City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JUNE 16, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 30 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. Councilor Gerry and Councilor Cowan were absent (excused). An Executive Session pursuant to Title 1 MRSA Section 405(6)(E) to discuss a legal matter was held at the 5:30PM workshop. I. Consent Items 1) ORDER 53-06162025 - Confirming Chief Moen’s appointment of John Konczal, Cody Taylor, Dominic Chasse, Cyintama Kenny Micomyiza, and Trevin Ritchie as Constables with firearm for the Auburn Police Department. Councilor Platz moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 5-0. II. Minutes – June 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Councilor Walker moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilor Platz. Motion passed 4-0 (Councilor Weisner abstained). III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions • Recognizing Student Representative Anaya Egge Mayor Harmon presented Student Representative Egge with a certificate and award. • Recognizing YMCA Director & CEO Steve Wallace Mayor Harmon congratulated Steve Wallace in absentia and presented a Key to the City to be given to Mr. Wallace. • Communication: Official Election Results – FY26 School Budget Validation Referendum • Communication: Nomination petitions available from the City Clerk’s office starting 7/7 • Communication: Notice of Resignation – G. Muzela, Auburn Sewerage Board of Trustees IV. Open Session Eric Santos, resident, spoke on building a skatepark in the City of Auburn V. Unfinished Business VI. New Business 1) ORDER 54-06162025 - CDBG/HOME Consortium Action Plan for Program Year 2025. Public hearing. Passage requires majority vote. Mayor Harmon opened this item for public hearing. There was no comment. Councilor Platz moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 5-0. 2) ORDER 55-06162025 - Authorizing the City Manager to sign the Auburn-Lewiston Consortium Mutual Cooperation Agreement to renew the Consortium under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program valid for a three year period. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Whiting. Motion passed 5-0.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JUNE 16, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 31 3) ORDER 56-06162025 – Submitting District 5 and District 6 ballots to the Androscoggin County Commission for the 2026/27/28 Budget Committee. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Weisner moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Platz. There was no public comment. Motion passed 5-0. 4) ORDER 57-06162025 – Authorizing the City Manager to execute the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Auburn Firefighters Association, Local 797, International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO effective 07/01/2025. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Milks. There was no public comment. Motion passed 5-0. 5) ORDER 58 -06162025 – Waiving the $60 temporary food license fee for the Age Friendly Community Committee to hold concessions during the Community Concerts events held weekly June 18 through August 20, 2025 in Festival Plaza. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Milks moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Weisner. There was no public comment. Motion passed 5-0. 6) ORDINANCE 02-06162025 – Amending Chapter 2, “Administration”, of the City’s Code of Ordinances, to create a permanent Homelessness Committee. 1st reading. ROLL CALL VOTE. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Whiting moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Platz. There was no public comment. Councilor Platz asked if there would be carry-over from the existing ad-hoc committee; Mayor Harmon responded there would not be, this would be a new committee. Councilor Wesiner moved to amend Sec. 2 of the proposed ordinance to add an additional member under Section 2 specifically as a veteran represented on this committee. Seconded by Councilor Walker. Motion passed 5-0. Motion passed 5-0, as amended on a roll call vote. VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Harmon attended the rebuilding of housing along Mount Auburn. Mayor Harmon and Councilor Walker attended the Auburn Adult Education graduation. Attended the Ocean State Job Lots ribbon cutting on Center Street. Attended the second planning meeting of the Airport Master Plan. b. City Councilors’ Reports – Councilor Whiting welcomed Ocean State Job Lots and congratulated Steve Wallace. Councilor Walker noted the Age Friendly Committee will be operating concessions during the Concert Series events. UNAA will be hosting the School Superindentent. Neighborhood Watch meeting upcoming. Councilor Platz gave updates on the school department; recognizing retiring members. Congratulated everyone who worked to get the school budget passed. The Finance Committee of the school department met and shared that Lily is the new events coordinator on the school side and booking several large scale events to generate revenue for the school. Shared an update on the planning committee exploring moving 6th grade to the middle school.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JUNE 16, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 32 c. Student Representative Report – Anaya Egge thanked everyone for welcoming her to the position and noted she has learned a lot about the community and the process of local government. Mr. Abdullahi congratulated Anaya; wished everyone a good summer. d. City Manager Report – Noted that residents have received a postcard on the Comp Plan process; please take the survey. Thanked the Council for supporting attending the Gettysburg Leadership training, thanked the team for support while away. VIII. Open Session IX. Executive Session Executive Session pursuant to Title 1 MRSA Section 405(6)(D) for labor negotiations with the Police Department. No action to follow. Motion to enter at 7:35PM (Walker, Platz). Motion passed 5-0. Executive Session pursuant to Title 1 MRSA Section 405(6)(C) for a real estate matter. No action to follow. X. Adjournment Councilor Platz moved to adjourn at 8:04PM, seconded by Councilor Weisner. Motion passed 5-0. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk