City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING APRIL 7, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 17 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. I. Consent Items 1) ORDER 30-04072025* - Appointing Cliff Greim to serve on the Lewiston Auburn Railroad Corporation for the unexpired term (April 2025 through April 2027). 2) ORDER 31-04072025* - Appointing Jonathan LaBonté to serve on the Lewiston Auburn Railroad Corporation for a three year term (April 2025 through April 2028). 3) ORDER 32-04072025* - Appointing Jonathan LaBonté to vote the shares held by any shareholder for the Lewiston Auburn Railroad Corporation. Motion for passage of items on the Consent Agenda by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Milks. Motion passed 7-0. II. Minutes March 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Motion for passage by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 5-2-0 (Weisner and Milks abstained due to absence at the last meeting). III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions o Spirit of America Award Presentation – Mayor Harmon awarded Silver Moore-Leamon the tribute award for her recycling efforts in the community. o Safe Streets For All Update – Eric Cousens, Director of Public Services, and Jason Ready from VHB presented an update on the project. o 2024 Summary of the Pro-Active Community Enforcement (PACE) Unit – Police Chief Jason Moen gave a one year update on the success of the PACE Unit. IV. Open Session Tara Rousseau, Whitney St; commented on the trash in local City parks Andres Morales, Summer St; commented on gang and drone activity in the neighborhood V. Unfinished Business VI. New Business 1) ORDER 33-04072025 – Authorizing the donation of an Auburn Police vehicle (value approx. $6,000) to the Law Enforcement Program at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center. Motion for passage by Councilor Platz, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7-0. 2) ORDER 34-04072025 - Approving the Annual Reports to the Maine State Housing Authority for the Tax Year April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025, and authorizing the City Manager to sign the annual reports for Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing Districts, # 16 (Webster School), #21 (477 Minot Ave), and #22 (48 Hampshire Street), as provided by Business and Community Development Staff. Motion for passage by Councilor Whiting, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 7-0.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING APRIL 7, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 18 VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – The Comprehensive Plan Committee met last week and is starting data analysis; interested persons can learn more about the project on the website. Recognized Fire Chief Robert Chase who received the Fire Chief of the Year award. Reported back on the two budget town hall meetings; well attended and lots of good questions were asked by members of the community. b. City Councilors’ Reports -- Councilor Whiting noted Tabers opens April 10. Councilor Walker noted upcoming meetings of the Age Friendly Committee and Neighbourhood Watch Meeting of New Auburn and United New Auburn Association meeting. Councilor Platz gave an update on the school department and budget process and school’s facility’s committee. c. Student Representative Report – Abdulahi noted an upcoming sports meet; Egge noted the All City Concert is April 15 at ELHS and in May there is also a high school concert. d. City Manager Report – Noted upcoming three budget workshops for the Council. City Manager will report back on the status of the City parks. Noted a cut in the OUI Work Program with Sherriff’s Department; this community service program allowed the City to partner with the Sherriff’s Department to get these parks cleaned. Staff are now brainstorming other ways to get this work done. VIII. Open Session IX. Executive Session – 8:05pm (Weisner, Milks, 7-0). Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405(6) (C) for an economic development matter. Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405(6) (C) for an economic development matter. Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405(6) (D) for labor negotiations. Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405(6) (E) concerning a legal matter. X. Adjournment Council adjourned following Executive Sessions by unanimous consent. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk