropriations that are made are not made to exceed five years.

P

So when I look at since we're worried about our 10 percent, when I look at the the.

P

Actual um long-term debt authorizations for bonds authorized but unissued they go all the.

P

Way back to 2018 streets and sidewalks streets and sidewalks wreck fields, I would ask that we.

P

Look at this and clean up our backlogs, so we don't get in trouble with our our 10 percent.

P

The other thing I would like to bring to your attention is reading from appropriations on.

P

Capital projects, the appropriations shall only be for identified projects, as described in.

P

The article authorizing the appropriation and it shall state of term of years of the appropriation.

P

So I don't myself, I'm not not a lawyer but when, when you as a council, appropriate this money and.

P

It goes into the budget. The budget is only for one year, so when monies aren't spent and they're left.

P

Over unappropriated, like that, how long, if there's no term described as there isn't in most of our.

P

Projects, how long does that money stay available? That would be a question. I hope you would ask.

P

um The other thing on that is when the money is not spent during the term. It is left there.

P

For the only um body that can decide what to do with that money is the governing body.

P

Now, in some of the bond schedules that we have received prior to this.

P

um It it stated that some projects were started with prior leftover money. So my question to you.

P

Is uh are you aware of each project and how much money on each project is being moved.

P

I think that would be a very interesting question for you to also ask.

P

um So that's about it! I'm not going to lecture you on the building out of the foundry garage again.

P

uh I would hope you would consider that, as it's kind of ironic, that.

P

Corporations like liberty, mutual, are getting rid of their offices and we're putting offices in.

P

And uh I would think with the skilled staff that we do have that we could retrofit for the most.

P

Discussed topic in the city, which is parking, so um if you can't see it to move it there, I would.

P

Ask that you use that for the accounting software update. Thank you. Thank you. Petra.

A

Anybody else from the the audience here.

A

um Sure we'll go.

A

We'll go through these three speakers, if that's all right and then we'll actually just come on.

A

Up and then we can go home folks are on zoom, sorry dave. Cosgrove again I was starstruck.

U

And I forgot one thing: um this might seem like a trivial thing for some, but I know that this.

U

Matters to at least a few of us in the capital budget, the greenland recreational facility.

U

There's evaluation criteria, and one of them is, you know, serves public health interests.

U

Or something that affect, I was wondering why that box is in check to me is, after you know,.

U

Former counselor kennedy's just spoke about, and we all, I think, universally agree. There's.

U

A huge wellness component to that facility, so I'd like to at least just see it formally.

U

Recorded unless there's a reason why that box can't be checked, thank you. Thanks dave.

A

I knew all right all right. I can't just make.

E

It's very simple dave straits. 2017.. You still have arpa funds. You have a lot of arpa fonts.

E

And they could be used for that sound barrier, so this city could pay for that sound barrier.

E

Without affecting your budget merry christmas, thank you. Next up, uh robin husic on zoom.

AI

Hi good evening this is hi good evening. This is robin hessledge. I live at 27 rock street.

AM

And I'm speaking uh tonight to ask for you to approve the dpw's request for additional.

AM

Funding in the 2023-2024 cip to complete the final portion of the islington street.

AM

Reconstruction project from cornwall to maplewood funding for this was originally approved in the.

AM

2022-2023, cip, as part of phase two, but due to elevated costs, phase two was split into.

AM

Two projects, the first of which will move forward this year. Please do not postpone this long overdue.

AM

An important final step to complete one of the main entryways to our beautiful city. Thank you.

A

Thanks robin next up, uh chair of the school board, nancy claiborne, all right.

C

Nancy I would like to take. Oh, we can hear you now. Okay, I'm nancy noveline clayberg. As the mayor said,.

AN

I'm the chair of the portsmouth school board. I live at 405, fw, hartford drive in portsmouth.

AN

I would like to thank the city council for the two million dollar allocation and the cip, so that.

AN

The school department can renovate the space at community campus for our alternate for our.

AN

Alternative high school, the lister academy, we are excited about having a state-of-the-art space for.

AN

Our students, lister academy, was established in 1992 as an innovative public high school program.

AN

For students who have been unable to succeed in a more traditional setting, we are very proud of.

AN

This wonderful opportunity for our students, who probably would drop out of high school if this.

AN

Program did not exist. I'm thanking you in advance for your support. Thank you have a good evening.

A

Thank you nancy. Next up, chair of the conservation commission, barbara mcmillan.

AO

Thank you. Can you hear me loud and clear.

AO

Thank you, mr mayor and counselors barbara mcmillan hillside drive current chair of.

AO

The fort smith conservation, commission and I'm here to speak about the atlanta acquisition fund.

AO

Number 79 under buildings and infrastructure, uh the in september, the conservation commission.

AO

Voted to request to fund 500 000 land acquisition item in the cip for the purchase of conservation.

AO

Land and or conservation easements, and they requested that I speak to it at this meeting.

AO

um This is the time to do this. We have been very involved with working with city staff.

AO

Using the open space plan for the city and that's to prioritize undevelop land for protection and to.

AO

Provide land stewardship guidance and identify different opportunities to expand connectivity.

AO

Between open space assets and neighborhoods and trails, this is important because preserving open.

AO

Space was prominent in the latest master plan. Open space provides a balance for increasing density.

AO

Of development and urbanization that's going on in portsmouth, and these funds can leverage.

AO

Existing current use, funding and grant funding and lastly, this can improve air and water quality.

AO

Storm water management, drinking water, provide wildlife, habitat and work towards keeping our.

AO

Environment, healthy and portsmouth, sustainable and resilient. Thank you very much. Thank you. Barbara.

A

I believe that is all the speakers that we have. I would await a motion.

A

To keep the public hearing on the cip open until the next meeting.

A

All in favor aye aye any opposed all right.

A

Next up public hearing on the uh second reading of ordinance.

A

Amending chapter one, article 17, section, 1.1705, public art funds,.

A

um With a, I would have weighed a an anticipated amendment by counselor cook.

AF

Thank you, your honor. um You will see the amendments um that were already presented.

AF

um To you earlier, um I am just requesting that we add to the end of the line behind.

AF

The words unless the city council votes otherwise to direct the funds for other public art purposes,.

AF

And um I can go ahead and explain that if could you get a second first, a second.

AF

um So the reason that I'm adding I'm asking to add the language to direct the read to redirect.

AF

The funds for other public art purposes is: I want to make sure that it's really clear.

AF

That the council, when the council votes otherwise to spend the funds it's for.

AF

Other public art, it's not for some other purpose, um and while I don't believe that.

AF

The current legal counsel or our city staff would misinterpret this. Currently I want to.

AF

Make sure that the policy is clear for people down the line in the future and.

AF

That this isn't ever misinterpreted. um I should note that when we originally allocated funds.

AF

um From the the leftover funds from the foundry, we specifically said it was for a public art purpose.

AF

So this language would fit that requirement as well any other city council questions.

A

Any other members of the public wishing to rise and speak to for against this.

A

This ordinance, seeing none I'm going to close this public hearing any additional questions and deliberations.

A

Nope uh pretty straightforward, um I would expect to vote for this and then suspend the rules and.

A

Bring it back to third reading, but all in favor as the motion is presented, I I can opposed.

A

No opposed weight of motion to suspend and make a motion to suspend the rules and.

O

Bring forward third and final reading. Second, any discussion on this all in favor aye any opposed.

A

To pass third and final reading so moved. Second, all in favor aye any opposed.

A

All right, thank you very much on to the city manager's items which require action.

A

Goodbye to your honor uh for the first item, I'm joined by assistant city attorney, jane farini,.

AD

So today the council has questions that I'm not able to answer. I know that jane will be.

AD

Able to answer them, but back on january 25th 2021, the city council authorized the city to.

AD

Participate in the coalition communities 2.0 and to enter into a memorandum of understanding for.

AD

Professional services between and among the coalition communities, of which there are 24.

AD

And the mou expired at the end of last calendar year. The um this council did extend the term for.

AD

Two years, so we were covered through december of 2024 and as such, uh shortly thereafter after the.

AD

Mou renewal was executed, the joint board made some revisions which are highlighted in yellow.

AD

In the packet they are largely pro administration, administrative in nature, changing dates and and.

AD

Under other housekeeping matters, but uh just to be transparent, any amendment to the mou.

AD

Must be approved by the governing body of each coalition community tuned member. So that is why.

AD

The amended mou is coming back to you tonight for review and consideration of these amendments and.

AD

Also for information purposes is a letter in the packet dated december 6 2022 from the joint board.

AD

Which summarizes the activities of the groups in september? It explains that our previous lobbying.

AD

Firm no longer wished to serve and, as such, the group went out for rfp and hired a different.

AD

Firm xian finney capital group to provide the lobby and communication services as well as legal.

AD

Services which were needed in response to a new education funding lawsuit and um as such, the.

AD

The group needed additional resources and when lawsuits are brought the challenge, any aspect.

AD

Of funding education through the statewide education, property tax or swept the attorney.

AD

General's office typically represents the state and provides a defense, but because of this in.

AD

Most education funding cases there is normally no need to intervene because the state's defense of.

AD

The current education funding system aligns with the members interests, however, in this particular.

AD

Matter: rand versus the state of new hampshire, the petitioners filed a motion for preliminary.

AD

Injunctive relief, which is a request for immediate action from the court which was granted the court.

AD

Denied the petitioner's request for an injunction and granted our motion to intervene on the limited.

AD

Issues of the collection and distribution of swept so the firm of she and finney will.

AD

Continue to represent the communities by filing pleadings and participating at trial, so that is.

AD

A very long explanation to say: we're looking for authorization for me to negotiate and execute the.

AD

Amended mou with the coalition communities 2.0 on behalf of the city, your honor I'd make a motion.

AB

That we authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute the amended mou with the coalition.

AB

Communities 2.0 on behalf of the city in a form similar to that attached. Second, any discussion.

A

All in favor aye aye any opposed. Thank you number two. I'm joined by assessor roseanne, lentz.

AD

This is a request for a public hearing regarding elderly and disabled exemptions and in cutting.

AD

To the chase, the idea would be, we would request the city council move to schedule.

AD

A public hearing regarding these options at the next council meeting on february 21st.

A

Foreign is here and if, um if folks would like to, are there any questions other than we need.

A

To await a motion to schedule a public hearing regarding these options at the february 21st.

AK

Second, uh any discussion or questions for roseanne councilor bagley. uh Thank you.

AE

um Thanks for bringing this forward, I guess it's not really a question for roseanne, but for your.

AE

Department is this something we could put once it passes in like a water bill or something just.

AE

To make sure that we're getting the message out there to seniors, that may not be aware of this.

AP

I don't know, I'm not sure if billing allows it, I we have it on the websites we advertise it in.

AP

The paper when we bring it forwards, it's on the back of the tax bills, which they just received.

AP

In june, so it is advertised through the tax bill. Okay, so it's on the tax bill right. Okay, thank you.

A

Right any other questions. Oh thanks. Roseanne for all, you do and look forward.

A

To the presentation and public hearing on the 21st, thank you all in favor aye, any opposed.

AD

Thank you. Lastly, as item number three, a request for a public hearing regarding the all veterans.

AD

And optional veterans, tax credit, readoption and increase from 500 to 750 and cutting to.

AD

The chase, similarly, we would request that the city council move to schedule a public.

AD

Hearing regarding these options at its next meeting on february 21st, I'm gonna move. Second.

A

Any discussion on this counselor den just a quick comment. We spoke earlier about sherburn uh one.

AA

Counselor leila and I were going door to door. uh The gentleman inside stepped out asked if I.

AA

Was josh denton introduced himself as a veteran who not only benefited from the all veterans tax.

AA

Credit which soon exists before it was created, I think in 2000 18, but he said he would not.

AA

Have been able to continue to live in pennaway manor, had he not received that so that was a.

AA

um A good feeling, knowing that we helped with that it's a good story and a good feeling look.

A

Forward to getting the word out increasing this uh optional veterans, tax credit as well.

A

As the all veterans, tax credit and the hearing on the 21st, all in favor aye any opposed all right.

A

Moving on to the consent agenda, I'd wait a motion to adopt the consent agenda so we'll move second.

A

All in favor aye any opposed.

A

Next, up, um presentations and written communications uh way to motion to accept.

A

And place on file a second all in favor aye. uh Next up a letter from perry, silverstein.

A

Regarding equitable costs for outdoor dining I'd, wait a motion to accept and place on file.

A

So moved, second, all in favor aye any opposed all right. um So now I get to do probably one.

A

Of the coolest things ever uh hold up the hat and have somebody pick uh who's gonna be on it.

C

So who's the who properly picks this system. Oh, do I pick it or do you hold.

A

It, how does this work, I hold it, and then I pick shake it up. Shake it up.

B

I feel like I'm, the luckiest guy in the world, so your name's, not in here that's right. You better.

C

Shape that all right, all right, so I okay, hopefully we play games there, you go who's. The lucky person.

A

uh Counselor denton put your finger up there, so I don't know if that that counts, as.

C

Avoiding it, but uh thank you for uh the good work you will do uh if called upon on this.

A

And thank you appreciate your willingness to serve the city in that extra capacity.

A

um Next, up uh appointments to be considered to the public public arts review blue committee.

A

um Paul burke uh chris dwyer ellen feinberg, beth hartnett, jen, meister, alyssa, murphy, nancy pearson.

A

uh Robert thorson robert white and mara witzleg, um they will be brought forth at the next council.

A

Meeting I appreciate everyone for putting their names in the ring and for counselor cook for.

A

Beating the drum uh on that we've got a good got a good group here. Next, up appointments to.

A

Be voted the appointment of anna howard to the economic development commission as an alternate.

A

And the appointment of anne hayes to the covid response task force blue urban committee, uh all.

A

In favor aye, oh sorry, we need a motion. Yeah yeah, wait, a motion to a point uh so move. Second, any.

A

Discussion on that, all in favor aye any opposed. Thank you for your willingness to serve portsmouth.

A

um And I will have the regretfully accept the resignations of uh tanya mourinho from the.

A

Coveted response task force uh and franco de rienzo is an alternate to the planning board.

A

um A letter will be sent. Thank you for your service to portsmouth and we have gone through.

A

The oh that's right, make a motion to accept the requisitions. Second, all in favor aye any opposed.

A

All right, um this one is under my name, but hopefully on the uh came on the um we had a.

A

A conversation um with uh coast, um this aligns with the um the city's legislative principles.

A

um I believe four and five, um but I will read it for the public at home resolution number 2023 be.

A

It resolved that the city council, the city of portsmouth, endorsed joining a statewide public.

A

Transportation coalition, as falls, whereas the city of portsmouth, fully supports and.

A

Promotes public transit in our committee and whereas the cooperative alliance for seacoast.

A

Transportation informally, known as coast, is leading an effort to start a meaningful.

A

Dialogue in increasing financial support for public transportation operations throughout the.

A

State of new hampshire and whereas a statewide coalition of public transit and community-based.

A

Transportation providers in the communities, businesses and other organizations they serve as.

A

Being formed and is known as the statewide public transportation coalition and whereas the initial.

A

Policy objective of this coalition is to increase the state share of the operating costs of public.

A

Transit as the state's per capita contribution to public transit operates according to aashto.

A

Is by far the lowest in new england and nearly the lowest in the nation. And whereas the federal.

A

Emergency relief funding currently provided to the public transportation operators expected to be.

A

Fully expended by 2024 and operating costs having increased significantly due to workforce shortages.

A

And inflation additional state support is urgently needed to avoid deep cuts and services provided by.

A

The state's public transit agencies and whereas there are recently approved federal funds that.

A

Will be unavailable to public transit systems in new hampshire if matching funds are not available.

A

From the state, without increased state support to unlock these new federal funds, the state's public.

A

Transit agencies and the services provided will need to be significantly reduced by 2024 2025.

A

And whereas cuts and services will create adverse impacts to vulnerable members of the portsmouth.

A

Community rely on public transit and will hinder the realization of the city council's goals of.

A

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more walk and bicycle-friendly community that.

A

Is less reliant on cars and now, therefore be it resolved by the mayor and portsmouth city.

A

Council that the mayor and city council support the policy objective of significantly increased.

A

Financial support from the state of new hampshire and strongly urge that those increased funds be.

A

Included in the state fiscal year, 2024-2025 biennial budget, also, the marin city council,.

A

Vigorously support the city of portsmouth joining the statewide public transportation coalition.

A

And will work with other coalition members to advocate for reasonable state funding levels.

A

So that the public transit agencies across the state will be able to continue operations in.

A

The foreseeable future, be it further resolved that this resolution shall take effect upon its passage.

A

So I wait a motion to pass the resolution as presented so moved. Second, any discussion.

A

Cook, thank you, your honor ed. Thank you. So much for um making sure this resolution was drafted.

AF

um And that we're moving forward to supporting our public transportation- oh uh jane, already went home, but uh she knows where to put the, whereas is.

A

um So, uh thank you, jane ferrini and the louisville department. Also thank you to coast. There is a.

A

The the numbers are are pretty startling in terms of what uh the city or the the.

A

State expends on this, but also what the state leaves on the table in terms of matching funds.

A

um For reasonable uh levels of service and would like to see this in the governor's.

A

Budget uh on the 14th uh to be increased so with that all in favor aye any opposed.

A

A

Next up the assistant mayor, thank you. Your honor um myself and counselor lombardi are the city.

AC

Council representatives and the edc the economic development commission, the goal is that I will be.

AC

Bringing or council and party will be bringing updates um pretty regularly back to the council.

AC

um A couple updates right now: the uh the edc just completed a retreat to reset our goals.

AC

And re-look at our what we are asked to do within our charter and within the ordinance that the edc.

AC

Falls under we also have just finished and gotten back the results of our business retention survey.

AC

And the edc, chair and our assistant city manager to economic development will be coming forward in.

AC

The next few meetings to share a presentation on that. So that's really it nice quick update.

A

Thank you very much sister mayor. Any questions.

A

Seeing none councilor tabor thanks mayor.

AB

um I'd like to propose a motion, but first I'd like to just ask some guidance from the city manager.

AB

um This is a spending guideline motion and it's really focused on what ends up.

AB

Being our tax rate, so should we exclude the sewer and water enterprise funds and parking.

AB

Enterprise plus months, I think it would make things clearer. We can certainly have the.

AD

Conversation about what constitutes general fund and operating an operating separate.

AD

And apart from the enterprise enterprise funds, so maybe modify this to be operating.

AB

Okay, so the motion would be move to adopt a figure of 4.5 percent increase.

AB

In total operating expenditures as guidance for the fy 24 budget, excluding the ite ramp up costs.

AB

If I get a second I'll speak to second, so um historically over the years, the council.

AB

Has at times providing provided guidance to the city manager in the budget process, I think it's.

AB

One of our duties as representatives of the city, the people of the city who pay the bills and.

AB

Two important numbers color, this year's budget, 50 cents and six and a half percent fifty cents.

AB

Is the amount of the increase our taxpayers face? uh Just because we don't have the one-time state.

AB

Money that we had last year uh and we so that was part of our budget work session six and a.

Y

Half percent is the inflation rate that uh was in december and we have groceries going up 11.

AB

Energy going up eight percent, so uh I'm proposing a target that goes up less than inflation, which.

AB

Seems I think, fair to our taxpayers well doing the best we can to maintain and improve our services.

AB

When taxes go up in a stable and predictable way, people can plan around it and when they.

AB

Go up in sharp increases; it starts to be a quality of life issue. I think that this.

AB

Is in the range of the doable because the city filled out the needed staff positions last year.

AB

We put in 23 positions, so the moving parts this year are essentially.

AB

Colas and non-payroll costs, so I think the guideline would also help discussions.

AB

With police and fire in school, and so they in city hall, all marched together on one on the same page,.

AB

And it could even show the council's intentions with collective bargaining.

AB

Which is ahead of us as well, so I put that forward for everybody's consideration.

A

I think councilor tabor any questions.

AB

For the city manager is this, I saw council moreau. Oh I I just wanted to thank councilor.

O

Tabor for bringing this forward and doing the work to help us out and give us an.

O

Objective to look at and something that uh it makes a lot of sense so happy to support it.

AK

Counselor, thank you. um I agree with councilor morose sentiment here and thank you. Council.

AK

Tabor for bringing this up, I think it is important that we try to be as conservative.

AK

As we can, with any increase in taxes, given all the burden that our taxpayers have faced outside.

AK

Of their tax bill, so I appreciate bringing this up and I think this is smart to have set.

AK

Up for parameter, and so we can all stick to those and everyone kind of has a common goal.

L

Council cook, thank you, your honor. I just wanted to highlight for everyone at home that.

AF

um When we talk about 4.5 percent, um a lot of that money is cost of living adjustments and.

AF

We're tied to those cost of living adjustments and the alternative to the budget not going up.

AF

Some to adjust to pay people, what we have promised to pay them is that we have to cut people, and so.

AF

The budget goes up because we we have to pay our workers, and so we have to. We have.

AF

To think about that, as part of any increase that comes in the budget- and um I think that 4.5 is a.

AF

Nice conservative number, given the cost of living adjustments that we do have to pay.

A

Council counselor done on previous councils during the budget. We have set numbers like this before.

AA

And department heads have always strove very hard to meet those numbers, but occasionally they don't.

AA

Meet those numbers, so it's not going to be a deal breaker for me, because these are just guidelines.

AA

And it's not in the end. Thank you, councilor denton. I think the sentiment has been shared by all. Thank.

A

You councilor tabor for uh the work that you bring to this and and councilor cook for pointing.

A

Out that the cost of living adjustments are a big driver when we're a services industry here and our.

A

Our people are providing the services, you know it seems we're on the probably the early end of any.

A

It upgrades providing cost savings in terms of you know having to hire less headcount in the future.

A

But investments in the I.t arena will hopefully lead efficiencies that we can rely on to.

A

Flatten the curve when it comes to not reducing staff but being able to make sure that our staff.

A

Is able to comfortably do more and and do that through the efficiencies of of technology? That's.

A

The goal, at least- and I think this takes into account the realization that we are in pretty.

A

Unprecedented times in in with regard to inflation, so I think councilor, tabor and and all in favor.

A

Aye any opposed seeing none councilor, bagley and counselor cook.

AF

You're up, thank you. Your honor.

AF

I want to I guess, I'll start with my motion. I moved to approve the.

AF

Changes to the sidewalk dining policy that you can see in your agenda or to the.

AF

Outdoor dining policy, you see in your agenda packet, related to dining on sidewalks. Second,.

AF

And I'll speak to that, then um you will see that um councilor bagley and I are bringing.

AF

Forward this sidewalk section of the dining on outdoor dining policy tonight this was.

AF

The section that the council did not finish discussion discussing at our last meeting.

AF

um We made some changes to the initial proposal to try to meet and accommodate council concerns.

AF

um And I think the legal department for assisting us and drafting these changes and and putting it.

AF

All in writing for us. The first thing that was changed was the time period for sidewalk dining.

AF

Move march 10 to november 15th, um we also dropped the flat fee and moved to a five dollar per square.

AF

Foot of impacted area fee, which would make it consistent with the street dining policy as well.

AF

And um and then there's also an additional explanation as you'll see in the administrative.

AF

Section section: five that helps explain that the existing sidewalk encumbrance policy is still in.

AF

Place so for those restaurants that have tables and chairs outside that are not permitted for.

AF

Serving a sidewalk service, they can continue to use the sidewalk encumbrance process and.

AF

Not the outdoor dining process, so hopefully those clarifications help. The council understand better.

AF

How this policy works with the other policy, uh councilor bagley your motion and then counselor.

A

uh Thank you and uh thank you to council cook and legal staff for really working on this. I.

AE

Do just want to highlight again that the hope of at least counselor cook- and I is that we.

AE

Finalize something tonight and then at some point this summer we come back and make a an ordinance.

AE

With three readings- and we anticipate that- maybe we might need to make some further adjustments.

AE

At that point, but we feel like we're getting very close to having a a really solid framework implant.

AK

Ic, thank you and I thank you. Counselors cooking bagley for bringing this forward.

AK

um I know this become a part important part of our downtown vibrancy. um I am excited to see that.

AK

The fees are the same for like the five dollar per square foot on the dining on the sidewalks.

AK

And the parking loading zones parking areas, I think it's important to treat the restaurants.

AK

As fair as possible, if we can um so I'm excited to see that because from the restaurant point.

AK

Of view they both get five dollars per square foot, so they feel equal, even though I know the.

AK

City point of view will look at that lost profits from the parking spot. You know, but.

AK

um So I was happy to see that five dollars there, um but my biggest concern, I guess, is if, on the the.

AK

um If we gave them a 33 reduction, if they compost, I want to promote composting. I think that's very.

AK

um Important uh we just compost at the fairy landing. I know it's expensive, so I understand.

AK

There's a cost that comes to that if a restaurant did want to do that, my other concern here is that.

AK

At a 32 percent, if someone had a very large outdoor dining, then they get three percent.

AK

Off the whole fee, um I just I didn't know if it'd be better to set a flat. Well, you get you.

AK

Know a thousand dollars off or something, but then that could cause a lot of problems as well.

AK

um I guess more of my concern was: how would that be regulated? Is that all on jason page and he's.

AK

Going to go down there and check to see if, because, if you compost one day, you know, I think it just.

A

Makes more than enforcing uh local restaurants to come? I just see what you know I mean I know.

AK

It's some, I was a conniving businessman. I would compost for one day, get my production and then.

AK

Be like I did my job, um so that's the problem that I don't want to happen. That's all that's.

AK

That's what I'm all right, all right, we'll go back uh councilor! um You know. I've had a lot more time.

O

To think about this after our last meeting, and um I think we need to simplify it, I think we need to.

O

Make it more fair to everyone that they all pay identically, and I know that's kind of what we've.

O

Done but I also don't want to lose any profits that the city makes that's a really big concern.

O

Especially with all the expenses that we have and all the upcoming projects we have so I would be on.

O

Board if this was going to be ten dollars a square foot, and if we can go back to our prior policy, we.

O

Approved last time and adjust it to be ten dollars, a square foot and just take out all flat fees and.

O

Then do a flat fee for composting, or at least a cap, a percentage to amount and then a cap. So.

O

I think we need to work on something I think that sounds simpler. I think it becomes less complicated.

O

And I think it's going to then be fair across the board to whether it's a street, a loading zone, a.

O

Parking spot a sidewalk, it's just straightforward one number parliamentary inquiry um to the to the.

A

City attorney susan moore, so we're working on one subset of the policy. Can we work on.

AE

Other subsets, the policy that have already been passed. No, I think so because you'd need to give.

A

Now do we need to know we need to notice that if we change the council policy.

AQ

Or not, I think, because it's a policy, we have the ability to change anything.

AQ

Can do whatever you want hold on clarification is coming yeah, we're waiting for the clarification.

AR

Okay, so um in the ideal world um once you've taken action on something you don't take action.

AR

Again, unless by two-thirds vote, you decide to basically suspendables and bring it back.

AR

um It is only one vote because it's a policy and not an ordinance, so you could go back and and.

AR

Sort of make those additional adjustments, if you wanted to to other elements that you've already.

AR

Dealt with so we generally try to go with more notice rather than less, but it's not a hard rule.

AR

In this case, because there's no public hearing requirement, um so is it ideal? No can you do it.

AR

Yes, okay, so we'd have to suspend the rules and have a six to three vote and kelly's nodding. So.

AB

I'm wondering we, we voted on this the last meeting and I'm just wondering what else has changed that.

L

Or needs to be changed so one thing I I did notice when we had the memo from uh uh suzanne woodland.

A

um That, in terms of equity, we a loading zone shall be interpreted in the previous way and.

A

That is if they took up spaces across the street or if they, if a loading zone were to be replaced.

A

It would be charged the uh the fifteen hundred dollars per space of what the loading zone would.

A

Be required to be moved to, and so then we had a situation where some loading zones were five.

A

Dollars a square foot and some loading zones were ten dollars, a square foot, something that that I.

A

Didn't notice at the the previous uh meeting cancer cook. uh Thank you, your honor. um I should.

AF

Point out um that it's actually not the case because the rule says fifteen hundred dollars.

AF

Per impacted in whole or impart parking space or five dollars per square foot, whichever is less.

AF

So it it shouldn't well the memo contradicted that right, okay, but that's how so I feel like we need.

A

Some clarity around how we're going to interpret this and since the city uh staff is interpreting.

A

It as the way that it was previously implemented by loading zones taking away parking spaces would.

A

Be charged the parking rates that we need to further clarify this um and the in terms of the.

A

uh The city sidewalks, as well as the five dollars for fee outside of um outside of parking spaces.

A

Councilor bagley yeah, thank you so um this was I would I would say this is something we missed.

AE

um When the city originally proposed pricing, uh because the first two years, it was free.

AE

It was a confusing time, let's say so: we came up with a price for parking spaces, because that was.

AE

Net lost revenue was my understanding, and then we came up with a price for traveled roadways.

AE

Because there was no net loss revenue, but what we didn't do. A particularly good job is correlating.

AE

Those two numbers and part of that is because a parking space can vary somewhere between those.

AE

Director fletcher is on, but I think it's a 120 feet and 180 square feet, so we didn't want to.

AE

Create this mess where every parking space had a different value, so we went down the road we came.

AE

Up with these fees, it was, it didn't, come to light until recently that they're not really correlated.

AE

As closely as they should be, um but we did pass a policy last meeting and I think it is uh maybe not.

AE

Ideal to immediately change that policy at the next meeting unless there's some urgent reason.

AE

To do so, so I would support bringing those fees in line, but I don't know that we're gonna be able to.

AE

Do that right here right now in the middle of the meeting in a fair and equitable way, so I'd rather.

AE

Just pass this, obviously this is my preference and then bring this back in a month or two with this.

AE

New information and have it really hashed out well sure uh this is samir. Thank you. My concern.

AC

With any delay is that when you look at the the start of of the season for the sidewalk dining.

AC

It's you're looking at a quick start, so I think we need to. We do need to hash this out today, because.

AC

As the season people are looking to apply, I also think it should be noted when we're looking at the.

AC

Dining on city sidewalks, which has been allowed previously for for a long time, we're we're cutting.

AC

That previous fee to match, um essentially to make it seem more equitable to loading zones, parking.

AC

um In traffic ways, so I think we should really consider increasing that.

AC

Diving feed back to where it was and bringing the travel up to that to make it just very simple.

A

uh Councilor cook and then counselor bagley. um Thank you, your honor. My understanding is that.

AF

This was the fee that we had last year, so we're not cutting a fee, we're leaving it the same as.

AF

We had last year, and so um I think that that that was the goal was to not raise the fee any further.

AF

Have fun to share point of clarification? I'm sorry! I'm referring to the original fee.

AC

The pre-coveted fees for the dining on city sidewalks, right, which was more than five dollars a.

AC

Square foot right, uh councilor, bagley and council. Thank you and I think, there's a little confusion.

AE

um What I was proposing is we've moved forward tonight for the 20 20 23 season and when we make.

AE

This into an ordinance, it would take effect in the 2025 season, so I think it's fair to.

AE

Say that we don't have it exactly right, one of the things that came up at the fee committee.

AE

Meeting was we used to have a regulation in the city? I think it was. We limited outdoor, dining.

AE

Licenses to either 10 or 12 establishments- and we never, uh I think, councilor denton- wanted to.

AE

Increase that and the former city manager said: there's no need we never even come close. So.

AE

The takeaway from that was we had such a high fee that we didn't have that many participants.

AE

So what we're trying to avoid is is putting the fees at a point where we don't have that much.

AE

Participation- and we might not know exactly where that number is, but I think we need more refinement.

A

System here I would was based on fees or it's based on like an overall policy of the space. We.

AC

Were allowing restaurants and other facilities to use? And honestly, I think when you look at the the.

AC

History of the establishments that used it it's because they had ample space in front of them now.

AC

We're opening it up and kind of loosening our policies to who can and take up more sidewalk.

AC

Space, so I would, I would say that is more than than the limited of fees restriction.

A

Council cook, thank you, your honor. um If we raise this fee to ten dollars and go back and revisit.

AF

What we've already passed and raise that fee to ten dollars, we're essentially going against what.

AF

Was um discussed at the fee study committee? What has been discussed at the council in.

AF

Prior sessions and we had specifically brought forward the proposal to keep the fees the same.

AF

As last year, not raising the fees so essentially we're going back on what.

AF

We said last week or two weeks ago, and there were several restaurants represented here and.

AF

So now somebody will have to call them and say by the way the council decided without public.

AF

Publicly noticing changes to the second part of outdoor dining that we're increasing your fees.

AF

Even though you came and spoke to it at the last council session- and we voted not to do that so.

AF

um I don't want to be the one making that making that call to people who were here.

AF

To speak, to keeping the fees the same and letting them know now that the council's.

AF

Revisited it two weeks later and has decided to raise their fees.

A

Well, if the council decides to do this, I can be the one to uh to call. I think the.

A

um The the thing that that jumped off the page for me was the interpretation of loading zones.

A

Having two different fees, a loading zone of um you know, one's uh that would have to be moved.

A

And taken off parking spots would be charged the parking fee and that's how we established.

A

It uh I believe it was last year and how we would continue to understand this and have a.

A

Loading zone that would not be subject to that fee, but subject to a different fee. I think that the.

A

um The use of public streets and which are owned by everyone, we put a price tag on some of that.

A

Because, where you can put your car there and we found fifteen hundred dollars, seemed to be.

A

Reasonable uh and was used and other restaurants had an opportunity to create much more based on.

A

Lower fees without having to pay that that same amount that doesn't seem necessarily fair or very.

A

um You know and again uh probably of of not supported this and going back and changing.

A

That but we have two separate uh fees now that exist for a loading zone and.

A

That doesn't as interpreted by our uh our city staff and that doesn't seem to be a good policy.

A

um I would support councilman rose, it's really a motion to reconsider right.

AB

Because we need two-thirds um for three reasons. First,.

AB

At the fee committee I had advocated for uh not for moving fees up a little bit, not as much as.

AB

Staff recommended, but moving up a little bit that didn't carry so this is a chance for the council.

AB

To consider that second, thank you, the sidewalk cafe license program has been going since 2012.

AB

At 10 bucks a square foot very successfully, so it's counter-intuitive to me to lower everything.

AB

I don't believe that there's only six restaurants because of the price, I think it's because of their.

AB

Physical layout, who has access to the sidewalk and who can make use of it and lastly, there was.

AB

Common sense in the staff's recommendation to um unify everything at 10 bucks, a square foot which.

AB

Is the same as the fifteen hundred dollars for parking space, so everything lines up.

A

Councilor cook then councilor councilberger. Thank you garner.

AF

Charge ten dollars per square foot, we charge five dollars per square foot so.

AF

Going back to ten dollars per square foot is doubling the price for restaurants. This.

AF

Year, that is going to discourage some from having the spaces that they had last year.

AF

And so I think I would urge the council to think very seriously about changing this now, especially.

AF

Without giving proper notice so that they could be here to speak to it, uh council bluelock figure.

AK

I've heard one of these, the restaurants were here speaking and they didn't speak about the fee. They.

AK

Spoke about supporting their outdoor dining- that was their concern. That was their major.

AK

They were concerned with, it was five dollars or ten dollars. I spoke with them, um but I think it.

AK

Is important to make something? That's easy, you know to read: it's either applies to everybody.

AK

um So I'm I'm liking what counselor taver said, I'm looking with council moreau, I'm liking what the.

AK

Mayor said that we got to treat everybody fairly, you know what I mean, and I think this setting the.

AK

Ten dollars per square foot on the street, whether you're at a loading zone parking spot or it's what.

AK

You use for your a-frame sign, you know, I mean I think, um if that's what you've done in the.

AK

Pastor bagley yeah thank your honor. um I guess I'll reiterate that yeah. I think we might have.

AE

Gotten this wrong and we should come back to it, but I think we should do it in a more.

AE

Deliberate manner and to highlight that uh if you have a parking space, that's 120 square feet.

AE

um That's now going to cost you 1200 and if you have a parking space that is 187 square feet, it'll.

AE

Cost you 1 870, so it creates two challenges. One we're gonna have to go out there and measure out.

AE

All the parking spaces, which I assume is not that challenging, but we're now going to have parking.

AE

Spaces for some restaurants that cost 33 less than they do for other restaurants. So I don't.

AE

Know if we are making it as equitable as we'd like to be, I just feel like we're, not really there yet.

AB

uh Counselor tabor, uh I I don't believe this turns the fifteen.

AB

Hundred dollars for a parking space into square footage that language still remains.

L

Correct no, my idea was that we'd go we'd, get rid of any flat fee and just do ten.

O

Dollars per square foot for all outdoor dining, no matter where it's located god, I stand corrected.

A

Council cook, I think your honor, in effect, that essentially means we're.

AF

Raising the prices for some restaurants at the same time we're asking them to.

AF

Build platforms to make their restaurant spaces more accessible on the street and.

AF

That is definitely going to discourage some from continuing with the program.

A

So on that- um and I hear the um I would, I think- for.

A

Speed in administration would want the per parking space um at fifteen hundred.

A

Dollars and then anything outside of that at ten dollars, which is the general rule of.

A

A parking spot, I think, measuring parking spots uh because you can't take half a parking spot.

A

So um the um you know, and we're also talking about an ordinance you know- and I don't want to be here.

A

In in in uh in zip or july or august, having the same conversation of what could happen uh with.

A

Dining, so I think we have to change it to make it more equitable. I think that, in order to find out.

A

If restaurants are not able to uh to to pay ten dollars a square foot that could be brought into.

A

The ordinance and make that something that we'd want to reduce the ordinance, but right now we're.

A

Not going to get any more data from uh restaurants that would or would not use that, and it's a lot.

A

Harder to change an ordinance as we know if we don't get the the data. I think that the changes.

A

That were ten dollars before you know there was a global pandemic that shaped. You know how we like.

A

To eat and collectively force this all outside and fort smith said we like this uh for the most part.

A

I don't think it was the and then restaurants were able to find out. We can make money out here um and.

A

You know it's it's, it creates the critical mass. So I I would like to know if it was uh if it was.

A

Cost related that you know um you know many many restaurants decided not to uh push for outdoor.

A

Dining before we got here- and I think we, by having an equitable fee- that's uh slightly more per.

A

um uh Per square foot, but aligned with what it was previously, would not be a bad way to find that up.

A

Councilor cook and thank you, your honor another way to resolve this tension.

AF

Is to apply the ordinance or the policy as it's written, which is fifteen hundred dollars per.

AF

Impacted in whole and part parking space or five dollars per square foot, whichever is less so. It's.

AF

Already written for it to be five dollars per square foot across the board without any changes.

AF

Without having to suspend the rules without having to come back, that will reduce the rates for those.

AF

Who are in parking spots versus those in loading zones? It will make them equitable with those who.

AF

Have loaning zones in front of their spaces and it will be the same price for sidewalks, so.

A

Okay, um so do we have a motion on the floor to reconsider.

A

No don't. I certainly would be happy to make a motion to reconsider.

A

Is there a second second uh we'll need a roll call vote, no point point of order. um There is.

AF

A motion on the table: do we have to vote on that motion first or do we move to the second motion.

A

uh The motion to reconsider would be to support or to well. This is to suspend the rules in order to.

B

Reconsider which requires six votes right? Okay, so we, I think we take this vote up first and then we.

A

Can include it um in a the discussion that um is on the the current conversation on the on the page.

A

Tonight, so if we suspend the rules and uh and move to uh reconsider, um I believe that takes precedent.

A

Over the existing motion, that's on the floor to pass the motion is written.

A

Now we got robert's rules out there.

L

All right so whose second did council morose, because I counselor thank you very much.

B

So we're gonna need a roll call on suspension of the rules.

B

Are we ready for that photo? Do we want to wait till councilor denton looks.

AA

You're, probably better: okay, we have okay, let's be ready. Yep, okay assistant.

B

Mayor kelly, yes, councilor tabor, yes, councilor denton, no council moreau, yes, council, bagley, no.

B

Council lombardi, no council blaylock, yes, council cook, no mayor mckechron, yes,.

B

Five to four okay.

A

So next up would be the um let's see. So I we have dining in city. Sidewalks is.

A

There a motion to raise the fees to ten dollars on the dining on city, sidewalks,.

AA

That motion just fail. The motion to reconsidered to be previously.

O

Policy, the previous policy, but we still have to solve dining on city sidewalks,.

A

So we have the um we have the motion on the floor to accept.

A

um I'm curious if there's a motion to raise the fee from five dollars to ten.

A

Dollars I would make that motion. Second. Is there any discussion.

A

Councilor, I just want to make sure we're clear, so um we're just doing a number one.

AK

Now, right, just the dining on the sidewalks yep, um so this ten dollars per square foot.

AK

Would go in the same package as the five dollars per square foot on the parking spot.

A

So the parking spot, no will be uh will continue to be 15 or 1500.

A

um The loading zones will continue to be uh five dollars unless interpreted as the city.

A

um uh City staff has indicated in terms of an existing or where they have to take up.

A

More parking spaces, but streets uh and streets and loading zones that.

A

Don't end up taking up parking spaces will be continue to be five dollars unless we visited.

A

At a future council, okay, thank you um yeah. I think I've been supported this I I just like I mean the.

AK

Taxpayer really takes care of the sidewalk, those bricks and all those maintenance of that has been.

AK

Paid for by the taxpayer over the years, um so I think when we're giving a business that at a.

AK

Discount it's it's actually taking. You know what I mean: you're you're, taking all the taxpayers paid.

AK

For that and giving it to this business, um so I always think of the sidewalks as they belong.

AK

To the people of portsmouth, they don't belong to portsmouth, because people purchase paid for those.

AK

um So I'd be supportive of the ten dollars per square foot.

A

Any other discussion council or sister mayor yeah. Thank you again. I would just like to note that.

AC

All we're doing with this would be putting it back to the fee that was previously established.

AC

Pre-Coveted for for the policy that already did exist for outdoor dining, we've added being able.

AC

To dine in loading zones and parking on the street again, this policy already did exist.

AE

Councilor bagley, I guess uh if, if this passes, which it sounds like it might be, a close vote.

AE

um It kind of really orphans one little section now. um I still think we should try and get it.

AE

Right for the ordinance and trying to do stuff on the fly for the policy is a wrong way to do it.

A

I don't think we can have two motions to reconsider if this, uh no, no I'm just I'm just.

AE

Saying I'm that's my thoughts on that sure. Well, we we certainly could have moved to reconsider.

A

And brought the other uh five dollars back to ten dollars in terms of the uh the other. But I'm not.

A

Sure that we can have two motions to reconsider if this passes, I wasn't suggesting that okay.

A

Council cook, uh thank you, your honor. um I just want to point out that last year, once again, last.

AF

Year, the fee was five dollars per square foot, um so we are doubling the fees for this year.

AF

um Just on the restaurants that have sidewalk dining, not on other restaurants, so not the ones.

AF

That are using the streets or parking spaces, so I think that that's important that we're.

AF

Actually, creating more inequality here, certainly uh agree that being able to make it a equitable.

A

Alignment of the first square footage per parking spaces per loading zones was the intent of the.

A

Reconsideration that didn't pass, and so we're left with what we can do in terms of make the.

A

Sidewalk dining equitable with the the parking spots, not maybe the loading zones in the streets.

A

um But just the the sidewalk dining council morrow would there be support, not that I'm.

O

Making a motion but that we passed this tonight with 7.50 per square foot and under miscellaneous.

O

Business we could ask that the previous policy be brought back forward next meeting to be reviewed.

O

To do the equality of 750 per square foot so that we have only a slight increase but equality across.

A

Would we be lowering the the parking spot cost in that case, then by less I.

O

Well, because there'd still be the 1500, if you're going to keep the 1500 or 750 per square foot,.

O

So all of it would be, whichever is less that's the way it's written now. So I'm just saying changing.

O

The five dollar number to 750., but that wouldn't be able to come forward until the next meeting.

A

Suzanne, unless suzanne tells me otherwise.

AR

um First, the intention with the additional memo at the bottom was to try and capture as.

AR

Close as we could to what was done and how it was interpreted last year, trying to honor what.

AR

We thought we heard at the last meeting so just know that memo and how we parsed it out.

AR

Peter brits and his staff went through every application that we had last year to see if.

AR

Using the formula as I described in that memo would achieve the result of no change to what.

AR

An entity paid last year, assuming that they took the same amount, so I just wanted to.

AR

Clarify that that that was the intention to take the broad policy that we heard.

AR

And fit it and and explain it if you're going to change something and peter rice or peterbritz.

AR

Could certainly step in, I think the staff would prefer that when it comes to parking spaces, we.

AR

Stick to a flat fee, we don't want to be measuring the square footage of you know one parking space.

AR

Is a little differently sized because they're all generating revenue, so I think stick and that's in.

AR

Part why we were kind of wrestling with what to do with that, whatever you know, whichever is less.

AR

Because it left some ambiguity which we try to straighten out with this, is how we'll read it.

AR

um So just know our preference, I think, from staff and bill.

AR

Yes, they're nodding: okay, would be stick with that flat fee for an impact to a parking space.

AR

So if that's helpful at all in your thinking, yeah question uh for suzanne, if I could um so.

AB

The restaurants, with enclosures serving liquor under the sidewalk cafe.

AB

Were they at five dollars last year or were they at 10.? They were at five.

AB

Okay, so staff made a recommendation last year to to go to 10, but the ultimate.

AR

Final decision was for this council to use five and I think that's why there's some.

AR

You know confusion, and you know staff's recommendations. This year was also to.

AR

Go to 10, but the preference had seemed to be to stay at five, so the effect of my motion would be.

AB

One little piece of the side of the outdoor dining would be a doubling rate.

AB

Correct doubling from last year's rate, but consistent with what we did. Yes,.

AR

Yeah, yes, I think they're wrong. Nothing. um I think I'll withdraw my emotion. Then it takes.

L

The second yeah.

AE

Counselor bagley, uh if the mother, sorry, if the muslim's withdrawn, I have no further comment.

L

Was did the second agree with that believe it you don't have to. I know it doesn't matter.

A

Override it yeah um just got her council bluff, um and I just wanted us to keep in.

AK

Mind that we are coming up on budget season and everything is going up in cost everything.

AK

um Cola everything! So if we don't, if we keep not listening to staff recommendations on fees and.

AK

Stuff, we're gonna get ourselves in trouble, um so I just I I just you know you mean now that susan.

AK

Just reminded us that we have gone against african nation twice on this, but the staff is. This is what.

AK

They're recommending it's ten dollars per square foot, I think it'd be smart to listen to steph.

AK

Councilor bagley, thank you honor. um I saw two comments. The first one is.

AE

um In in the private sector, uh consistency and being able to trust what you hear is is.

AE

Very valuable for planning, so I had a number of restaurants reach out to me at the end of.

AE

Last year- and they basically said we don't want to pay for storage, if we're not going to do it again,.

AE

What do you think is it 50, 50 or or 10 90 you know like? Should I spend the however much it costs to.

AE

Store all this stuff for next year, I said, I think you know, there's a lot of community support, we'll.

AE

Probably pass it, I don't know what it's going to look like, but we're probably going to pass it so.

AE

We set that expectation that it was likely to pass. We then passed it now, we're talking about making.

AE

A bunch of changes, the changes are small when it comes to a budget number that we're talking.

AE

About not huge amounts of money here very small amounts of money, but we're telling the business.

AE

Community that they can't rely on this council to stick to their policy for even one set of meetings.

AE

And I don't think that's a good message to spend because we spent four council meetings on this.

AE

Already- and this is the fourth year we're doing it- the other thing I'm going to say- and I said.

AE

This over and over our parking revenues, which is the number the city, should care about. The.

AE

Bottom line number of revenue that we raise as a city from parking are going up year over year, so.

AE

Why it may be, in fact, true, that we do not raise as much money from an individual parking space.

AE

The city as a whole has raised more money, and part of that reason, in my opinion, is because we.

AE

Have a vibrant city that people want to come to so much so that they're willing to pay to park.

AE

On the street, or in one of our garages and add money to the city's bottom line, so I think we're.

AE

Getting a little bit lost in the relatively small amount of money that we're talking about right now,.

AE

For potentially two uh bad things that could happen, one we're going to have businesses withdraw.

AE

From this program, because they they don't feel that they can trust that the council is going to.

AE

Stick to what they're doing and two we're losing some of that appeal of our downtown that people.

AE

Are willing to pay and come and visit for it? I think council bradley, um I it's a it's hard to.

A

um I guess I think we all want the vibrancy and and uh certainly want our downtown to.

A

Continue to thrive and flourish and um and attract people and increase.

A

Revenues that would say that implementing outdoor dining is not something that is.

A

um Doesn't come with associated costs in terms of enforcing added, uh you know added resources. You.

A

Know jason, I think, there's like you must be a set of triplets. You know like he uh he's he's there.

A

Because you know um there's a lot of codes that need to be enforced when you're serving liquor in.

A

Streets right, that's uh that's a that's a big deal and so the added costs, even though parking revenue.

A

Is going up, the the outdoor dining is not a it's, not a free enterprise, um but that's not the reason.

A

I I really doubt that 750 versus fifteen hundred dollars is going to deter a restaurant from taking.

A

um You know 75 square uh sorry uh 150 square feet in front of the restaurant. I I could be wrong.

A

um But I I I don't think that's what's going to determine that what I am looking to avoid.

A

Is the feeling of uh favoritism being played by by city council with one restaurant? You know in a.

A

In a travel lane that will be charged less than a parking spot, which I don't want to set that.

A

Precedent- and I was also just surprised when I read the memo and I understood there was a.

A

Difference between the the you know, the revenue and a parking space, but that we were going to.

A

Charge loading zones differently based on the interpretation and while counselor cook stated.

A

That it was no, it should be read as written uh councilor bagley you shared with me that it was no.

A

In order to avoid, when there's a little bit taken of another parking spot, that would be that would.

A

Be charged at the additional rate, so you get into confusion even there. I don't think that this is.

A

Something that is going to deter outdoor dining. I wish that we could have reconsidered the original.

A

uh Square footage fee for this because I think it's easy simple, equitable and understandable.

A

For all restaurants, to know that, in terms of outdoor dining, it's 10 bucks, a square foot.

A

Unless you're in a parking spot that you can't split a baby in half, nor can you split a parking.

A

Spot in half you have to take the whole enchilada when it comes to our parking spot. That would have.

A

Been, I think, a reasonable pathway forward when we started trying to figure out travel lanes as.

A

A different price and, and, and it just got it got a little bit more complicated. I hope that at a.

A

Future council meeting that we can clarify this before outdoor dining begins. I would certainly.

A

Look to memorialize this in any ordinance that we would bring forth and it was not just ignored to.

A

um uh By staff recommendations you know or uh ignored by by our council twice now, but even.

A

The discussion that we had at the previous council meeting to build it up over time.

A

We've now ignored our own recommendation to take five dollars and then ten dollars.

A

um And and and simply throw that out, but you know we don't uh we we can't, we don't. We no longer have.

A

A motion- and we can't reconsider this, so I'd- look forward to doing this at a future council meeting.

A

Consultation just to explain I I just I withdrew the motion because I agree we should.

AB

Unilater we should move to ten dollars a square foot. It simplifies it standardizes that motion.

AB

Fails if we did ten dollars for the sidewalks people would say why is my price doubling and.

AB

People using the parking spaces are, I I don't think we could defend that and that's fair.

A

All right, so we have a motion on the floor to uh now adopt the um the proposed changes at the.

A

um Which, I believe is just as as written is that correct? That's the motion that we have kell.

B

Changes in your agenda packet to the newly adopted outdoor dining policy.

A

Okay, well, unless there's further discussion of a roll call vote. Okay,.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, no no counselor, tabor, no, no concert denton! Yes,.

B

Council moreau: no, no council bagley, yes, council, lombardi, no council, blaylock, no council cook. Yes,.

B

I'm a cochran. No no motion fails three in favor six opposed. Okay,.

A

Next, up, um approval of grants and donations.

O

I do you want us to make a motion. You ready. Oh yeah, I I wait a motion to accept the new.

A

Hampshire state conservation committee funds and authorized city manager to enter into a.

A

Contract with the new hampshire state conservation committee, department of agricultural markets and.

A

Foods so moved second, and this is in the amount of twenty thousand dollars, so not insignificant.

A

um All in favor aye any post.

A

Next up a uh application for membership as a certified local government. I appreciate.

A

Councilman bringing this uh forward to us uh and wait a motion to support the city submitting the.

A

Application to the clg program administered by the division of historic resources. Second, all in favor.

AB

Aye all right, the city manages informational, informational items. um Why don't I tackle items.

AD

Two through four, which are purely in the packet for information, happy to answer any questions.

AD

um And we can come back to that. Perhaps it's now appropriate for our verbal update on the mcintyre.

AD

Project the city staff that have been working on this project, along with the developer, had a check.

AD

In with the general services administration and the national park service on january, 31st.

AD

That check-in went smoothly, we explained to them where we were in the process. Vis-A-Vis.

AD

The milestones that we've set forth in the project in that we have preliminary information from our.

AD

Construction cost estimator and financial consultant relative to understanding the.

AD

Project pro forma and the next check-in with the gsa was set for february 28th.

AD

And uh alongside advancing the and and getting a better understanding of those numbers is.

AD

What is to be negotiated uh relative to legal documents, namely the development.

AD

Agreement, the contribution agreement and the ground lease happy to answer any questions.

A

A

Seeing none I will move on to, we will move on to miscellaneous.

A

um The city-wide neighborhood committee meeting of december 14th 2022., we'll accept those minutes.

A

All in favor aye your opposed any other miscellaneous.

AB

uh Just like to congratulate elaine appleton and peter samsich as the.

AB

New co-chairs of the citywide neighborhood.

A

Excellent I'd wait a motion to adjourn some move. Second, all in favor, aye.