City Council

Minutes were approved by the Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee on 12/18/25. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Government Operations & Ordinances City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 3:30 P.M. 11/18/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Haynes called the meeting to order at 3:31 PM. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Felch led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following committee members: Councilor Haynes, Councilor Felch. Absent: Councilor Cheney 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.A. October 8, 2025 - Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee meeting minutes Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 2-0 6.B. October 21, 2025 - Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee meeting minutes Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the October 21, 2025 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 2-0 7. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 7.A. Ordinance 2025-5-20, 5-32, 5-33 - Amending Chapter 5, Administration of Government, Article III - Boards and Commissions - Human Relations Committee Manager Beattie presented some background to the council members and members of the public in 7. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 7.A. Ordinance 2025-5-20, 5-32, 5-33 - Amending Chapter 5, Administration of Government, Article III - Boards and Commissions - Human Relations Committee Manager Beattie presented some background to the council members and members of the public in the audience. The City Council decided to look into making this a permanent committee versus a Mayor’s Ad-Hoc committee since it has been around for more than 25 years. The committee was to review the mission, values and purpose of the committee. Patrick Wood, Chair of the Human Relations committee, stated at their most recent meeting they reviewed the proposed language and they would like to change one thing in the proposed ordinance under section B, that the appointments be as follows: one member be appointed by the Mayor, one member be appointed by the School board,1 member be appointed by the city manager and 9 members appointed by the City Council. In the values section under #3 to add “gender identity” after sexual orientation. Mr. Wood noted that the values are new and come from the NH constitution. Many of the law changes do not allow the government to adopt values/visions that include DEI (diversity, Equity and Inclusion) He hopes to see this move forward in a positive way, this committee is important to our community. David Osmond is a Gilford resident but can be a part of the committee by where he is employed. He was originally appointed by Mayor Engler and then again by Mayor Hosmer. He stated the importance of the committee over the years, they have had celebratory times and they have had many difficult discussions like homelessness. The only conflict he can recall between the committee and the council was the creation of a flag/banner policy for the city. He really appreciates the opportunity to serve. Matt Souza, Ward 4 Laconia. He has been apart of the committee since 2020. He has had a positive experience with the committee. He feels this process is good to create the committee as an official committee. Richard Littlefield, Laconia native and a member of the human relations committee. He has been on the board for the past 3 years. Prior to that he was a state representative and was heavily on the republican side. He feels this committee deserves to be around for another 25 years. Patrick Wood thanked the subcommittee members for their consideration. Councilor Felch wanted to personally thank all the members that came in attendance today and to thank all that are on the committee. Councilor Felch stated that he would like to move this item forward to the city council for a public hearing after the review by the city attorney and to see if there are any possible language changes needed. Councilor Haynes agreed. 7.B. Discussion regarding regulating the use of Kratom in the City of Laconia Councilor Haynes stated he has done some research on Kratom, and he has received written testimony (via email) from 7-8 people all in favor of the item not being restricted. Councilor Felch feels that this subject should stay in the hands of the state and federal government if there were to be any bans. Dillon Smith, resident of Kingston, NH. He gave testimony to the committee members in favor of the continued use of Kratom. Kratom Leaf is an herbal supplement. He became addicted to several medically prescribed medications. Kratom is 21 plus in Nashua. It is sold in health food stores, in gas stations and in smoke shops. In NH it can be purchased at 18+. He would like to see some type of dispensary. 708 products should be banned, but Kratom is a whole leaf powder. Amanda Reiner from Bedford NH. She was looking for 10 a change to get off pain medications. She can function daily 70H she feels if it is banned it would be detrimental to her health. Over the past  medically prescribed medications. Kratom is 21 plus in Nashua. It is sold in health food stores, in gas stations and in smoke shops. In NH it can be purchased at 18+. He would like to see some type of dispensary. 708 products should be banned, but Kratom is a whole leaf powder. Amanda Reiner from Bedford NH. She was looking for 10 a change to get off pain medications. She can function daily 70H she feels if it is banned it would be detrimental to her health. Over the past 8.5 years, regulation is key versus banning it all together. Jennifer Mercier brought handouts for the City Council with some health information. She discovered Kratom approximately 5 years ago. She does not find it addictive. She said that there is some dependency but she doesn’t have that. She does agree for it to be sold in gas stations and smoke shops. She agrees it should be sold in dispensaries and health food stores. She did speak to a state rep. they are looking to ban the synthetics but not the whole leaf. Manager Beattie asked if this item can be purchased online? Jennifer stated yes, they can ship to 18 regulated states. Manager Beattie asked if this item was a schedule 1 drug? She stated they have tried, but the DEA retracted their recommendation, and it was never made a schedule drug. Manager Beattie asked Chief Joubert if the Laconia Fire Department has ever responded to an overdose call because of Kratom, Chief Joubert said he had searched the logs and he couldn’t find anything. The committee decided not to move forward with this item. 7.C. General discussion regarding Social Districts in the City of Laconia Manager Beattie stated that since this has passed by the voters in November, the committee needs to start thinking about where they want to see this and how it is all going to work. Chief Joubert stated this is something they already do with special events, and this may help with repeated inspections and may become less on the special events side. Director Anderson said the committee should look at areas that don’t have a lot of traffic or have it during slower times of the day. He is thinking of people trying to cross the street or areas that are not well lit at night. Committee recommends the City Manager to draft up an area, and they will meet again to continue the discussion. 8. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS 9. Any other business that may come before the Council 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Haynes adjourned the meeting at 4:27 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk