[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6101942,"mediaKeyId","2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f","parentId",2806446,"title","Portsmouth residents urge housing, shelter and services as council and mayor pause tent-ban ordinance","audioSeconds",524,"startMs",1126000,"endMs",1650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f&start=1126&end=1650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101942/Ohio/Portsmouth-residents-urge-housing-shelter-and-services-as-council-and-mayor-pause-tent-ban-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101942-ab6a330aead694a86ffcb6c6eca93d9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770910180&Signature=BqNf2VXJxccitEOkF~Av3wIPE8N~sGNGeqIWwkWDMxi6ec44T8AnFH2DondRXVmrLv~JgNehjQRMT9sBvLSuGlPExH-OEJlP0L~K0EqpRrgbUqHACZiNTsFjearKAFNXkB766cc6u5bTBhxdCLYg2ZeOl9Rb1lGLNW4K~1IJiPQgs~YbQVyAakZvJhZxDlrID2~WmSRNQ0b1E9JGyEaVhvoTypWoOz2JUYdhSZAGVXiv1W8NwBbsIydmT~peicHnEKo3m9LU1IGVGdhq23~rVkMB~Ncdlsdap8HppuzmDGANz1O8UGIsfh0ennF5GvR5GGFENgmw6lrv0napm3r6wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portsmouth OH ","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","Residents and advocates used the Jan. 13 Portsmouth City Council meeting to press officials for expanded housing and shelter options and to report progress from a recent meeting with city leadership. Speakers urged that affordable and transitional housing, expanded emergency shelter capacity and harm-reduction measures remain priorities for the city.

Lori Swain of Poplar Street told council that recent extreme weather highlighted \"a deficit of affordable housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelter space in Portsmouth\" and urged the city to keep housing solutions \"on the front burner.\" Gwen Mason, who identified herself as a non-Portsmouth resident who travels through the city frequently, said by personal observation there are \"lots of spaces in Portsmouth that could be turned into transitional housing to emergency shelters,\" and she offered to help with planning and volunteer efforts.

Abby Spears, who said she had participated in a recent meeting with the city manager, the mayor, code enforcement and police, reported back to the chamber that the meeting was \"meaningful and hopeful\" and that the council had agreed not to move forward with changes to the city's tent ordinance at this time. \"I do appreciate that we will not be moving forward with the changes to the ordinance,\" Spears said.

Mayor (name not specified) described three action items that came from stakeholder meetings: placing a dumpster at an agreed location to reduce trash at encampments, deploying sharps-disposal boxes in strategic locations to improve safety, and not proceeding with the proposed ordinance change. The mayor said the initiative was intended to produce immediate, practical steps while broader housing and service solutions are pursued.

Councilman Sean Dunn reviewed several housing policy tools and prior steps discussed by council, including an economic redevelopment program drafted in 2017, a receiver program used by other cities to address vacant properties, and the housing study recommendation to create a landlord registry by 2025; he encouraged continued dialogue and grant-seeking such as Community Development Block Grant funds targeted toward transitional housing.

Councilman Dennis Packard said a task force formed by community member Maggie Selby is addressing multiple workstreams including shelter and legal services and he said he had shared the task force materials with county commissioners. Several council members and the mayor thanked city service workers and emergency responders for snow and ice cleanup during recent storms; the mayor also told the chamber that volunteers and city staff had identified immediate measures to reduce harm while pursuing longer-term housing solutions.

No formal council action on new housing measures or shelter funding was taken at the Jan. 13 meeting; speakers and several council members emphasized continuing collaboration and applying for grants to support transitional and emergency housing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth OH, City Council Meeting January 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and council members at the Jan. 13 Portsmouth City Council meeting called for affordable, transitional and emergency housing and noted the tent-ban ordinance will not move forward for now; the mayor announced three immediate action steps from a recent meeting with stakeholders.","taxTitle","Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth, Scioto, Ohio","taxId",71344,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101946,"Resident warns Portsmouth against stationing city officers to patrol Washington Township",295,813000,1108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f&start=813&end=1108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6101946/Ohio/Resident-warns-Portsmouth-against-stationing-city-officers-to-patrol-Washington-Township","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101946-ce5b260413f1bc5453bdcf44c9adea2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770910180&Signature=HMda14APDJMnW52syAJiHSKoQhsQG1pNyKiOqIALbkOZqfRWU6oqG95ug5eEer5PgsdkFhM1RnKfkdKXvvAXWcIAlsCvoiYaSpcek1EGHS66S~6lH7wJ09qQ2ttznNq6doZBJE2LyDdBVV~EJ0xepFBW0wl81~J9bHTxhsSmIKa13kTdXvXYpb7C7FVBMKv4C1ghRPiGWX2~Z3bH1AbGq8kZ9EaxY7Zp~Z2jZfis2rgr-TDGbbFRkNSMYrt2jwaUFMq~~n7XZzHjflHeI8ThkdSJekV7pdYv-dS6If4wxK8Ix-w3AvjvJvqAPrh7tSikUWeQU4ZMtCxDcLKtguZ41w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tate Skinner, a Sciotoville resident, told Portsmouth City Council on Jan. 13 he opposed any plan for Portsmouth police to provide around-the-clock patrols in Washington Township, saying the proposal would be unaffordable and would reduce protection inside the city.

\"It's financially irresponsible to even engage in anything like that,\" Skinner said, summarizing information he obtained through a public-records request to the county sheriff. He told council the township currently pays about $250,000 for two deputies and that full 24/7 coverage would require about five officers, which he estimated would cost roughly $640,000 — a difference he described as a \"$390,000 shortfall\" that he said would fall on city taxpayers if the city absorbed the additional costs.

Skinner also raised public-safety concerns, saying city officers sent to patrol the township would draw backup resources away from Portsmouth. \"If that city officer who's patrolling Washington Township happens to need some help, that help is gonna come from the city,\" he said, and added that recent incidents in Washington Township had required multi-officer responses.

Skinner urged council to halt discussions about providing township patrols; the remarks were delivered during the meeting's public-comment period. Council did not take a formal vote or direct staff to take specific action on the matter during the Jan. 13 session.

No sheriff\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's office or Portsmouth Police Department representative spoke during public comment to confirm the staffing or cost figures Skinner cited.","A Sciotoville resident told Portsmouth City Council the city should not provide 24/7 police coverage to Washington Township, saying current payments for two deputies are insufficient and would create financial and safety gaps for Portsmouth.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101951,"Portsmouth Council adopts resolution opposing AT&T tariff change; establishes law enforcement trust account",238,573000,811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f&start=573&end=811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806446-4edc8ed9ec4d603ed82b27e131371c0f/thumbnail_573000.jpg","/articles/6101951/Ohio/Portsmouth-Council-adopts-resolution-opposing-ATT-tariff-change-establishes-law-enforcement-trust-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101951-abf8344e7d5358b487ba03c1b95d67e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770910180&Signature=oU2f9oDHDuTPIenVn17tk4M3T2QYQQIGFApIarVzQyvehWs2zZkna6YFtsKfu1qWZpoVlLs8FgTH9uDsP4Wm9IaGlYjCYaOkSzJn8Dm2LbNdKdEAch~7DnX5nTxzUqwtuCC~dfGroaek1Xxq95oQj6lwj26dxzm1HWhQmB3sMSUmgSUIswN81hjvSPpnCGRqi1MlIg9-JN-mm9EWg8MGIWE9peZzcPRWD0Qh-pP419oSSjOi6U1xhHE6htWYDsL7EA6SNHQuiTob8l5atDJC0xDPnLed0PS2gAYso2qOVwxS1MLTIfTem-jjZ6Ix1-8ydEiVfpAOKEgxwHst9Z-c~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth City Council voted on three legislative items during its Jan. 13 meeting: it passed an ordinance creating a new law enforcement trust account, recorded a first reading for an Esplanade platform project for the Southern Ohio Museum and adopted a resolution backing the Ohio Municipal League\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's challenge to AT&T\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's tariff filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

The most consequential formal action was the passage of an ordinance authorizing establishment of an account in the city\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's law enforcement trust fund (Fund No. 225) to receive property-room monies and to appropriate those receipts to expense line 225.2190.5327. Vice President Libet Mosley moved to pass the ordinance; the roll call vote recorded Sean Dunn, Charlotte Gordon, Andy Cole, Yvette Mosley, Joey Sandlin and Dennis Packard as voting yes and the ordinance was adopted.

Council also recorded a first reading for an ordinance authorizing construction of a new platform and curb modification at the Esplanade for the Southern Ohio Museum, submitted by Kurt Dondis on behalf of SONACC. Vice President Mosley moved that the measure constitute a first reading; the council vote recorded Council member Charlotte Gordon as abstaining and other present members voting in favor.

Finally, council adopted a resolution supporting the Ohio Municipal League\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's challenge to AT&T\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's tariff proposal at the PUCO. City Manager Sam Sutherland described the resolution as \"just expressing our disagreement\" with AT&T's proposed change and said that if the matter moved to litigation, Portsmouth would have the option later to join or decline to join that litigation; he said the resolution \"doesn't commit us to any any any monies.\" Vice President Mosley moved adoption; the roll call was unanimous in favor.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance (Law Enforcement Trust Fund, Fund 225): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley; roll call — Sean Dunn (aye), Charlotte Gordon (aye), Andy Cole (aye), Yvette Mosley (aye), Joey Sandlin (aye), Dennis Packard (aye). Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance (Esplanade platform; first reading): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley to constitute first reading; roll call — Charlotte Gordon (abstain), Andy Cole (aye), Libet Mosley (aye), Joey Sandlin (aye), Dennis Packard (aye), Sean Dunn (aye). Outcome: first reading recorded; merits and details to be considered in later readings.
- Resolution (support Ohio Municipal League challenge to AT&T tariff at PUCO): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley; City Manager Sam Sutherland explained that the resolution expresses the city's disagreement with AT&T's proposal and does not obligate the city to pay litigation costs unless council later appropriates funds. Roll call — unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

Council members and staff indicated that any future city involvement in litigation over the AT&T filing would require a separate appropriation and ordinance if money were needed. The measures passed or recorded were included in the clerk's record for the Jan. 13 meeting.","Portsmouth City Council on Jan. 13 approved an ordinance to establish a law enforcement trust account, recorded a first reading for an Esplanade platform ordinance, and adopted a resolution supporting the Ohio Municipal League\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's challenge to an AT&T tariff filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Portsmouth residents urge housing, shelter and services as council and mayor pause tent-ban ordinance

Resident warns Portsmouth against stationing city officers to patrol Washington Township

Portsmouth Council adopts resolution opposing AT&T tariff change; establishes law enforcement trust account