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Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 12

Alderman Jette

So | sponsored this Resolution at the request of the Conservation Commission to which | am the Aldermanic
Liaison. This is a project to restore the Salmon Brook Trail, the section between Ingalls Street and Burke
Street. It is part of the Joyce Park & Wildlife Sanctuary. It is $24,500.00, it is not tax money, it is money that
the Conservation Commission has in its Conservation Fund. This is money that’s accumulated when
developers develop property and need the Conservation Commission to review it, they have to pay a fee and
that money accumulates over the years. So this money is within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Fund but
they need our permission to spend it.

They have come up with this great project, they are teaming up with Student Conservation Association which
has students during the summertime, students who are interested in conservation. They are going to provide
crews that are going to do the labor involved in this project. They also supply tools and some materials and we
are also paying for part of the materials from the Conservation Fund. So it is a great project, it is going to
restore the trail in this very lovely conservation area along Salmon Brook. And the Budget Review Committee
unanimously voted to recommend final passage and | ask for your support.

President Wilshire

The motion is for final passage of Resolution 21-141. Discussion on that motion? Seeing none, would the
Clerk please call the roll?

A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Klee, Alderman Dowd,
Alderman Caron, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Tencza,
Alderwoman Lu, Alderman Jette, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Laws,
Alderman Cleaver, Alderwoman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Wilshire 14

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Resolution R-21-141 declared duly adopted.

R-21-145
Endorsers: Mayor Jim Donchess
Alderman Richard A. Dowd
Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
Alderman Thomas Lopez
Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire
AUTHORIZING THE INTERFUND TRANSFER OF $325,000 FROM THE BROAD STREET PARKWAY
CAPITAL PROJECT ACTIVITY TO THE NASHUA MILLYARD DOG PARK CAPITAL PROJECT
ACTIVITY FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT “L” PINE STREET (MAP 77, LOT 5)
Given its second reading;

MOTION BY ALDERMAN O’BRIEN FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-21-145, BY ROLL CALL
ON THE QUESTION
Alderman O’Brien

And if | may speak briefly on my motion?

THIS FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL RESPONSES TO IFB

EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES:

References: Provide references for recently completed projects related to industrial coating of steel structures or tanks.
Include company name, project name, cost, dates, and contact information of company. References may be contacted

as part of the bid review to assist in assessing Contractor’s qualifications. Current City of Nashua personnel and elected
officials shall not be used as references.

Acknowledgement is made of receipt of the following addenda: 1, 2 & 3

If notice of acceptance of this proposal is given to the undersigned within ninety 90 days after the date of opening
of bids, or any time thereafter before this bid is withdrawn, the undersigned will execute and deliver a contract
in the prescribed form within 10 days after the contract has been presented to them for signature.

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: The undersigned certifies that it does not and will not during the
performance of this Contract violate the provisions of the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986,
which prohibits employment of illegal aliens.

DISQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS: By signing this BID FORM the undersigned certifies that this
person/firm/corporation is not currently barred from bidding on contracts by any Agency of the State of New
Hampshire, nor is this person/firm/corporation a part of any firm/corporation that is currently barred
from bidding on contracts by any Agency of the State of New Hampshire.

Either the undersigned or one of the following individuals, if any, is authorized to modify this BID prior to the
deadline for receipt of bids by writing the modification and signing their name on the face of the BID, on the
envelope in which it is enclosed, on a separate document, or on a document which is faxed to the City or by

sending the City's representative an e-mail message:

IFB1092-010522 WWTF Primary and Secondary Digester Coating Pagel5o0f9

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 13
President Wilshire
Alderman O’Brien.
Alderman O’Brien

Thank you Madam President. | think the Mayor, in his opening remarks, spoke real brilliantly on what is going
on here and any elongated comments from me would be wagging the dog. But the thing is looking at this, I’ve
always believed in my tenure as an Alderman we have the business of running the City but also the future.
This is part of the Green Lake that runs right from the downtown that goes into the Mine Falls area. | think it
would be a shame if we let it go and it would be developed. | think the people of Nashua would probably be
very happy with the $325,000.00 spent on this. And plus giving our four-footed friends a little bit of a place
inside the City that they can go out and behave like good little puppies that they are. So therefore | hope
everybody goes with me and vote for this. | don’t think we are barking up the wrong tree. Thank you Madam
President.

President Wilshire

How do you top that? The motion is for final passage of Resolution 21-145, is there discussion on that motion?
Alderman Lopez?

Alderman Lopez

Yeah Alderman O’Brien just took the role of the guy with the puns. But while the Animal Dog Park Advisory
Committee has been working on this continuously for a year, | do feel the need to point out that it is because of
their work that we have this opportunity. The opportunity isn’t for just their work. | think it is important for us to
take advantage of this for the reasons that Alderman O’Brien pointed out. | think the way that the Dog Park
Advisory Committee has shed light on this particular land, far exceeds the specific goal of a dog park. As the
Mayor pointed out, that’s part of Mine Falls that a lot of people consider to be Mine Falls. It’s their entry into
that experience. The Bike Paddle Run relies completely on that. There’s any number of races and
recreational events that rely on that exit point. For it to be turned into a future parking lot or sold to a developer,
there was a lot of shock when UPS took down a lot of trees near Mine Falls. People didn’t realize that Mine
Falls, beyond that border those trees were actually on other people’s properties. And then recently it
happened again.

We need to protect Mine Falls and that means to buffer it as much as possible and create that natural green
space that is available. | think that’s a more important consideration here because that piece of land is pretty
good asset for the City to grab with the opportunity that we have with the friendly relations that we have with
the Mill Yard Association. We should take advantage of that. It is also potentially real estate that someone
might be eyeballing because of its proximity to the Broad Street parkway. So if we don’t want to see Mine Falls
whittled away, and we want to preserve it as the natural jewel that it is, we really need to take this into account.
We really need to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you.

President Wilshire

Anyone else? Alderman Jette?

Alderman Jette

Thank you Madam President. | received some feedback from constituents about this matter and | tried to
explain it at the Budget Review Committee meeting. This Resolution is not to purchase this land, this
Resolution — we already voted to purchase the land at our last meeting. This Resolution is to come up with the

money that we already committed to pay for the purchase of this land. | voted against the last Resolution to
purchase the land, not because | think it is a bad project. | just felt that we were putting the cart before the

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 14

horse, we had a public hearing, | thought we should wait for the public hearing and hear what the public had to
say about this.

| was outvoted and the Resolution that we adopted at the last meeting | think was a good one. Even though |
voted against it, because | think it is a very strategic purchase. Our Director of Community Development,
Sarah Marchant, spoke about how important it was to acquire this land. Director of Economic Development,
Mr. Cummings, also spoke highly in favor of it. Our Capital Improvements Committee has put on this, this
purchase of this land, they have given it the highest rating, an A1 Rating. And the dog park part of it hasn’t
even been decided yet, even if it is used it is only going to be a portion of this. It’s over 4 acres, the dog park, if
it comes to be, will only be about an acre.

Also on this land there is an antenna. And it is an income producing, there’s a lease for that antenna that
currently | think the rent is somewhere, it’s over $25,000.00 a year. So we have already committed to
purchase this. The question is where is the money going to come from? And the administration has identified
surplus money from the Broad Street Parkway Project where there is $325,000.00 is available, it’s not new tax
money, it doesn’t affect the tax rate at all. Yes, | suppose during the discussion | think CFO Griffin said the
$325,000.00 could be applied to the tax rate for 1 year; what effect that is going to have on the tax rate | think
is pretty small. And | think years from now, as others have pointed out, to think that the City has an opportunity
to buy this land for $325,000.00. If we don’t do it people are going to say, what could you have been thinking?

The Resolution we adopted at our last meeting to buy the land was a good one. And where do we come up
with the $325,000.00 if it’s not from this excess money that is not new tax money it is going to have to come
from somewhere else, you know, the General Fund. And that will be tax money that will affect the tax rate. |
can’t help but point out that we just voted to borrow over $3 million dollars for sewer replacement and lining of
the sewer pipes, very much needed project. But we have agreed to borrow over $3 million dollars without a
peep, without anybody saying anything about it and here we are, people are upset because we are going to
spend $325,000.00 of money we already have on this very worthwhile project. So | hope that the people who
have contacted me in opposition to this understand. | heard what you said about it but | think this is a smart
thing for us to do so | am going to vote for it. Thank you.

President Wilshire
Alderman Harriott-Gathright.

Alderman Harriott-Gathright

Thank you Madam Chair. From what | understand in the meeting that | did attend the funding is coming from
the Broad Street project. But one of the questions | had, | remember | asked the question as in terms of
affordable housing, could we purchase this property, could we put housing on that and | was told that the land
was not that type of land that we build property on. | don’t know exactly the details about it but it wasn’t the
type of land that we could add say apartment building or something of that nature. So | know the Directors and
Capital Improvement gave us great information and | appreciate. So | will be one to vote for this. Thank you,
Madam President.

President Wilshire
You're welcome. Alderman Schmidt?
Alderman Schmidt

Thank you Madam President. Alderman Harriott-Gathright the land is actually in the flood plain which means it
always has a capacity to flood so housing there would be a terrible mistake. Just a few points, Ward 1 has
access to this wonderful park. We have parking there, we have a bridge over the river, children can play in the
fields nearby, it is wonderful. Wards 3 and 4 could have access to the park legally, having parking area, have
a place for their dogs to play, place for runners to come and go and if we don’t do this, they won’t have that. It

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 15

will not be accessible to them. It will belong to someone else, gates will go up and people will not be allowed
to go through there. | think Wards 3 and 4 deserve the same kind of access to the park that Ward 1 enjoys. |
really hope everybody can vote for this and | thank you for the opportunity to speak.

President Wilshire
You’re welcome. Alderman Klee?
Alderman Klee

Thank you Madam Chair. | wasn’t going to speak on this because I’ve spoken ad nauseum about it. But! want
to repeat some of the things that have been said and | know Alderman Jette and | appreciated him bringing
back the Mayor’s remarks of if we don’t purchase this now and then later on someone says, why not? We
have heard that about Daniel Webster College, we have heard that about many other things. And the bottom
line is we can’t please everybody. This is $325,000.00 and to me $10.00 is a lot of money but anything that we
can do that is going to enhance this, | can tell you personally as a person who uses the park regularly that is
one of my loops. | have mentioned it before, | go out of the park from that exit through the mill yard and then
back into the park. Without that exit, if someone were to gobble up that land and basically close off the park,
that actually does have an effect. And | believe that Alderman O’Brien or one of the other Aldermen mentioned
about the races etc. that go on. It would change the complexity, it would change the whole feel of this park.

| think it’s necessary, | think we would literally have a closed off entrance there. | appreciate what Alderman
Schmidt also said about this being an entrance to Ward 4 and Ward 3. That is one of the entrances that | do
use and | often use the entrance from Ward 1 as well at Lincoln Park. | uses the one over by Stellos’ Stadium
and the Y. But this is the walking entrance for Ward 4. This is extraordinary important to maintain this and to
not have someone put in — whether it be a gravel parking or whatever it would be — to close this end of Mine
Falls and then later on we will have residents who will turn around and say, it was only $325,000.00. | never
like that word “only” but that is what we are going to hear. So | am going to be voting in favor of this. The dog
park is an ancillary portion of it. We already had permission from the mill yard so this is not the driving force to
purchase this land. The mill yard had already given permission for the dog park. This is just purchasing the
land because it has become available, the dog park is ancillary and | really wish that it didn’t have that name in
it but it does and we just need to deal with. So thank you so much.

President Wilshire
Thank you. Alderman Clemons.
Alderman Clemons

Thank you Madam President. | am having difficulty here with my video. Here we go. | just wanted to briefly
comment that the dog park has been around or the idea of having a dog park or the want to have more dog
parks have been around since I’ve been on the Board in 2008. In addition to that, we as a City should keep
improving and should keep improving the lives of our residents. And one of the ways to do that is to create
new parks, new public spaces for people to enjoy. It is actually in my opinion a responsibility of our City
Government. So | believe that this is a worthwhile venture. | think that the dog park is a good idea. | think that
there is going to be a lot of people who will utilize it and enjoy it. | understand that the City is facing a lot of
pressure from the State and that there are a lot of other spending priorities that need to happen.

But we are a City that we need to look at everything. We need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same
time. | think we are able to do that. | think this is a creative financing option for this to make it happen and | fully
support it. | think it is the right thing to do and | think people will really like the fact that we did this 5, 10, 15,
100 years from now.

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 16

President Wilshire

Anyone else? Seeing none, the motion before us is for final passage of Resolution 21-145. Would the Clerk
please call the roll?

A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Klee, Alderman Dowd,
Alderman Caron, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Tencza,
Alderman Jette, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Laws,
Alderman Cleaver, Alderwoman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Wilshire 13
Nay: Alderwoman Lu 1
MOTION CARRIED
Resolution R-21-145 declared duly adopted.
R-21-146
Endorser: Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire
AUTHORIZING PENNICHUCK CORPORATION AND PENNICHUCK EAST UTILITY, INC. TO ENTER
INTO A TERM LOAN WITH COBANK, ACB
Given its second reading;
MOTION BY ALDERMAN LAWS FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-21-146, BY ROLL CALL
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Klee, Alderman Dowd,
Alderman Caron, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Tencza,
Alderwoman Lu, Alderman Jette, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Laws,
Alderman Cleaver, Alderwoman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Wilshire 14
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Resolution R-21-146 declared duly adopted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS — ORDINANCES

O-21-062
Endorsers: Alderman June M. Caron
Alderman Richard A. Dowd
Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright
Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
ESTABLISHING A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF 3 CROWN STREET
Given its second reading;

MOTION BY ALDERMAN CARON FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF O-21-062, BY ROLL CALL

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 17

ON THE QUESTION

Alderman Caron

And may | speak?

President Wilshire

Alderman Caron.

Alderman Caron

Yes thank you. So the Corpus Christie Food Pantry is on Crown Street and they reached out to me because
they do have a lot of handicapped people to see if we would be willing to put one handicap space for their
clients who come in to the facility which is maybe about three times a week for three or four hours. And | hope
that we get final passage on this very important parking space for them. Thank you.

President Wilshire

Thank you. The motion is for final passage of Ordinance 21-062 by roll call. Is there further discussion on that
motion? Seeing none, would the Clerk please call the roll?

A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Klee, Alderman Dowd,

Alderman Caron, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Tencza,

Alderwoman Lu, Alderman Jette, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Laws,

Alderman Cleaver, Alderwoman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Wilshire 14
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Ordinance O-21-062 declared duly adopted.
O-21-063

Endorser: Alderman Jan Schmidt

ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF NEWTON DRIVE

Given its second reading;
MOTION BY ALDERMAN SCHMIDT FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF O-21-063, BY ROLL CALL
ON THE QUESTION
And may | speak on this?
President Wilshire
Alderman Schmidt?

Alderman Schmidt

Thank you. | just wanted to let everyone know that this is a request by DPW. There’s a space that is
absolutely is required for them to turn their trucks around and | appreciate your support on this.

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 18

President Wilshire
Anyone else? Any discussion on that motion? Seeing none, would the Clerk please call the roll?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Klee, Alderman Dowd,

Alderman Caron, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Tencza,

Alderwoman Lu, Alderman Jette, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Laws,

Alderman Cleaver, Alderwoman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Wilshire 14
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Ordinance O-21-063 declared duly adopted.

NEW BUSINESS — RESOLUTIONS

R-21-149

Endorser: Alderman Thomas Lopez
Alderman Patricia Klee
Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
Alderman Richard A. Dowd
Alderman June M. Caron
Alderman Jan Schmidt
Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons
Alderman-at-Large Brandon Michael Laws
Alderwoman Elizabeth Lu
Alderman Skip Cleaver
Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright
Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire

APPROVING THE USE OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDS BY NEIGHBORWORKS OF SOUTHERN NEW

HAMPSHIRE FOR 40 ASH STREET
Given its first reading; assigned to the HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, by President Wilshire

R-21-150
Endorser: Mayor Jim Donchess

Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
Alderman Patricia Klee
Alderman Richard A. Dowd
Alderman June M. Caron
Alderwoman Elizabeth Lu
Alderman-at-Large Brandon Michael Laws
Alderman Skip Cleaver
Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright
Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire

AMENDING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL ACTION
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021 AND 2022 RELATIVE TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BLOCK GRANT (“CDBG”)
Given its first reading; assigned to the HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, by President Wilshire

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 19

R-21-151
Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons
Alderman Patricia Klee
Alderman Richard A. Dowd
Alderman Jan Schmidt
Alderman-at-Large David C. Tencza
Alderman Tom Lopez
Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright
Alderman-at-Large Brandon Michael Laws
Alderman Skip Cleaver
Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire
RELATIVE TO A BALLOT REFERENDUM CONCERNING SPORTS BETTING WITHIN THE CITY OF
NASHUA
Given its first reading; assigned to the PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and
SCHEDULE A SPECIAL BOARD OF ALDERMEN meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in the aldermanic
chamber at 7:00 p.m. by President Wilshire

NEW BUSINESS — ORDINANCES - None

PERIOD FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Laurie Ortolano 41 Berkeley Street. | want to use this time to speak briefly about the Police Commission again
and keeping the Commission the way it is, appointed through the State. As most of you know, over the last
couple of years I’ve put in quite a few Right-to-Know requests. They have been the center of a good bit of
controversy. | want to let you know that I’ve put requests at State Agencies, top government bureaus and other
municipalities. And what | find is for all of those requests | put in, | received what | thought was a professional
response. If my request wasn’t clear, the agency or municipality would call, they would explain what
information is available, allow me to express what | am interested in and provide the information.

The Nashua Police Department has also operated that way and although | might not be in full agreement on
how they have handled some situations involving me, when it has come to my Right-to-Know requests, they
have practiced the utmost courtesy. They pick up the phone, they call and ask for clarification, they explain
what they have for data. And when | have asked questions in writing, the Records Department comes back
with pretty long, lengthy explanations of what | am looking for.

City Hall, on the other hand, is the most oppressive, vindictive, and personal government | have ever worked
with. They don’t respond to Right-to-Knows in the way that any State agency or other municipality does. They
will not pick up the phone, they will not explain what records are available. They will not work with you to let
you know what is available. You are playing a guessing game in Nashua at City Hall and that’s by design,
through a Mayor and a Legal Office. It is obnoxious, it’s crushing to citizens, it closes the door to transparency,
it is oppressive. | am glad that the Police Department is operating like top governmental agencies in the State.
And | don’t want to see the appointments of these Commissioners come from a Mayor and a Board President
because | don’t want them taking on the oppressive form of government that City Hall is practicing right now in
their citizens. | want that Police Department to continue with its professional response to citizen request. And
the other issues that may exist that | may differ on can be worked on and improvements can come and will
come with time. Thank you.

President Wilshire
Anyone else? Beth? Name and address for the record please?
Beth Scaer 111 East Hobart Street. First of all | wanted to correct the Mayor. FB 52 was written by the

sponsor according to the sponsor to protect every cap in the entire State, every city and town and it specifically
protects the spending cap in Nashua and tax caps in Franklin, Laconia, Rochester, Manchester, Somersworth,

Board of Aldermen 06-08-2021 Page 20

Derry and Dover. So the Mayor is incorrect at FB 52 is written just to cause trouble for Nashua. And also the
spending cap didn’t just drop out of the sky on to the Mayor’s head. It was passed by the voters of Nashua.
And that seemed like it came out of nowhere and doesn’t reply to him and this Board of Aldermen but the City
residents voted for it and it was never rescinded and this Bill just repairs what was broken by a previous Bill.

And also for Pride Month | wanted to let the Mayor know that Save Women’s Sports is still a very serious
concern of mine. He took down my flag and Alderman Schmidt helped him in that. | wanted to let him know
that according to Mary Higgins in South Carolina they now have full transgender cycling women’s teams that
go to these races. When girls line up they are lining up with 5 men; 5 men in a biking race and those 5 men
crush the women. This is what you, Alderman Schmidt and Mayor Donchess, are supporting. And then from
Beth (inaudible) Save Women’s Sports she says, these women call me a warrior for being in this spot today
and | gladly take that title because my words are my sword, the truth is my shield and today this room feels like
a battle to protect reality. So forgive my sharpness of my sword. | would rather by rude than a liar, despite
death threats, | stand here today because there is great power in that truth. Simply put identities don’t play
sports, bodies play sports. Set a precedence that tells women and girls they matter. We are women here
saying no, why is that not enough? Thank you.

President Wilshire
Alesha Houston?

Alesha Houston Thank you so much. | want to appreciate the entire Board of Aldermen for taking a moment. |
am at 139 Westwood Drive in Nashua. | wanted to speak in opposition to the changes to the Commission that
are being suggested for our Nashua Police Department. | want to remind all of the Board of Aldermen that are
here this evening, that our Police Department is one of the most recognized and successful Police
Departments with their training and all of the pieces that make them our Nashua Police Department and that is
recognized nationally. | just feel like if everyone could just take a moment and think that if it's not broken, why
would we try to fix it. | don’t see that adding additional Commissioners to this is going to change anything. | see
that the people that are the most qualified for these positions, and | am saying this as a female, the people that
are the most qualified for these positions should be the ones that we receive these positions. | know that there
is a lot of division in Nashua right now. And | would just welcome everyone to come together and look at what
Nashua looks like right now and let’s focus on the areas of opportunity and one of those areas of opportunity is
not the Police Commission. Let’s leave them the way that they are and lets them continue to protect and serve
our City. Thank you.

President Wilshire
Steven Scaer.

Steven Scaer Hi, | am Steven Scaer, 111 East Hobart Street. Since this is June | wanted to ask the City to
consider honoring fathers for Father's Day. May was Mental Health Awareness Day and we know that
fatherlessness is a leading cause of mental health disorders in children. We know that children who don’t have
their dads at home are twice as likely to commit suicide, 32 times as likely to run away from home, 9 times as
likely to drop out of school, 20 times as likely to exhibit symptoms of mental health behavioral disorders, 10
times as likely to end up in a chemical abuse center, more likely to face abuse and neglect at home and 4
times as likely to live in poverty.

| appreciate everything the City and the State does for young people suffering from mental health problems,
but no amount of money spent on extra hospital beds for the State or therapists or on-line therapies can ever
compensate for the crisis of not having a dad at home. Four out of ten children right now are being born out of
wedlock and black communities have been especially hard hit as Barack Obama noted in 2008 with now 7 out
of 10 black children being born out of wedlock. What real social justice would mean is providing each child
with his or her dad in the home and nothing else makes up for that. So with so many children suffering from
not having fathers at home, I’d ask that this Board considering honoring the fathers that have stood through the
trials and temptations of being a modern dad to raise their own children by recognizing Father’s Day.