Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – City Council has been busy this spring approving a number of items for area businesses and organizations, most notably for the Downtown Revitalization Committee. Council also heard the latest on the Downtown Master Plan.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
MEMBERS OF THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE recently took the opportunity during one of their meetings to pose for a group photo. Pictured, in front, from left: Billie Brodsky, vice chair; Patty LeBlanc, chair; Jay Trainer, treasurer; and Gretchen Morse, secretary. In back: Julie Dicker, recording secretary; Sandy Gauvin, past secretary; Cathy Beaulieu, past chair; Committee members Ginny Joles, Rachel Rice, Jan Murchison and Leigh Smith; and Ted Roberts, adviser. Absent when the photo was taken was Craig Green, member.
The DRC received Council approval of its bylaws, with councilors also taking the time to appoint its Board of Directors. The motion was made by Councilor Don Gardner, with a second by Councilor Jennifer Trombley, to approve the bylaws and appoint Gretchen Morse and Patty LeBlanc to one-year terms, ending Dec. 31, 2008. Also appointed were: Craig Green and Billie Brodksy, both for two-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2009; Rachel Rice and Jay Trainer, each for three-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2010; and Cathy Beaulieu, Virginia Joles and Sandy Gauvin to four-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2011.
Jan Murchison, from the James W. Sewall Company, made a presentation to Council regarding the Downtown Master Plan, including a Pedestrian Enhancement Concept Plan, as well as a Riverside Parcel Concept Plan A and B. Included in the plan were ‘pedestrian-friendly’ projects that would complement each other.
Under Chapter 50, Advisory Board Ordinance, Council considered creating a new board by adding a new Section 6 – Downtown Revitalization Committee and to amend the current Section 6 to add City Manager Tom Stevens as an ex-officio member to the Airport Advisory Board and the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Councilor Calvin Hall made the motion, seconded by Gardner, to amend Chapter 50 as indicated, with the measure passing.
A malt and vinous liquor license application was approved for the Northern Maine Fair Association, 87 Mechanic St. Council also approved a special amusement permit for dancing and entertainment for B.P.O. Elks Lodge 1954, 508 Main St.
Approval was given for a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license applications for: RT New England Franchise, LLC, d/b/a Ruby Tuesday, 830 Main St.; and Wing Li Long, d/b/a Tang’s Courtyard, 745 Main St.
Council approved the sale of tax-acquired property at 5 Conley St. to Gene McClellan for the amount of $501, with the stipulation that the lot be cleared within six to eight months and that the outstanding water and sewer bills be paid.
Tempo Employment Services, located at 40 North St., was granted an employment agency license.
Council also authorized the proposed installation of a pole by Maine Public Service Co., as shown on plan drawing 0703600, which accompanied the application.
Authorization was given to City Clerk Nancy Nichols to approve blanket letters of approval for beano/bingo and games of chance licenses and to designate the city clerk as the municipal official to approve off-premises catering licenses for licensed liquor establishments to sell liquor off-premises at planned events.
Councilors corrected the bid amount for the purchase of a 2008 Ford Explorer SUV for the Presque Isle Police Department. Council approved an additional $100, correcting the amount for one 2008 Ford Explorer SUV to Quirk Ford. The bid amount submitted was $23,530.95; recommendation was inaccurately stated for $23,430.95 during the Dec. 5, 2007 Council session.
Just in time for recreational vehicle season, Council approved an ATV use permit with the Star City ATV Inc. for property the city owned or leased property, as shown on the map marked Exhibit A for the period May 15, 2008 through Dec. 15, 2008, unless the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club begins dragging the trails over city property prior to Dec. 15. Councilor Ron McPherson, who serves on the club’s Board of Directors, abstained from the vote.
Several taxi cab companies had their licenses approved. Taxi cab service licenses were granted to: Ryan and Larry Brown, d/b/a Brownie’s Taxi, 34 Exchange St., Presque Isle; Marty Clayton, d/b/a Aroostook Cab Company, 456 Tabor Rd., Washburn; and Lori Hodsdon, d/b/a Town Taxi, 13 Laurette St., Caribou, for three vehicles (one now and two contingent upon being approved by the PIPD.
Council approved the consent agenda and minutes for March 17, April 7 and April 9, as well as warrants 11, 12, JE12 and 13 totaling just over $1,192,908 and warrants 14 and 15 for just over $708,506 and written departmental reports for March, 2008.
Following a brief discussion, Council voted in favor of maintaining its current schedule for meetings throughout the summer, on the first and third Mondays of each month starting at 6 p.m. at City Hall. In the past, Council had tried holding one session a month for June, July and August but due to the length of some sessions, councilors opted to hold two meetings a month during the summer months instead of one in hopes of shortening the meetings.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Sessions are open to the public and public participation is encouraged. For more information, call 764-4485.
