2026-07-13 - City Council
Summary
Built from official minutes.
- Regular meeting, 7:00 PM, 14 present, 1 excused (Sekou); Mayor Champlin presiding.
- City Manager governance: Satisfactory performance rating passed 13-1 (Brown dissent); 2.5% salary adjustment passed 10-4 (Brown, Horne, Kalob, Schultz opposed); six-week sabbatical (July 20–August 31) approved 1 dissent (Brown) with Brian LeBrun as Acting City Manager.
- Loudon Road Bridge federal grant letter of support passed unanimously; NH DOT seeking support for Bridge Investment Program funding.
- Traffic signal improvements ($55,580 state funding for Legislative Parking Garage access) passed unanimously.
- Merrimack River Greenway Trail lease payment appropriation ($28,800) passed unanimously.
- Event Arts Grant Awards report approved (discussed by Councilor Kalob); $150,000 allocated; $20,000 for America 250/Concord 300.
- Parks and Recreation Month report approved; discussion of Russell Martin Park Land and Water Conservation Fund history and potential conversion/exchange.
- Homelessness funding resolution (previously tabled, $84,000 from Community Improvement Reserve) taken off table and disapproved unanimously as no longer needed (funding secured elsewhere).
- Referrals: Volunteer Corps (Golf and RPAC); Cooling/warming stations during extreme weather (Public Safety Board); crosswalk at Johnson/South Streets (Traffic Operations); Middle School traffic and neighborhood safety (TPAC).
- Parking and Memorial Field ordinances remained tabled.
- Numerous appointment approvals and committee reports.
City Manager Performance Evaluation
- Item 7 (Charter requirement, Section 21(b)). Councilor Kretovic recommended satisfactory rating based on structured evaluation using ICMA best practices. Accomplishments: new police station, fiscal year budget implementation, capital project management, recruitment during shortages, AA+ bond rating maintenance, transparent Council communications.
- Councilor Brown opposed: cited mismanagement of finances ($5.4 million withdrawn from Capital Reserves without Trust Fund oversight), resources (255 trees cut from Memorial Field), and staff. Filed evaluation requesting unsatisfactory rating be included in file (May 6 submission).
- Mayor Champlin supported: noted City Manager excelled at confronting challenges and presenting imaginative solutions during a difficult year.
- Passed 13-1 (Brown dissent).
City Manager Salary Adjustment
- Item 7 continuation. 2.5% increase (within contractual 2%–5% range). City Manager's 2025 salary: $222,810. Kretovic noted Manager requested minimum adjustment, reflecting commitment to City services. Manager has previously accepted reduced/no increases to preserve services.
- Councilor Brown opposed: highly competitive package already includes fully paid family health insurance, extended vacation, 12 months severance, two retirement benefits; discretionary under contract.
- Councilor Todd supported: median comparable salary/benefits ~$197,000 nationwide; manager has 25 years service, 20 as City Manager; praised consistent judgment and ability to work with all Councilors.
- Councilor Schultz opposed: constituents expressed concerns; wage disparity with low-wage workers and community financial challenges; opposition based on principle, not personal.
- Councilor Kalob opposed: conscience after reflection; noted contrast with firefighter contract discussions; importance of Council understanding policy implications.
- Councilor Horne opposed: wage disparity concerns between City Manager, staff, and public; noted prior Council decisions, not current Manager's responsibility.
- Passed 10-4 (Schultz, Brown, Horne, Kalob opposed).
City Manager Sabbatical
- Item 8 (contractual benefit available since 2015, never previously used; fifth opportunity requested). Kretovic supported: reflects appreciation for professionalism and stability; emphasized importance of respecting public employees, maintaining trust culture, and honoring contractual commitments; noted Rules Committee developing Council code of conduct on professionalism/civility.
- Mayor moved to modify from original request to six weeks (July 20–August 31, 2026); Brian LeBrun (Deputy City Manager Finance) as Acting City Manager; departments report to LeBrun; City Manager Aspell remains available for emergencies, has continuity of operations plan.
- Councilor Brown opposed: viewed as discretionary; timing inappropriate given ongoing priorities (class/compensation study, debt sequencing, revaluation abatements, golf debt, recent Finance Director loss); requested deferral until after November tax bills.
- Councilor Fennessy supported: entitled under employment agreement; no "ideal time" for sabbatical due to ongoing demands; six weeks reasonable.
- Councilor Grady Sexton asked for written contingency/emergency plan documentation; City Solicitor Conforti confirmed Council discretion is limited (cannot unreasonably deny); City Manager Aspell noted continuity plan exists and will coordinate sharing.
- Councilor Kurtz supported: benefit in contract since 2017; never used prior three-year periods; six weeks after three decades service reasonable; Manager selflessly reduced initial request.
- Councilor Todd supported: negotiated in good faith; demands further support need for leave; confidence in Brian LeBrun; similar arrangements in other NH communities.
- Passed with 1 dissent (Brown).
Loudon Road Bridge Improvement Grant
- Item 9 (resolution). NH DOT presented Bridge Investment Program (USDOT) federal grant opportunity, short window (closed June 29). State compiled funding package; LPA (Local Public Agency) project with federal funds administered by City. Joint support letters from Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Goodlander.
- Passed unanimously.
Legislative Parking Garage Traffic Signal Improvements
- Item 33A/34 (resolution). $55,580 state funding for signal timing adjustments at various intersections due to parking garage traffic impacts. Work coordination with other signal improvements expected 2026. Daigle Electrical Construction Corp to prepare work plan.
- Mayor Champlin noted gratifying outcome: City will recoup bagged parking spaces around State House for public use.
- Passed unanimously.
Merrimack River Greenway Trail Maintenance
- Item 33B/35 (resolution). $28,800 lease payment appropriation for 3.3-mile rail corridor maintenance and property tax (parking area on Sewalls Falls Road).
- Passed unanimously.
Event Arts Grant Awards
- Item 24 (pulled by Councilor Kalob). $150,000 allocated; Kalob highlighted impact potential and encouraged public website visit. Councilor Brown asked about America 250/Concord 300 celebration allocation ($20,000) budget; City Manager Aspell to report back; Kretovic noted Committee request for funds; Police Department determined budget due to detail expenses.
- Passed unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Month Report
- Item 27 (pulled by Councilor Brown). Discussion of Russell Martin Park, acquired through Land and Water Conservation Fund. History being researched; park involved in Broken Ground exchange. David Gill (Parks Director) explained: City's main parks protected under LWCF; property conversion possible but requires equal/greater recreational value exchange through Federal Government; passive recreation eligibility depends on original purchase purpose and usage.
- Passed unanimously.
Homelessness Services Funding
- Item 38 (previously tabled April 14, 2025). Resolution for $84,000 appropriation from Community Improvement Reserve to support Concord's Plan to End Homelessness, taken off table by Schlosser. Schlosser moved to disapprove (funding secured). Councilor Schultz asked for clarification; Mayor affirmed item taken off table because funded. Motion to disapprove passed unanimously.