Transcribed by AI from the city's PDF. Check the original before relying on it.
COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
April 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Chairman Burkush called the meeting to order.
The Clerk called the roll.
Present: Aldermen Burkush, Vincent, Barry, Goonan, Terrio
Messrs.: R. Robinson, P. Marr
-
Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $197,090,000 for CIP 710425 Cemetery Brook Tunnel Construction.
-
Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $248,475,000 for CIP C270071826 Various Capital Improvement Projects (EPD).
Chairman Burkush: I'd like to have Public Works come up to address items one and four. Just explain for the public, the bonding project.
Alderman Terrio: Can we just clarify the number?
M. Normand: It's $197,090,000.
Robert Robinson, Chief Sanitary Engineer: So, the two that are in front of you, number one is to increase the CIP for the tunnel construction, which is CIP 710425, by $197,090,000. It was originally $230,100,000. So, this would bring it to $427,190,000. The second part is for the sewer revenue bond resolution. And that is for $248,475,000. The bond, the project and entering into the bonds was previously approved at the January 7th, 2025, BMA meeting, along with the rate increases. The debt service for this bond resolution is within those rate increases. So, the debt service would be covered by that. So, we don't have to impact any rate increases to handle this bond and its corresponding debt service.
Alderman Terrio: So, when I saw this number in the agenda, I get scared of big numbers and this is a big number. Was it originally expected to be $230 million and the prices skyrocketed? I mean, this is a lot of money.
R. Robinson: Yes, I do agree. Originally the engineer's estimate for the project was $200 million. Then when we did opening of the actual documents for the two contractors and then we did negotiations, the project was $360 million, the contract we have. Then if you add in all of the engineering, all the legal fees, we had to do a lot of sewer easements, you put everything together and that's where you get the $427,190,000. So now we're trying to increase the CIP that originally was issued for the $230,100,000 to line up with actual expenses for this project. And then we have to do our next round of sewer revenue bond to fund this.
Alderman Terrio: So, we're going from $230 million, we're increasing by $197 million. You just said just a short while ago that the rate increases are going to cover this. But that is also incredible because we're almost doubling the amount of the projects. And the rate increases are going to cover it? I'm not saying you're being dishonest. It's just mind boggling to think that a project could almost double and that the rate increases are going to cover it.
R. Robinson: This is where we brought all this forward last year, essentially back in 25 and it was approved, really more towards the end of December. And then it was approved in January for those rate increases to cover all these new costs. You know, the higher contract and also all of the legal, all of the engineering, and also all the easements. So those rate increases were to cover that because we originally had rate increases that were small, of the 9% variety, we had originally six years, we were two years in, we had four years left and we went and mended them from 9% to four years at 19%, with the fifth year at 15%. And that was to cover all the debt service for all of this.
Alderman Terrio: This project is $427,120,000?
R. Robinson: Yes.
Chairman Burkush: Do we have a motion to approve both items one and four?
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve items one and four.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $11,846.91 for CIP C160060826 Hope for NH Recovery Wilson St Emergency Recovery Housing.
Matthew Normand, City Clerk: This would include waiving the interest after today.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Vincent, it was voted to expedite the committee reports for agenda items two and four.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorizations providing for the transfer and expenditure of funds in the amount of $159,000 for CIP C200060326 Dilapidated Building Demolition.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $30,000 for CIP C330041926 FY26 Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program DCE/SP.
Alderman Terrio: Cannabis is kind of moving to the legality. Why do we care about eradicating it?
Peter Marr, Chief of Police: I would say because it's still against the law and there's money there for us to enforce the law and we're asking to use it.
Alderman Terrio: It's legal for medical purposes, but not for recreational purposes.
P. Marr: Correct.
Alderman Terrio: I think we're the last state in New England.
P. Marr: We're the last holdouts.
Alderman Terrio: I think in the next five or so years, ten years, we're going to be legal here.
P. Marr: Oh, I have no doubt.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve, with Alderman Terrio being duly recorded in opposition.
- Communication from Mayor Ruais requesting the adoption of a Language Access Plan required by CDFA for disbursement of $500,000 in grant funds, and to authorize the Mayor to sign as the Authorized Official.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Jeff Belanger, Planning and Community Development Director, requesting an extension for CIP 611224 MHRA Landlord Incentive Program to December 31, 2026.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from the Planning and Community Development Director requesting extensions for CIP C200060126 Concentrated Code 1 and CIP C200060226 Concentrated Code 2 to August 31, 2026.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Vincent, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Anna Thomas, Public Health Director, requesting an extension for CIP C410021826 NH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program - Sponsorship to April 28, 2026.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Whitney Dade, MPD Grant Coordinator, requesting authorization to apply for the FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
M. Normand: There is a revised memo in front of you. The summary of that adjustment is that on the agenda, the amount that Manchester would receive in that grant was $161,818. That's been revised to $156,818.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Caleb Dobbins, Highway Chief Engineer, requesting approval of the following projects from the Mayor's proposed FY27 CIP Budget:
- CIP C500070227 FY27 Roadway Program: $6,700,000;
- CIP C650050827 School Parking Lot Rehabilitation: $1,000,000;
- CIP C500070127 FY27 Parks Paving: $200,000
On motion of Alderman Goonan, duly seconded by Alderman Vincent, it was voted to approve.
TABLED ITEM
Chairman Burkush: Does anyone want to remove item twelve from the table?
Alderman Terrio: Can we leave it there?
Chairman Burkush: If the committee wants to leave it on the table, leave it on the table.
- Communication from the Planning and Community Development Director regarding a request from the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Services that its lease at 434 Lake Avenue be reduced from $2,023.50 to $1,423.50 per month from January to June 2026.
(Note: Tabled on March 3, 2026, to explore consolidation with other tenants or other configurations in the building.)
There being no further business, on motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to adjourn.
A True Record. Attest.
Clerk of Committee
Meeting Start Time: 5:30PM
Meeting End Time: 5:41PM
Minutes Prepared By: Michael Intranuovo