City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Mayor's Blue Ribbon COVID Response Task Force Committee, 23 Aug 2022

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From YouTube: 8.23.2022 COVID Response Task Force

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8.23.2022 COVID Response Task Force

A

Director of haven, the domestic violence and sexual assault agency.

B

I'm abby frank: I'm speech language pathologist at little harbor school.

C

Whitney brown manager of safe harbor recovery center.

D

Nancy braun, it's brown whitney hi rick whitney. Let's see, I am a retired teacher.

D

And I'm involved in a lot of things in portsmouth, I talked to 30 people since.

D

The last time I was here about this issue, I'll share it with you. It's incredible.

E

Janet lotch, ceo of greater sagos community health, I'm laurie macintosh and I'm the chair.

F

Of our place, which is an organization um which is going to be building housing for adults with.

F

Developmental disabilities, waltz executive director of leadership seacoast karen conard.

G

City manager, I serve in x, official capacity, I do not vote and I provide city resources and.

G

May be avail as may be needed. Molly wilson, I'm a pediatric occupational, therapist.

H

Great next week are going to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

A

Is there a motion to approve the minutes.

C

Motion to approve is there a second motion. Second approve the minutes.

A

All in favor aye.

A

Great, so um the issue came up about subcommittees and committees, and so we.

A

Are having robert sullivan, the city attorney here, to talk to us a little bit more about that? Welcome.

I

Hi robert sullivan city attorney I'm here because the city manager told me to be here.

I

And uh let me just kind of give the you know the big picture right to my law thing so.

I

New hampshire, rsa 91a, the so-called right to know law that I'm sure you've all heard about applies.

I

Very broadly across the city government, with regard to meetings and records.

I

Basically makes records for public documents and basically requires meetings to be held in public.

I

The the statute begins with this sort of memorable phrase.

I

Openness and the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society.

I

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the.

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Actions, discussions and records of all public bodies and their accountability to the people.

I

So, uh with that kind of opening charge um we are later on in the law instructed to resolve every.

I

Ambiguity in what I'm about to talk about in favor, of complying with this statute, making records and.

I

Proceedings open to the public, etc. So that's we know not on a level playing ground here. We're.

I

Supposed to interpret everything to make as much public access as we can to everything.

I

And we're pretty good about this, the city government's very good about this. I think.

I

And what it means for you is this: um in holding public meetings, public bodies.

I

And term is very broadly defined to include legislative bodies such as the city, council and.

I

Any committee subcommittee or subordinate body thereof or any advisory committee there too.

I

So it appears that the right general laws applies to you and so you're going.

I

To have to comply with the what I'm about to talk about in terms of public meetings.

I

I

I I did a lot of this. A person could quibble about some of these things. Like. Are you truly a.

I

Public party or you're truly advisory committee, but as I, as I said, our charge from the law is.

I

To interpret it to find that you are a public body if possible, and so we do so what this means.

I

In terms of having meetings is that you have several formalities that you have to observe.

I

You have to to have a meeting or first off, to do anything to make any decisions.

I

Or to even discuss the business for which you've been created, you have to have a meeting. You know.

I

In a meeting means you have to have assemble a quorum of your whole body, you have to be.

I

Physically present be on a quorum, people can attend by zoom, for example, but you have to have.

I

A quorum physically present at the meeting, and you have to precede that meeting with.

I

Published notice in in two public places, one of which could be the city's website or you just.

I

Post notices on this bulletin board out here in the public library, but that notice has to specify.

I

The time date location in the meeting and has to be up at least 24 hours ahead of the meeting.

I

So once you've got that kind of notice and you assemble.

I

uh A physical quorum of the committee, you now have a meeting and you can act.

I

In the meeting you have to keep minutes minutes uh do not have to be a transcript of what happened.

I

But they have to identify who was here uh what was discussed? What motions were made.

I

Who made the motion who seconded the motion and what the result of the vote was.

I

uh And then, when the meeting adjourns they should be, that should be reflected in the minutes as well.

I

There are exceedingly limited circumstances, probably not relevant to you, in which you.

I

Can by following another protocol I'll vote to go into a non-public session and exclude the public.

I

But accept that limited situation which it's hard for me to imagine how that might apply to you. You.

I

Have to allow the public into everything and they can film you they can record you.

I

They can take minutes. They are not, however, allowed to speak unless you determine to allow them.

I

At the end of the meetings, uh minutes have to be made available. I think it's within 72.

I

Hours it's pretty quickly and and and provide it to any member of the public who ask for that.

I

Any documents that you produce will be presumably public records.

I

Available to anybody who wants to see them simply for the asking they don't even have to tell you.

I

Their name, they don't have to have a reason. They just have to see them and they have a rake.

I

So that's that's the really quick rundown on right to no loss like the reader's digest version of it.

A

So how does that work with subcommittees in terms of quorums and because, when she told me.

I

To come here, the mayor she met, she told me, that's what we'd be talking about. I am ready for that.

I

And the advisory committee is a defined term under the law and here's. What advisory committee says.

I

Any committee council, commission or other like body whose primary.

I

Purposes is to consider an issue or issues designated by the appointing authority.

I

So as to provide such authority with advice or recommendations concerning the formulation of.

I

Any public policy or legislation that may be promoted, modified or opposed by such authority.

I

If you, if your group, creates a subcommittee you're, the appointing authority and the subcommittee is.

I

Now its own little public body and they have to the subcommittee- has to comply in its own.

I

Little sense, with the same rules that you have to follow in in that sort of the larger sense.

I

So if you designated three of you to consider whether a particular street should be closed,.

I

To traffic or something like that, that group of three is now its own separate public body, because.

I

Of what we've read and- and they have to follow the same rules that I said that you would have to.

I

Follow posting a notice, keeping the minutes etc so because subcommittees probably wouldn't be making.

A

Voting on anything, you don't need a quorum. It's just, however, many. No that's the same. It's the same.

I

Rules, if you, if your group appoints a subcommittee three quorum, is now two okay, so you would, if you.

I

Have two of that three get together? It's a meeting and in order to have a meeting, you've got to do.

I

All that other stuff that I said okay, can you speak to what the group should and should not do.

G

In email, yeah, that's important! That's a critical problem! These days, the statute says that any time.

I

That a quorum of the public body uh you'll, be in the public party.

I

Well versus says, you can only act in a meeting.

I

And and so you can't take any action at all um other than with a group physically present and.

I

A meeting occurs whether you're, physically present or not, for purposes of notice.

I

Anytime, that a quorum is engaged in communications of any kind, including electronic.

I

That the tests that I use is that are the functional equivalent of a meeting. So you.

I

You, if five, if eight of you, were engaging in more or less simultaneously email exchanges, so there's.

I

The functional equivalent of meeting you know you're, saying hey: what do you think about this and.

I

You're responding, I don't like it. That's a meeting and there's no way you can have a legal meeting.

I

Without a quorum physically present, so you're effectively prohibited from doing that and and and.

I

In as an aside as well, all of your emails in this regard become public records.

E

So you just should be an email with a quorum. You shouldn't email right, so email should be.

A

More for disseminating the minutes and the agenda, and one way they should go one way.

I

The females go one way then they're, not the functional equivalent of a meeting.

I

But if they go two ways they are yeah, so so what's the one way, let's summarize, what's the one way in.

G

One direction from the co-chairs or from tonight yeah right. You never reply all right and you.

C

Don't even reply at all so to confirm. We cannot ascertain whether or not there'll be a quorum.

C

Before the meeting or email um yeah, what we can do administratively bob correct me if I'm wrong, it's.

G

Jessica or I don't know who put the last agenda out, was it jessica jessica? Yes, um she will say if.

G

If you are rsvp to me right, so people can respond administratively to her, not reply off. Okay, um okay,.

C

Reply, not all you know, individual communication with an administrator. It is somebody working for.

I

Karen or karen herself is not a problem, individual communication with her and then are our notes.

C

Subject to uh these right to know, as are they records considered records, are personal notes. Your.

I

Personal notes are not okay, unless they are shared with the other members of the group yeah. Thank you.

G

Aren't you glad you you joined once you get used to it? It comes somewhat.

G

Second, nature sounds like we need to minimize the subcommittees. Yeah right, this stuff is.

I

Kind of complicated: well, you know we live in this world all day long, every day, too,.

A

Are there any other questions about.

J

Robert, I think, that's all all that I want to know.

G

If this group has questions, I can take them back to bob and bring them.

G

Sure I'll be right upstairs anyway, so just call me I'll come back thanks great. Thank you. Thanks bob.

A

All right next, we're gonna hear from sean clancy assistant city manager, for economic development.

A

Says he's tentative but he's here.

K

Hi everyone welcome sean clancy. uh I've been here with the city for five months.

K

So you probably all know my predecessor, nancy carmer, the irreplaceable nancy karma.

K

So will ask me to come uh and talk to the group and, first of all I appreciate the opportunities.

K

Kind of let you know what what's going on from an economic development standpoint and I'll.

K

Just kind of give you my thoughts and and take any questions um I have been working.

K

With nancy and and others in economic development, in my role at great bay community college, which.

K

Was workforce development and I think you guys all know it's all pretty related so.

K

The opportunity to come in here and kind of understand the language.

K

I had to learn a lot about public meetings. I support the economic development commission.

K

And I also am the liaison for the arts and non-profit committee, so I learned all those.

K

Things that you just heard about from bob- and uh yes I remind my members, don't reply all when I.

K

When I send the email out, um but just to let you know uh so, my focus really is. My observation was.

K

In the last couple of years, nancy did a great job of really helping business and industry.

K

And organizations stay alive and understand where funding was and where resources were.

K

My challenge is now to understand kind of what's next from an economic development standpoint.

K

uh And very clearly, I need to protect our diverse and vibrant economy. That's uh rule number one so.

K

You know we have known challenges such as housing costs and a workforce shortage. High energy costs.

K

We're about to launch a business retention and expansion survey.

K

We uh city of portsmouth the economic development commission in late september, to understand, what's.

K

Going on with the business community, but in addition to you know, hospitality and retail and.

K

Health care and manufacturing, um I do consider the non-profit sector to be integral to our economy. I.

K

Mean you all know it you're you're in it. So, in addition to all those businesses, I talked about.

K

I believe we have these tremendous assets, whether it's our social infrastructure, our arts,.

K

And culture nonprofit our business and industry and that's really what we have to offer. So my.

K

My goal is to promote that and again protect what has been built and and be a facilitator.

K

Within city hall, from an economic development standpoint to find resources for any organization.

K

That wants to grow and expand and build or change, maybe there's transformation.

K

In people's future, so will nonprofits be a part of that business retention survey.

A

That's a good question. I will find out um what I the way it works and we the last one we did.

K

Was in 2016 or 17 uh is request. The list of businesses from the secretary of state.

K

I'll just double check if, if nonprofits are listed on that, so I will make a note. I think, if I can add.

G

To what shawn provides by way of introduction for all the things that we have been doing and and to.

G

Say that sean is filling some big shoes as an understatement. It's also an opportunity to re.

G

Reset and and look at what we need to add to the picture that we might have thought was complete.

G

Heretofore, but um are we including all the right constituencies in this conversation and sean's, got.

G

An interesting background in not only the private sector but education and workforce development, so.

G

We want to make sure that we are covering all bases, and it was good that will. I think it.

G

Was will has suggested you come to speak here right so for all the things we we don't know.

G

That help round out the economic development picture for the city and the region, it would.

G

Be good for you all to help, inform sean and vice versa. Sean can can share updates with the.

G

Group that might be relevant so as an example. The other thing that's happening in the arts.

K

And, and a non-profit, commission or committee is the afta survey america's for the arts, which is.

K

Which happens every six years? And I guess it was back in 2017. The economic impact of arts and and.

K

Non-Profit cultural organizations was 58 million dollars to our local economy, so we'll have to.

K

See what it comes in it'll be closer to the end of this. Our next calendar year, we'll get those.

K

Results, but that's just another way to look at, in my opinion, the integrated economy that.

K

We do have here and more to come, because things have obviously changed in the last couple years.

E

And how did you get that figure, I'm sorry! How do you get that figure uh that that was pretty so.

K

America's for the arts, after that's a national organization- and they said they.

K

Provide um municipalities and locations with with that survey there there's a report up in my office.

K

But that's the number we use, I'm just wondering if it includes direct, indirect and induced spending.

E

Because that's how we look at it, my understanding is: it's everything: exclusive of the ticket price.

K

For the event, so it's hotel restaurant any other, so that would be incredible outside of the ticket.

K

Price yeah, so that's pretty significant. The group would find it interesting. You.

G

Could send it to me and I would just get, but you could push it out. One way to everybody.

K

I would find that interesting sure, there's you know we have other things right. We have things.

K

Like the shipyard- and they do us, they do an assessment of their impact on the economy. So.

K

Again, we're really fortunate in terms of diversity in our economy, we're not just we hold into one.

K

Industry, if you will um so there's, there's a lot to understand and I think recalibrate.

K

Kind of going forward like, like you all, are um in a couple minutes we're going to talk about.

A

The charge of this committee, what is the charge of the nonprofit and arts committee.

K

um That is a really good question. I'm just trying to see how we work to you know we're.

G

Doing something um I don't know that we could recite it if I could scramble and talk and look.

G

At my phone at the same time I could I could do that, but it was set up as a blue ribbon in the.

G

Same way, this was to address, needs, brought about and highlighted in the pandemic, in the sense that.

G

The groups would not be competing for the same limited amount of resources.

G

But working together to to figure out how best to share those or collaborate on on on.

G

Effort one one deliver bullet that I think they've been charged with is delivering a cultural plan.

K

Right, the last one was completed in 20 years ago, 20 to 21 years ago. So it's time for that to be.

K

Refreshed yeah right and I'm I'm learning about these things, but.

J

I've pulled it up, did you? The blue ribbon committee on arts and nonprofits was created.

J

On january 11 2021 to respond to the needs of arts and culture non-profits during the.

J

Reopening and recovery phases ahead, so I think that right there is a critical.

J

Piece: it's not really the arts and nonprofits committee. It's only non-profits that are in the.

J

Arts and culture sector- that's right: okay, wondering why I was not invited to that.

K

Good decision, okay, so that makes sense. So all of the work that's being done on that committee.

J

Is focused just on the arts and culture community, of which there are profits and non-profit correct.

J

Correct right right, correct! Okay! Thanks! So when you say shipyard, are you um I'm just from what.

D

I've heard from people that what there's an issue with the shipyard in terms of um families.

D

Or children not being able to go to the school there and stuff. Is that an issue that I just read.

K

This morning that so they changed some something changed with the the way they provide benefits.

K

To to enlisted families, so those who are going to have to leave that can no longer use those.

D

Resources in terms of child care and stuff right, and what I just read this morning briefly, was that.

K

The town of kittery opened child services, maybe earlier preschool to support those okay. Those.

K

Families: okay: I understand that there are also some families that live here. So I'm wondering if.

D

That would include them who are not going to have be able to have their children participate. There.

G

And not to put abby on the spot, but this would be a great example of where, if the school department.

G

Has had a conversation with the shipyard to know how many families that might be in in the city.

G

Are being impacted, but I don't know if it makes sense for abby for you to carry water for the.

G

Administration or yeah, and I could find out you know that piece. I know that I mean child care is.

B

A huge issue, obviously I mean we go with this and then workforce, because people can't work.

B

After school before school, so I mean it all- is part of this for sure, but finding out that.

B

Direct impact, too, is that daycare closing or yeah I don't know do you know what's happening.

D

They don't have room there's so many I mean I don't know what all the specifics are. I just.

D

Know there are some families who live here. Who are that's one of their issues? Okay, you know.

A

Any other questions for sean.

G

You might be asked back, that's not a question, I bet that's a statement.

G

I'm available, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

A

So I'm a good co-chair and don't have the official charge of this committee in front of me.

G

Maybe we can put it on the board.

G

That assumes I can find it and put it on the board. Bear with me a second.

G

Okay, would it be helpful if I read it? That would be great. Thank you. The coveted response task.

G

Force blue ribbon committee is for six months to evaluate challenges and identify low-cost.

G

High-Impact recovery solutions that use opera monies, the task force will be composed of citizens.

G

Of portsmouth, non-profit representatives and the city manager is an ex-officio member who can.

G

Incorporate city staff and resources, the initial objective of the task force would be to meet.

G

Discuss and survey the needs of the community and incorporate their findings into a recovery plan.

G

The task force will be fashioned. She's had input, we'll fashion that input from residents. Oh boy.

G

Citizen the task force will be fashioned that input from residents is well defined.

G

And simple: to do with public meetings in various locations and times throughout the city.

G

There would also be a dedicated web page on the city website that outlines the.

G

Proceedings and has a contact button for residents to make recommendations.

G

And suggestions the task force will allow the city of portsmouth to build a strong resilient.

G

And equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.

A

So low-cost high-impact recovery solutions, recovery that can utilize arpa money.

G

If I can jump in here and remind the group for those who didn't watch a meeting before.

G

There there is approximately 5.4 million of the 12.88 million that the city has received and.

G

um As you can imagine there are, so I wonder if you could just talk just a little bit slower. I.

D

Just hear what you're saying the third you know statement sorry, I talked fast, I'm sure.

D

You you know you need to do that with everyone you're working with, so we have. We received 12.88.

G

Million dollars in our funding, we have committed or obligated all but 5.4 million of that money.

G

And as you can all imagine and appreciate, there are 17 different ways. We could spend the rest.

G

Of that money, so the group here is charged with identifying needs from the community that the city.

G

um Needs educating on that that we need your expertise on that. We that we don't know.

G

And we know that you know, and I think if if counselor bagley were here, he would give some.

G

Version of that and to that end there will be a work session for the whole community to weigh in.

G

And hear from both staff and city council about the future and the thought process beyond behind.

G

The spending of that or the obligating of that remaining opera money on monday september 12th.

G

At 6 pm, I believe it's here at city hall and here yeah in the council chamber, it's seven six pm.

G

Six, oh six p.m. Yeah work sessions start a little earlier and when is when is that when's election.

G

Day the 13th, the 19th the next day right, okay, typically, we try to hold these on mondays because.

G

Counselors tend to hold mondays for these type of meetings, six o'clock, and um if you cannot be there.

G

In person you are welcome to join by zoom, you can watch, you can participate by zoom. Just like you.

G

Can live and in person so that will be where the council hears from staff. The magnitude of.

G

Potential asks and uses for the funding. It will be a perfect update, a perfect time for this group to.

G

Provide an update on it, progress that we have made as a group and asks that we anticipate.

G

Making, if we're not ready to make one at this time, the council to my understanding is not looking to.

G

Make decisions in the immediate term they want to understand the depth and breadth of of what.

G

Are the needs out there and how do we best try to accommodate this is in in well in advance of the.

G

Fiscal year, 2024 budget planning process too. So as the city gears up for that, how do we reconcile.

G

The asks outside of that process, so it is not the first, it's not the only or first bite at the apple.

G

It's an opportunity for the city to present what we know and for groups and individuals to weigh.

G

In so no decisions will be made that night either. I should be clear about that. It's a work session.

G

It's designed for give and taken and public input. So when you say a work session is because I'm not.

B

Familiar with it, so is it literally just giving ideas, as our group as individuals as like, can.

B

Residents and other people as well, the group could speak. Someone could speak on behalf of the group.

G

Individual residents can speak, the council sits more informally, they come off the dice, they sit at.

G

Work tables, if you will hear a brief presentation and then start to talk about how it is they want.

G

To move forward, they always incorporate public comment. Okay and uh the mayor would balance how.

G

All that time works out in about a two-hour section of time give or take so of the 12 million.

D

You're saying seven million what the other five million will be used for I mean you're, you sort of.

G

Right, 5.4 million is available to be obligated and expended, and a reminder to the group that.

G

We have until the calendar year end of 2024 to obligate. That's this group. No, no, no! The whole.

G

City, everybody who has any use for the money. What I think the council bagley's intent was.

G

And and please don't, let me be, the only person talking here is to identify that the group, the.

G

Goal of this group would be to identify the the low-cost high-impact recovery solutions um that.

G

Could use arpa funding to be made to to to to take place and to happen but nancy to your point, there.

G

Are there are lots of competing interest for that 5.4 million okay? So where does the other money go.

G

The the other 7.4 has been obligated through previous budget conversations and.

G

A whole bunch of different projects: okay at the city level, and um how does that? How was that.

D

Decision um how did that come about that? 5.4 would be for the community at large, so to speak. It's the.

G

It's the remaining balance of what we received in total up front, which was 12.88 so we've had a.

G

Series of it's either three or four, and I'm sorry, I don't have my arp of paperwork on me. Three or.

G

Four budget meetings, at which we said it would be prudent to spend our money here instead of.

G

uh Using taxpayer funds, and so by process of elimination, we are at the remaining balance.

G

Of 5.4 million, okay, so the 12.88 can we have a record of what that was spent on so that we know.

F

Yeah absolutely got their needs met and what you know what I mean I will certainly share with you.

G

The way the the breakdown of the 12.88, okay I'll, make sure it's with the next packet. I think it's.

B

On the website too, it should be. I think I looked it up yeah and it's line item. I was wondering also.

J

What other committees organizations are also vying for that slice of the pie.

J

That we're also looking at to see where there might be opportunities to either.

J

Identify spaces of collaboration for us and for other groups or places where we can say.

J

We don't need to get involved. These folks have got it, but this group over here needs some help.

E

So if we can look at and maybe that's the opportunity at the work session, I'm almost looking.

J

At that, like an opportunity for information gathering for us right who else out there.

G

Who else is right buying for this and voicing a need uh kim mcnamara when she came to speak to us.

G

Talked about how the 65 000, that was committed from the big amount to commission the public.

G

uh Health needs assessment that will help inform this group of where holes might be and where.

G

Where folks could potentially work together, so that's one subset. Another subset would be the.

G

Arts and um nonprofits task force. They came out and asked the last council and have reiterated.

G

That ask to this council for four percent of the total amount, which would be 480 thousand dollars.

G

To go towards support of the arts and culture world, so that ask is on the table.

G

Along with lots of other asks- and there will be certainly- some city asks forthcoming, additional.

G

Capital improvements that, if we didn't use opera, we would use uh taxpayer funding or.

G

Our bond resources, things like that, I don't mean to hug the whole conversation, but your question.

G

Is well taken who are the? Who are the folks vying for this who's going to be at that or who else is.

J

Going to be at that work session great question we're going to advertise the heck out of it.

G

And let people know that we need to hear. I think the council is very intent on understanding who.

G

Who is interested and in need of resources that our money could be used for? Is there going to be.

C

Like a um publication of the existing proposals that were submitted to kim in the city for the.

C

Arba funds, they weren't really submitted to kim kim's compiling data that helps understand the.

G

Profile or make up the profile, the list we have today is really internal okay. So the idea is there.

G

There's got to be more interested entities than just us, and the council is certainly intent on.

G

Learning the the gamut of potential asks and then through which we have to put that through the.

G

Eligibility lens and the equivalent lens, okay and that's that's their challenge. So it's a good point.

G

To stop and think the city can make recommend the city staff can make recommendations to council.

G

But they're are the policy-making body, so, at the end of the day we we, as staff, implement.

G

Their decisions, so they will be the ones who really make the make the determination of.

G

Where the money should be spent, our job is to keep um keep us all in check. With with an.

G

Audit or with the federal government and to make sure that what is taking place is is, is copacetic.

A

Okay, so when, when I heard the charge I mean, I think what we really want to remember and focus.

A

On is the low-cost high-impact recovery solutions that we're trying to come up with, but also that.

A

Our job is really to figure out what are those needs of the community which we've started to do.

A

By the information gathering of the people that have presented in the last couple of meetings.

A

I agree with you lori that that meeting could be future information gathering. um I know we're.

A

Going to talk about meeting dates, but our next meeting isn't until the day after that meeting.

A

So we might want to talk about that as well.

A

So I guess my question now: we've heard from the people that we wanted to hear.

A

From we talked a little bit last time about, it might be time to like to start.

A

Diving in and talking about, these community needs, so the next thing is to do that. Let's.

A

Jump in and talk about and again with the lens of you know what are those.

A

Overarching community needs that are impacting the entire community um and not just perhaps.

A

The lens that um I have with my organization or other people have as individuals here so I make.

J

A recommendation absolutely um just to keep it orderly and efficient if we give each person at.

J

The table like two minutes to list off and as we go around the room, we're probably going to find.

J

That we're duplicating each other. I think that's great, so I don't need to start. But yes, you do.

F

No, I would like to listen and then chime in where I think maybe would somebody like to start.

L

I can start thank you. um I think two two issues pop up for me not just for.

L

Chasing myself for the city, one is public transportation. That's a massive issue. I mean.

L

Chase home was pretty close to downtown, but we still struggle to find transportation for the.

L

The clients and families and kids that we work with um that's affordable, didn't they just get.

E

Seven million dollars they did yeah. Okay, that was to build a new facility right yeah, oh yeah, that's.

G

Too bad there's nothing more in terms of long-term, it's probably good, but short german yeah, probably.

L

I'm just thinking like they'd be great to have more roots or more buses with with oh. This is a.

G

Good time to remind people if you're speaking, grab the mic and have it very close to you, because it's.

G

Hard to hear on the production that is kevin, the producer, oh okay, he's beyond closed doors.

L

Okay, um so that was one public transit um and the other is um because I think we all.

L

Experience it as just a workforce shortage and how to address it, because I think it's beyond.

L

Giving people a higher wage there's other things going on in order for us to retain staff.

D

Right that was your second one: workforce shortage yeah, and would you what did you.

D

Say how would that what would be done to well, I think, well, one one way is to increase wages.

L

So be you know, making sure someone gets a hourly rate, that's comparable to the work they're doing.

L

um But then there's other ways of like you know, training and other ways to retain.

L

That doesn't necessarily mean you've got to increase their wages too, or do it together.

L

But I think there's a lot of issues going on with the workforce shortage. So it's beyond.

L

Giving a higher wage right in new hampshire's at what 7.25.

E

And I'm sure massachusetts is probably much higher than we are.

F

Workforce housing is a major issue. Yeah, it's huge too.

A

Someone else want to chime in just go around.

A

Perfect um so I agree, transportation was at the top of my lift list, particularly as where.

A

There's the challenges of even getting lift or ubers for clients that need them.

A

Workforce definitely, I would also add the mental health challenges.

A

That kind of go across the board in terms of lack of access to mental health services and supports.

A

As well as the impact that um the pandemic and other things are continuing to have on everybody,.

B

I'll go next, then, um so I think for I'm just thinking for me in particular, a lot to do with.

B

Child care, which I think, does impact workforce as well, because I hear from a lot of parents and.

B

Families that they don't have anywhere for their their children to go after school or before school.

B

And at 2 45, when your kids get out that's pretty early in the afternoon and then I think looking.

B

At covid and what it did to a lot of students that we work with really trying to get them back.

B

Up to speed um with academics so providing some of that tutoring I mean food is another issue, so food.

B

Insecurity and we had free lunch and breakfast that's gone now, so those kiddos that um had it.

B

That I mean they can still qualify, free and reduce lunch, but that doesn't mean if you haven't filled.

B

The paperwork, then you, you know you don't get that so you know I mean I have this. You know I.

B

There's so many pieces, but providing students with that kind of after-school care, also, mental health.

B

Giving him social emotional experiences with trusted adults, mental health providers, experiences.

B

um With educators, somehow transportation, though, is another issue, because I know you know rec programs.

B

Todd henley, you know, let's do all these things and partner. Well, we can't get kids places because.

B

I know from putting on kids at the bus they're late. We don't have them they're, combining kids.

B

On buses that shouldn't be combined, so it is a huge issue. So if there's some kind of incentive.

B

For transportation we could give in the short term and in the long term I know that's a huge issue.

C

um So going off of the transportation issue, just more specifically branching out to greenland.

C

Providing earlier earlier stops before 8 a.m in dover, that would help increase the.

C

Workforce, the unhoused- it is a major issue in the area and the city hasn't assessed. This.

C

There we have to date nothing to assess the actual extent and breadth of the in-house.

C

Issue- and we have a population here and we see them at safe, harbor and the need is accessible.

C

Housing and in the meantime, a consistent, accessible and staffed warming, shelter.

C

Last year, their um you know, tammy and her husband run operation. Blessing ran into major.

C

Shortages had to close at 27 degrees, because her and her husband were just too tired and.

C

Couldn't staff it 24 hours so coming up with the staffing solutions there making sure she can run.

C

Maybe opening a second warming shelter, that's critical, especially in in order to.

C

Well, since there's long waiting lists at the shelters and only one shelter in the city.

C

Perhaps we can, I don't know if this is beyond our scope, but if landlords were.

C

Able to accept vouchers in the area somehow either offering education into the benefits.

C

Or offering tax incentives, somehow that would solve a huge. In my mind, workforce shortage just.

C

In the ability to allow all these vouchers to actually be used and in the area and then that's.

C

Releasing a whole untapped part of the workforce, that's just struggling in housing, stability.

C

And lack of interim mental health solutions right.

C

And maybe there's a way to staff two to three providers on our local mental health crisis lines.

C

Something in order to bridge the gap for the two to three month. Wait.

C

For our local community health center and then to my knowledge, there's a problem in a getting the.

C

Kids to the aftercare in greenland, greenland ymca is the spillover for the seacoast.

C

And I don't think at the moment they have a bus to take the kids from the elementary.

C

School to greenland, so that's going to cause a problem. I love the local elementary schools in.

J

Portsmouth can't get to greenland correct, okay, yeah, that's correct and let me touch upon what.

G

Whitney mentioned um no, it was whitney, was abby that todd hundley is our recreation director.

G

And we now have lots of space for programming at the community campus, but the challenge is.

G

um Real for the school department, they can't find enough busing just for their primary.

F

Functions, let alone an after-school program, that's four miles down the street, so yeah, because I know.

B

Last year there were days of the week that I put I happen to book kindergarteners on the bus.

B

As part of my job- and um we would be literally putting like the p through and if p three and.

B

P two: they should be separate on one bus because we didn't have the other bus, and so I don't know.

B

How long it means the kids are on the bus, but that doesn't seem right. A really good school bus driver.

H

Shortage, yes, yes, my kids ride those bus and they had three to a seat. Some days they just come back.

B

And they were so late an hour yeah. You know little kids on the bus for a long time in the heat and.

H

Yeah school year it was every day and parents didn't get a notification like they just don't.

H

We got like a note on parent square like oh just so you know if your kid is on p5 they're.

H

Going to ride home with p8, but you don't know how long that's going to be so all the parents.

H

Are standing at the bus stop throughout the city like for an hour right I mean even us loading the.

B

Kids, it's like we're standing there, where's p2, oh no you're putting them on p10, oh okay! We are mike.

H

I've been on the wrong bus a couple of days, yeah, it's so important. It's an immediate problem.

C

Thank you. Can I pause for one second and just ask a question to karen.

J

I remember at the first meeting I apologize. I wasn't here at the last one, but the first.

J

Meeting there was a conversation about arpa funds, as it relates to the school district right good.

G

Good point: um thank you for reminding me to bring that up. The school got their own arpa money, money.

G

And it comes with an acronym of esser elementary secondary school recovery, something yeah. That's.

K

Something right, I believe the total is about 3.9 million. I do not know how much of that.

G

Has been obligated or expended um that is a school conversation, so maybe future speakers we could get.

G

The superintendent or the assistant, superintendent or the appropriate person what they've received.

D

For this year for this coming year, that's what they've received in total through arpa.

G

Through the same process by which the city got the 12.88, the school department got their own trash of.

G

I believe it is 3.9 million. Oh okay, that's not part of the 12 million correct, okay, right and.

G

It would be the school board's purview to decide how to spend that funding. So if we couldn't get.

G

The superintendent or the assistant, maybe the business um manager, there's good options. There.

G

But you're right, um I think, that'll be a really important piece of information. As we begin carving.

J

Out, where who's putting money towards what right and what all of the monies are available right.

B

Because I do know there was a conversation last year with teachers from the school board about.

B

Needs and did the school board meet last night tonight, they're meeting sometime soon on tuesday.

G

So it could be tonight, okay, because I think there is some discussion about what esser money is going.

B

To be spent for so I wonder if that is today. Well, since I watched the city council meeting.

J

Last night I will watch the school board meeting tonight and see what I can after.

A

All right, so, let's continue going around in the interest of time. Nancy.

A

I'm just going to share what I gathered from speaking with a number of people in the community.

D

And um most people said making mental health. We already said this a priority, but.

D

Racial issues were mentioned with a number of people that I spoke with, who were.

D

A diverse group that um we need to be more open and respectful of diversity.

D

In our community and help how to do outreach to make that happen,.

D

Public education issues and I'll share, who some of that came with a couple incredible conversations.

D

With police officers that work at schools, um the parental needs um was an issue of how especially.

D

Single moms that were really totally out of sync with everything during this pandemic.

D

When this children would be in school part of the time and then they'd be home, part of the time.

D

And that was not only mentioned by a couple of parents I spoke with, but also.

D

um I spoke with tj porter, I don't know if any of you know who he is he's the school resource.

D

Officer at the middle school- and he was amazing, to hear him just open up and talk about what he's.

D

Experienced with the children and um what needs to be done- and I was thinking it might be interesting.

D

To invite him to come and speak here with us and share what he's um you know and and another.

D

Officer came by where we were talking, we were talk, we met at uh prescott park and talked outside.

D

Outside for quite a while, another officer came by and said, you're talking with tj he's the best.

D

Person to talk with in the community about what's going on with our children and families and stuff.

D

And um the parental needs um were obviously incredible, but the children, their frustrations.

D

Their anxieties, their hysteria that he just was said was overwhelming, and this is middle school.

D

Right and- um and I think I mentioned I volunteered at um in new franklin last.

D

The last four months of the school year just twice a week, um but it was not that I didn't.

D

Know that this was going on, I've mostly worked with high school students. My whole life, but it.

D

Was incredible to be with children who were so frustrated? And so um you know like the students.

D

That would just knock everything off the teacher's desk out of frustration and stuff, and it took me.

D

Working with them twice a week individually, two months before they finally connected with.

D

Me when I came in the room and nancy by the time, I am loving what you're saying, but in.

J

Light of time, oh yes, two minutes. We only have a few minutes left if you have anything outside.

J

Of what anybody else is saying, um extremist and gun violent issues was mentioned quite a bit too.

D

Thank you and let's see uh public education, many coveted symptoms, diversity expecting.

D

That that's it I mean you, we've mentioned the other ones that I listed, but the last.

D

One I wanted to mention was extremism and gun violence and fear that they have that we cannot.

D

Think that our community is totally perfect, that this couldn't happen in our community. You know and.

D

Anyway, that was okay, perfect. Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm sorry.

E

And I'm I'm going to skip, I think a lot of things were covered. I have a one o'clock.

E

Hard stop, I will send out if you want, I want to look at our service needs assessment from 2021.

A

20 20 21 it does the there are updated. You know, resources that you can click the links on.

E

We have to do it every two years, for is that your copy, yes I'll, send it out by email.

A

So laurie and laurie do you have anything new to add that hasn't been most of what affected.

F

The people with developmental disabilities um was the workforce shortage and transportation and all.

F

Those things basically, their lives fell apart and their parents had to keep them home. Even people.

F

Who had been living independently had to move home with their parents um so during covet? But that's.

F

Still, it's still a huge issue. Just um if this were to happen again, you know it'd be nice to.

F

Have it thought out ahead of time so that people would have coverage and the other thing that came.

F

To light was how many aged parents there are of people with developmental disabilities and there.

F

And everybody who thought they might die of cova during covet was terrified that their child would.

F

Be what they had no homes, so housing for adults with developmental disabilities has come to light.

F

As a major issue, great lori, I think the only item that has not been mentioned is substance. Misuse.

J

Abuse yeah: I can speak to that um so in my mind, this falls under and with mental health. So.

C

um It's very hard to discern. What's what, um but, of course, this is very distinct, medical condition.

C

um People's use went way up during covet. Our over overdose rate went up.

C

And people were not getting the treatment they needed, so they would come in and say we're ready.

C

And portsmouth hospital will not take detox um and we, the closest detox facilities in.

C

Manchester and there's often a very long wait, so um we are the people and, like us, rcos, you know.

C

Like sos, you know we are the continuing continuum of gap fillers. We are the first responders um to.

C

Individuals that are waiting for our services, so it's really important to continue supporting those.

C

Walk-In centers and community centers can I jump in with an update on from the school department.

G

Real quick um abby, you were right: the school board held part two of their retreat last night.

G

And the topic of esr was discussed, it was more about the process by which decisions will be made.

G

But they also talked about um possible investments in um things. Moving forward like moving the lister.

G

Academy to community campus, that kind of thing, so it sounds like they they they're just beginning.

G

The right the outreach process, karen, are we all set there's no one for public comment.

G

There's no one for public comment: okay, good, okay, good um good job.

A

So the last thing we want to talk about we've identified. Obviously we all have come up with.

A

Very similar needs, and so I think you know in terms of information gathering, I think that that.

A

Meeting on the 12th or 13th whatever it is, will be helpful to this group. um I think hearing from.

A

Someone regarding the school funding would also be helpful, but I think we have enough of and correct.

A

Me if I'm wrong, but I think we have enough of the people that have come to present information to.

A

Us so that we can really do more to dive right in and start coming up with some ideas around these.

A

High impact low cost can somebody take the last because I have to leave. I got it yeah. Thank you.

A

Thank you janet, um so our next meeting, though to do this, is scheduled for the day after on the 13th.

A

I want to check in and see if people would like to keep that or if we'd like to try to have a meeting.

D

That's it that's that election right. I think our next meeting isn't until the 19th. No, it's not. I.

G

Have it on the 13th? Oh, we talked about the 13th and the 27th well, and the 13th is also election.

A

Yeah they're really hurting for that's a major they're, really looking for.

D

Poll workers, you know, they're reaching almost each ward- needs people to work.

D

You know, if you know of anyone, who'd like to work that day I I am working that day.

D

So I mean I'm elected well, would it make sense to try to meet either the week before.

A

Yeah, um so that we could get in one more meeting prior to the meeting on the 12th.

A

I know it's the day after labor day, but tuesday, the 6th work, the tuesday. After what.

G

September 6th september, 6th okay would that work for folks yeah? Yes,.

H

I'm not sure that I can come just because it's the first day of school, oh.

A

Okay, school jobs but september 6. What time yeah the 13th is going to be tricky anyways.

H

Because the um there's no school in portsmouth right, there's no school yeah, so the 13th yeah.

H

Yeah, I think, noon again. Okay, I think I can do it. Stick with the same time on the side shall.

J

I ask jessica to get a quorum account. Yes, that would be great on the sixth okay got. It.

B

And kathy at that meeting, with the idea of b2 to kind of have something to present for the 12th.

B

Just I don't know I mean I think that that's what we want to figure out like or at least.

B

Our not our ideas, but our list of needs that we just kind of created, yeah right. It's like.

B

All the things it would be really effective. Sorry go ahead if we could take the time on the sixth.

J

To um like identify where the biggest priorities are and maybe list out, yep.

J

Either, what organizations are working in those areas of priority and what ideas we.

J

Might have around them even just sketch it out, so we could present that at the moment I think.

G

It would be ideal if one person spoke for the group and if, if, as many members of the group.

G

Could come and- and they could be recognized by the spokesperson of this group that would be.

G

A great the most efficient use of time- and I heard lori volunteer, so that's fantastic, so we could.

B

Figure that out we volunteered to do that. Don't look out! You're gonna. Have these sticky notes.

A

The other thing that's that I was realizing is how fast six months goes by.

A

And so I think it's in our best interest to get some of these meetings.

A

Scheduled where we're looking at the six now, would it make sense to go with the 20th as well.

G

We had the 13th and the 20th out there in in scheduling land.

G

Perhaps the 13th is a 13th is out. Is it out yeah because of there being no school and elections and.

D

Okay, so the sixth and what would be the second, the sixth and the twentieth.

D

Twentieth, okay and they're both tuesdays, correct, yeah; okay, all right.

A

So can we check on a quorum for both of those dates, karen yeah, and you want to stick with.

G

Every other tuesday and go october 4 and october 18th, while we're at it. That would be let's go for.

J

It and then yeah yeah, that's cool, it's better to get it on. Okay. Great, so I like your idea.

A

Lori too, about the next meeting and preparing for them. So hopefully we will have a quorum.

A

um Do we have a motion to adjourn, but I can't talk a joint. I can't say it, how do you say it? A joint.

J

I'll make a motion.

J

All in favor, oh, I need to write that down first moved. I just because I said I would take notes now: okay, 105.

J