DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2001 TIME: 7:00PM

At 6:30 p.m., an Anticipated "Non-Meeting" with counsel was held regarding the Statewide Property Tax Issue.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. INVOCATION

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

1. Piscataqua Faire – A Renaissance on the Waterfront – George Hosker

V. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION

VII. PUBLIC HEARING

1. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE III, SECTION 7.329 – NO PARKING, SUBSECTION A – FARM LANE

After three calls and no speakers, Mayor Sirrell declared the Public Hearing closed.

8. APPROVAL OF GRANTS/DONATIONS

1. Grant Award from US Department of Justice for continuation of the Northern New England Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

Councilor Pantelakos moved to approve and accept the grant award to the Portsmouth Police Department. Seconded by Councilor Whitehouse and voted.

2. Grant Award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for continuation of our participating in Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program for the purchase of computer equipment

Councilor Hynes moved to approve and accept the grant award to the Portsmouth Police Department. Seconded by Councilor Pantelakos and voted.

IX. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES

1. Second reading of Proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 7, Article III, Section 7.329 – No Parking, sub-section A, Farm Lane

Councilor Hanson moved to pass second reading and hold third and final reading at the October 15^th City Council meeting. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

2. Third and final reading of Proposed Amendment to the Salary Ordinance for Non-Union Employees

Councilor Grasso moved to pass third reading of the amendment to the Non-Union Salary Ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Marconi and voted.

3. Third and final reading of Proposed Amendment in the Salary Schedule for Unclassified Positions regarding Victim/Witness Advocate

Assistant Mayor Clews moved to pass third reading of the amendment to the Salary Schedule for Unclassified Positions regarding Victim/Witness Advocate. Seconded by Councilor Marconi and voted.

4. Third and final reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 7, Article XI, Speed Limits be amended by creating a new subsection to Section 7.1100 Speed Limits entitled G. Speed Limit: 10 MPH – Mt. Vernon Street

Councilor Hanson moved to pass third and final reading. Seconded by Councilor Whitehouse and voted.

1. Letter from Jean Crist, North Congregational Church of Portsmouth, requesting permission to hold the CropWalk on Sunday, May 19, 2002 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Councilor Hynes moved to refer to the City Manager with power. Seconded by Councilor Marconi and voted.

2. Letter from Maureen Reardon regarding Cardinal Points Sculpture at Peirce Island Park

Assistant Mayor Clews moved to accept and place the letter on file and also send a copy of the letter to the Peirce Island Committee. Seconded by Councilor Marconi and voted.

3. Letter from Nancy Hill, Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program, regarding the publishing of Portsmouth Unabridged site-specific poetry

Assistant Mayor Clews moved to accept and place the letter on file. Seconded by Councilor Pantelakos and voted.

4. Letter from Robin Williamson McBrearty, Bureau of WIC Nutrition Services, requesting permission to use the South Mill Pond park/playground and lower municipal parking lot at City Hall to park and unload cars and buses of those individuals attending the National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program conference on Saturday, October 20, 2001

Councilor Pantelakos moved to refer to the City Manager with power. Seconded by Assistant Mayor Clews and voted.

5. Letter from Neil Rolde, Seacoast Shipyard Association, thanking the City of Portsmouth for their $2,500.00 appropriation in support of preserving the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Councilor Hanson moved to accept and place the letter on file. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

XI. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

1. Request for Approval of Pole License Agreement

Councilor Hanson moved to approve the pole license agreement, #63-377, as recommended by the Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

City Manager Bohenko announced that Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held on Saturday, October 20^th at the Public Works Facility on Peverly Hill Road.

City Clerk Barnaby reviewed the report from George Shultis, Chair of the Board of Registrars, regarding the statistical makeup of registered voters following the 2001 purge.

City Manager Bohenko briefly discussed the renovations to the Connie Bean Center.

1. Appointments

The City Council considered the appointment of Virginia Weeks as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This appointment will be voted on by the City Council at the October 15^th City Council meeting.

Councilor Grasso moved to appoint Steven Miller to the Conservation Commission filling the unexpired term of David Witham until April 1, 2002. Seconded by Councilor Whitehouse and voted.

Assistant Mayor Clews moved to reappoint Reverend Angelo Pappas to the Portsmouth Housing Authority until April 1, 2006. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

Assistant Mayor Clews moved to appoint Jarrett Celli to the Cable Commission filling the unexpired term of Al Cloutier until April 1, 2002. Seconded by Councilor Pantelakos and voted.

Mayor Sirrell passed the gavel to Assistant Mayor Clews.

Councilor Pantelakos moved to add the item of the Statewide Property Tax Coalition Communities to the agenda. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

2. Statewide Property Tax Coalition Communities

Mayor Sirrell moved to authorize the City Manager to expend up to $150,000.00 from the Statewide Property Tax Reserve Fund. This money has been set aside and will not effect this tax rate. Seconded by Councilor Hanson.

City Manager Bohenko said that this is a continuation of the commitment of the City Council to defeat the statewide property tax. He said that these funds would be used as a grass roots effort to educate people on the unfairness of this tax. He said that the City would be sending $7.2 million dollars to outside sources next year between the statewide property tax and the county tax.

Mayor Sirrell announced that a meeting of the Coalition Communities is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.

Motion passed.

3. Reports

Mayor Sirrell announced that she received a letter of condolences from the Rotary Club of Kenya for the recent September 11^th terrorist attacks.

Mayor Sirrell reported that she received a thank you letter from City Year for allowing them to use the Council Chambers.

Mayor Sirrell announced that the League of Women Voters would be holding the City Council candidates night on Wednesday, October 24^th from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

1. Traffic & Safety Committee Action Sheet and Minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting

Councilor Hanson moved to accept and approve the Traffic & Safety Committee action sheet and minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

2. Parking Committee Action Sheet and Minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting

Councilor Hanson moved to accept and approve the Parking Committee action sheet and minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting. Seconded by Assistant Mayor Clews and voted.

13. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:40 p.m., Councilor Whitehouse moved to adjourn. Seconded and voted.