One of the most important skills someone could possess is how to properly read an agenda. Sometimes buried deep in the procedural lies a nasty little nugget that at around 10 p.m., launches an hour-long discussion on some hot-button issue most people didn’t even realize was going to be discussed that evening.

Portsmouth Herald reporter Charles McMahon caught the little nugget in this week’s Portsmouth City Council agenda. Here’s a good breakdown of the details.

As reported, the city is reviewing its options for more parking since a garage in the Worth Lot was shot down. It now has it’s eye on Parrot Avenue, which is very close to the tony South End neighborhood. Lest we forget what happened when another large public building was proposed and built down the street? I wish the City Councilor’s luck.