Laconia City Council Goal-Setting Session - March 19, 2026
Laconia City Council Goal-Setting Session - March 19, 2026
The Laconia City Council held a goal-setting session on March 19, 2026, to identify priorities for the upcoming budget and future planning. The meeting was recorded (not live-streamed) with notes compiled by the city clerk and a designated note-taker. Council members discussed a wide range of interlinked topics, focusing on homelessness, affordable housing, economic development, downtown revitalization, infrastructure, and community pride. No formal votes were taken; the session was intended to generate a framework for action and departmental budget presentations.
Discussion Items
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Homelessness and Affordable Housing: Mayor Kirk opened by identifying homelessness as a top concern, noting progress by Police Chief Canfield in keeping the issue "out of sight" but emphasizing the need for solutions beyond displacement. Councillor Susie linked homelessness to affordable housing, criticizing the lack of a clear definition of "affordable" and referencing past issues with the 79E tax incentive program. She also suggested some homeless individuals may not want housing. Councillor Hildra argued the two issues should be treated separately.
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Economic Development and Job Creation: Mayor Kirk advocated for luring larger companies to Laconia to provide "careers, not just jobs," citing Salem's success. Councillor Susie noted that some influential tourists would not relocate a plant to the area and suggested strengthening the economic development position. Councillor Bogart emphasized that economics underpins all other goals, as meaningful wages are needed for housing and quality of life. He mentioned state programs (C-PACER and R-PACER) for financing energy efficiency improvements.
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Downtown Revitalization: Multiple councilors discussed improving downtown through aesthetics (lighting, crosswalks, painting), event planning, and addressing negative perceptions. Mayor Kirk noted empty storefronts and the need to work with landlords. Councillor Haynes called for year-round event planning and advertising the city's assets. Councillor Conan proposed creating social districts to attract visitors, and stressed the need for a user-friendly "Visit Laconia" website separate from the city site, leveraging social media advertising. Councillor Bogart suggested a survey of downtown business owners.
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Infrastructure and City Pride: Councillor Susie raised concerns about ADA compliance downtown and the condition of roads. Councillor Haynes highlighted water quality in the lakes and code enforcement regarding deteriorating buildings. Councillor Conan focused on pride in neighborhoods, citing junkyards and unregistered vehicles. The group discussed the need for better snow removal on downtown sidewalks, with Councillor Haynes suggesting private contractors.
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Vocational-Tech Education: Councillor Susie urged expansion of the Huitt Vocational Tech program at the high school, emphasizing the demand for skilled tradespeople. He proposed opening it to young adults aged 17-24 in evenings. School officials present noted existing programs but acknowledged capacity limits.
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Public Safety and Perception: To counteract downtown's negative stigma, it was suggested that more police officers be added for beat patrols, improving safety perception. Councillor Susie noted that five officers would be needed for 24/7 coverage.
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Downtown Riverwalk and Masonic Building: Opportunities to develop a riverwalk and activate the Masonic building were discussed.
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Social Districts: Councillor Conan urged swift implementation of social districts downtown, calling it a priority for spring. A public safety committee meeting was scheduled for the following Tuesday.
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City Vision Statement: The existing vision ("Create a vibrant and thriving community based on the values and visions of Laconia's citizens") was read. Councillor Bogart called for a more forward-looking statement focused on building a stronger future and changing headlines from "homelessness" to "economics." The council agreed to revisit and update the vision.
Key Outcomes
- The council identified at least 11 priority topics to be organized and documented by the city manager's office, with a final document expected by the first meeting in April.
- Department heads will incorporate these priorities into their upcoming budget presentations.
- A standing agenda item was requested to provide updates on the social district initiative at each city council meeting, ensuring progress through spring.
- No formal decisions or votes were taken; the session served as a brainstorming and goal-setting exercise for the fiscal year.
Meeting Transcript
Is that all you need, Katie? All right. So I'm gonna jump in, just kind of kick off how we're gonna do it and run through this. This meeting is being recorded. We're not uh live streaming it, we are we are recording it, so we'll have that out there. Um the city clerk is gonna take a basic set of minutes. Um but I've asked Tyler to help out with this project. Um he's gonna take the actual individual um information that we talk about, and that's what we're gonna put together for the for the final document. Um the goal will be to have a final document to you guys hopefully by the first meeting uh in April, um, but definitely before budget presentations are done. I mean, started so that way you can you can see that. Uh as we've done in the past, we've done it a few different ways in the past, but just kind of run through what I'd like to see done today, and you certainly this is your event, and you can do whatever you would like. But um when we talk about topics that you're looking at, all topics are welcome. Um, and we also put it, you know, don't be afraid to look at the low-hanging fruit as well. Even if it's seemingly simple, it doesn't mean it's not a good thing to throw in there because these are things that our departments can check off quickly. Um you guys are encouraged to repeat and expand on what was previously stated by another counselor. Um so if one person brings up a topic, certainly you bring it up as well. And when it's your turn, is there's that's encouraged. But in the same vein, just because you don't bring up something that somebody else says, it doesn't mean you're against what somebody else said. Um see here. Um all of our departments are here with us tonight. Um they don't necessarily participate. This is this is your time to talk. Um, but if they're they are here, uh, one to hear what you have to say, but two, if you have questions um that are specific. Um I say at the 30,000 foot view level. Um so if we were to say, you know, for an example, um you know, you know, uh, how do we address this particular topic? They can give you the 30,000 foot view on it. If you want to know how much it's gonna cost or and how many people it takes, that's really not something we're ready to talk about today, but they can give you the smaller one. So we'll avoid getting into the weeds on it. Um when we present this to you, um, the way we're gonna lay it out, similar to the one of the examples that I passed out. You we're gonna have an overarching topic. I'll pick one that's gonna come up homelessness. That is gonna be there, right? That'll be that'll be a that'll be a headline, and then we'll break down underneath it different ideas um and and sort of filter it out that way. Um when we're putting that together and finalizing that. I'm gonna also work with the department heads to see if they have specific information that is that is worth adding to it. So it not only looks like a headline or our header, but it also has a some topics, and then maybe have some things that we're already working on, or you know, know we need to work on in the future and in and it's being planned out. Um so similar to how we've done this before. I know some of you have been through these, some of you haven't. Um this is really uh, you know, the six of you or seven here, uh Council Harpin's unable to be here today. Um it's a six of years ability to kind of have these conversations and let us hear what you're thinking. Um, and uh I'll turn it over to the mayor to kick it off and start with what you're doing. So the first things first, Kirk already brought it up, the homelessness situation. Something we really need to address. Chief Canfield's been doing an excellent job as of late, making sure they're out of sight, out of mind. Um there's still a lot of work that needs to be done on that now. Solutions a lot harder than just saying we want them gone. Um so we gotta find ways to kind of keep them out of our downtown areas, more importantly, keep them off individuals private property, and I don't think we should be allowing them in public spaces to sleep and defecate and all that. So I think we need to come together and try to target the homelessness situation in this area. Um it's still prevalent, it's not in sight as much as it's been, but it's still out there. So that's topic number one.
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