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Council forms Municipal Building Blue Ribbon Committee after public urges deadline for police facility plan
Summary
The Portsmouth City Council appointed members to a time-limited Municipal Building Blue Ribbon Committee and heard public comment urging the group to set a firm completion date to avoid rising construction costs for a proposed police facility.
The Portsmouth City Council on Jan. 6 appointed members to a Municipal Building Blue Ribbon Committee that will study the municipal complex and be a public-facing successor to the earlier working group. The committee is time-limited; city staff said it can operate for the remainder of the year and staff expect to return information in time to inform next year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
During public comment, resident Buzz Sherr of Greenleaf Avenue urged the council and the Blue Ribbon Committee to set a date certain for completion of their work, citing rising construction costs. "The reason I'm here tonight is one specific request that the council, the mayor set a date certain for when the Blue Ribbon Committee finishes their work," Sherr said, warning that delaying a vote or referendum could increase costs substantially.
The council packet lists committee members in alphabetical order, including residents and representatives from boards: Cameron Horak, Mary Lou McElwain, Renee Plummer, John O'Leary, Peter Weeks; Rick Schellman (Planning Board chair); Kate Coyle (Police Commission chair); Mark Newport (Police Chief); Karen Conard (City Manager); and council representatives John Taber and Councilor Kate Cook. The mayor asked the committee to elect a chair or co-chairs at its first meeting.
Councilors said the Blue Ribbon Committee will provide a more public process than the prior working group and asked the committee to move promptly so the CIP can reflect any recommended funding. Councilor Bagley noted that the committee’s work is focused on the municipal building but said facilities planning could overlap with longer-term school-facility discussions if space is reallocated among departments.
What matters
Sherr and staff framed the committee’s timetable as consequential because prior local projects grew more expensive when delayed. Staff asked the committee to provide findings in time for CIP decisions; councilors emphasized public engagement in the process.
Next steps
The council approved the appointments by voice vote. The Blue Ribbon Committee will meet in public; the council encouraged prompt scheduling and a work plan that aligns with the CIP calendar.
