City Council

Minutes were approved by the Public Safety Committee on 4/7/2026 CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING PUBLIC SAFETY 2:00 PM City Hall- Armand A. Bolduc Council Chamber 3/24/2026 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Soucy called the meeting to order at 2:07 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Haynes 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 Soucy, Councilor Haynes and Councilor Conant. Chairman Soucy confirmed that all 3 committee members were present and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Matt Canfield, Police Chief; Rob Mora, Planning Director; Nate Guerette, Public Works Director; Joia Hughes, Economic Housing Development Director, Tim Joubert, Fire Chief. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve the January 24, 2025 minutes as distributed by councilor seconded by Councilor Conant discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 3-0 Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve the February 10, 2026 minutes as distributed by councilor seconded by Councilor Conant discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 3-0 7. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE (Councilor Soucy, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Conant) 7.A. Continued discussion regarding creation of a Social District in downtown Laconia At the January 26, 2026 City Council meeting, the matter of creating an area for a social district in downtown Laconia was discussed. The Council referred further review and discussion to the Public Safety Committee, which last met on February 10, 2026. Attached is a copy of NH House Bill 467 and a map showing the proposed area for the downtown social district.  At the January 26, 2026 City Council meeting, the matter of creating an area for a social district in downtown Laconia was discussed. The Council referred further review and discussion to the Public Safety Committee, which last met on February 10, 2026. Attached is a copy of NH House Bill 467 and a map showing the proposed area for the downtown social district. Manager Beattie began by going over a management and maintenance plan for the social district. The consensus of the group is to add Veterans Square to include the Local Eatery, Burrito Me and The Cake. The line will also be extended down main street a little farther to include the flipside. Councilor Soucy asked if there was an event outside the social district days and times, can the social district be expanded? Manager Beattie stated they would have to get special approval for their event just like we do now. Councilor Soucy asked the police chief to ask the liquor commission if there is a way to allow temporary trucks to attend city events and sell alcohol. Manager Beattie stated the liquor commission will be invited to do education with the business owners. Proposed Permit fee: possible $250.00/ year for an annual permit for each business. Councilor Haynes is not in favor of charging a permit. Councilor Soucy would like to see the city sell the cups or stickers to go on the cups. Councilor Conant agrees, he feels the businesses should not be charged a permit fee. Manager Beattie is going to make some amendments to the approved containers criteria. Councilor Soucy stated maybe we can waive the permit fee for the first couple years. Councilor Conant stated our start date should be Memorial Day weekend May 28 th . The consensus of the committee is to change the hours to 12pm-8pm rather than the original 11am- 11pm. Next steps council to vote on sending it to a public hearing on 4/13/26, public hearing will be on 4/27/26. The subcommittee hopes to see more downtown businesses attend the meeting to voice their opinions. Joia will reach out to the businesses to let them know the date and time of the public hearing. 8. Any other business that may come before the Council 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Soucy adjourned the meeting at 3:10PM. Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk