Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – City Council voted on a number of items during the July and August sessions.
During the July 7 meeting, all councilors were present and made the following decisions:
• Approved a special amusement permit for music, dancing and entertainment for Hayward Frazier Post 2599, 6 State Rd.; • Accepted the ratification of the Airport, Sergeants and Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreements as recommended by the mediation team consisting of the resources director and City Council chair;
• Amended the Procurement and Disposal Policy as proposed by the city manager;
• Authorized reallocation of up to $15,000 from the Public Works Capital Improvement Plan pay loader replacement to repair the Public Works roof; and
• Approved the abatement of $9,530.64 in taxes owed by Buckley Foods, Inc., d/b/a Smythe’s IGA as uncollectible.
Council also approved a number of Consent Agenda items, including:
• City Council meeting minutes of June 16 for 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. meetings – unanimous approval;
• Warrant 26 for $311,695.69 – unanimous approval;
• Accepting Zachary Smith’s resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals – unanimous approval;
• Closing a portion of Main St. from State St. to Academy St. on Aug. 23 form 5 to 10 p.m. for the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival – unanimous approval;
• Authorized the expenditure of $680 from the Unclassified Contingent Account for backhoe and hammer costs – unanimous approval; and
• Cast ballot for Thomas Stevens to serve on the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee – vote was 6-1, with Councilor Ron McPherson opposing.
All councilors were present for the start of the Aug. 4 meeting, with Councilor Don Gardner excusing himself early due to illness. Prior to Gardner’s departure, Council unanimously voted to:
• Repeal Chapter 29-A, Amusement Device Ordinance;
• Amended Chapter 9 – License and Public Hearings Fees Ordinance, Section 2, by changing “amusement arcade” to “pinball machines – per location”;
• Approve a special amusement permit for dancing and entertainment for KBS Enterprises, d/b/a Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center, 116 Main St.; and
• Approved a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license application for Hope and James Estey, d/b/a Pat’s Pizza of Presque Isle, 9 North St.
With the departure of Councilor Gardner at 6:40 p.m., Council continued, voting unanimously to:
• Schedule public hearings on Sept. 3 and Oct. 6 to amend language in the Land Use and Development Code, Chapter 16, Chapter 1, Section XXIII Rural Residential Zone (RRZ), subsection D standards, and to approve location of zone on zoning maps;
• Set public hearings on Sept. 3 and Oct. 6 to adopt certain amendments to the newly-adopted city Comprehensive Plan, as recommended by the Maine State Planning Office, to achieve full consistency with the Growth Management Act;
• Approve the changes to the personnel rules and regulations, as presented; and
• Approve the policy on approving liquor licenses, as presented.
Council also voted unanimously in favor of several Consent Agenda items, including:
• City Council meeting minutes of July 7;
• Affirm Recreation and Parks Advisory Board’s tobacco-free policy;
• Forum bathroom renovation project;
• Reallocation of funds for purchase of a used truck for the Public Works Department;
• Election of proposed Maine Municipal Association officers and Executive Committee members;
• Warrants 27-30 totaling $1,725,614.48; and
• Written departmental reports for July (previously provided).
Under the Manager’s Report, City Manager Tom Stevens proposed holding a workshop on Aug. 18, on the recommendation of the Management Audit team. Stevens also advised Council of a vacancy on the Airport Advisory Board that needed to be filled.
Councilor Jennifer Trombley stepped out of the Chamber at this point and did not vote with regard to items referenced in the Manager’s Report.
Councilors appointed James Quinn to fill an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2008, as business and industry representative to the Airport Advisory Board by a vote of 5-0. Council then approved the Manager’s Report, as presented, by a vote of 5-0.
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Council meets next on Sept. 3, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For information, contact 764-4485.
