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March 8, 2016 <br /> <br /> City Manager Patton made the following statement: <br /> <br /> <br />“I am aware of a personnel matter being discussed in the media. Respectfully, the <br />disciplinary disposition of all employees under the City Manager’s prevue is a <br />personnel matter and I cannot discuss further. Employees are entitled to speak <br />about issues of public concern as it relates to issues in the public domain. However, <br />all City employees are required to follow the City of Portsmouth administrative policy <br />directives.” <br /> <br /> Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to add an item to the <br />agenda eliminating the position of City Auditor effective immediately, and this motion <br />failed by the following vote: <br /> <br />Ayes: Meeks, Moody, Psimas <br />Nays: Edmonds, Whitaker, Wright <br /> <br /> Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, that Section XXIII paragraph <br />b, pertaining to the fining of $1500 by a majority vote of City Council, be eliminated from <br />the Portsmouth City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, and this motion failed by <br />the following vote: <br /> <br />Ayes: Meeks, Moody, Psimas <br />Nays: Edmonds, Whitaker, Wright <br /> <br /> Dr. Whitaker asked that the City Manager provide updates on the following: <br /> <br /> Modified Lincoln Park contract from Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing <br /> <br />Authority Executive Director Hal Short. <br /> City Manager Patton provided an update to citizens and City Council. <br />o <br /> Issue of lead poisoning in public housing. <br /> <br /> City Manager Patton informed citizens and City Council that an update would <br />o <br />be provided at a later date. <br /> <br />16 - 81 - Report on Pending Items <br /> <br />There were no pending items. <br /> <br />16 - 82 - Non-Agenda Speakers <br /> <br />1. Betty Ashberry, 5218 Cobblehill Road, voiced her concern with the difficulty <br />businesses have working with the City and with the racial division. <br /> <br />2. Barry Randall, 500 Oak Street, voiced his concern with comments that were made <br />on Facebook. <br /> <br />3. Randy Bailey, 200 Maryland Avenue, voiced his concern with the suspension of a <br />fire fighter for voicing work concerns publicly. <br /> <br />4. Maggie Magruder, 111 High Street, voiced her concern with the Southeastern Public <br />Service Authority (SPSA) acceptance of RePower South’s low bid contract at a <br />recent meeting. <br /> <br /> Mr. Meeks asked why City Manager Patton did not follow the direction of City <br /> <br />Council to vote no on 2 items at the SPSA meeting. <br /> <br />5. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, spoke on Principles of Liberty #1. <br /> <br /> Mr. Meeks, again, asked why City Manager Patton did not follow the direction of City <br /> <br />Council to vote no on 2 items at the SPSA meeting. <br /> <br /> Mayor Wright directed City Manager Patton to answer the question. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />