Court security, code enforcement in Council’s final 2020 session
By Patrick Keck
Portsmouth City Council will close out its 2020 meetings on Monday at the Shawnee State University Ballroom. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH- Monday’s Portsmouth City Council will conclude 2020, a year marked by the nomination of three new Council members, passed measures, and the occasional fervent debate.
This meeting, held at the Shawnee State University Ballroom, will be 6th Ward Councilman Dennis Packard’s first since his Dec. 14 nomination and focus on seven legislation items.
Council will start with a 3rd reading of a code enforcement spreadsheet, an ordinance that has tabled and failed to surpass the three-reading rule previously. With its passage, City Manager Sam Sutherland would be authorized to enter an agreement with SSU to create monthly digital visualizations of complaints and citations related to code enforcement.
Dunne votes against “problematic” purchase of $265,000 armored vehicle
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne (right) voted against an ordinance which would’ve appropriated $265,000 in the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Portsmouth SWAT, Police and Fire Departments on Monday evening. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth City Council failed to pass legislation Monday evening which would have appropriated $265,000 from the city’s General Fund for the purchase of an armored vehicle.
Despite having a majority of the votes, 3-1 in favor, the missing fourth vote prevented the passing of the measure. Such was the case earlier this year when a 3-2 vote ended an attempt to decriminalize marijuana possession.