City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 8 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 & Abdulahi were absent. I. Consent Items 1.) ORDER 10-02182025* – Appointing Katherine Truitt to the Complete Streets Committee for a term that expires December 31, 2026, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 2.) ORDER 11-02182025* – Appointing Bruce Rioux to the Auburn Water District Board of Trustees for an unexpired term that expires March 1, 2027, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 3.) ORDER 12-02182025 *– Appointing Timothy Simpson to the Auburn Water District Board of Trustees for a term that expires March 1, 2029, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 4.) ORDER 13-02182025* – Appointing Robert Cavanagh to the Auburn Water District Board of Trustees for a term that expires March 1, 2029, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 5.) ORDER 14-02182025* – Appointing Graca Muzela to the Auburn Sewerage District Board of Trustees for an unexpired term that expires March 1, 2028, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. Page 2 of 2 6.) ORDER 15-02182025* – Appointing Denis Bergeron to the Auburn Sewerage District Board of Trustees for a term that expires March 1, 2029, as nominated by the Appointment Committee. 7.) ORDER 16-02182025* – Appointing David Griswold to the Sustainability & Natural Resource Management Board (SNRB), representing the Community Forest Working Group, for a term that expires April 1, 2028. Motion for passage by Councilor Gerry, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 6-1 (Milks). II. Minutes – February 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Motion for passage by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 7-0. III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions • TIF Update – Glen Holmes & Kelsey Earle Presentation included an update on TIF tracking. • Quarterly Corrective Actions Report – Kelsey Earle & Amanda Couture The School Department gave an update on the five identified focus areas from FY23 audit. The school department is working on transitioning to using the same financial software as the City. Grant reconciliation, purchasing policy concerning sole-source providers, journal entries and approval, were noted on the City side. • Presentation: Homelessness Committee’s Report to City Council – Bill Lowenstein and Dave Bilodeau from the Homelessness Committee delivered the report.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 9 IV. Open Session Justin Young, Washington St N, spoke on code enforcement concerns regarding his property at 959 Washington St N V. Unfinished Business VI. New Business 1) ORDER 17-02182025 – Accepting the report by the ad-hoc Homelessness Committee. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Gerry moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7-0. 2) ORDER 18-02182025 – Action regarding poverty abatement case #PA 2025-001. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Weisner moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7-0. 3) Public Hearing - Public Hearing prior to drafting CDBG & HOME Consortium Action Plan for Program Year 2025. No action. Mayor Harmon opened the item for public hearing. There was no public comment. The Mayor closed the public hearing. VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – Attended a tenant meeting of the Drop In Center; thanked Jay Brenchick for attending recent meetings of the manufactures and the effects of tariffs on our manufacturing sector. b. City Councilors’ Reports – Councilor Gerry noted the order added to the meeting regarding emergency warming centers and asked for an update; Councilor Whiting congratulated Josie Eusden who turned 100 on February 5th. Councilor Cowan acknowledged the work of the Homelessness Committee. Councilor Walker noted the next UNAA meeting on February 25; 110 people attended the Valentine’s luncheon, thanked the City and all volunteers. Councilor Platz noted no school committee meeting this week due to school vacation week; the Lost Valley Trail Network Group recently met and secured a $10,000 grant from Bob Brainerd, considering building a 10k course for public use. c. Student Representative Report – None. d. City Manager Report – Distributed copies of the New Resident Guide updated in 2025; available in the tax office and online, congratulated the Communications team. e. January 2025 Finance Report – Kelsey Earle, Finance Director Councilor Walker moved to accept the Finance Report, seconded by Councilor Whiting. Motion passed 7-0. VIII. Open Session John Cleveland, Davis Ave Councilor Walker thanked Public Works for a great job with snow removal for the past week of winter storms.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 10 X. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 8:24pm by Councilor Cowan, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7- 0. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk