City Council
City Council Chambers 37 Green Street Concord, NH 03301
Agenda — 108 items
- 1 Non-meeting in accordance with RSA 91-A: 3, II (a)-(c) to discuss the City Manager's Evaluation followed by a non-meeting in accordance with RSA 91-A: 2, I (a) to discuss contract negotiations and a non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A: 3, II (d) to discuss property acquisition to begin at 5:15 p.m.
- 1. Mayor Champlin called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
- 2. Invocation.
- 3. Pledge of Allegiance.
- 4. Roll Call.
- 5. Approval of the Meeting Minutes.
- 7 March 9, 2026 City Council Draft Meeting Minutes.
- 6. Agenda overview by the Mayor.
- 7. Justin Kantar, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Union President.
- 10 **Consent Agenda Items**
- 11 Referral to General Services
- 8. Communication from Megan DeVorsey, 6 Cambridge Street, requesting the addition of the Centre Street/Loudon Road Sidewalk to High-Priority Snow Removal for Transportation Center Access.
- 13 Referral to the Transportation Policy Advisory Committee
- 9. Communication from Maureen Page, 2 Johnson Avenue, requesting sidewalk installation on South Street from Wilson Avenue to Iron Works Road to Improve Pedestrian Safety for School-Aged Children.
- 15 page break
- 16 Referral to the Legal Department
- 16 page break
- 10. Request for Restoration of Involuntarily Merged lots, located at 262 N State St (Tax Map and Lot 58/Z 17) from the Senior Planner.
- 18 Referral to the Parking Committee
- 11. Communication from Councilor Brown, on behalf of residents of 29 Columbus Avenue, asking that consideration be given to removal of a No Parking Sign on the west side of Columbus Avenue, just north of their driveway.
- 20 Items Tabled for May 11, 2026 Public Hearings
- 12. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances; Title II, Traffic Code; Chapter 18, Parking, Article 18-1, Stopping, Standing and Parking, Section 18-1-6, Schedule I, to modify no parking restrictions on Church Street between Bradley and Rumford Streets; together with a report from the Assistant Director of Community Development. (Referred back to the Parking Committee at the May 11, 2026 City Council meeting.)
- 13. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title I, General Code; Chapter 1, Government Organization, Article 1-5, Fees, Fines, and Penalties, Schedule 1; together with non-ordinance fees and a report from the Deputy City Manager-Finance.
- 14. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title IV, Zoning Code; Chapter 28, Zoning Ordinance by amending certain definitions included within the Glossary and Article 28-5, Supplemental Standards, by amending Section 28-5-2 Duplex or Two-Family Dwellings; together with a report from the Deputy City Manager - Development.
- 15. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title IV, Zoning Code; Chapter 28, Zoning Ordinance, Section 28-5-3 Conversion of a Residential Building; together with a report from the Deputy City Manager - Development.
- 16. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title IV, Zoning Code; Chapter 28, Zoning Ordinance, Article 28-9, Administration and Enforcement, Section 28-9-3 Decisions by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), and Subsection 28-9-3(f)(3) Application Procedure for the ZBA; together with a report from the Deputy City Manager - Development.
- 17. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title IV, Zoning Code; Chapter 28, Zoning Ordinance, Section 28-4-5 Development of Attached and Multifamily Buildings; together with a report from the Deputy City Manager - Development.
- 18. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a project agreement with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) for the design, permitting, right-of-way, and construction of the multi-use path on the city-owned rail corridor from Sewalls Falls Road north to the Boscawen town line (CIP #543, State project no. 43732), appropriating the sum of $1,553,928.00, in the Merrimack River Greenway Trail project (CIP #543), accepting the sum of $1,243,142.40 in NHDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding, authorizing the transfer and use of Impact Fee Funds in the sum of $225,000, and authorizing the transfer and use of Recreation Reserve Funds in the sum of $85,785.60 for this purpose; together with a report from the Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives. (Revised resolution, supplemental report and communication from the Friends of the Merrimack River Greenway Trail submitted.) (Public testimony received.)
- 28 From the City Manager
- 19. Positive Citizen Comments.
- 30 Consent Reports
- 20. Diminimus gifts and donations report from the Library Director requesting authorization to accept gifts and donations totaling $1,600.10, as provided under the pre-authorization granted by City Council.
- 21. Diminimus lease payment report from the Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives requesting authorization to accept a lease payment in the amount of $2,632.09.
- 22. Report from Deputy City Manager - Finance recommending the FY 2027 City Council Budget Schedule and Committee Guidelines. (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 23. Report from the Ad-Hoc Semiquincentennial & Tri-Centennial Committee requesting use of Official City Marks. (Revised commemorative coin design submitted.) (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 24. Quarterly Current Use Tax Report from the Director of Assessing.
- 25. Report from the Parks and Recreation Director regarding an installation of a Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Marker for William Penn Thompson.
- 26. Report from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Director regarding the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee's recommended Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2027.
- 27. Report from the Parks and Recreation Director on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee's recommendation following the October 2025 City Council referral regarding combining softball lease agreements.
- 28. Report from the Parks and Recreation Director on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee's review of the July 2025 City Council Referral on adding an AED at the Beaver Meadow Park Tennis/Picklball Courts.
- 29. Report from the Transportation Policy Advisory Committee recommending transportation project priorities for the FY 2027-2036 Capital Improvements Program.
- 30. Report from the Transportation Engineer, on behalf of the Traffic Operations Committee and Transportation Policy Advisory Committee, in response to a referral from City Council regarding requests from Claire Michlovitz, South Curtisville Road, for traffic safety and school drop-off/pick-up flow improvements at South Curtisville Road and Portsmouth Street.
- 31. Report from the Transportation Engineer seeking authorization for the City Manager to enter into a License Agreement with the owner of 102 Sewalls Falls Road concerning maintenance of newly established landscaping areas associated with FY2024 Capital Improvement Project #520 (Sewalls Falls / Abbott Road Intersection Realignment Project).
- 32. Report from the Assistant Director of Community Development and General Services Director, on behalf of the Parking Committee and General Services Department, in response to a referral from City Council requesting consideration of 3-hour parking restrictions, parking signage locations, and adding sidewalk plowing along the portion of Washington Street between North State Street and North Main Street.
- 33. Report from the General Services Director outlining the City's Pilot Curbside Collection Rules.
- 45 Consent Resolutions
- 34. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Scenic RailRiders, Inc., concerning the City-Owned Parcels identified as Tax Map 743Z, Lot 10-2 and Tax Map 13P, Lot 21 (former Northern Railroad) to Operate a Railbike Tour Business; together with a report from the Director of Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives. (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 35. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the Jeanne Shaheen Congressional Directed Spending Program for funds designated for Law Enforcement-Related Programs; together with a report from the Deputy Chief of Police.
- 48 Appointments
- 36. City Manager's Proposed Appointments to the Conservation Commission: Kevin Porter and G. Bruce Currie.
- 37. Mayor Champlin's proposed appointment to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) Steering Committee: The Rev. Jean C. Beniste.
- 51 **End of Consent Agenda**
- 52 Public Hearings
- 38A. Resolution appropriating the sum of $385,000, in the Memorial Field Facility Improvement Project (CIP #557) to remove and secure bleachers, authorizing a transfer from the General Fund in the sum of $385,000, appropriating the sum of $385,000 in the General Fund as a transfer out to capital, and authorizing the use of $385,000 in General fund balance for this purpose; together with a report from the Parks and Recreation Director, the General Services Director and the Public Properties Superintendent. (Public testimony received.)
- 38B. Resolution appropriating the sum of $526,968, in the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement project (CIP #121) for the replacement of two dump trucks, accepting the sum of $421,574, in grant funding from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and authorizing the issuance of General Fund General Obligation Bonds and Notes in the sum of $105,394, for this purpose; together with a report from the General Services Director.
- 38C. Resolution appropriating the sum of $5,000, in the Community Development Miscellaneous Grants and Donations Project for Tree Planting on City Property and within public rights-of-way under the Sustainable Tree Program and authorizing a transfer in the sum of $5,000, from the Urban Tree Trust Fund for this purpose; together with a report from the Conservation Commission Tree Subcommittee.
- 38D. Resolution modifying the All Veterans' Tax Credit for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 56 page break
- 38E. Resolution modifying the Optional Veterans' Tax Credit for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 38F. Resolution modifying the Tax Credit for Service-Connected Permanent and Total Disability for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 38G. Resolution modifying the Elderly Exemption for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 59 page break
- 38H. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title I, General Code; Chapter 9, Water, Article 9-6, Sewer and Drains, updating language to comply with current State and Federal requirements; together with a report from the General Services Director.
- 61 page break
- 62 Public Hearing Action
- 39. Resolution appropriating the sum of $385,000, in the Memorial Field Facility Improvement Project (CIP #557) to remove and secure bleachers, authorizing a transfer from the General Fund in the sum of $385,000, appropriating the sum of $385,000 in the General Fund as a transfer out to capital, and authorizing the use of $385,000 in General fund balance for this purpose; together with a report from the Parks and Recreation Director, the General Services Director and the Public Properties Superintendent. (Public testimony received.)
- 40. Resolution appropriating the sum of $526,968, in the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement project (CIP #121) for the replacement of two dump trucks, accepting the sum of $421,574, in grant funding from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and authorizing the issuance of General Fund General Obligation Bonds and Notes in the sum of $105,394, for this purpose; together with a report from the General Services Director.
- 41. Resolution appropriating the sum of $5,000, in the Community Development Miscellaneous Grants and Donations Project for Tree Planting on City Property and within public rights-of-way under the Sustainable Tree Program and authorizing a transfer in the sum of $5,000, from the Urban Tree Trust Fund for this purpose; together with a report from the Conservation Commission Tree Subcommittee.
- 42. Resolution modifying the All Veterans' Tax Credit for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 43. Resolution modifying the Optional Veterans' Tax Credit for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 44. Resolution modifying the Tax Credit for Service-Connected Permanent and Total Disability for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 45. Resolution modifying the Elderly Exemption for the City of Concord pursuant to the provisions of RSA 72:27-a; together with a report from the Director of Assessing.
- 46. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Title I, General Code; Chapter 9, Water, Article 9-6, Sewer and Drains, updating language to comply with current State and Federal requirements; together with a report from the General Services Director.
- 71 Reports
- 72 New Business
- 73 Unfinished Business
- 47. Presentation on the Memorial Field Master Plan from the Parks and Recreation Director. (Presentation given at the November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting.) (Action on this item tabled at the November 24, 2025 City Council Meeting.) (Communication from Concord School District received.) (Petition and public testimony received.)
- 48. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances; Title II, Traffic Code; Chapter 18, Parking, Article 18-1, Stopping, Standing and Parking, Section 18-1-7.1, Parking Prohibited During Certain Hours and Months in Designated Places, Schedule IX; to modify parking requirements on School Street between Pine and Liberty Streets; together with a report from the Assistant Director of Community Development. (Action on this item tabled at the August 11, 2025 City Council meeting.) (Public comments received.)
- 49. Resolution appropriating the sum of $84,000 to support efforts by Concord's Plan to End Homelessness and authorizing a transfer in from the Community Improvement Reserve in the sum of $84,000 for this purpose; together with report from Councilor Jim Schlosser. (Action on this item tabled at the April 14, 2025 City Council meeting.)
- 77 Consideration of Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda
- 22. Report from Deputy City Manager - Finance recommending the FY 2027 City Council Budget Schedule and Committee Guidelines. (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 23. Report from the Ad-Hoc Semiquincentennial & Tri-Centennial Committee requesting use of Official City Marks. (Revised commemorative coin design submitted.) (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 34. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Scenic RailRiders, Inc., concerning the City-Owned Parcels identified as Tax Map 743Z, Lot 10-2 and Tax Map 13P, Lot 21 (former Northern Railroad) to Operate a Railbike Tour Business; together with a report from the Director of Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives. (Pulled from consent by Councilor Brown.)
- 81 Comments, Requests by Mayor, City Councilors
- 82 Comments, Requests by the City Manager
- 83 Adjournment
- 84 Information
- Inf1 September 3, 2025 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes.
- Inf2 December 3, 2025 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes.
- Inf3 January 7, 2026 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes.
- Inf4 January 22, 2026 Transportation Policy Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes.
- 88 page break
- Inf5 February 3, 2026 Architectural Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes.
- Inf6 February 4, 2026 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes.
- Inf7 February 5, 2026 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes.
- Inf8 February 11, 2026 Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes.
- 92 page break
- Inf9 February 11, 2026 Conservation Commission Trails Subcommittee Meeting Minutes.
- Inf10 February 12, 2026 Heritage Commission Site Walk Meeting Minutes.
- Inf11 February 18, 2026 Planning Board Meeting Minutes.
- Inf12 February 23, 2026 Parking Committee Meeting Minutes.
- Inf13 March 3, 2026 Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes.
- Inf14 March 4, 2026 Concord Housing and Redevelopment Authority Draft Meeting Minutes.
- Inf15 March 9, 2026 Concord Public Library Board of Trustees Draft Meeting Minutes.
- Inf16 March 12, 2026 Golf Course Advisory Committee Draft Meeting Minutes.
- Inf17 Communication from Kate McDougall requesting reconsideration of the removal of railroad tracks along the corridor currently used by Scenic Railriders.
- 102 page break
- 103 Council Only