[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6101917,"mediaKeyId","2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844","parentId",2806465,"title","Council weighs $250,000 proposal to buy 10 emergency housing units as first step on homelessness; members ask for written plan","audioSeconds",1435,"startMs",4083000,"endMs",5518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844&start=4083&end=5518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844/thumbnail_4083000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101917/Ohio/Council-weighs-250000-proposal-to-buy-10-emergency-housing-units-as-first-step-on-homelessness-members-ask-for-written-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101917-82cef357b1ba912fd945c6e694b3a83b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138802&Signature=JZbS3Eil07scpYgydUcXMHTGEQQ~8sPNAi~k6L2O30h1vAJEIhwQ~6l1iIbLGGxXTpE44bSDemcNyx0nK~9bHUXU629zOdOL7XZsCZ0QiPr67ledcDp2W~-f8yg5S33o~8tppZg3H-T87Zgzy33PxBIozMNMIf4Z4tluus0u06cXjpE~Gx9VxIT-E-tQWWixrHfbcIWTqDcWPtXbs8ft-jUynK1p4cC3WpgqTrKvcbpTyUKNXzXbHykQXqDNIpchHUBEh-J8PfzYX-aUa2~9UqBPausCqYU4oXYyWZA-EVdC-IIgaOnprmN97-JR4n5TOw~Vah6KJ38fKFKbpD7hFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portsmouth OH ","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Councilman Dunn proposed on Feb. 10 that Portsmouth allocate $250,000 to purchase about 10 small emergency housing units as a pilot program to expand capacity for people experiencing homelessness.

Dunn said the units would be similar to small, two-person residential units used in other municipalities as an immediate, smaller-scale form of emergency housing. He described the $250,000 figure as an approximate estimate based on proposals and examples the city reviewed and said staff could open a request-for-bids or bring alternative suppliers for council review.

Councilmembers raised several implementation questions and objections: where the units would be sited, who would operate and maintain them, who would pay utilities and ongoing management costs, whether the city would become a landlord, and whether other funding sources (opioid-settlement funds, HUD, state grants) could help cover acquisition or operating costs. Members pressed for a needs assessment, written vendor quotes, a budget for ongoing operations and clarity on whether private or nonprofit partners would manage the units.

Members also asked that the city hear from the continuum-of-care task force and community partners; Dunn and others said the group is active and could present its plan and supporting documentation at a future meeting. Several councilmembers said they would not support any allocation without a written project outline, firm costs, identified sites and long-term funding commitments.

Dunn moved to place the item on the conference agenda so staff can supply documentation and potential vendor information; council agreed to move the item for further review. Council asked staff to seek possible external funding sources and to bring the continuum-of-care representatives to present details at a future meeting.

Why it matters: councilmembers said emergency housing units could provide immediate shelter options and relieve pressure on the existing shelter, but they underscored that acquisition is only the first step and that long-term operations, site control and funding must be planned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth OH, City Manager's Meeting February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A councilmember proposed allocating $250,000 to acquire 10 small emergency housing units as a pilot to expand shelter capacity; councilmembers asked for a written plan, site details, long-term operating funding and outside grants before moving forward.","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},6101922,"Council agrees to review proposal for $125,000 water-credit allotments for three nonprofits",1670,1558000,3228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844&start=1558&end=3228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844/thumbnail_1558000.jpg","/articles/6101922/Ohio/Council-agrees-to-review-proposal-for-125000-water-credit-allotments-for-three-nonprofits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101922-039a9188fec83d54ce9b495efa84798e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138802&Signature=liGXO7Mi9XWd5ot3yyxL0diYQfe8Ga5K43m89c-zKOKR7k4AQxqi5f-6AeICwn8LfjwiM5jiJs89bBoGawnNbNQV8gxA-xVrosMuFk40FSyyYOC2xc4bRv~Lf6rp~M44cUH9X7KqNW6Kpp8qHpf-5qdOmXVJ-H8y-KHBAXhcWkizb4kqA-~ZyI5ERK4kgpDEjCCYvIF-VDPKU7q4jOWl8X7456w8TruRe9LPbTPeXB6eVmm-lawFGPHpaoimomxpqEvL6FOVeFIm9SjXvYExEmsMCxYt7W0dCHFUBABc7aBox8~A1GOee-MhHskXGiQ6gf7SksgzrcuA6jMVztNBKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth City Council on Feb. 10 agreed to move to the conference agenda a proposal that would provide a water-credit—presented as $125,000 each—to three local nonprofits: the Salvation Army, the city’s homeless shelter and the Fourteenth Street Community Center.

Councilman Dunn introduced the idea as a way to support organizations that serve vulnerable residents without creating a one-time cash outlay. He said the credit would be similar to the arrangement proposed for a splash pad project and could be structured so organizations apply or qualify for a credit against future water bills.

Supporters said the credit could free nonprofits to spend limited funds on services rather than utilities. The Fourteenth Street Community Center’s board president told the council, “Any type of credit that you could give the Fourteenth Street Community Center would be of great benefit,” and described past rejections and administrative issues with a separate $20,000 application.

Opponents and skeptical councilmembers urged a needs assessment before committing to a fixed dollar figure. Council members raised these points: the hotel-motel tax and community grants cannot be blended; some organizations may not use the full credit; grants rules often disallow use for operating expenses; residents and other nonprofits might expect parity if the city extends credits to a subset of groups.

The council took a roll-call-style motion to move the water-credit proposal to the conference agenda so staff can return with written language. The chair called the roll; the transcript records multiple named responses (for example, Shawn Beck and Andy Paul recorded yes votes) and at least two recorded no votes. The clerk confirmed the item would be moved up and that council would review written materials at the next meeting.

Why it matters: Proponents said covering water bills can let nonprofits reallocate scarce resources to services for children and people experiencing homelessness; critics said the council needs written terms, eligibility criteria and a needs assessment before committing public support.","Council moved to the conference agenda a proposal to provide a $125,000 water-credit to each of three local nonprofits—the Salvation Army, the homeless shelter, and the Fourteenth Street Community Center—after mixed debate about need, eligibility and process.",{"_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},6101927,"Council reviews proposal to consolidate community grants with annual application cycle; cultural affairs committee may administer",954,445000,1399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844&start=445&end=1399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/6101927/Ohio/Council-reviews-proposal-to-consolidate-community-grants-with-annual-application-cycle-cultural-affairs-committee-may-administer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101927-a1cff27f0f33257ccc362ea82ec3d9d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138802&Signature=h-0aQ33qaOm5rOhLLnhpLTNodjuGiUfyYV4-FurI72tGv8oSLZK75PYkkIyOrZ9eiiqlk9sZ0rZsFVCFTAGJ6HXCXHmCu-v7o0eW134jGpO-pX7vXrrDEAsTxI1eEeTHfrjH6SVut9N8rFbbg7C1Abq2PwVdeO9k-nqG0XxUNYKaePrAuFPrUKQJTDSaJssm9NR6tBIUyDK0dMvf0jO2riyKqpchDq3mtAlA7jK1kIUd05ABottrTr2eZGnl-T4lH4Zwz0vB33MpPuCz4DP-KFQjqh~o627Np40KFzIQW5rKUnNoyETRX1d~CtyerqjGcuUiGgoo5NPoj-HOyfkOOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Portsmouth councilmember proposed on Feb. 10 that the city adopt an annual application process for community grants to align with the existing hotel-motel tax grant cycle and give nonprofits clearer, up-front expectations about funding.

The proposal would take an average of community grant allocations from the previous three full years (2022–24) and use that projection to allocate a fixed pot of community grant money at the start of each year. The presenter said the grants would be project-based, limited to covering up to 25% of a project’s budget (not including in-kind staffing or utilities as match), require submission of a full project budget and a follow-up report, and be available only to 501(c)(3) organizations operating within the city of Portsmouth.

Staff and council discussed administrative details. City staff advised that hotel-motel tax funds and community grant funds are legally separate “pots” and cannot be blended; if council wants the Cultural Affairs Committee to review community grants it would need separate legislation because existing legislation on the books governs hotel-motel distributions.

Councilmembers suggested varying timelines: some favored late-year application and award (December) to align with budget forecasting, while others preferred a February application window similar to the hotel-motel schedule. The Cultural Affairs Committee meets in March to review hotel-motel applications; multiple councilmembers said that meeting may be a convenient time to present the community-grants idea for committee feedback.

A motion to move the proposal to the conference agenda for a written draft and further review passed by voice vote; staff and the presenting councilmember said they will produce a written version for the next meeting so council can consider specific language.

Why it matters: proponents said an annual, project-based process would give nonprofits clearer expectations and make year-ahead budgeting easier as the city moves out of fiscal watch; staff cautioned that any change to the Cultural Affairs Committee’s duties would require separate legislative action.","A councilmember proposed an annual, project-based community-grants process timed to the hotel-motel tax cycle so nonprofits know funding expectations up front; council agreed to move the proposal to the conference agenda for a written draft.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101932,"City manager urges council to pass 2025 operating budget to meet charter deadline, says fiscal recovery plan will follow",0,3665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844&start=3665&end=3665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806465-8918fe4c453a9a74dbc3eb0d1922c844/thumbnail_3665000.jpg","/articles/6101932/Ohio/City-manager-urges-council-to-pass-2025-operating-budget-to-meet-charter-deadline-says-fiscal-recovery-plan-will-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101932-fc9a4e41975b2f41614bb55b6f898ab7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138802&Signature=fv-hgk839ygkhI2b03MtwNZ6U-FF0BOaYgMU~bj8Njk0kagZeF-4XOdNTx~k3m-ZxxFLTTDpIZ7R8BIGdrM24z4AJepnp4kpS9mIJ~Zat~o9LuldAXwG~MOnhbHslpE9nd6k92WtDVYNlrh2MhJ~5z4qiURl40CwvnoDV5~c0~3bD7diW6k-WTfmYt-XtJq~qWpuT1nyucZUZBIXYyobuJF6Fwd0bqWcmghOgHGB~0alBiyQvcVusajSj73anbpScnszQjYg2jWviIBA3DqKShhaGRk7BdxNv3ILnGN~-f1XsYJJr7ETsUvUISONMBsUzvBtrNPYbvL7aO9Nhrpj4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Sam told the Portsmouth City Council on Feb. 10 that council must adopt a permanent 2025 operating budget at the council's next meeting to meet the city charter deadline and to begin the steps required to exit fiscal watch.

Sam said the council may adopt a temporary measure now but must have a permanent budget by March 1 under the charter. “What I'm asking council to do is go ahead and pass the budget at the next meeting because we have to by charter,” Sam said. He added staff will return shortly afterward with the financial recovery plan the state requires to lift fiscal watch and that the plan will cover roughly five years.

The recovery plan will include the changes the state must approve, Sam said, and once the plan is locked in the city cannot unilaterally change it without state approval while under fiscal watch. He characterized the recovery plan as the mechanism that will “get us out of fiscal watch” and said staff expects to present a plan within about a month so the council can consider it across three readings.

Council members asked clarifying questions about timing, scope and flexibility. One member asked whether the first temporary measure would lock the council in; Sam and others clarified that the immediate action meets the charter requirement but that the follow-up recovery-plan budget would be the binding document once the state signs off. Sam also said the proposed operating budget reflected expected union contract costs and a few increases in operating expenses but that the recovery-plan submission may change line items.

Council took a procedural vote earlier in the meeting on an item described as an annual advanced payment of taxes (labeled in the meeting record as Sam 25-1). Vice President Paige Lavette Mosley moved to adopt “alternative number 1.” The motion was put by voice vote and the chair called the vote in the affirmative; the record does not include a formal roll-call tally.

Why it matters: the council must meet the charter deadline to avoid gaps in authorization for spending for March 1, and the council’s acceptance of a financial recovery plan is the key step required by state oversight to end fiscal watch.

Councilmembers and staff agreed to continue discussions with City Manager Sam and to expect the financial recovery plan and revised budget proposals at upcoming meetings.","City Manager Sam told the Portsmouth City Council the council must adopt a permanent 2025 operating budget at its next meeting to meet a charter deadline and allow staff to return with a five-year financial recovery plan required to exit fiscal watch.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council weighs $250,000 proposal to buy 10 emergency housing units as first step on homelessness; members ask for written plan

Council agrees to review proposal for $125,000 water-credit allotments for three nonprofits

Council reviews proposal to consolidate community grants with annual application cycle; cultural affairs committee may administer

City manager urges council to pass 2025 operating budget to meet charter deadline, says fiscal recovery plan will follow