CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MUNICIPAL COMPLEX PORTSMOUTH, NH

DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2001 TIME: 7:00PM

At 6:30 p.m., a Work Session was held for the City Council to view the Peirce Island Video.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Sirrell called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Sirrell, Assistant Mayor Clews, Councilors Hanson, Grasso, Wagner, Hynes, Marconi, Whitehouse and Pantelakos

III. INVOCATION

Mayor Sirrell asked everyone to join in a moment of silent prayer.

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilor Whitehouse led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

PROCLAMATION

International Alpha Delta Kappa Month

Councilor Grasso on behalf of Mayor Sirrell read the Proclamation declaring October as International Alpha Delta Kappa Month. She advised the Council that she would present the Proclamation to the International Alpha Delta Kappa as their annual Harvest Supper tomorrow evening.

PRESENTATION

Arcadia Publishing Representatives presenting Mayor Sirrell with a book on Portsmouth Then and Now – Amy Sutton and Stephanie Elliott

Amy Sutton presented Mayor Sirrell with a book written by Bill and Connie Warren on Portsmouth Then and Now. Bill and Connie said that they enjoyed creating this book and sharing their photographs of Portsmouth Then and Now.

V. VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report on Ice Arena Committee’s progress – Kent LaPage, Portsmouth School Board; Fred Rancourt, Nancy Clayburgh and Norm Laflaure, Portsmouth High School Ice Arena Committee; William Burke, Portsmouth Rotary Club

Fred advised the City Council that the Portsmouth Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce are partners in this endeavor. He said it is the goal of the Committee to start construction in 2003 and to have the facility located at the Portsmouth High School. The arena would be used for ice hockey, ice-skating and a recreational area.

Norm said that this facility would provide opportunities for the kids and residents of Portsmouth. He said that the High School campus would be second to none in the State.

Kent said that the City has never had an ice arena and there is a strong need for one in our community. He advised the Council that the Committee would work over an 18 month period to raise funds and once they reach 50% of the goal they would come back before the City Council.

Nancy discussed the educational value of having this facility in the City. She said that a great deal of money could be saved from having to travel and paying a fee for the use of ice time at other locations. She said that the Committee has established a fund raising agenda for this project and they will be meeting with various businesses in the area to secure funding.

William discussed the Rotary Clubs involvement in the project. He said that it is the Committee’s desire to build the arena and turn it over to the City to operate.

VI. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 1, 2001

Councilor Hanson moved to accept and approve the City Council minutes of the October 1, 2001 meeting. Seconded by Councilor Grasso and voted.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION

Art Hosser, Portsmouth resident, said that it would be very beneficial to have an ice arena in the City.

Bob McDonough, Portsmouth resident, spoke in support of an ice arena in the City.

Bobby McDonough, Portsmouth resident, said that an ice arena is needed for the kids of the community. He said that having an arena would make it easier for everyone because you would no longer have to travel for ice time at another arena.

Erik Sanderson, Portsmouth resident, spoke in support of an ice arena in the City. He said that he is currently a senior at the High School and the hockey team has to travel to use an ice arena in another community.

Derek Kintz, Portsmouth resident, spoke in support of the ice arena in the City.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES

Third and final reading of Proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 7, Article III, Section 7.329 – No Parking, sub-section A, Farm Lane

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

IX. PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Letter from Police Commissioners regarding Motorcycle Noise

Councilor Grasso moved to accept the recommendations as listed on Page 5 and send a thank you to the Police Department for their efforts on this matter. Seconded by Assistant Mayor Clews and voted.

Recommendations are as follows:

The strict enforcement of any violation of motorcycle noise they witness, and to purse to the fullest extent possible, complaints of motorcycle noise

Inform the public, through the use of our Web site the press releases to the media, the Police Departments intent to enforce these laws so that motorcycles can be forewarned that they may face a summons if their equipment is not up to code.

Strategically place information signs on the main arteries leading into Portsmouth, specifically warning motorists that city ordinances for excessive noise and loud exhausts will be strictly enforced.

Utilize STEP Roadblock/Compliance Checkpoints specifically for motorcycle noise enforcement, setting up the checkpoint in the downtown area where motorcycles are known to be present. The roadblock can be worked in conjunction with the New Hampshire State Policy Highway Enforcement officers who can measure the noise level of a motorcycle.

Encourage newspaper and television reporters covering the police beat to ride along with our officers when they are specifically enforcing motorcycle noise violations, or when we are utilizing STEP Roadblocks/Compliance Checkpoints as a means to enforce these laws.

Letter from Rick Condon, Portsmouth Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1313, requesting permission to hold a voluntary "Boot Drive" in Market Square on October 20, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to collect donations for the 9-11 relief fund for New York City emergency workers

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

Letter from Harry Kotsonis regarding the denial of a separate meter for his lawn

Councilor Hanson moved to refer this matter to the Fee Committee. Seconded by Assistant Mayor Clews.

City Manager Bohenko informed the Council that the ordinance states that separate meters can only be put into single family residence.

Mayor Sirrell passed the gavel to Assistant Mayor Clews.

Mayor Sirrell requested that the Fee Committee review this matter in depth.

Assistant Mayor Clews passed the gavel back to Mayor Sirrell.

Motion passed with Councilor Grasso voting opposed.

Letter from Michael Boccia requesting to acquire two properties currently owned by the city

City Manager Bohenko said the first property is 98 Brewster Street, which the city is in the process of selling after the house in demolished. The second parcels could be referred to the Planning Board. He said that he would send Mr. Boccia the information regarding 98 Brewster Street.

Councilor Grasso moved to refer to the City Manager to communicate back to Mr. Boccia regarding the bid process for the property located at 98 Brewster Street and that he will need to send a separate request on the alley ways. Seconded by Councilor Pantelakos.

Mayor Sirrell passed her gavel to Assistant Mayor Clews.

Mayor Sirrell said that she would like the two parcels to go before the Planning Board for a recommendation back to the City Council.

Assistant Mayor Clews passed the gavel back to Mayor Sirrell.

Councilor Grasso said that the issues should be dealt with separately.

Motion passed.

Letter from Nancy Novelline Clayburgh, Portsmouth School Board, requesting permission to hold a "Walk for Freedom" on Sunday, October 28^th from Noon to 4PM

Councilor Marconi moved to refer to the City Manager with power.

Request for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) from Great Bay Services

Councilor Whitehouse moved to accept $10.00 as a PILOT from Great Bay Services. Seconded by Councilor Marconi and voted.

X. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

A. CITY MANAGER

1. Request for Approval of Pole License Agreements

Councilor Hanson moved to approve the pole license agreements as recommended by the Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilor Hynes and voted.

Mayor Sirrell announced that she received a letter from Mark Syracusa requesting to erect a memorial at the intersection of Court Street and Middle Street that needs action by the City Council.

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

Mayor Sirrell said that he is also requesting the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Committee for this project. She said that a Committee could be established but it would not be done until after the first of the year.

Assistant Mayor Clews said that it would be fine to establish a Committee, however you don’t want to limit the location of the memorial because there could be another site better suited for it.

Motion passed.

B. MAYOR SIRRELL

Appointments

The City Council considered the reappointment of Ellen Fineberg to the Historic District Commission. This appointment will be voted on by the City Council at the November 19, 2001 City Council meeting.

Councilor Whitehouse moved to reappoint Virginia Weeks as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Adjustment until December 1, 2006. Seconded by Assistant Mayor Clews and voted.

Reports

Mayor Sirrell announced that she would be holding a reception on October 19, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. in the Portsmouth Room at City Hall.

XI. MISCELLANEOUS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Councilor Marconi asked that the City Council review the article she included in the packet as Informational Item 1 regarding Pease leading former bases in adding jobs.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:10 p.m., Councilor Whitehouse moved to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Pantelakos and voted.

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KELLI L. BARNABY, CITY CLERK