City Council

IN COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2025, VOL 38 PAGE 45 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 were absent. I. Consent Items II. Minutes – August 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Councilor Walker moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Motion passed 7-0. III. Communications, Presentations and Recognitions Mayor Harmon recognized Auburn resident Richard Morhauser’s 100th birthday held on September 1, 2025 and presented Mr. Morhauser with a Key to the City. IV. Open Session Stephen Beale, 575 Johnson Rd V. Unfinished Business 1) ORDINANCE 05-08182025 – Amending Chapter 12, “Housing”, to add Article V, “Vacant and Abandoned Buildings”. Amended and passed first reading August 18, 2025. Second reading/public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Whiting. Move to amend Sec. 12-281(A) to strike words “consent to” and replace with “arrange for” and strike out entire 3rd and 4th sentences due to redundancy. Seconded by Councilor Whiting. Motion passed 7-0. Mayor Harmon opened the item for public hearing. No comment. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote, as amended. 2) ORDINANCE 06-08182025 – Adopting a 180 day moratorium on needle exchange services in the City of Auburn effective August 1, 2025. Passed first reading August 18, 2025. Second reading/public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Cowan. Mayor Harmon opened the item for public hearing. No comment. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote.  IN COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2025, VOL 38 PAGE 46 VI. New Business 3) ORDER 81-09022025 – Amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule, Appendix A, regarding Vacant and Abandoned Buildings. Passage requires majority vote. Councilor Walker moved for passage, seconded by Councilor Gerry. Mayor Harmon opened this item for public comment. No comment. Motion passed 7-0. VII. Reports a. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Harmon gave an update on the Comp Plan Committee; the inventory analysis document is available on the City’s website. Gave an update on 121 Mill Street and an installation of a fence that was installed last week and has been completed. A follow up Tenant Meeting will occur at Barker Arms next week along with staff from the Community Resource Center. The PAL Center ribbon cutting will occur on Friday, September 5 at 3:30PM at Chestnut St. b. City Councilors’ Reports – Councilor Gerry asked for clarification on the meeting time at Barker Arms. Auburn Housing Authority will be sending notice to residents. Councilor Whiting noted that volunteers are needed for the trails. Councilor Walker shared that on October 26 the United New Auburn Association will be holding a Halloween event for children from 12-2:30pm. Councilor Platz shared that on 9/3 there will be an audit committee meeting. c. Student Representative Report – None. d. City Manager Report – Provided an update on the Property Tax Assistance Program and have issued 145 checks to eligible residents. $125,913 was the total payout; $875 was the average amount received per applicant. Thanked city staff for their work. VIII. Open Session IX. Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405(6) (D) for labor negotiations with the Police Command. Requires 3/5 majority vote to enter Executive Session. No action to follow. Motion to enter executive session by Councilor Walker at 7:24pm, seconded by Councilor Platz. Motion passed 7-0. Came out of Executive Session at 7:35pm. X. Adjournment Councilor Platz moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Weisner. Motion passed 7-0, adjourned at 7:35pm. A TRUE COPY ATTEST Emily F. Carrington, City Clerk