Advisory Committees
Blue Ribbon Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee
At their August 23, 2021 meeting, the City Council voted to approve the creation of the Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee (PEAC) in the form of a Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) with appointments by September 20th. The PEAC mission will be to research the risks and opportunities of a Community Power program for Portsmouth under RSA 53-E, which allows towns and cities to aggregate their customer demand and purchase electricity in bulk for savings and a more rapid shift to renewables.
Citywide Neighborhood Committee
The Citywide Neighborhood Committee advocates for the neighborhoods in Portsmouth to assure that all aspects of City government work through two basic principles; protection and preservation of the quality of our neighborhoods. General committee meetings consist of steering committee members, representatives from the city’s neighborhood groups and interested community members. Before appointment to the steering committee, participation in general committee meetings is required. For further information please contact the current chairperson.
McIntyre Public Process Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
Guided by the City Council's Public Input Process, the 7 member Steering Committee's charge is to sponsor, oversee and implement a public process in coordination with the City Staff; second, assemble the priorities and principles resulting from the process and report back to the City Council. The input will be used in the crafting of successful application to the National Park Service to transfer of the property from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the City under the Historic Monument Program.
Portsmouth Arts and Non-Profits Committee
Created in January 2021 in response to the pandemic, the Committee was continued by the City Council in January 2022 with a continued mission to support the arts and non-profits who make up Portsmouth's cultural economy and impact Portsmouth's economy as a whole.
Prescott Park Master Plan Implementation Committee
Using the 2017 Final Report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Prescott Park Master Plan as a guide, advise the City Manager with respect to park policies; events, activities, and services in the Park; and operations of licensees and serve as a communication forum.
Renewable Energy Policy Blue Ribbon Committee
Appointed by Mayor Blalock on July 10th, 2017, this Committee has completed its charge and is no longer an active Committee. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Renewable Energy Committee was charged to report back to the City Council for adopting a phased Renewable Energy Policy to be implemented by City Staff when applicable.
Founded by Council action on October 5, 2020, the group's stated mission is: To review and communicate the latest science on the health and environmental effects of PFAS, to monitor federal and state level legislative changes, and to anticipate policy changes that could impact the City of Portsmouth.
Sister Cities Blue Ribbon Committee
The City of Portsmouth is a member of Sister Cities International and has forged formal agreements with the following cities based on the interest and international connections of Portsmouth residents:
- Nichinan, Japan (1985)
- Parnu, Estonia (1990)
- East Antrim, Ireland (1992)
- Agadir, Morocco (1995)
- Severodvinsk, Russia (1995)
- Kitase, Ghana (2004)
Portsmouth also has other international relationships with cities through the Friendship Cities Program. This program is a way for the City to initiate relationships on a less formal municipal government basis than through an official Sister City relationship. Friendship Cities focus primarily on promotion of cultural and commercial ties. Portsmouth has Friendship City relationships with:
- Portsmouth, England
- Szolnok, Hungary
- Santarcangelo di Romagna (2019)
Skateboard Park Blue Ribbon Committee
Sustainable Practices Blue Ribbon Committee
The Committee on Sustainable Practices was established by the Mayor and City Council to help them lead the City toward increased sustainability, a goal of the City's 2005 10 Year Master Plan. The Committee's work focuses on three main areas:
- Increasing awareness of the importance and value of sustainable practices among Portsmouth residents, business owners, non-resident employees of Portsmouth businesses, visitors to the City, municipal staff, and other stakeholders;
- Advising the City Manager and City Council on improving the sustainability of City operations including such aspects as the energy efficiency of City buildings and vehicles, purchasing guidelines, and alternative fuels; and,
- Advising the City Council on a sustainable approach to the future growth and redevelopment of Portsmouth.