City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire 2022 - 2024 City Council, 6 Jun 2022

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From YouTube: 6.6.2022 City Council

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6.6.2022 City Council

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Thank you everyone for coming. I will entertain a motion to adjourn the non-public to after the city.

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Council meeting so moved your honor second, all in favor, aye, aye and now, uh let's have a roll call.

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Miami cacry here assistant mayor kelly here.

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Counselor tabor here counselor denton, here councilman moreau here, council bagley.

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Here, council lombardi here, council blaylock, will be joining us shortly. Counselor cook here.

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Thank you um for tonight's invocation.

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It's been a little more than a week since portsmouth lost aquarius dunham. um I would.

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Like to take the time for us to think of him and his parents, we will never know.

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That type of grief, but I hope that when his parents do return.

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To portsmouth we can show them the love of our community in a way that I expect portsmouth to.

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Be able to there is a gofundme to cover the expenses. That's been shared in a number of.

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Locations, if anybody has a question on that, please reach out to me directly and just reading through.

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Everything over the last week, it seems that everybody that knew him lost a best friend.

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That day- and it is just uh incredibly sad so a moment of silence for queries.

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Please join me in the pledge of allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america.

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And to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible with.

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I have two proclamations this evening. First uh men's health month.

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I like this one, because it reminds me that father's day is coming up. uh It should serve as a.

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Reminder to everyone as well, whereas june is men's health month and men's health week, recognized.

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Since 1994 by an act of congress is the week ending on father's day, which is june 13th, the 19th.

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uh 2022 and whereas educating the public about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and.

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Early detection of male health problems will help reduce rates of mortality.

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And whereas men's health month is a time for the public to recognize the mental and physical.

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Health needs of men and boys, while encouraging fathers to be role models for their children.

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And whereas men's health month focuses this year, in particular, on mental health and ongoing.

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Challenges of identifying and serving those most in need, without social stigma and whereas.

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The men's health network has worked with congress to declare june men's health month.

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And encourages people to wear blue for men's health to increase national awareness about the.

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Importance of positive men, men's health attitudes and practices, and whereas the city of the citizens.

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Of this city are encouraged to recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise.

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And medical checkups now, therefore, I daglan mccarron mayor of the city of portsmouth, on behalf.

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The members of the city, council and citizens of portsmouth, who hereby proclaim june as men's.

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Health month, given with my hand in the seal of the city of portsmouth on this first day of june, 2022.

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Next, we have a proclamation that I've read actually twice before, both at the pride flag.

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Raising and again at the high school- and I wanted to take the opportunity to read it here in council,.

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Chambers for lgbtq plus pride month, whereas june is lgbtq plus pride month created in 1999.

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To remember the stonewall uprising in manhattan in june 1969 and whereas pride.

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Messages are the most visible symbol of the global movement of the lg lgbtq equality.

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Celebrating progress, affirming the existence of lgbtq people and demanding recognition of their.

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Basic human rights and whereas pride marches, such as the one each year here in portsmouth,.

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Are an expression of the basic right to freedom of assembly and expression and whereas first among.

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The city's goals is to welcome and support diversity in the workplace and community.

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And whereas the city's mission statement says the city is committed to establishing and maintaining.

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A diverse fiscally sound municipality and a safe and welcoming environment, and that.

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Means making sure our lgbtq community can prosper here and whereas being the city of the open door.

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Means living up to the promises of keeping our doors open to every member of this community. Now.

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Therefore, I daigle macaron mayor of the city of portsmouth, on behalf of the members of the city.

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Council and the citizens of portsmouth to hereby proclaim june as lgbtq plus pride month, given with.

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My hand in the seal of the city of portsmouth on this first day of june 2022. Thank you.

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For both of those um next, there are no minutes this week and now um the next two items are.

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Some of my my most proud moments that I get to I get to speak. That's why we have all of these kids.

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Here today- and it's um it's really, you know uh amazing uh to see just how many.

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uh Champions uh that we have uh in portsmouth from so many different uh levels, I I can't remember.

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A just a plethora of riches, so I'm I'm so excited to be able to recognize tonight's portsmouth.

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High school debate team for their outstanding performance, persisting even during the pandemic.

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With online tournaments, the team has enjoyed an undefeated record after competing in new york.

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Massachusetts, texas and here in new hampshire.

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Now, members of the team are competing at the nationals in louisville kentucky and in the.

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Coolidge cup, which is a national tournament held in plymouth, vermont and congratulations to coach.

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Joseph krauss, the portsmouth high school english and debate teacher, who has guided the debate team.

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To nationals for three consecutive years and before doing that was the debate uh teacher.

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To our assistant mayor, so if you guys aren't careful you'll end up on this side of the podium.

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And get to take away your monday nights. But um I would like to come down um and call up.

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First, the seven uh members of the team are graduating and then uh for for the remainder.

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So I'm gonna come down, grab the mic and if you would uh please come up when I call your name.

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All right first up and is this working looking back all right, um undefeated captain sam born.

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Thank you, sam, uh and so just in these bags we have a t-shirt if they don't fit. I also put my card in.

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There- and you know you know, try not to use it on parking tickets. Undefeated, captain josie said him.

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Captain avery sinclair.

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uh Rio, marcus.

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Francis powell.

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And molly mikkenan did I get that right.

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And also congratulations to the new team captain uh marwyn pinto and haley venuto.

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Ian franis alex o'neill and adam hoskins, so.

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Start this over uh marwan uh pinto.

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Next up miles, bourne.

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Thank you ian franis.

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Alex o'neil.

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And adam hoskins.

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Well, thank you again. Oh.

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Oh uh haley venudo. Thank you.

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All right, I don't think I've missed anybody now. Thank you for speaking up and again uh it's a.

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It's a real honor to be surrounded by people that are able to express their feelings and and and win.

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An argument in a way that is, you, know, you'll, find that that skill is something that serves you well.

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In life and all of portsmouth is better served by having you represent us, both the nationals and.

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And in vermont we're so proud of you and wish you the best of luck, all right next up.

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I'm going to stay down here because it'd be weird. If I went back and just read that little part.

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Our congratulations to the portsmouth high school trivia team. uh Hannah duel, the oh wait hold on is.

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There we got to get their coach here. Sorry, um let's see uh uh joseph, could you please come up.

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So you're, actually the first one to get it. So I'm opening your present for you.

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um But in the city of the open door we had these made and they're door stops.

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So you've kept the door open for so many people, I'm sorry to open your present for you.

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But hopefully will find at least amusement, um if not use uh out of that and we're so proud to.

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Have you as a teacher and a coach keeping the door open for so many of our young students.

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All right now on to the the trivia team uh hannah dewell, the advisor to our trivia team, tells me.

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For the past four years, the team has played weekly trivia, tuesday games in her classroom.

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To practice, they've been using granite state challenge, quiz bowl in general.

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Trivia questions and topics, including math science, literature and pop culture.

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Their goal was to win the championship for portsmouth, and this year they have triumphed.

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By winning the 40th anniversary, it's hard to believe that this is only 40 years old.

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Because I remember this as long as I was alive and that's because it's two years older than me.

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But the granite state challenge championship the last time that we won that brought that cup home.

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To portsmouth it was 30 years ago, so that's a pretty big accomplishment. Let's applaud that.

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Team also won the main quiz bowl, which is great. We go across the river.

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And and nab that which earned them the place in the quiz bowl nationals in atlanta, georgia.

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Best of all miss duel said this team has a broad range of interests and specialties.

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Within trivia, but what binds us all together is a love for knowledge and determination to have fun.

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Congratulations to everyone and to the seniors, francis powell team, captain.

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Josie set him.

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Thanks again, uh rio, marcus.

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Carina avaleschko.

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And to nick dalen, is he here nick all right.

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He's the junior is going to carry on the torch and uh miss duel. Are you here right come on up.

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Is that your trophy yeah is that the trophy.

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I don't know, I guess we don't. We don't have a step, no well you're.

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Not we can't take a picture of me in the trophy.

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Here with that, this is probably the first selfie of the city council meeting all right here we go.

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Okay, we don't have to do the selfie all right.

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I think maybe put the trophy on the table: yeah that that's what's in front of you, yeah.

D

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This way, rio's dad, doesn't have to worry.

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The table isn't doing against any favors.

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Thanks so much.

F

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Yeah and so next up, we have a report on the trees and greenery.

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Committee is this a verbal report? It would be for the council to receive the committee's report. It's.

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An annual requirement it's in your packet and it's in the packet. Thank you, trees and greenery.

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um And now we've come to the. uh I have uh the public comments session and I have here.

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The list, and since we I not the council, I gaveled the public hearing short last time.

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We need to vote to suspend the rules in order to allow a more public hearing type format.

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Of more than three minutes, I would ask that you keep the three minutes in your heart in your head.

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But if we could have that motion your honor I'd move, we reopen the public hearing.

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On the budget resolutions, okay, that's another way to do it um and uh all in favor, hi.

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My only question is: did we need to suspend the rules in order to do that?.

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F

We don't okay, great okay, so um first up we have uh peter whalen.

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Good evening, uh mayor and city council, my name is peter whale and I live at 100 gate street.

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And I'm just going to reiterate some of the comments I made before um you know, and I.

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Want to ask each one of you, you know: do you really represent the taxpayers of this city.

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And that's when you were sworn in as city councilors you're supposed to represent all.

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Of us, and especially the taxpayers- and I look at the budget this year.

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Two years ago the budget was 119 million. The next year was 123.

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This year it's going to be 133 or 131, I'm not sure where it's going to be.

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But that's one of the largest increase ever in portsmouth's history in budgets, the largest.

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Increase ever and you're all sworn in as city councilors to make portsmouth affordable.

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And with that type of budget you're going to be driving out a lot of long-term residents.

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That are here on fixed incomes that you all represent. That makes portsmouth what it is.

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27 new positions.

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The head counts gone from 700 in 2010 to over 900 this year, 27 new positions, that's.

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One of the largest ever in one year, I would ask you: what are each one of those positions.

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Going to give this city, this is all about services. I haven't heard anyone screaming that they're not.

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Getting their garbage picked up or the roads aren't being plowed or things aren't happening.

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There's none of that. We have excellent services. We have an excellent city staff here, but with the 27.

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New positions comes pensions, more salary increases, that's a fixed cost that compounds year after year.

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Your job is really to slow city spending and protect the residents. That's what you were.

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Sworn to do and this budget doesn't do that, and I would urge you not to vote to approve this budget.

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On resolution eleven, which is the biggest part of it, I would table that and I would do another.

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Work session to try to bring this budget down, that's your duty as city councillors,.

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You know the ten thousand pound gorilla in the room is.

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You're, giving police and fire department four percent raises outside of collective bargaining.

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That's outside of collective bargaining that four percent compounds year after year after year.

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And that becomes a pension liability in future years.

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If you're going to do that, reopen the contract totally reopen the contract and negotiate it.

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That's that's labor management 101. I negotiated for years with teamsters. If we had to do something.

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Like this, we always read them. We always reopen the contract, get something for it.

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I'm not saying the police and fire don't deserve more money, but this is not the way to do this.

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There's other ways to handle that you could have given everybody, a one-time.

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Bonus program, um if you have problems, hiring people use a bonus to bring them in, but you're.

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Adding to the fixed costs here year after year, it's not a prudent way to do business. If you had.

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Your own company, would you give everyone a four percent raise and you, compounded year after year.

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You know they collectively bargain their wages. That's the way it works.

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We have union contracts if you're doing it for police and fire. What are the teachers are? The.

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Teachers going to come to you next year and want another four percent outside of the contract.

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What about all the workers, the city workers, other people? It's not fair!.

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I don't see any pushback at all. That's what bothers me.

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There's no push back on city staff with the city manager, with this budget no push.

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Back your obligation is really to represent the taxpayers, get into the numbers and push back hard.

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The other thing that's coming is we have a reevaluation coming this year.

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Now some will say: well, the tax rate is going to go down, but you know if you live in elwin.

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Park and your house was worth four hundred thousand dollars and now it's worth 700.

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You're going to get a big tax bill next year, a huge tax bill.

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So I would urge you on resolution 11, which is the major one to punt on that this time.

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Have another work session don't pass it tonight, go back through the numbers.

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You can find another three million dollars in this budget. It's there. You just gotta work at it.

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I mean I came to and watched a lot of the work sessions, a lot of softball questions from all.

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Of you, there was no pushback counselor tabor did some was the only one really to push hard.

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But that's your job, I mean this is what it's all about. You know when you become a city.

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Councilor you're supposed to push back, manage the budget and represent the resident supports with.

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I know it's a tough job, but you got to do it and we're all counting on it. Thank you.

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Thank you peter next, up christine lusky.

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Sir, christina I'm christina leske, 94 odeorn point road portsmouth.

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If this budget is approved without any changes or with only minor changes, it will show that the.

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Portsmouth taxpayer is not a high priority for this city council. When this council was elected.

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Councillor tabor was quoted as saying that now things are back to the way they were before.

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Unfortunately, this will be true if you give away the store to special interest groups.

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At the expense of the taxpayer, instead of putting first the best interests of the city as a whole,.

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At a time when residents are coping with inflation and are worrying about revaluations, this is not.

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The right time to be adding a large number of new employees, a hiring freeze, would be.

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More appropriate, or at most perhaps one or two truly essential new hires could be made.

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It doesn't matter if workers are hired now or in six months either way the costs will be with us.

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For a very long time, this council has already made decisions regarding revenue.

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Which will hurt the taxpayer we'll have to make up for a great deal of lost parking revenue.

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Due to outdoor dining, which is scheduled to last until late november after black friday,.

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Which will hurt our downtown retailers during the christmas shopping season now to add this.

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To add to this, new spending in this bloated budget will stress the taxpayer even more.

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There is no excuse for this big tax increase. Our previous council delivered the lowest rate of.

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Tax increase in a decade during the height of the pandemic when closed businesses reduced revenue. I.

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Urge you to exercise some self-control and tough love by saying no to excessive spending demands.

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By special interests and city management, I appeal to our mayor and assistant mayor.

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Who have both championed the cause of affordable housing? Passing this.

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Tax increasing budget will make housing in portsmouth much less affordable. It is not enough.

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To offer some tax relief to a limited number of residents fitting into special categories, you must.

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Meaningfully reduce this budget to offer more relief to all of our city's taxpayers. Don't forget.

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That we still don't know how much taxpayers will be asked to contribute to the mcintyre project.

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If you burden us too much with this year's budget, it will only make things even worse in the future.

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Don't let portsmouth taxpayers be the only ones making sacrifices? Surely the city management.

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And some of our departments can be asked to reduce their demands.

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We're all in this together. Thank you, christina next up, rick beckstead.

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Good evening, rick beckstead 1395 islington street I'd like to thank the mayor and the council for.

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Extending the public hearing session, as promised, um I did not attend the last work section simply.

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Because I thought I had pointed out perfectly clear- and I was in hopes that somebody was going.

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To ask the question about the 3.1 million dollars that is built into this budget taken off of the.

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Previous years, we as a council in the previous, uh went and did a was a 123.2 million dollar budget.

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You all a little while back added 900 000 to that for a payout for a lawsuit, and this previous.

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Council also added 2.2 million dollars for a skateboard park, and I understand the questions and.

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Everyone says whether we have the skateboard park money or not. I watched mayor mckechn the last time.

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Give a basically a simple synopsis that it's there and it's also in the cip. So we took out an.

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Unassigned fund balance a one-time expenditure and put 2.2 million dollars. The city manager.

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Went and put the expenditure on top of what this year's budget, which is about to close.

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It doesn't need to be there a second time and it's there it's there and I've got no explanation and.

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If I'm wrong, please somebody tell me that I'm wrong: there are three million dollars already.

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Built into this budget with literally a magic wand, 3.1 million dollars and it doesn't cut anything.

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Any of the jobs any of the insurance anything that's been added on this budget. On top of.

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A simple motion to grant it doesn't have to come out of anything to deduct 3.1 million dollars from.

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The proposed, like, like one of the previous speakers, said 131 132 million dollars. That's.

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It simple done: I've got no explanation, it's the reason why I didn't come down here. The last time.

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So I'm here to basically ask again um somebody please explain to me if I'm wrong so.

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From the previous one that I did attend, I've got you a little chart here that.

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Judy graciously went and put together for us, and I think everyone is comfortable.

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So a median, a single-family residential home in portsmouth is 480 478 050 dollars. What you're.

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Not asking the question is: is that's before the evaluation, the reevaluation that's about to come.

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And we all know what the the cost of housing and what it's going to cost all of us and I'm.

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Predicting and I've had conversations we're looking at a 20 to 30 percent increase on.

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The value of homes, because that's what's done, portsmouth's, that popular outsiders from all.

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Over the world have come here and purchased homes and not through banks. They paid cash.

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I personally witnessed cash cash going above and beyond what the asking price was.

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So when you start adding those numbers of two twenty percent and thirty percent twenty percent.

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Is five hundred and seventy three thousand six hundred dollars now you've gotta go and find out.

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What the cost of that's gonna be on every taxpayer on a home was less than a half a million dollars.

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Which is now just under six and if it's 30 million dollars, I pray to god. It isn't that's 621 000.

J

These numbers do not reflect what the reevaluation is. This is a tough job. It's it's like predicting.

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The future you know roseanne, is out there right now with the with the.

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With with the the tax reassessment trying to figure out where the balance is going to be.

J

But I mean literally it's here: these numbers.

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Do not reflect this. You know eighteen dollars per month to every household. It's not going to be that.

J

These numbers are based on what the numbers are before the reevaluation period.

J

That's what you're here for now. I know you made some suggestions and you give numbers.

J

A million dollars, 1.5 million dollars counselor table you had gone and kind of thrown out there.

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Council lombardi, you had gone house of cook, you were right there and so was counselor blaylock.

J

Which is great, but again it's not enough. Is this the time to add 27 positions? You have the ability.

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And the right to go and ask the city manager she works for you, you work for the residents and the.

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Taxpayers now I know some of you are going to go and say by you going doing that you are basically.

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Telling her how to do her job but in fact you're doing yours exactly what every taxpayer and every.

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Voter voted for you in the positions that you're in today not easy positions. I serve four years.

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It's not easy, it's not supposed to be. I mean you put your name on a ballot, and here you are.

J

And now you've got to make the best of it. You better dive in and ask the hard questions.

J

And do your jobs and represent all of us please, these numbers are inaccurate. These are not true.

J

You've got to do a better job than that. This is not the time to expand.

J

Four percent: five percent. As far as the cola, I think most people in portsmouth believe that.

J

It would be something feasible, don't add the 27 positions, don't go hiking things through.

J

We're all here we're supposed to be together. This is supposed to be a joint.

J

Remember mcheckman, you said you were going to really try to go and fix this divide with.

J

Everything, but I feel honestly, that we're divided more than we've ever been before and by passing.

J

This budget tonight, without going to review just like previous counselor whalen, had gone and said.

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To really look at this numbers harder, you have time you have until the end of the month. Please.

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Do the right thing for the residents of portsmouth? Thank you. Thank you. Rick next up is sue paledora.

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Hello sue, polidora, 245 middle street. I just want to reiterate again, as I've had many times the need.

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To live within our knees as far as a budget, there are signs that we're heading in the.

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Troubled waters, when you see all the big investors out there pulling back and saying.

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We're afraid we need to cut back. It is not appropriate for.

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Portsmouth or new hampshire in general to do the opposite of what they're doing we're going.

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Full steam ahead with this expenditure, what everybody else that knows: how to manage money and.

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Manage it well is going in the opposite direction. One thing that I would like to bring to your.

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Attention is a comment that stuck with me last uh from last time, and that was from former counselor.

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Esther kennedy she said that there was a 140 million dollars in cash being in certain different.

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uh Little buckets in our budget, I'm like you need to look into that.

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Because there is a 140 million dollars cash, why are you putting 10 million dollars more on top.

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Of the tax burden to the taxpayer, shouldn't you be using your the money that you already have.

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To counter balance, instead of passing passing it on to the taxpayers, I would like to know.

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Where that 140 million dollars is whether this is accurate or not, you are the ones that are.

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Responsible for that, and I would like to request that something be done, and you tell us where is.

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Does this money exist? Why is? Is it not being used to offset expenses and the time when we need to.

E

So I would appreciate your attention on that and thank you very much.

A

Thank you sue uh next up, uh nancy kleberg.

E

Good evening, everyone is it: okay that I have mango peabody I've raced jio with me. I remax a brief.

K

Yeah, so uh just for anybody listening now, since we uh I'll continue to go through the list.

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But if somebody has not signed up on the list since we have opened a public hearing, I will.

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Entertain additional speakers so go right ahead. Okay, we're brief trust me good evening. I am nancy.

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Novolein-Clayburgh chair of the school board- and this is michael peabody, the vice chair of the.

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School board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of this budget.

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Particularly the school side, if I could speak on behalf of our schools and the hardships.

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Our students and staff have had have endured because of covid. I am grateful that the council.

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Is so supportive of our needs? Yes, these areas. These are areas that essa can cover. However, as.

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You know these funds dry up and we add positions through esser that are crucial to the well-being.

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Of our students and staff, we want to ensure that these positions will be funded in the future.

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So, as someone said to me today, we'll be back, please consider this as you review.

E

The budget tonight I remember when I was a city councilor approving the budget was a daunting task.

E

I have faith in you that you will make a decision that benefits all of our citizens. Good luck.

D

As you well know, the school board has a goal of wellness and equity and over the last two years we.

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Continue to hear from students, parents, faculty and administrators that our community is struggling.

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That our kids are struggling, I'm a parent, I'm an educator and I'm a taxpayer- and I stand before you.

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And remind you that it's time to put the interest in our students who will be the future citizens.

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Of this city, so I appreciate what you've looked at and I just hope that you'll consider the.

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Needs of the students and we make a commitment to full-time positions for their needs, going forward.

D

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, mayor for your acknowledgement of our student that passed.

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Away last week, our community has certainly been tragically affected by that and we appreciate.

E

The support of the council and you may thank you. Thank you. Both next up is zelita morgan.

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Zelita morgan richards avenue, thanks for having this time for us to speak.

L

I missed the students here, but I want to say thank you for creating that space.

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To honor the students and the work they did, they do it's really. It's very important for all of.

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Us as a community and for the students to feel honored and really recognized.

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In how well they represent, you know our community in all that they do. What brings me.

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Here tonight um is the budget you have in front of you. You know some people believe that um budgets.

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Are moral statements and I'm I've always shown away from that path, but I kind of want to reflect.

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I want to say that for sure a budget does reflect the values of a community. That's that's for sure.

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In new hampshire, we have a regressive taxation system, one that relies solely not on one's ability.

L

To pay, but on the market, value of the properties and the speculation that comes on a city like ours,.

L

Hot market real estate market, so mayor mccackern, I think you remember that back.

L

In march, we exchanged a little conversation on the um affordability. We talked about, affordable.

L

Housing- and I asked you know: how are we going to approach ensuring that residents in our community.

L

This protect the social fabric of our community and that residence on limited or or.

L

A fixed income would still be able to afford being here in their homes right.

L

Well, needless to say that so many neighbors, you know, as they heard about the budget increase.

L

And knowing of the revaluation, they are absolutely alarmed and with all reason, what do you have in.

L

Front of you and the request for 27 positions, and here I'm saying that I probably I haven't seen.

L

All the data, but what I have witnessed um I was sitting here for I think the municipal budget for.

L

Part of the time I didn't see really much data. I think data data. You know an analysis of the data.

L

I saw a lot of statements of we need in order to accomplish this in order to accomplish that.

L

The planning director got closer to provide really.

L

Graphics with the data and and what exactly she brought in when putting the.

L

Her case, so I think it's you know perfectly well that approving these, this increase will stay.

L

There's a you know: capex right, so they're gonna be in our operations, so you won't be able to decrease.

L

Those expenses once you approve, they are going to be there new heads, new positions and maybe not all.

L

Of them need to be at this time around it's a lot, considering that we have a revaluation coming up.

L

And I think this is what you know I want to.

L

To press on you, the decision you have here and I think you will be approving, as is.

L

You know it has an incredible incredible uh um impact to the social fabric of our community, so.

L

How can you talk about affordability, affordable housing? There is no affordable housing because we.

L

Know landlords will just raise the price of the rents, who will be able to pay the rents.

L

And then people put in the market for short-term rentals because we know that happens already.

L

All you have to do is do vrbo, you know and you're going to see a list in portsmouth of.

L

The properties that are already doing, vrbos and short term rentals, whether approved or not. I I'm.

L

Not getting to that so um who are we building our community for who is gaining and who is losing.

L

If you're really concerned, if you have right now a committee to talk about.

L

You know diversity, inclusiveness. How can we address this if you are not starting by.

L

How we are spending- and here I want to say, I'm not saying that all positions are not. You know.

L

Valid I'm saying: is this the time to bring forward 27 new heads.

L

Is at the time.

L

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your time,.

L

I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Zelita next up elizabeth barrett.

M

Hi, council members, thank you for the um uh work that you all have done on this council.

M

I really appreciate that um you all are striving towards what you um set your.

M

Minds to when you were campaigning um and to help create a better portsmouth.

M

I understand that you are in a tough position tonight and I appreciate from the school board.

M

Perspective, although I don't speak up, I speak only for myself and not the entirety of the board.

M

I understand what you're asking the school board to do with cutting 400 000.

M

Of our proposed budget or asking that we utilize esser funds for that 400 000 amount in.

M

Doing what you can to potentially decrease the budget? However, I understand most of you did run.

M

On the fact that, and were elected on the fact that you were dedicated to fully funding our schools.

M

I do understand that we are requesting an increase at this time. However, I do want everybody our.

M

Community as well as you all to understand that almost six ftes were cut in the past council last.

M

Year so essentially we are bringing back those ftes and requesting about approximately 4.5.

M

More ftes, so when you are considering the budget and considering whether you want to move forward.

M

With what the school board has proposed and ask that you consider that and consider the fact that.

M

These positions are necessary and, as um chair clayburgh stated, we will be back again because.

M

We need to hire for these positions and part of hiring for these positions.

M

Is that those applying will see that that is a position that we are committed to and it's not.

M

A one-time, one-off, esser fund situation, I'm also concerned with the fact that.

M

We have special needs that are going to end up increasing and I think the school board would.

M

Commit that you know at least I would commit that if we are able to make cuts throughout the next.

M

Year that we would utilize those funds in the best way possible or the city would obviously.

M

Maintain those funds, but I think it's extremely important that we fully fund these positions.

M

The school board presented this budget or my understanding is I presented, and I agreed.

M

On this budget, because there were other things that we wanted to consider for the esser funds.

M

Our schools desperately need uh air conditioning for the summer so that we're able to educate.

M

Children and and make up for the learning loss and um and that's going to be a huge hit as well. So I.

M

I want to continue to work with you all, and I appreciate everything that you're all doing.

M

To be here tonight, I would ask that you approve the budget, as is as proposed by the school board,.

M

However, I understand the tough position that you're in and I am happy to see that the tax.

M

Rate isn't actually going to increase by a huge amount as far as a percentage goes.

M

From last year's based on the budget that you're presenting tonight so as folks keep saying, 27.

M

Positions, 20 27 positions: please keep in mind that positions were actually cut last year and I'm not.

M

Sure about that I can't speak to the year prior, because I haven't sat and done my homework on that.

M

One, but um you know our schools are in desperate need. We need teachers, we need staff and we need.

M

To hire these folks, so we need these folks to see that that we're committed to these positions.

M

And that we're going to invite them back uh next year and the year after to continue.

M

um To do what they need to do so and ask that you've approved the school board budget, as is.

M

And I appreciate your time and thank you so much. Thank you. Elizabeth next up, paige trace.

N

Good evening, paige trades 27 hancock street, it's the budget, it's the budget. That's before you.

N

It's large overwhelmingly large some would call it bloated the bloat as people see it could be.

N

The 27 new positions, I'm not an expert in some of those positions, so I won't pass judgment.

N

Other than to say that, if that's the majority of the bloat, then you need to seriously address it.

N

What I do know is yes, counselor tabor, you were the one person who saw what was possibly going.

N

To happen with reevaluations and with the tax rate and how it relates to the budget mayor, mckecher.

N

And I would say to you that as much as you're right that the tax rate can go down if rosian.

N

Lentz does her job and the reevaluation goes up on average 30 percent per home, which is not beyond.

N

The realm of impossibility, then, is the tax rate going to go down. 30 percent to offset that no of.

N

Course not. I know that answer, because if you have a tax rate of 15 point whatever at the.

N

Moment I think it's I won't 15 and change 15.24 15.27, um 30 percent of 15 is give or take. 5 is.

N

The new tax rate going to be 10, I don't think so, so the problem is and why it's so alarming to me.

N

And so many other taxpayers is that with a budget that you have like it is this year.

N

It's going to drive a tax rate, no matter what you do, no matter, city manager, no matter how much you.

N

Lower the tax rate by manipulating certain good events that have happened.

N

It cannot possibly offset what is going to come in the way of revaluations, and I realize.

N

That the re-evaluations are not a function that we weren't re-evaluated last year. They are a function.

N

Of supply and demand, portsmouth is a very, very desirable city to live in, and we've witnessed that.

N

And so I'm as alarmed as everybody else out in the audience alarmed enough to be here.

N

And many other people out there that voted for you, the bottom line is they voted for you.

N

To protect their interests, to the extent that you didn't create such a large budget.

N

That they will no longer be able to live in this city. Older people on a fixed income will not be.

N

Able to afford what that tax rate is going to do with their reevaluation, and you can't lower.

N

The tax rate enough to offset the reevaluation it will be painful, it will be devastating, it will be.

N

A reevaluation that all of you will not be able to say, I didn't know it was coming.

N

Because we won't let you we are the taxpayers.

N

Everyone in this city voted you all in to do a job for the taxpayers and as council ex-counselor past.

N

Counselor whalen said nobody is screaming for new services. Nobody is saying my garbage isn't.

N

Being picked up or I need it picked up twice a week. Our services in this city are wonderful.

N

So what is it that you seem to think is necessary in this city.

N

To create a budget that will have the largest increase in a long long time.

N

You work for the taxpayers, you talk about affordable housing,.

N

A re-evaluation, a larger tax rate or even a minor offset of the tax rate.

N

Will create a value of housing and taxing that is large enough that people won't not only be able.

N

To live here, but people won't be able to afford to move here the very mix, the very ability for people.

N

To make this city unique, make it what it is, make it a mix of people, wealthy people, poor people, old.

N

People, young people, people of all persuasions, a really really unique city of the open door.

N

And you will come close to trying to destroy that uniqueness of this city. You will have a city of.

N

Very very wealthy people, and that's about it and very very wealthy people can be very, very boring.

N

No offense to the very wealthy out there.

N

But they don't make portsmouth and you shouldn't create a situation that will force people to move.

N

And I thank you very much for listening to me now, it's time for you all to do.

N

A hard thing and that's take a good hard look at your budget because it is bloated.

N

And it does need cutting if nothing else, for the neighbor out there that lives next to you, that.

N

You know damn well won't be able to afford this next year.

N

So I thank you very much for your time and thank you for listening to me and you can put.

N

The budget off to have another discussion. Thank you. Thank you. Paige next up is esther kennedy.

E

Esther kennedy, 41 pickering half the number one job that you as a counselor need to do.

E

Is this budget and you need to understand the budget and what I'm kind of perplexed at.

E

As people really haven't taken the time to understand this budget.

E

The other night, during the public session I heard from a counselor.

E

That the skateboard park is going to be in the budget. It is not it's in the cip.

E

It is not in the budget moving forward and that's the reality.

E

I am hearing about these positions.

E

And I asked you if we're going to add police officers, how come we're, not adding social workers.

E

Assistant mayor kelly, you you've brought it up. I've brought it up. We know the number one.

E

Issue with police enforcement is mental health. I can tell you I'm training my autistic children.

E

To carry a card so if they get pulled over, they can pull it out and say I'm autistic. So.

E

It's for special needs, and I have not heard anything from all of you about that.

E

Tonight we heard about the school.

E

By school board member bradder, she made some accusations.

E

And I can tell you: the council did not cut positions. The school.

E

Cut positions, the school board cut positions, and why do they cut positions.

E

They cut positions because their enrollment is going down. There was a kindergarten teacher.

E

That got cut because they did not meet their own policies for the number of rural students.

E

Last year, so again, if we're going to make these statements understand the history.

E

Why was it made? Why was that decision made by the school board last year.

E

I ask you to also think about the reinvest reevaluation.

E

The one thing that we have not heard from any of you and very little motive from the public is that.

E

The problem there's a re-evaluation with yes. If we re-evaluate the taxes, we'll it'll be divided out.

E

And it'll go up, but not significantly the reason it's going to go up in this city.

E

Is because the commercial property is going down and the residential property is going up.

E

So the residents are going to have to take the burden that is lost by that commercial property.

E

That is the issue. That is something you should be talking about.

E

Now I did bring up there's millions 130 million. We saw as a figure in all these extra funds in.

E

These cash funds in municipal funds in banks, I asked you to research that and look at it.

E

And ask yourselves: why is that there and yet we have not heard anything.

E

We heard the other night and one I did call myself, and they said that.

E

It was going to come out in the city that we're bringing back a million dollars for insurance.

E

How come that's not going into the general fund? What is the need to have six million dollars.

E

Sitting extra in insurance fund when you know the rate in november, I ask you to research that.

E

So I guess what I'm frustrated with.

E

Is the budget is large and you all ran on keeping it so it's affordable in our city and we know.

E

That every time we add money to people's taxes, we lose other people, that's a given, and we know.

E

That myself, as a landlord, when you raise my taxes, yes, I will raise the rent.

E

So it's up to you folks, but I guess what I'm frustrated with is not that the budget is 10.

E

Million what I'm really frustrated with is you're not having those deep conversations.

E

You're not asking what are those positions you're talking broad, I heard one of the counselors say.

E

The city manager should let's look at 2 million off, but what is that? 2 million, where.

E

Where are your guidance? Now I get it, you all knew and you didn't come up right out front and.

E

Say this is what we're looking for, and I hope you learn from that and the next time you do a budget.

E

You put your parameters as a counselor out first, so that you're not playing catch-up.

E

So tonight I know you've made your decision for the most part. I would just.

E

Ask that at some point between now and next budget season you have some discussions.

E

And at some point you, you really listen and say: why do we need this? Why do we need to.

E

Go up 10 million dollars. Thank you. Thank you. Esther. Next up uh we have feature huda.

O

Good evening feature huda, 280, south street council. I may be considered one of your biggest fans, maybe.

O

Even a groupie, I have attended all your sessions trying to ask questions trying to spark interest.

O

Trying to invoke thought and bring bring topics to your attention. Mr mayor, last thursday, you.

O

Smiled at me and said, you're going to get answers to your questions. I didn't.

O

We sat in a session.

O

All three of us at over at the senior center and the mayor was wondering why nobody's attending.

O

Maybe because you don't answer any questions.

O

You don't say anything, it's just taken in and nothing comes back out.

O

So from my perspective, the economy's in fluctuation prices are rising on everything.

O

From gas to food, a recession might be on the way and we're all being affected. During the last two.

O

Years of the pandemic, as a community, we all stepped up to help the businesses survive.

O

We stepped up as a city council as a community to support our business community with the only.

O

Source of revenue we had taxpayer dollars, even while the taxpayers were dealing with the same.

O

Effects of the pandemic as a city council, you cannot control this year's property reevaluations.

O

Or post pandemic shifts or decreases in commercial property valuations to residential taxpayers. The.

O

Budget is the one thing you can control. This is your opportunity to make portsmouth property taxes.

O

Affordable for the residential taxpayers and you are about to vote on the largest increase.

O

In a budget in portsmouth has ever seen the fy 23 budget increase of 10 million dollars by the city.

O

Manager is the largest year-over-year increase. Probably ever I went back five 15 years now. You.

O

Could say it's only 6.5, it doesn't matter, 6.5 is still the largest in the last at least 10 years.

O

So when the residential taxpayers are are facing in the in the edges of of covet inflation and.

O

Valuations and the known shift in property valuations from away from residential properties.

O

Tell me, as a taxpayer, who has stepped up for the last two years, that you need 133.

O

Now, 131 or 10 million more to maintain the same services that I paid for just last year, 123.

O

Of which you returned, of which the city returned, the city departments did not spend. We had a.

O

Surplus, we asked for too much what happens to that. That goes back into the general fund. It doesn't.

O

Go back to the department who asked for it who couldn't hire the people that they asked for it. It.

O

Doesn't go back to the taxpayers who paid the bill because they were there to fund it for the city.

O

It goes back into the general fund and, yes, that's where the unassigned balance comes from.

O

And something else for you to think about on your unassigned balance for the last five years, we have.

O

Had surpluses that means that the city staff has overestimated the amount to cover the services.

O

That were needed, they gave money back now. You know in a regular atmosphere. That's not coveted.

O

Related or pandemic or impending recession, that's one thing, but where we are now is critical. Last.

O

Thursday, the city manager made a statement that we would probably have a surplus in next year. That is.

O

Very concerning to me at this point in time in our economy that we couldn't get closer to that.

O

I was looking for answers to my questions. um I will I I guess I could go back over them.

O

um But it's probably it's probably useless at this time because, um like former counselor kennedy said.

O

I believe your minds are made up already, but the next thing I would ask, is something you all ran.

O

On and we had pounded into our heads in the last session is the transparency, the questions.

O

That I asked were on collective bargaining on mcintyre on the new positions on the promotions.

O

On the incoming funds on the one million dollar refund, of which I received no answers,.

O

You can you can tell people by putting an adu in every backyard that this is.

O

Going to make portsmouth more affordable councillor, bagley and councillor moreau.

O

But when portsmouth has a 10 million dollar increase year over year, it's not going to help.

O

I urge you to think about what you're going to do.

O

And how you could still cut this, the million dollars that came forward last week would be.

O

Offset by the 900 000, if I got an answer on on whatever happened to mcintyre, because as residents.

O

We are in the dark. We have not heard anything on that since that transpired that offset.

O

Would be would mean nothing. We are still back up to 133, which is the largest increase, which.

O

Will go with you, I urge you, please look closer. You have till the end of the month to to approve these.

O

Thank you. Thank you petra. At this point, I will entertain any other speakers.

A

Any zoom speakers, no all right.

A

Getting a speaker, nope, okay, sorry closing the public hearing.

A

And next up is adoption of proposed budget resolutions.

A

Adoption of budget resolutions for fiscal year july 1 2022 through june 30th 2023.

A

Fiscal year 23, the first is resolution number 10-2022, municipal fees, sample motion, move to adopt.

A

Resolution number 10 dash 2022 municipal fees,.

A

Any discussion counselor denton I've commented on this in the past. I'm.

P

Just going to reiterate it that for any active duty, military or their dependents.

P

The outdoor pool and the boat launch rates have been.

P

Decreased, so please, if you know anyone who's in the area and looking to use the pool this summer.

P

Or looking to use the boat launch this summer, their rates specifically have been decreased.

P

For the outdoor pool, if the child's under 18 it's free, if they're over 18, it's only two dollars.

P

And for the boat launch, it varies whether it is a motorized craft or a non-motorized craft. Thank you.

A

Any other comments or questions on this resolution all in favor sorry, oh roll call vote, okay,.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, yes, counselor tabor, yes, counselor denton, yes, councilman morrow, yes,.

B

Counselor bagley, yes, council lombardi, yes, council, blaylock, yes, council cook,.

B

Yes, ma'am mccachren, yes, resolution 10 passes unanimously.

A

Next step resolution, number 11-2022, general fund expenditures.

A

Sample motion move to adopt resolution number 11, dash, 2022 general fund expenditures.

A

Sound moved second, any discussion or amendments.

A

Counselor denton. I have three points. These aren't amendments at this time. They're just comments.

P

There have been numerous speakers bringing up the collective buying agreements when it comes to both.

P

The police and the fire getting a four percent increase. Collective bargaining does not have to be.

P

Adversarial all the time, so you don't always need to sit down at the table and say hey: what can we.

P

Get from you, if we're going to give you something, I think this is one of those instances where.

P

If a percentage goes in, it's been deserved and it will help keep the people of portsmouth safe. That.

P

Two other comments: one is specifically for the school department, my prior four years on council.

P

I pushed hard for the farm to school program. There's a usda grant, it expired. There was a plan.

P

To keep that individual on board over the past two years, that position no longer exists. I've been.

P

Reassured that there is currently funding there for a stipend for teachers. I think that's a good.

P

Segue, but it's not a permanent fix, so please for next year, considering doing more than that.

P

And the final comment they had is: I mentioned this when the planning board presented zagster. I know.

P

It was controversial a couple years ago, but please look into some sort of ride. Share program for the.

P

Following summer, thank you. Thank you, any other questions or comments or amendments. Your honor.

A

Counselor taber a question for the superintendent of schools. um We heard about the positions that.

F

In the revised budget have been shifted to esser. um Is it correct that those esser funds.

F

Would extend forward multiple years, not just fy23, uh yes counselor, so the esser funds will be with.

J

Us for the next two fiscal years easily and the board going forward would certainly ask for some.

J

Transition plan, I'm sure in the anticipated draft of spending we have already that would contemplate.

J

Covering half of those salaries in the next fiscal year and then fully the year after thanks.

A

Any other questions and or amendments.

A

Counselor bagley yeah, I just have a comment and it pertains to the the four percent. um You know.

C

It is a bit unusual, so I took a very deep dive into it and and it's justified and it's needed.

C

And the reason that it's justified is uh both with police and fire, but particularly with fire.

C

Are some of our most important people in the community, especially these last couple years.

C

Have been underpaid, we have numerous positions that we're unable to fill.

C

And we're losing people to other departments, high quality people that are trained and ready to go.

C

And we can't risk these essential services, um so so, as counselor denton mentioned, you know.

C

When you renegotiate it, it doesn't have to be a battle every time. Sometimes you just.

C

Have to do what is right, and I believe that that's what we're doing here and.

C

It's not really rewarding people for their services, it's bringing them up to a level.

C

That they should expect it's not putting them at the top in the state. It's just bringing them.

C

Close to the medium, where right now, they're underpaid, according to all the metrics, so.

C

But because it's not a standard or normal, uh ask you know I I spent a lot of time had a lot.

C

Of conversations about this looked into it very deeply, and I strongly feel that it is warranted.

A

uh Councilman I'm wondering if and I'm not sure, who's the right person to.

E

Answer this question, but I'm hoping someone can help explain a little further. The fact.

E

That the skateboard park funds were taken from unassigned fund balance.

E

During this fiscal year, but what happens on july, 1 and the fact that it's in the cip.

E

And how I think it's because of when the work could get done. But I wonder if we could.

E

Make sure we get a good explanation of that sure happy to do that on behalf of the staff.

G

The cip was adopted by this council on march 8th and then the thought is. It remains an.

G

Influx conversation until it's incorporated into the budget, so by virtue of it being.

G

Adopted in the cip, we would look to keep that adoption and memorialize the 2 million in fy 23.

G

For and not and and not to use, unassigned fund balance, so it is um in the it would.

G

If this this council approved this budget, as is it would be adopted as part of the 23 cip.

G

If that, if that makes things clear, okay follow up to that. um So exactly I mean we're.

E

Not then going to use that two mil 2.2 out of the unassigned fund balance. So it goes back into the.

E

My understandings, it goes back into the unassigned fund, balance correct. We will be using 200 000 of.

G

That to advance the design, so the remaining 2 million will go back to fund balance, we'll return.

E

At which point we could use it to overall lower the budget. Could we not it's been.

G

Part of this conversation as um as as part of the overall process but but having it returned.

G

To fund balance is an important component of understanding how other things become offset.

A

Councilman roe any other question not at this moment. Let me process a minute so uh so that you.

A

Can process so I can speak somewhat to the um the skateboard part yeah. This was a collective.

A

Effort on the city of portsmouth, the residents of portsmouth that came outside of the cip process.

A

Convinced the city council, that this project should be prioritized, above all other projects,.

A

Not going through the typical cip uh process, and so while it is true, we passed a budget uh on.

A

uh A year ago, uh or the end of the end of this month, a year ago, that was 123 million dollars. It.

A

Did not include the 2.2 million dollars to the skate park at that point, we added that money.

A

To the budget, because we did not want to go through the cip process, we wanted to.

A

Take it from fund balance, but that is not that money. We have the money in order uh to keep our.

A

Aaa bond rating and to have a cushion uh where our city operates, it did. It was not money that.

A

Is sitting out there when it was clear that we were not going to complete both the design and the.

A

The construction, the planning board, recommended to put the skatepark into the cip for this year.

A

So when we say that you know it's a 123 million dollar budget versus 126, the other half a million.

A

Dollars in there, I think, was for mcintyre fund balance appropriation that we definitely is.

A

Not going back into uh the the fund balance but the um when we say that it was something.

A

That you know we passed 123 and I passed the 123 budget and then I added 2.2 million dollars to it.

A

Even if that comes back into the fund balance, the the point around the skate park is that.

A

It we had a priority list of cip projects and we said the hell with that we're putting the.

A

Skatepark, ahead of all of that didn't negate any of the other projects that we had to do. We.

A

Still had to do that, all those other works like pulling up islington street phase two.

A

That was another couple million bucks that we put in last year. Instead of you know, delay out so.

A

There was a lot of projects in the cip. We wanted to keep the skate park in the cip.

A

So for so we can start construction, design and construction next year, and so that's.

A

Why it's now in the it's it's represented in the budget in two places now, but that's only because.

A

It's in uh as part of fund balance now and then, when we pass the budget we'll be part of the cip.

A

uh For next year, councillor tabor just to add to that your honor.

F

We typically run 13 of our general fund balance as unassigned. It's that unassigned fund balance.

F

When we voted the old council uh uni mayor and the other councillors voted to appropriate 2.2.

F

Million for the skateboard park that lowered our unassigned fund balance reserve to 11 so.

F

uh Looking at uh it's, it's typical that- and this is very prudent- the city waits until a fiscal year.

F

Closes looks at our surplus and generally returns, two to three million dollars for tax relief.

F

That would be hard to do if our unassigned fund balance was down around 11 percent when it's up.

F

Around 13, it's much more comfortable to to do so. I think the strategy of putting this back into.

F

The cip, it makes sense number one, because that's the only timetable that works it will take a year.

F

To design the skatepark number two, it pumps our unassigned fund balance back up to 13, so we have.

F

We have dry powder so to speak, for tax relief down the road and- and I think it's a more sensible way.

F

To deal with the taxpayer dollars and still get the skate park done on the same schedule,.

A

Thank you, council cook, did you have something? Thank you mayor.

K

I just wanted to say that I think it's critical to remember that all of the.

K

City councilors sitting up here, have been asking tough questions through the entire budget process.

K

And sometimes when we ask those tough questions, it's not because we're sitting in a meeting it's.

K

Because we've asked for a special meeting with um I know: I've asked for special meetings um with the.

K

Superintendent to ask very specific questions about the school budget and the reason that we.

K

Each do that we do that kind of research. Deep dive research on the budget is, we need to make sure.

K

That, when we're spending taxpayer dollars we're spending them um for a reason, that's.

K

Absolutely necessary, and one thing that I will say about this budget- is I've asked all those.

K

Have questions of every department behind the scenes and in our sessions as a council and.

K

That's where you see the result tonight, I think here the general fund.

K

Appropriation is, sig is decreased from where we started.

K

Part of that is through that question answer process, but we're still funding the absolutely.

K

Required positions you know the school is, is returning um seven positions in this budget uh and.

K

Most of those positions are iep mandated they're required by federal law that we fund.

K

Those those positions you know we have, we have regulatory requirements that we have to meet.

K

For the police, we have regulatory requirements that we have to meet and fire.

K

The decisions that we're making are tough ones, because I know that everyone's concerned about.

K

Their taxes, I'm particularly concerned because I live in a household where we haven't seen.

K

Cost of living adjustments in the last few years we haven't seen pay raises because of the pandemic.

K

Because my spouse, who makes the majority of our income works in a field that has suffered.

K

Through the pandemic, so there have actually been paid decreases. You know- and so I'm sitting here.

K

Looking at you know, cost of living adjustments and pay raises that are part of our collective.

K

Bargaining agreements that are negotiated, that we have to pay as a city and that's what drives the.

K

Increase in the budget is really our salaries that are already negotiated before we even.

K

Start looking at the budget- and I know I'm not getting those increases, but I know that we have.

K

To provide them at the city level, so I'm really comfortable with the number we've ended up with.

K

We've done a really good job, I think asking those tough questions and I think that we're down to.

K

The point where we, we are just approving the positions that have to be approved.

A

System here, thank you, council, correct and then council on party. um I am gonna. Forgive me as this.

D

Is my first time um put forward a amendment going to put forth an amendment to reduce.

D

um 48 869 dollars and is that the quarter did I do this correctly? Maybe not is that.

A

From a specific, it is um yes, so if I speak on it, it's from the school department and it's the.

D

um Half year curriculum leader, I spoke at this at one of the last meetings. I believe that.

D

While it could be deemed as an important position, I believe, with the change of leadership for.

D

With a new superintendent and a new um assistant superintendent, I believe that is within their new.

D

Roles to decide if that position should be brought on board. If I can weigh in yes your honor, that is.

G

Part of the four hundred thousand and sixty four dollars in proposed reductions, which are part of.

G

The current resolution number of 131 million- is that correct, steve and nathan. Yes, so that.

G

Reduction has been accounted for. Can I clarify so I read this as that we have it as a half a.

D

Half year, so I guess I would be pulling back the position for the whole year. The um this would have.

G

Provided a full-time curriculum coordinator at the half year mark okay, which is awkward.

G

To begin with, if you can think about that, so um it would be for the next superintendent and the.

G

Next: okay, the school board and the next council to consider as part of the fy24 incorrectly. Thank you.

Q

Councilmember, oh yes, thank you mayor. I know that there's been question about.

Q

Technology expenses and I've had conversations um with some of the staff about that and.

Q

I can fully understand the need for it, but I perhaps the city manager can.

Q

Give some detail about the justification of that for the I.t restructuring. If you will I'll take a.

G

Stab but I'm going to ask the deputy city manager to join me at an appropriate time. We've been.

G

Providing it services, essentially with a staff of one and relying somewhat disproportionately.

G

As time has gone on with a managed service provider that is outside of.

G

Outside of staff and understanding where trends are and understanding advice given to us by folks.

G

That are expert in this field. It was our recommendation to bring forward.

G

More of an in-house robust presence with some um out of house consulting but um suzanne, do you want.

G

To fill in the blanks from here, the proposal we have made is is our best understanding of what.

G

Would meet our needs at this time correct? uh The city has been really understaffed in this really.

R

Critical department for frankly years and we are really beginning to see the results of that.

R

Over this past year, we've had more cyber security risks that we've had to manage you, as you.

R

Probably read every day it's a huge work effort. Data is produced every moment from an electronic.

R

Point of view, and that all has to be managed, and of course we have all these transparency.

R

Requirements and public records requirements both to save and to make available records so that.

R

Takes a huge amount of kind of strategic thinking, we've had network challenges over the last year.

R

So, basically, all those shortcuts that we sort of talk and lack of investment we're beginning.

R

To see and part of that, investment really is in having the staff in-house that can strategically.

R

Make the proper investments over time and that's really why you need a cio at this point.

R

Every other municipality of our size and even smaller, has a really someone who's really grounded.

R

In that network engineering and some of those kind of deeper technical skills that, frankly we we need.

R

And we've been outsourcing really at our risk and at our detriment, um so in terms of the cio.

R

Position um it's it's so clear from my point of view that this has been a needed addition.

R

To the department for a long time- um and it's not because anyone's not performing well, it's simply.

R

What we need today is not what we needed 10 years ago. It's a different and more challenging.

R

Environment and the I t structure, of course, as you know, touches every single department.

R

If it is not working well, we have critical losses of inability to function and you lose.

R

The value of all the staff that you have when they can't work and then in terms of the two.

R

Support technicians we've been again sort of stumbling along with outside managed services, but.

R

Frankly, kind of similar, as mr sullivan explained, with regard to the legal department, if you don't.

R

Bring those positions in house, they aren't there when you really need them and so we're finding.

R

Delays and again we're losing inefficiencies in staff, and so I have I could almost pull I'm sure I.

R

Could pull anyone from the staff sitting behind me and they would tell you that they have waited days.

R

For pieces of whether it's you know the desktop or access to a file, they have waited too long for the.

R

Kind of help that they needed, because it's that in-house staff that really understand your systems.

R

And we're just seeing too much turnover frankly with those managed services providers trying to.

R

Outsource it so it's not really functional anymore, because they're they're losing staff too, and I.

R

Think if we bring it in house which again is similar to what other municipalities are doing.

R

And have done, I think, we're going to get a much higher level of service and you know will help us.

R

Be more responsive and deliver services better and frankly, we're hoping for some efficiencies.

R

Over time as we can change out old software and really move to the next level, and maybe.

R

Automate more systems which may actually help us on the administrative side and not have to keep.

R

Adding staff frankly for regulatory compliance, because we can get the programs in place that.

R

Will help us deliver those services, so I see it as a long-term way to help manage costs. Frankly,.

R

If we make the right investments and that takes the staff to to do that and perform the work.

Q

Just thank you a little follow-up to. I would also say that um some questions have asked. Why can't we.

Q

uh Bring everybody under the same system and um as is clear to me, that the police.

Q

Department has a very different system that has a level of security that is.

Q

Mandated by regulation for them and as do and the school department also has a system that is very.

Q

Student oriented and.

Q

By its nature, a very different system, I think that there are some issues that can be probably.

Q

Accomplished jointly, if nothing else purchasing and things like that, I I would concur uh both.

R

With your first part of your comments in terms of the police department has a whole special set.

R

Of requirements um they are cg certified, they work with fbi, data very high level security and that.

R

Kind of security costs. Frankly, in terms of how you have to manage that data versus you know, a record.

R

Of this meeting, for example, which we're going to post on the website, which, if you're doing a backup.

R

You don't have to necessarily encrypt it, you know, so there are very different uh requirements and.

R

Kind of the challenge of what makes a municipality particularly difficult is, when you look at the.

R

Broad scope of services that we deliver and our responsibilities it's much different from.

R

Say a small manufacturing company that might be producing a product line.

R

But it's still a product line and it's they've got kind of one package of business and what we.

R

Do when you look from the health department to public works to police and fire to recreation.

R

Those are very different services and when you can get the overlap, certainly you want.

R

To look for it, you know: if we're buying dell products, then we want that government discount.

R

Although I will tell you, the school sometimes gets better discounts, nature of the way certain.

R

Things work, um but when we can get those efficiencies we certainly want to do so.

Q

Thank you. Thank you, councilman bertie uh counselor bagley. um Thank you. Your honor.

A

Question for suzanne, or no no well, probably not, but possibly a couple, quick questions and then.

C

A comment: the uh unassigned fund balance, since that was brought up several times tonight. The city.

C

Wants to have between 10 and 17 percent. Is that correct? That's correct! That's the long time a.

G

Long time, policy of the city and and what we've historically done has been somewhere right around.

C

That middle area right around that 13 13.74, is where I think we were to start this year and the.

C

Reason that we do that and correct me if I'm wrong is, is much like. You run your budget at home. If you.

C

Got to prepare for a rainy day, so you don't. You know in public comment. It came up that you know.

C

Our budgets, usually we don't spend as much as we ask for- and I think that's a great thing because.

C

You can't predict what the budget's going to be exactly especially a budget this large, because.

C

What, if you don't fill a position or if you don't fill a position until halfway through.

C

The year, on the other hand, what if gas prices go through the roof, and you know the city vehicles.

C

All use gas so trying to guess exactly what the budget is is impossible. um From my perspective,.

C

If I'm budgeting for my my household, I want to come in under budget every year and put.

C

A little bit of money away for for when things like covet happen, so um you know sitting up here.

C

As a counselor, when, when we're presented with these options and with these budgets,.

C

Of course, we've got money in the bank. Of course we have reserves. Of course, we have rainy day funds.

C

What we also do as a city which is, I don't know if it's unique, but a lot of cities, don't do.

C

Is things like health insurance? We don't go year to year because they swing wildly.

C

What we do is take a rolling average over a number of years, so some years.

C

um We kind of take money back and we put it in the bank and then other years we lose money.

C

And we take it out of the bank and we do that with water. And we do that with sewer. And that.

C

Stabilizes everything, so we don't see wild swings, so I just wanted to make those points here on this.

C

Section of the budget, because it does have to do with the the the fund and why we do things the.

C

Way, we do it, and the best analogy I can say is to think about it, like your household finances,.

C

And if you end up with a little extra money at the end of the year, that's a positive.

C

Not a negative, thank you. Thank you, councillor bagley. I would uh go to council moreau.

E

There was talk about having surpluses on multiple years, so I don't know if.

E

um Anyone could possibly answer this or not. Is there an anticipated surplus for fiscal year, 22.

G

um It's it's awfully early to tell, but early indications are that there will be a surplus.

G

In the range of one million dollars, which is a little lower than last year, but um we will.

G

When we, when we close the year-end books, we will have a better sense of that in the august time,.

G

Frame and we'll bring that back to the council, and if I might a follow-up to that, then would be.

E

Could you explain to all of us in the public exactly why that doesn't go into the general.

E

Fund and how we treat it the way we do well um for auditing purposes, and I and I'm probably I'll.

G

Probably ask judy belanger our finance director to come up and chime in if that's, okay, mayor.

G

So the general fund is is, is one of many funds and um I'll. Let judy speak to process, but it's.

G

uh Councillor bagley's point it's it's. We would be not doing our jobs if we were to spend more than.

G

What it was budgeted so it's important to keep uh fund balance and proper perspective, but judy.

G

Do you want to yeah, and just just so I can kind of clarify, and I know the terminology has been.

E

A struggle for many years for the many years that I've been doing this when we talk about.

E

The general fund, the general fund, is your fire police, school and general government, so we're.

E

Not talking about water and sewer special revenue funds when there's a surplus- and the comment is.

E

Or statements say it gets folded back to the general fund. Well, general fund surpluses do get.

E

Close to fund balance, so that's your equity so and it does go back to the taxpayers year of the year.

E

Because year after year, we use a portion of that fund balance to offset the taxes in the proposed.

E

Fy23 budget we're using 2.8 million dollars so and like counselor back black excuse me bradley.

E

Said I refer to that a lot it's very similar to your home budget. You know you anticipate.

E

Maybe an expense that comes up or you anticipate, I'm going to need to buy new tires this year for.

E

My car and then you go in and you get your tires checked and they said. Oh no, you can go another.

E

Six months so, and that happens throughout the year or your refrigerator breaks down that you didn't.

E

Anticipate so that is the you know on a smaller scale, that is the big budget in the general front,.

E

So if we anticipate a surplus, we do anticipate the two million dollar surplus this year.

E

By not utilizing that two million dollars from the skateboard park so that will fall back to.

E

Fund balance, which will help and maintain the unassigned fund, balance that we want.

E

To maintain between that 10 and 17, that is what has got us through covid. That is what has gotten.

E

Us, through other um situations by having that ability to act quickly in emergency situations,.

E

Thank you and if I missed something, I'm more than happy, thank you judy any of the questions.

A

For judy, while she's up here, counselor bagley, I'm going to take this advantage because of how well.

C

We run our finances. I want to congratulate you in the finance department on the 11th.

C

uh Time in a row of getting triple a bond rating which, for those of you at home, that don't know.

C

That's the very highest you can get, and it's a little bit like your credit score means we.

C

Have a perfect credit score, so if we borrow money, we get the best possible interest rates.

C

So! Congratulations on that any other questions for judy or congratulations.

A

um Any other questions from the council on the proposed resolution.

A

All right, um I had a few thoughts before we do a roll call vote.

A

27 percent or 27 cents on the tax rate is not something that uh take lightly.

A

It does uh represent a 1.78 percent increase and that's to counselor taber's credit, because.

A

We're getting a fair amount of federal funding, other sources of funds in order to.

A

To keep that that tax rate lower a speaker uh today stated that we couldn't, and I and I I'm.

A

Not going to mention her by name because I don't know if I'll get the quote right, but.

A

uh Stated that we won't be able to lower the the the tax rate enough to make up for for valuations.

A

And I don't know if that was the intent of of what uh she was trying to say. But I think in.

A

Their rings, true for a majority of folks, the valuations uh are how people um experience.

A

The majority of their their their their tax increase or decrease. What we're talking about here.

A

It would increase the taxes if the valuation stayed the same of one point: seven, eight percent.

A

um On a time when inflation is eight percent, I think that's a a decent number, but to counselor.

A

Tavers point it take, doesn't really take into account the revenues that we can't.

A

uh Really rely on for for next year, but I do want to. I guess, challenge the assumption that we're.

A

Not thinking about revaluations, this council is thinking about revaluations and understands that.

A

Kovit has shifted how people work where they work and portsmouth is an attractive place before, and I.

A

Think it's an even more attractive place after for people to move to, so because of that fact,.

A

Earlier this year we increased the senior income total income.

A

Numbers we increased those uh to keep up with the increases in in social security, but we also.

A

Increase the total assets that you can have in order to apply for it the amount of times that.

A

I would knock on somebody's door or have somebody talk yeah I applied for that program and I didn't.

A

Cut it because I had two hundred thousand dollars, and it was a hundred and seventy.

A

Five thousand dollars before of total available assets that you had before you were not able.

A

uh To apply or really qualify for the program, we didn't double that we increased that to 500 000.

A

Because we understood that, if valuations, which we didn't do the previous year, were going to happen,.

A

We wanted to make sure that more people than ever before were able to qualify for that, but.

A

That discussion is a separate discussion from the budget and I'd like to go through just a few.

A

Things in the budget um that, in terms of because the focus has been on really, the focus has been on.

A

The um you know, the positions, the city managers requested a half year position in terms of.

A

Digital engagement, the amount of people that have reached out to me that have not seen something or.

A

Not heard something, despite our efforts in terms of services that could be improved, I do think that.

A

We as a city could not tell people. What's you know what great things we're doing but provide more.

A

Opportunities to come and tell us what we're doing wrong what we could be improving, we need to be in.

A

That that field to be able to uh to really engage in those ways I t now. This is something that.

A

I pushed back on pretty aggressively um at the work session. I could not understand how we would.

A

Have an I.t department of you know from from from nothing to to five, but it's not really true. We had.

A

I.T uh working before well, we're contemplating is a cio to oversee and then folks that are working.

A

Underneath and changing a couple of positions internally to report into this new department.

A

I hope- and I am I'm supporting this because I I see it as a hope uh that as we grow as a city.

A

And people require more services that we will use an I.t department to begin to bend the cost.

A

Curve of providing services to people an example that I still don't understand and I haven't done.

A

It because I went there once I went down to get my parking app, updated and get my discount and.

A

It didn't have the right form and I just never went back. I got two kids. I just didn't go back.

A

To get my 50 or my you know: 50 discount off it, so I don't think that a city that.

A

I have to come and register my car and tell them that my car is here.

A

Should have to have a updated, you know residency form in order to get on a white list for an app.

A

That's something that we need a cio to be able to have the systems talk to one another and that's.

A

Something that we can't have the cio running the help desk tickets and there's, if you look in the.

A

Budget there's an equal reduction in terms of consulting services that we're paying for so.

A

That's something where I changed my mind on during this budget session. Not because you know I I it's.

A

Not because I I I'm rolling over on it, but I've seen a difference in why we should be supporting.

A

That and the amount of investment that we're going to need to make in I.t and that's just forgetting.

A

All of the fact that you know there was a week when we first all got sworn in that we didn't have.

A

You know I.t, we didn't have email access, so I've come around on on that the the next one um would.

A

Be the inspection? Oh sorry, the economic director that was a grant funded position did a great job.

A

That's another position that we now have to that. We have to uh find. I think there was a pretty.

A

Lively debate during this process, where uh we were talking about you, know potentially doing more.

A

Not just for the chamber, but for other businesses outside the chamber. I think.

A

In the budget seasons to come, we should we should address that the inspection department there's not.

A

A person up here on this deus that didn't hear about the inspection department. I think shanti's.

A

Done a fantastic job, he had a great presentation that we have another inspector uh to come up.

A

And be able to deliver, um you know the services that people expect. I think that you know again.

A

uh When people say there was, you know, there's no problem services. I heard a few people asking.

A

Me about the inspection department and helping that so that's a way that we're going to try.

A

To address that the health department, you know, we've learned a lot in the health department.

A

Over the past two years, covid aside, there's a lot that goes into inspecting outside outside dining.

A

And the increased ask that we've come along with that. So I'm fine with that and then public works.

A

You know I I went back and I looked at all the positions since 2008 and it's also interesting.

A

In 2008 there was a recession, um you know, maybe we I hope not, but maybe we enter something like that.

A

Again in 2008, the council gave the direction to lower staff by two and then three percent in the.

A

Following years, you know, we have less public works uh people now than we did even in 2008, and we have.

A

Community campus, you know I'm sure that uh paul mccartney looking down would be upset to know that.

A

His park has contributed directly to the increase of public works um and the requirement to maintain.

A

uh That uh that beautiful piece of property, but there's a lot that we do now as a city and.

A

It's not just you know, uh planting more pretty flowers, but there's a lot that that goes into.

A

Into that and much more opportunities for us to be able to um or require us to to work, um and so I am.

A

I understand that you know, I think how this differs from a a a household budget.

A

Is that a household budget? That's your money! The city's budget is still your money and so.

A

We have to use it wisely, we can't take it for granted. We need to be as judicious as possible.

A

With that money, I believe that this budget, with these changes, is as judicious as possible as we.

A

Can to continue to provide the services and more services that the city is going to need.

A

And if I can speak simply to the uh the the police and the fire, um you know, I think the.

A

In in terms of the four percent uh increases, I would echo that counselor denton, you know we are.

A

In this together, um you don't do something without it being being noticed for sure, but.

A

You know the fire department did a lot.

A

In the last two years, without it being you know, not expecting a four percent raise in that they.

A

Did it because it was their jobs and they found you know we found out that they are lower.

A

Than the average of surrounding communities, I think it is well within um our ability right now.

A

And it's evident the fact that they have not been able to fill those open positions that we.

A

Are underpaying uh in the market and the same thing I believe, goes for the police department.

A

There wasn't a option to call out uh with covid and and the amount of work that that goes into.

A

Into keeping us safe, we shouldn't take it for granted. We shouldn't lose look at this as a.

A

Lose-Lose, I think that this is an opportunity to make sure that we have the safety services that.

A

That impact our city and keep our city safe do the job that they were, that we ask them to do.

A

That I think in recent times, has put into light in a way that we'd never want to think about. So.

A

I appreciate both the commission's bringing that forward and I believe it's.

A

Something that that that I can support, and so you know I I don't want to.

A

Close by you know, arguing about numbers, um but this a budget does reflect our values.

A

um And it reflects the values of the city council, but also our city. I have been impressed with the.

A

Questions that the council has asked I've been impressed with the answers uh that have been given.

A

To those questions, I believe that this is not a one-year budget, but has to reflect the next two.

A

Years and I look forward to those conversations and hopefully beginning those conversations, a.

A

Little bit earlier uh next year, so that we can have a better understanding of where we need to to.

A

Go as a city! So if there's not anything else after that, really long chat, I'll ask kelly for the role.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, yes, counselor, tabor, no.

B

Counselor denton, yes, councilman rowe; yes, council bagley; yes, council, lombardi, yes, council, blaylock,.

B

Yes, council cook, yes, ma'am kecorn, yes, resolution number 11 passes eight to one next up resolution.

A

12 water fund, expend or 12-20-22 water fund expenditures, sample motion, move to adoption.

A

Resolution 12-20-22 water fund expenditures so moved your honor second. Is there any discussion.

A

Councilman um I I just wanted to say that you know I paying for waters can be painful in the city, but.

E

We need you know this. This is all sort of a separate whole part of our budget.

E

So these figures are covering the services and because of all the increase in technology and.

E

The security that you need in these days around water services, but it is important.

E

That we make sure we have the right people, and I think that this budget will help us do that.

A

Have a roll call vote.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, yes, counselor tabor, yes, counselor denton, yes, councilman.

B

Yes, counselor bagley; yes, council lombardi; yes, council blaylock, yes, council cook; yes,.

B

Ma'am mccackerin, yes, resolution number 12 passes unanimously next up resolution number 13-2022.

A

Sewer fund expenditures, sample motion, move to adopt resolution number 13-2022.

A

Second, any discussion: uh counselor lombardi and counselor baghdad.

Q

We now have a a sewage plant that is a highly technical plant and.

Q

It it takes really well prepared, educated um engineers to run that and.

Q

It's a it's a matter of pride to me and I think to the city that this plant is um so capable and is.

Q

uh Ready to serve portsmouth in the future, um we also have a plant in in at peas and.

Q

And so I just I just have to say that this is uh sewage is expensive.

Q

But it's absolutely necessary and I think I think we.

Q

I think that justifies these costs.

Q

Counselor bagley uh thank your honor and and more or less uh confirming council lombardi's.

C

Statements, but you know we can be a a community that decides we want to plow our sidewalks or not.

C

Or we can be community that decides we want to have trash pick up or not, but we can't be.

C

A community that doesn't have sewer there's many federal and state regulations on what.

C

We can and can't do and it's uh it's expensive, it's challenging. It requires.

C

A dedicated, highly trained team of of people to make it all work, but we don't really have a lot.

C

Of options, it's something that we have to do so with that said, I that's just my comment. Thank.

A

You for your comment, any other questions and or comments uh with that. Can we please call the role.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, yes, counselor tabor, yes, counselor denton, yes, councilman moreau; yes,.

B

Council bagley: yes, council lombardi; yes, council blaylock; yes, council cook; yes, grandma cochran, yes,.

B

Motion for resolution number three passes unanimously: resolution number 13. 13. I'm sorry.

A

I'm sure you had it down right uh resolution number.

A

14-20-22 special revenues, debt service fund and committed fund balances for.

A

Necessary expenditures, sample motion, move to adopt resolution number 14-2022.

E

Second, any discussion on this. Thank you uh one quick comment. I had inquired about adding fifty.

P

Thousand dollars from arpa funds to go towards the covert response task force uh to help recreate.

P

That recovery plan, however, that would have required a public hearing being arpa funding.

P

I know after we passed the budget um we'll be dealing with the arpa fund, so I simply ask that.

P

Funding be considered for the covert response task force going forward. Thank you. Thank you.

A

Councillor denton any other questions or comments, not seeing any kelly. Can you please call the role.

B

Assistant mayor kelly, yes, councillor, tabor, yes, counselor denton, yes, councilman rowe,.

B

Yes, council bagley, yes, council lombardi, yes, council, blaylock, yes, councillor cook,.

B

Yes, mayor mcgregor, yes, resolution number 14 passes unanimously.

A

Resolution number 15 dash 2022 investment policy, sample motion.

A

Move to adopt resolution number 15-2022 so moved. Second, any questions or comments.

A

Kelly, will you please call the role? Yes, mayor, assistant, mayor kelly, yes, counselor tabor, yes,.

B

Councillor denton, yes, councilman roe; yes thousand bagley; yes, council lombardi, yes, council, blaylock,.

B

Yes, council cook: yes, mayor mccacker, yes, resolution number 15 passes unanimously.

A

Thank you. Next up, we have the city managers items which require action, city manager. Thank you mayor.

G

The first of three items is consideration of a parking agreement: renewal with the middle street.

G

Baptist church we've enjoyed an agreement with them since 2013, where the city leases, 17 spaces,.

G

For the purpose of allowing certain library staff to use those spaces during the library's business.

G

Hours for which the middle street baptist church invoices, the city, a thousand dollars historically.

G

The term of the agreement has been for one year and that's that's, um that's been a great working.

G

Relationship in consultation with the church, for both parties and for ease of administration, we.

G

Are both recommending amending this agreement to change the term from annual to indefinite.

G

With either party having the right to terminate the agreement upon 30 days, written notice.

G

Mayor you had asked me before was that the case in our previous agreements, assistant.

G

City attorney gene farini tells me that before there was a clause provision for uh with cause.

G

That, if the city were to breach the agreement, this the church could terminate with 30 days.

G

Notice, if the city did not fix that breach after being noticed and now simply as proposed as an.

G

Indefinite type lease there is a con consideration for without cause just simply because at any point.

G

Either party could decide this doesn't work, but, as mentioned, we've enjoyed a good relationship and we.

G

Don't see a reason why we wouldn't continue going forward and the church board has agreed to that.

A

Any questions from the council.

A

All in favor, oh no motion, I move that we approve the middle street baptist church parking use.

F

Maintenance agreement renewal, as presented second all in favor of councillor tabor's motion, hi.

G

Next up would be a process to release funds that are currently in the city, trust related.

G

To the portsmouth 400th in the amount of 9166 dollars, these funds are requested for.

G

Various projects, specifically uh two projects that are ready for invoicing now, one in full one.

G

In part, one is a comic book version of a history book uh for in celebration of the 400th and the.

G

Other one is referencing the project known as 101 objects, the book so with approval by the council.

G

To authorize this expenditure, uh I would take the request formally to the trustees at their.

G

June 14th meeting along with managing director valerie roshan, I'd like to make a motion that.

E

We vote to authorize the expenditure of nine thousand one hundred sixty six dollars from the.

E

400Th anniversary trust for projects reference in the materials. Second, any discussion.

A

Counselor cook, thank you mayor. I actually have a question for the city manager.

K

um I would anticipate we're going to see a lot more requests like this over the coming year.

K

As money is appropriated from this fund, will we be seeing them periodically? Do we.

K

Think, or do you think we're going to see a kind of a larger request.

G

All at once, if I may, there is, I will say only 36, 000 or they're- about in the trust balance for the.

G

400, the remainder will be separate and managed by the 501c3. So when those um funds are depleted,.

G

We won't be coming in this fashion to the council for approval uh the the the money that the trust.

G

Holds is specific to uh programming and specific events. It is not for administration or over.

G

Typical operation and maintenance, if you will so um these are for specific.

G

Programs and projects, and for which there will be a finite number of requests. Thank you.

A

No more questions all in favor.

G

Thank you. The third and final request this evening is a temporary construction license.

G

For the property located at 75 congress street, it's known as the franklin block they are.

G

Performing exterior brickwork improvements to the to the building, you may have noticed that.

G

The sidewalk has been encumbered with past pass through staging and they're nearing their 30-day.

G

Consecutive working approval and for that they need to seek an extension which comes to the.

G

Council, the owner has experienced delays and seeks 30 more days to complete phase 1 of the project.

G

Which is where it is currently staged, and that would be from june 8th through july 7th and then.

G

Phase 2 would move the scaffolding to the sidewalk in front of the other half of the building.

G

And that would be from july, 8th through september, 9th and you'll see the map. That's involved in the.

G

Right up here, typically, when there is pass-through, walk, walking permitted, the fee is typically waived.

G

And both legal and planning have reviewed and approved what this property owner is looking to do.

A

Do we have the sample motion to refer to the uh move, to authorize the city manager to waive the.

A

License fee and execute and accept the temporary construction license to incorporate the sidewalk.

A

With pass-through staging at 75 congress street second, any questions all in favor, aye, aye.

G

Thank you. Next up is the consent agenda. I did have a question, though we might want to suspend.

A

The rules on the city of manor's informational items report from the cemetery co-chair regarding.

A

Is to say an actual reported presentation or just an informational item, and if it is, I see sue on.

A

The back you're here, okay, all right, we will do try to see if there's somebody in the audience. That's.

A

That might be here and need to be here. Okay, um next up, then, is the consent agenda.

A

The proper motion for adoption of the consent agenda is to move to adopt the consent agenda.

A

We have a request from uh nina braun from local anchor 603 to install a projecting sign.

A

A request from kelly, riley r r partners to saw a projection sign at 54 daniel street.

A

We have a letter from alan schultz, fort smith, professional firefighters, local 1313, requesting.

A

Permission to hold the fill the booth toll, booth in market square on august 13th from 8 to 4.

A

A letter from monte bohannon, president of the portsmouth halloween parade requesting permission.

A

To hold the portsmouth halloween parade on monday october 31st at 7 p.m, requests from brian.

A

Miller new england run for the phone requesting permission to come through portsmouth on sunday.

A

August 21st 2022 a letter from lilia potter, schwartz race to educate, requesting permission.

A

To hold the sixth annual race to educate on saturday july 30th 2022 a letter from richard.

A

Mason veterans count requesting permission to hold the pack and pack and boots 5k road race.

A

At pease on monday july, 4th 2022 and then a letter from sandy clark, caddy seacoast, african american.

A

Cultural center requesting permission to hold the juneteenth parade on sunday june 19th at 20, 20 20.

A

At 11 a.m, again sample motion is moved to adopt the consent agenda. Second, all in favor, aye aye.

A

Next up, email, correspondent sample motion, move to accept and place on file.

A

Second, all in favor.

A

All right we're on to the council. I think we can charge through unless somebody needs a quick.

A

Bathroom break yep all right: let's do a bathroom break all right, five minutes and we'll be back.

A

Welcome back uh next up is me um first, an appointment to be considered.

A

Reappointment of martin ryan to the hdc he'll come up at the next meeting and then appointments.

A

To be voted appointment of herb lloyd to the sustainable practice blue ribbon committee.

A

And the rep reappointment of margot doring reagan, rudig and jonathan wyckoff to the hdc.

A

Is there a motion uh I'll make that motion and and.

Q

Now, just like say, I've worked with these people on the hcc.

Q

They're all really good and martin ryan coming up next time as well, they're, excellent excellent. I.

Q

Was going to say counselors, but they're excellent commissioners? Thank you counselor. They weren't.

A

So good that you, you didn't request to get back on the hdc yeah you're right.

A

But I appreciate it we're councilor blaylock. Thank you, honor. um I am on the htc and I will say.

P

That they are continuing to do great work and I am enjoying working with them uh with their wonderful.

P

Commissioners, thank you any other questions, any comments. All in favor aye aye any opposed.

A

Next up uh city, council members, the assistant mayor uh europe, your honor, um I would.

D

Make a motion simple motion is to move to refer to legal department on to draft an ordinance.

D

For the first reading at a at the june 21st 2020 city council meeting, um that would add.

D

A city council representative to the trees and public greenery ordinance. If I get a second, I can.

D

Thank you um uh arbor day really inspired me, so I would thank you euron for your absence.

D

uh I think that the trees in in public greenery um committee really does a lot of work in our.

D

City and a lot- um and it has a huge impact on on projects on development on dpw and just you know,.

D

Making our city a green city and um looking into that, we realize there's nothing in the ordinance.

D

That puts a city council member representative on that, and so I would bring forward to legal.

D

And to this council that position to add, um I think it's important that we get a report.

D

Back more than once a year, I think it's important that this committee knows how much that they mean.

D

To this council and the people that sit in the seat, thank you assistant, mayor any questions or.

A

Comments, counselor bagley. Well I appreciate the assistant mayor bringing this up. uh Some people.

C

May know my aunt is on this committee and I joke with her quite often because there's there's.

C

Nobody out there that loves trees and greenery more than her other than maybe the other members.

C

Of the community of the committee, so every time a tree comes down, they have to approve it and.

C

They do it begrudgingly, so I know sometimes when diseased trees come down or age, trees that have.

C

Reached the end of life come down. There's some upset members in the community that think that.

C

They don't think that there's a good reason, so I just want to reassure the public that the people.

C

On this committee care about trees uh as much as or more than anybody else in the community.

A

Thank you, councilman councillor, lombardi yeah, um a neighbor of mine, peter lachlan, of course, is.

Q

Involved in that too, he's an amazing asset to the city has provided trees.

Q

For the city in many areas, and um so there's that and then also um that the plan for the city to.

Q

Plant is it a thousand trees, peter 500 trees? I, like a thousand, I think it's. This is the worst.

Q

Kept secret in portsmouth, but it's 400 series for the 400 yeah yeah. Okay, I had the number wrong, but.

Q

It's great and and the I would say, the arborist and the uh the all the tree. People working for.

Q

For public works they're great, I bother them and I talk to them and ask them questions.

A

Any other questions or confessions of going against the charter and.

A

Interfering with our public works.

A

This time, well, I I will say that it is a um just in terms of the process. This will be the first.

A

Reading there will be public comment uh for that. There will also be a second reading and.

A

Potentially a third reading moving through that, I think I I share uh the sentiments up here that the.

A

The committee is a it's a a lot of people that love portsmouth and also.

A

Love trees: it's not an easy task to be able to uh decide where the tree needs to come down.

A

And but when your city is approaching 400 years, you have to think of a timeline when trees will.

A

Regrow and when they're diseased- and you know it's a it's- a it's a tough position, I think at the very.

A

Least uh the discussion around this ordinance, uh whether or not it passes or not, is a good one to.

A

Have bringing forth uh much discussion around a committee that kind of flies under the radar until.

A

Somebody sees a sign on a tree and says: what's that number you know, where am I going to call.

A

And so I think it would be great for portsmouth to better understand it. So thank you assistant, mayor.

A

For bringing that forward all in favor aye aye any opposed all right. Next up is counselor tabor.

A

Community power information night at three- oh, I won't give up with the whole update.

F

It could be that sure, thanks mayor, as you know, we voted to join the community.

F

Power coalition of new hampshire to take advantage of new hampshire's new statutes.

F

That allow communities to aggregate their electricity demand for cheaper and greener power.

F

And since we've done that, we haven't really had a chance to.

F

Have an information night and inform the community and to get feedback.

F

So the energy committee has partnered with portsmouth smart growth and they've volunteered to.

F

Have an event, and the notice that I put in the packet about it will be going out in all the water.

F

And sewer bills, so you probably will be hearing about it. We're excited about it and you're all.

F

Invited counselor denton one thing that councilor tabor left out them excited about. Is this one of.

P

The speakers is sam evans brown, who is at least was uh nhpr's podcast outside ins host. For many.

A

That's years, any other comments all right. Thank you, counselor tabor, I hope to be there. um Next up is counselor.

A

Bagley with the coveted response task force is a verbal update yeah. So uh thank you. Your honor.

C

um I I think, uh we're all quite impressed with the results of the task force that were created by the.

C

Mayor and the former assistant mayor during the last council term- and they they did a lot to make.

C

Our community better, so um what I am proposing and I think we'll have in the next packet.

C

Is that we do something similar, but where the focus is on uh mental health and recovery?.

C

And I'm just going to read out something here: the impact of covid has been felt throughout our.

C

Community, therefore, I propose establishing a covid response task force for six months to evaluate the.

C

Challenges and identify low-cost, high-impact recovery solutions that use arpa monies.

C

The crtf will be composed of citizens of portsmouth local, non-profit representatives.

C

And the city manager as an ex-official member who can incorporate city staff and resources.

C

The initial objective of the crtf would be to meet, discuss and survey the needs of the community.

C

And incorporate their findings into a recovery plan, the crtf will be fashioned so that input.

C

From residents is well defined and simple to do with public meetings at various locations and.

C

Times throughout the city, there would also be a dedicated web page on the city site that outlines.

C

The proceedings and has a contact button for residents to make recommendations and suggestions.

C

The crtf will allow the city of portsmouth to build a strong.

C

Resilient and equitable recovery by making investments that support the long-term growth.

C

And opportunity, and um with that said, if you hold on um just uh counselor bagley, is that a.

A

Can we make that a a motion that you will be proposing this, uh the the creation I just.

A

Want to make sure at the next meeting we have the ability to bring forth um nominations so.

C

It wasn't in the packet, it was as a verbal report. So can I make that a motion, or should we make the.

C

Motion at the next, you can make an emotion if you choose to okay. Would you hear what you just said.

C

Okay and then I'll speak to it. So um although it's a rather long motions, I guess I have getting.

C

A reputation for making them that way. What we want to do is is have some community members.

C

And non-profit leaders uh organized together. So if, if you are interested in.

C

Being a part of this, or if you know somebody that you think should be a part of this, please.

C

Reach out to us over the next couple weeks and then at the next council meeting, most likely.

C

We will appoint members to this coveted recovery task force and what we want to do.

C

Is really look for examples where we can create the most good, the most recovery for the least.

C

Amount of cost- and I think the best way to do that- is to get the people that really know the.

C

Challenges and needs of the community in a room together to discuss what the different.

C

Options are what the different problems are, potentially how certain nonprofits are dealing.

C

With them, what's worked, what hasn't and what can be replicated throughout the community, because.

C

You know one of the big challenges we have is with the schools and and covid recovery.

C

um The the kids really took the brunt of it, but but everyone um there's nobody that came through.

C

This on skates, so I think what we need to do is take a good hard look by the right people.

C

And identify what we can do with some of the arpa funding to to make portsmouth a better place.

A

Thank you, councillor, bagley um any questions or comments. Okay, you kate.

K

From council cook, thank you mayor. um I, I love the idea of delving into.

K

Mental health and the council talking about uh coveted relief in terms of mental health.

K

I also think it's important that we address all the issues of pandemic recovery.

K

So I absolutely counselor bagley. I think this is a fantastic idea. I think it gets us somewhere. It.

K

Gets us talking about recovery in one aspect of recovery, but I think it's also important that we.

K

Discuss other areas and other requests for arpa funds, which I know is going to come up.

K

Pretty soon so, I would like to request that we we also have kind of.

K

Some kind of reporting back to the council around what are the plans from the staff viewpoint.

K

Around arpa funds and what requests have we received that are non-stop staff requests, because.

K

I know we've received requests from committees as well, so that we kind of have a baseline of what.

K

The requests are currently because I think it's critical when a committee like this is formed or.

K

Meets that we have realistic expectations for how much arpa funding is actually available.

A

Any other questions comments, counselor taber.

F

What would be the deliverable for this group? Would it be.

F

A report with recommendations uh would it be a meeting with the council or work session with the.

F

Council that might be good to give some thought to for for all of us yeah, and so when I came up.

C

With this idea- um and I had some help from members of the community uh who who work in the non-profit.

C

Sectors and and who are uh just community members that are retired, let's say from from teaching in.

C

Areas like that, what I'm concerned with is we don't know what we don't know not being.

C

Well, at least in my case, not being a mental health, professional, not being a.

C

Non-Profit person- so I didn't want to put too many constraints on this. I wanted to kind of.

C

Give this group of people a chance to talk amongst themselves come up with some ideas.

C

And you know really look to get the most value for our dollar. If, if we are going to be.

C

Using some of this, this money and one of the um things that immediately came to mind, was the.

C

Sunrise squad at little harper school, so that was created just before the pandemic.

C

Every friday they have a group of kids that gather k through fifth grade and the fire.

C

Department comes in some fridays, the library comes in some other fridays and this in theory,.

C

Could be replicated to new franklin school in dondero, but then the pandemic hits. So I.

C

Don't think that ever had a chance to happen, so my thought is: that's a relatively low cost.

C

Activity, but it's had a huge impact for those kids, so what else is out there that we can do.

C

One of the things that comes up over and over again is transportation.

C

So can we identify areas with coast where we can do things better or or you know, talk with.

C

Non-Profits and really have them identify for us. What are the the little things we can do.

C

That would make a really big difference.

C

Okay, I don't know if that answers the question at all, but that's the concept and the deliverable.

C

Would be recommendations to the council on where they think we should spend the money right.

A

So, uh to tie that back to concert cook's, you know as arpa funds uh as we move into the discussion.

A

Of arpa funds, um this would be one aspect of that. Other aspects would be.

A

Certainly, staff recommendations and council deliberations and public input of.

A

Folks that are not represented in this body, but I do think that it was effective to see the.

A

The uh the work of the the last uh council's task force, uh because they were reacting acutely to a a.

A

Problem now this is maybe not acute problems, and so it might be more difficult to find the same.

A

Resolution to those, but they are problems that hopefully the applicants to this committee will be.

A

Adept at consolidating, on behalf of the council and reporting back uh to the council as part of.

A

The discussion on opera so, as that becomes more clear, we could probably put an end date.

A

For this, in terms of a report back and then just in terms of a practical matter,.

A

This will be a blue ribbon committee um and the appointments uh will be made um or will.

A

Be brought forth at the at the next uh meeting, and so applications then uh need to be due um by.

A

A week from the following a week from next wednesday a week from wednesday in order.

A

To do that, if we find that that's not enough time uh based on the applicants that we receive.

A

By that point, it might not make it to the agenda and we'll have a report back further, stating that.

A

So with all that, um all in favor of this uh or the motion hi hi any opposed.

A

Thank you, councillor bagley councillor cook,.

K

Thank you mayor.

K

I'll read out the sample motion and then explain it a little bit. um I moved to schedule first.

K

Reading for revisions to the ethics ordinance at the june 21st 2022 city council meeting second.

K

From its inception, the governance committee has been working on the ethics ordinance.

K

It's been a lot of work and there's a lot of detail. That's gone into thinking about ethics. I.

K

Thank my fellow counselors who sit on the.

K

Governance committee who've really led this charge: councilor taber and council lombardi.

K

And the legal department who worked very hard to respond to our questions and concerns.

K

We've had long discussions with people who've participated in the process. We've tried to get.

K

The best possible advice that we could get around the current ethics ordinance and potential changes.

K

And you see you'll see in your packet a revised ordinance, a clean copy and you'll see the red.

K

Version also in your packet, which is quite extensive, the detail on changes is quite extensive.

K

So what I'm asking is that at our next council meeting that we start to consider.

K

These changes to the ethics ordinance, so I'm asking for first reading and these.

K

Are the recommendations that were passed by the governance committee at our meeting last monday.

A

So this is seconded counselor, ombardi and then councilor bagwe.

A

Yeah, I would just um reiterate the the amount of input we had was a lot. We had.

Q

A number of people on past counselors, as well as residents, come and talk about the.

Q

The ordinance and then we also had past mayors for a meeting, and they weighed in on it too.

Q

uh It was all very, very good input and um we we really struggled over some of the the parts.

Q

Of it and have to really complement the legal counsel of both suzanne and bob on on this, so.

Q

It was, it was, uh I think, it's a good product at this point. Cancer bagley.

C

So, uh thank you aaron. I just want to make some general comments about the government committee.

C

And not, maybe necessarily just this uh ordinance, um you can watch all of the meetings on youtube.

C

And and they're great and there's a lot of detail because I know there's been some concern in the.

C

Public that they're difficult to attend times, but the reality is when you schedule a meeting, there's.

C

No time that works forever, everyone, some people have young children. Some people work second shift.

C

But what you can do is you can watch the movies on youtube. They're all posted there.

C

And then, if you have feedback, you don't necessarily need to give it in the meeting.

C

I think this ethics ordinance took four or five meetings, if I'm not mistaken, so there's plenty.

C

Of time to go to the city website and if you go to the city council thing, you can send us.

C

An email or you can send one counselor an email with your suggestions or comments, so I I think.

C

This government committee has been doing great work and if somebody feels that it's difficult to.

C

Attend the meetings, I don't think things move so fast or so quickly.

C

That you couldn't give your feedback. You know a day or two later after watching the the youtube.

C

Video but I think, they're doing excellent work and I applaud what you've done so far.

A

Counselor taber yeah just to amplify some of those points, um the in the process of redoing.

F

The ethics ordinance, we really did listen to all the participants in the last ethics process and.

F

There's more due process now, and I think that makes it a stronger ethics ordinance.

F

In other words, there's additional steps if somebody is accused that they can.

F

Present their evidence and appeal, and we have an investigator an investigative stage which is.

F

Kind of new and novel, but I think it answers some of the concerns that.

F

People who've been through our ethics process, raised.

F

It in the old process, it's the on the burden, is on the person making the complaint to build.

F

The whole case and there's no objective third party fact finding. So this idea came out and.

F

I think it's great to put it into the public hearing process, so we can hear what the public.

F

Thinks I mean the real purpose of an ethics ordinance is to if there is concern about.

F

Anyone in our committees or in the council or elected officials acting in self-interest.

F

That there's a process to examine that, and that's just important for trust in in our government.

F

I'm I think we we did the the best humans can do. It can never be perfect, but I think.

F

It's better than what we had, so I look forward to hearing what everybody has to say in the public.

A

Councillor denton and council murrow quick comment. I guess two one is I like.

P

The majority of the changes- and they comment simply there's actually enabling legislation.

P

Out there, which, if adopted, will require anyone who's found of violating the ethics of just.

P

Being removed from the council, so it eliminates the council's judgment whether it's going to be.

P

A admonishment or placed on file, so I'm just putting that out there for food for thought.

A

Councilman um I just would like to say I really appreciate all the work that you guys have put.

E

Into this, I think that we heard many times during the campaign how much we really needed to take a.

E

Look at the ethics ordinance and and put together something that would work and.

E

From being part of writing many ordinance on the land, you side, you.

E

You don't always get it right, the first time or the second time, but just knowing that we.

E

Can start with some changes and see how they work and then keep evaluating from there. I.

E

Always think is an important way to look at every every ordinance that we have. Thank you.

A

Yes, thank you councillor cook, um for the work that you put into the the committee uh put into this.

A

um I think there's a a lot of good in here and there's a lot of good discussion topics, especially.

A

Some of the the larger departures of the ethics investigation officer. I think that the public is a.

A

Good stress test to figure out what we've missed. I'd, never underestimate that there's something.

A

Always missed, uh regardless of how well-intentioned it is, so that we.

A

Have ample opportunity to review and hear these changes and gets bob's opinion about all this in.

A

Public is a positive thing for the city, so thank you councillor, cook, with that. I will all in favor.

A

Any opposed all right next up approval of grants and donations. First, we have the acceptance of.

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Donation from alex chokwit for the portsmouth police honor guard a five thousand sample motion.

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Move to approve and accept the donation for the police, honor guard as presented.

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Second, any discussion.

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So um there was we've had discussion in the past on police donations. In particular. I believe that.

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The city manager is working on a a formal rule or regulation, but in the meantime we are.

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Stressing uh or the the goal is to have both transparency on who the donation is from and.

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What the donation is for, um certainly one want to keep up the ability of the police honor guard to.

A

Receive this money, but I think more work is still done. Is there anything else? That's correct. We.

G

Plan to bring forward what we are crafting as a donation form so that we can articulate what it.

G

Is that various entities receive and to your point, who are the recipients of that donation? But these.

G

Three in particular seem to be very clear and um easy to bring forward to you for consideration.

A

All in favor aye any of any opposed nope um next is acceptance. A donation from deidre.

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uh Forte to the cemeteries of five dollar sample motion move to approve and accept.

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The donation is presented so moved. Second, all in favor, aye aye. Any opposed. uh Third is the.

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Acceptance of donation from stephen t pesci to the portsmouth 400th of forty dollars, sample.

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Motion move to approve and accept the donation is presented so moved. Second, all in favor, aye, aye.

A

And then we have an informational item from the city manager. We do we have the one informational.

G

Item from the cemetery committee regarding the fabulous results of their recent headstone.

G

Cleaning project for those of you who have the ability to see it in your packet, it is pretty.

G

Transformational to see what kind of work could happen in just two hours, and so I know that the.

G

Group looks forward to more projects like this. It's interesting that at the memorial day, parade.

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The commander of the uss cheyenne mentioned to sue steri. The cemetery committee chair that the.

G

Men and women on the ship have volunteer hours that they need to fulfill and they would love to.

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Participate in something like this, so um we will be. I think, we'll speak for that committee when we.

G

Will certainly take them up on that uh offer and there will be other such projects moving forward.

G

Thank you. Yes, they, uh the the crew of the uss cheyenne, are uh are stationed at the shipyard.

A

And we, even though the supreme court thinks otherwise, uh we have been deemed the host city.

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uh For uh the uss cheyenne so we're lucky um to uh to be that host city and grateful for.

A

The work that they will do um any miscellaneous business, including business remaining unfinished.

A

Previously, oh wow, a lot of hands. Did you ever know a non-public to go back to after this.

E

Counselor, uh thank you honor. I just want to remind everyone. The public we're having a big fundraiser.

P

This thursday uh june 9th at the 3s sr space from 6 to 10.. um This is the flip, the switch this is to.

P

Fundraise the light lighting for the skate park, um there's been a lot of effort. There's a lot of.

P

Skate uh decks that have been painted painted by local portraits high school students, some other.

P

Businesses in town, like ben's, auto body- and I mean some of these decks- are real pieces of art, um so.

P

There'll be there'll, be a silent auction going on throughout the night, there'll be a live auction.

P

um You're closer to the end of the night, there'll also be raffle prizes as well.

P

It's a ten dollar entry for your suggested donation for anyone over eighteen.

P

And it's free admission for anyone under eighteen, um there's gonna be a band there'll, be.

P

Cocktails available and everything, but it should be a really fun evening uh for a great cause.

P

And I encourage everyone to attend council baylor, councilor embardi. I I just have a question.

Q

What became of the committee for the arts for donations of art um and we had a, we had a donation.

Q

Of a um something a few few meetings ago, and then it brought up a discussion of.

Q

We need a review of public art and um has anything happened with that? Take a step at that there was.

Q

A there was an offer for um essentially public art in the form of a monument to the 400th right.

G

And similar to the way in which we dealt with two, uh the the last two donations of public art.

G

um The sculpture, that's in paul mckickern park and there's a watercolor hanging in city hall.

G

Sean clancy is taking up the the mantle from nancy karma and working through um the ad hoc process, so.

G

Okay, we will bring it back through that um through that channel, if you will and that may spark.

G

A conversation on of a more permanent process for the the re receipt of public art. Thank you.

C

Councillor bagley uh council blaylock stole my thunder. I was just gonna tell everybody to be.

C

There, thursday night, oh wow, all right, please you just said thursday. He said wednesday, which day.

E

And thursday, um congratulations to the boys track and field for their state. Title we'll be welcoming.

A

Them in on the 21st and good luck to all of the teams uh competing both baseball and lacrosse.

A

And everyone else wish you luck on your upcoming events with that, if there's no other.

A

We will adjourn this meeting back into the non-public. We move to adjourn to non-public.

F

Parliamentary inquiry: do you have to go to the non-public? The answer is yes, but.

F

Well, um don't we need to state the purpose, your honor, I think that counselor table was.

E

Very alert to have picked this point up, because the reason for this extended non-public session.

E

Didn't occur until today in the morning it didn't appear on the agenda.

E

um So I would like to announce that the reason for the extended uh non-public session is.

E

Deal with items um in litigation um for which to see legal department received information.

E

This morning, that needs to be discussed with the city council.

A

Good job cancer table, so is there a second second all right, all in favor, aye, good night portsmouth.