City Council

IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JULY 21, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 36 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 62-07212025* – Appointing Frank Pippin to the Age Friendly Community Committee for a term that expires June 1, 2028. 2) ORDER 63-07212025* – Appointing Brennan Edwards as Student Representative to City Council for a term that expires June 30, 2027. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Weisner. Motion passed 7-0. II. Minutes – July 7, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 6-0-1 (Platz abstained due to absence at the meeting). III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions • City Clerk Emily Carrington administered the Oath of Office to new Student Representative Brennan Edwards • The Assessor’s Office gave a brief presentation on Tax Commitment for FY26; the mil rate is $22.88, a $0.63 increase. Tax bills are projected to be sent in early August. IV. Open Session Maurice Galarneau, Auburn resident – spoke on Loring Avenue sidewalk Mike Norton, Eastman Lane – spoke on pothole at Walmart and Lowes; the property owner is responsible for fixing this and the City has notified the property owner V. Unfinished Business 1) ORDINANCE 03-07072025 – Amending Chapter 60, “Zoning”, of the City’s Code of Ordinances, pursuant to Sec. 60-307, Dimensional regulations, in the General Business (GB) and Multifamily Suburban (MFS) Zoning Districts. Passed first reading on July 7, 2025. Second reading/public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Whiting moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Mayor Harmon opened this item for public hearing. There was no comment. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote. VI. New Business 1) ORDER 64-07212025 – Authorizing the City Manager to sell tax-acquired property at 145 Eastman Lane. Passage requires majority vote.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JULY 21, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 37 Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Gerry. Mayor Harmon opened this item for public comment. The following spoke: Quentin Chapman, Eastman Lane Mike Norton, Eastman Lane Councilor Milks moved to amend the ORDER to remove “affordable housing”. Mayor Harmon clarified that that order does not mention affordable housing. Councilor Milks withdrew the amendment. The Council discussed the process for RFQ and the project details. Motion passed 4-3 (Milks, Weisner, Walker opposed). 2) ORDER 65-07212025 – Action on tax abatement for 27 Beacon Street for 2023-2024 tax year. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Cowan moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Gerry. Karen Scammon, Assessor, explained the reason for the abatement request. Mayor Harmon opened the item for public comment. There was no comment. Motion passed 7-0. 3) ORDER 66-07212025 – Adopting revised Fee Schedule (Appendix A). Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Platz moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Whiting. The following spoke: Jason Levesque, Youngs Corner Road Motion failed 3-4 (Gerry, Milks, Weisner, Walker). VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report - Attended the ribbon cutting for Nutty Netties on Court St; gave an update on the Comp Plan – focus groups are being held over the next few weeks regarding the environment, services, and people. b. City Councilors’ Reports - Councilor Whiting thanked Mount Auburn Apartments, the first building is leasing and the second building has quickly been rebuilt following the fire last year. Councilor Platz mentioned he ran in Emily’s Run on Sunday and thanked public works for helping on managing the route of the run.  IN COUNCIL WORKSHOP & MEETING JULY 21, 2025 VOL 38 PAGE 38 c. Student Representative Report - Mubarik welcomed Brennan. Brennan thanked everyone for welcoming him to the Council, encouraged Councilors to speak to students directly. d. City Manager Report - Mentioned a military fellowship through ICMA, participated in the program and had a deputy commander of a base shadow Auburn last week. August 5th will be the Police Department’s National Night Out in Festival Plaza. A training exercise will be held at ELHS on 7/23 by Androscoggin HAZMAT unit. The Auburn Business and Community Development offices have relocated to 121 Mill St. Councilor Milks noted on August 2nd is the Matt Clossen memorial scholarship fundraiser at Lost Valley at 6PM to raise funds for an ELHS student. e. May 2025 Finance Report – Kelsey Earle, Finance Director – Total revenues are on track with budgeted revenues; noted a School Department variance on expenditures. Councilor Walker moved to accept the Finance Report, seconded by Councilor Milks. Motion passed 7-0. VIII. Open Session The City Manager clarified the property line of where the City property abuts Lowes property line; in response to the comment about a pothole at the earlier Open Session. IX. Executive Session as scheduled was held at the end of the 5:30PM workshop. Motion by Councilor Platz to enter Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRSA Section 405 (6)(A) for evaluation of the City Manager. Seconded by Councilor Weisner. Motion passed 6-0. Entered Executive Session at 6:30PM and exited at 6:50PM. X. Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Platz, seconded by Councilor Weisner. Motion passed 7-0. Council adjourned at 8:51pm. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk