City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 1 Mayor Harmon called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Auburn Hall and led the assembly in the salute to the flag. Councilors Milks and Weisner were absent. I. Consent Items 1. ORDER 01-01062025 – Appointing Patricia Mador and Benjamin Weisner to serve on the 9-1-1 Committee for a term that ends 12/31/26, as nominated by Mayor Harmon. 2. ORDER 02-01062025 – Appointing Stanley Harmon for an unexpired term on the Age Friendly Community Committee ending 6/1/27, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 3. ORDER 03-01062025 – Setting 7:00am as the time for all polls to open for elections in Auburn for 2025. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 5-0. II. Minutes – December 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting & December 19, 2024 Special Council Meeting Councilor Walker moved for passage of the December 16 minutes, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 5-0. Councilor Walker moved for passage of the December 19 minutes, seconded by Councilor Platz. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Whiting abstained). III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions • Proclamation – Call To Action Against Sex Trafficking • Update on Revaluation & Statistics – Assessing Office IV. Open Session Paul Bernard, Turner Riechelle Bernard, Turner Evan Cyr, Granite St V. Unfinished Business 1. ORDINANCE 23-12022024 – Text Amendments related to 30-A M.R.S. §§ 4364, 4364-A and 4364-B (L.D. 2003). Second reading/public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE. The following spoke: Jason Levesque, Youngs Corner Rd Evan Cyr, Granite St Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Whiting. Motion passed 4-1 (Walker).  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 2 VI. New Business 1. ORDER 04-01062025 - Reappropriating Unspent Proceeds from the City's 2023 and 2024 General Obligation Bonds. First reading. Passage requires majority vote. ROLL CALL VOTE. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Whiting. Motion passed 5-0 on a roll call vote. 2. ORDER 05-01062025 – Regarding the transfer of 143 Hampshire St & 1, 5 Gamage St. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Gerry moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 5-0. Councilor Gerry moved to suspend the rules to add an item to the agenda. Seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 5-0. Councilor Gerry moved for passage of the following: 3. ORDER 06-01062025 – Directing the City Manager to evaluate the current situation for the provision of emergency warming shelters to ascertain if additional sites are needed and make recommendations to the City Council. Seconded by Councilor Walker. The following spoke: Paul Bernard, Turner Motion passed 5-0. VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – Congratulated Panolam and Jay Brenchick, Economic Development Director. Congratulated staff for organizing the New Years Eve Auburn event. Thanked Public Works for their help in rescuing the fireworks display. b. City Councilors’ Reports – Councilor Gerry commented on the success of the New Years event held at the Senior Center, over 100 people attended. Councilor Cowan echoed support for the homelessness situation and stated the Homelessness Committee will be meeting on Thursday at 6pm in Room 204. Councilor Walker recognized the potato initiative and that bags of potatoes can be picked up at the Senior Center during normal hours of operation. Councilor Platz gave an update on the School Committee, focusing on addressing the needs of unhoused children. Councilor Platz noted that he would like to know more about how the City decides which roads to repair as part of its paving program. c. Student Representative Report – Student Representative’s wished all a happy new year. d. City Manager Report – Mentioned that over 3,000 people showed up for the NYE Auburn event. Over 226 children were assisted with donations of clothing and gifts due to the support from PAL center, Exchange Club, and Toys for Tots.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 3 VIII. Open Session Paul Bernard, Turner X. Adjournment Councilor Cowan moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Platz. Motion passed 5-0. Council adjourned at 8:54pm. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk