City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 4 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. All Councilors were present. Student Representatives Egge and Abdulahi were absent. I. Consent Items 1.) ORDER 07-012125 – Appointing Brian Cullen to the SNRB to represent the Sustainability Working Group for an unexpired term ending 4/1/27, as nominated by the Sustainability Working Group. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 7-0. II. Minutes – January 6, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 5-0-2 (Weisner, Milks abstained due to absence at the January 6, 2025 meeting) III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions • Presentation: Year End Review – Economic Development Department and Planning, Permitting & Code Department • County Commissioner Delegates – Andrew Lewis, Ward 5 (Chair) & Jane Pentheny, Ward 6 (Vice- Chair) IV. Open Session None. V. Unfinished Business 1. ORDER 04-01062025 – Reappropriating Unspent Proceeds from the City's 2023 and 2024 General Obligation Bonds. Public hearing/second reading. ROLL CALL VOTE. Councilor Whiting moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Mayor Harmon opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Harmon closed the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote. VI. New Business 1) ORDINANCE 01-012125 – Amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2 “ADMINISTRATION”, regarding Property Tax Assistance Program. First reading. ROLL CALL VOTE. Councilor Gerry moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Mayor Harmon opened the item for public comment. There was no public comment. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote. VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Harmon spoke at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club and gave an update on current issues in Auburn and upcoming potential challenges with the budget process. b. City Councilors’ Reports – Councilor Whiting noted Student Representative Egge placed 3rd in slalom. Councilor Cowan thanked the City’s communication dept for promoting Project Support You; Councilor Weisner noted an upcoming meeting of the Lewiston Auburn Airport Master Plan and Open House. Councilor Walker noted an upcoming Executive Meeting at Maine Waste & Energy. UNAA meeting at Rolly’s Diner and will have a guest speaker from the City, and Neighborhood  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 5 Watch group will be meeting. The Age Friendly Committee is collecting winter clothing to donate to those who are homeless and in need. Councilor Platz gave an update on the School Committee’s budget committee, facility rebate project and an update from ELHS gym water damage noting that the damage was recently fixed. c. Student Representative Report – None. d. City Manager Report - Responded to the order passed at the last meeting regarding proving warming, cooling and charging locations; reviewed and provided the SOP on these emergency shelters. Current arrangements make a resource providing a minimum level of service in the city available every day of the week. e. 2024 November & 2024 December Finance Report – Kelsey Earle, Finance Director Motion to accept the 2024 November Finance Report by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 7-0. Motion to accept the 2024 December Finance Report by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 7-0. VIII. Open Session None. IX. Executive Session X. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Councilor Weisner, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7-0. Council adjourned at 8:37pm. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk