1. At 6:00 p.m., an Anticipated "Non-Meeting" with Counsel was held regarding Coalition Communities.

2. Presentation – Assistant Mayor Noele Clews - Mayor Sirrell presented Assistant Mayor Clews with a chair in recognition for her service to the City as Assistant Mayor.

3. Presentation – Councilor William Wagner - Mayor Sirrell presented Councilor Wagner with a chair in recognition of his years of service to the City as a City Councilor.

4. Presentation – Retired Fire Chief Ricky Plummer – Mayor Sirrell presented a Proclamation and a chair to Retired Fire Chief Plummer in recognition of his years of service to the City of Portsmouth Fire Department.

5. Presentation – Elaine Hussey – Class of 1940 service in World War II – Elaine Hussey presented a book to Mayor Sirrell outlining the individuals from the Class of 1940 who served in World War II. Elaine advised the City Council that a copy of the book would be on file at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth Public Library and Mayor Sirrell’s office.

6. Volunteer Committee Report – Update on Issue of Wetlands Buffer Zone at Pease Tradeport – Eileen Foley and Peter Loughlin, Pease Development Authority Board of Directors – Eileen and Peter provided the City Council with an update regarding the Wetlands Buffer Zone at the Pease Tradeport. Peter advised the City Council that various areas of the Tradeport would be examine to come up with a recommended buffer zone.

7. Volunteer Committee Report – Joint Building Committee Report – William Wagner, City Councilor, and Kent LaPage, School Board Chairman Re: Team Design, Joint Building Committee Architect, will provide an update on plans for renovations to Portsmouth High School and New Franklin School – An update was provided by Councilor Wagner, School Board Chairman LaPage, School Business Administrator Torrey, Dan Bisson and Dan Bragg of Team Design. Team Design advised the City Council that renovations to the New Franklin School are scheduled to be completed by September 2002 and the renovations to the High School would be completed by September 2004.

8. Acceptance of Minutes – November 19, 2001 – Voted to accept and approve the minutes of the November 19, 2001 City Council meeting.

9. Public Comment Session – There were four speakers: Martin Cameron (PDA Brief); Peter Bresciano (Revaluation); Adolph Berounsky (Budget) and Joshua Cyr (Olympic Torch).

10. Public Hearing – To receive public input on the Final Report of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Culture – Held a Public Hearing. Voted to suspend the rules in order to take up Item XII C.1. – Action on Final Report of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Culture. On a unanimous roll call 9-0, voted to refer the final report of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Culture to the Planning Board to include the Cultural Plan in the City’s Master Plan. Voted to authorize the City Manager to work with Councilor Grasso on the implementation of the Cultural Plan following its adoption by the Planning Board with approval by the City Council.

11. Public Hearing – Ordinance amending Chapter 8, Article I, Section 8.130 – Scope, Signs included by amending 8.130 C – Removal Required – Held a Public Hearing. Voted to pass second reading of the amendment to Section 8.130 C, Temporary Sign Ordinance, as drafted, and establish a third and final reading at the December 17^th City Council meeting.

12. Approval of Grants/Donations – U.S. Department of Justice funding under the COPS MORE01 Program Grant to be used for the purchase of computer equipment – Voted to approve and accept the grant award to the Portsmouth Police Department as listed.

13. Approval of Grants/Donations – Acceptance of Donation from the Levine family Charitable Trust for the Seacoast Emergency Response Team – Voted to approve and accept the donation to the Portsmouth Police Department as listed.

14. Approval of Grants/Donations – Acceptance of Donation from Hoyle, Tanner & Associates for the Portsmouth Police Honor Guard – Voted to approve and accept the donation to the Portsmouth Police Department as listed.

15. Letter from Mark Rooney, Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, requesting permission to bring the Olympic Flame into the City on Friday, December 28, 2001 – Voted to refer to the City Manager with power.

16. Letter from Robert and Nackey Scagliotti requesting permanent use of a portion of a paper street right-of-way for Livermore Street – Voted to refer to the Planning Board for a report back.

17. Letter from Alanson Sturgis requesting that vehicles with prisoner of War or Purple Heart plates park free at meters – Voted to accept and place the letter on file. Councilor Hanson said that a letter would be sent to Mr. Sturgis regarding the decision of the Parking Committee regarding this matter.

18. Meter Enforcement – 2001 Christmas Season – Voted to authorize the Police Department to forego meter enforcement in the downtown area from Saturday, December 15^th through, Tuesday, December 25^th, with the stipulation that the 15 minute, two-hour and four-hour limits will be enforced. Councilor Hanson requested that the flyers announcing this be amended to include the enforcement of the 15 minutes parking areas.