[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] One nation undergone indivisible with liberty and justice.
[0:14] I do declare a quorum as president. Before we did that, we are going to cover the meeting minutes of the July 14th, 2021 meeting and meeting minutes of the July 28th, 2021.
[0:31] Will you please move the meeting minutes? I move that the minutes be accepted in place on file?
[0:36] All those in favor?
[0:41] The minutes are accepted. We'll be placed on file
[0:44] Awards petition in public comment. We have a swearing in ceremony.
[0:51] Councillor Pantai you'll be doing after.
[0:53] Yes, perfect.
[1:10] Do you swear that you will safely discharge the best of your abilities?
[1:13] The duties incumbent on you as City of Brewer, Fire, Fire, according to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Maine, and the codes and ordinances of the City of Brewer, so I hope you got.
[1:24] I do.
[1:25] Congratulations.
[1:35] I'm following you in this challenge point to, uh, to conclude your work.
[1:40] Thank you for your, uh, you know, your commitment to the city.
[1:43] I just wanted to, um, tell you that we appreciate what you're doing your commitment to rest your life to save others.
[1:51] And there's a minute to study if it's learned from those that came before you want to encourage you to be mindful of yourself, your family, make sure things are right at home so that you can be your number one, you're 100% when they're on job.
[2:07] And I know that we all have gone through this during COVID, but I want to continue to encourage people to be mindful of your mental health.
[2:17] And make sure that is well taken care of too, but you can, like I said, the top of your game when you're out there serving people for over a year.
[2:27] What does that mean?
[2:31] What does that mean for you?
[2:34] But also be a leader to those that are to come behind you.
[2:39] Congratulations.
[2:40] Thank you.
[2:41] Thank you.
[2:41] We're going
[2:48] to picture the couch.
[2:49] Yeah, perfect.
[2:50] Do you just get to say something?
[2:53] Yeah.
[2:54] We'll do the picture and then.
[2:58] That way.
[3:00] Do you want me to come up here?
[3:02] It's just so tall.
[3:05] I always think about that when you're here.
[3:08] Do you want to get in touch?
[3:09] Yeah.
[3:10] It's interesting.
[3:11] I'm sorry.
[3:12] I'm sorry.
[3:17] I'm sorry.
[3:21] I'm sorry.
[3:23] I'm sorry.
[3:29] Thank you.
[3:31] You can have a seat.
[3:33] You can come down.
[3:35] Okay.
[3:41] Councilman Hallern.
[3:46] I just wanted to thank you for taking on much more of the
[3:50] things I've been very interested in.
[3:52] It's a very fantastic service.
[3:54] It was on the hard state for a lot of it.
[3:56] and that's not a busy task and I just want to thank you for choosing a life of service
[4:01] and I just want to thank you for having me to do a new part of my
[4:08] life.
[4:08] Sarah, you need additional comments?
[4:11] I just know we definitely appreciate it.
[4:14] Thank you.
[4:19] Okay, so we are going to move on to the agenda.
[4:21] We have the City Council liaison updates.
[4:25] Councillor Haller and you want to go first?
[4:28] We haven't added any further.
[4:34] Okay.
[4:36] Councillor Pente.
[4:37] I was out of town for Monday, I don't think she's the one that the press said.
[4:43] Wait, I'm going to go really fast.
[4:47] June 16th trusts he meeting.
[4:49] They said goodbye to Greg Palmer and we're doing two months because we missed the last month.
[4:53] So I'm putting a quick all together.
[4:58] They awarded him a engraved pen and pencil set.
[5:02] The athletic account is at $50,000 and will be zero by the end of this year.
[5:10] Currently, they have 89,000 or 89, 809,000.
[5:24] $284 is, sorry, $2894 is in the current funds. They were $9,000 short on the brick columns
[5:35] that went in and they were looking for additional funds to be able to cover that. They
[5:39] believe they had them in another account.
[5:43] They did adopt a public participation change to
[5:47] They are meeting and they are debating on moving into the school library to have more room
[5:51] on that.
[5:54] The tennis courts will not be repainted until 2027.
[5:57] There is a rust problem coming up through the tennis courts.
[6:01] It's been addressed, but because they are not going to have to pay for it in the long run,
[6:07] it will be that they are going to come back and paint it, but they want to give it the full
[6:10] two years to be able to see what happens with it before it is repainted.
[6:13] and then it will still be covered under warranty after that time.
[6:18] June 17th, that was a county commissioners meeting, the big thing in the county commissioners
[6:28] meeting is they worked a lot on TIFS and giving out TIFS, they gave out $160,000 in a TIFS
[6:37] a pump truck for a Medawam Cag slash UTC.
[6:42] They also gave a large amount of money for snowmobile trails to twin pines snowmobile
[6:48] club and a form of a tiff.
[6:51] The Sheriff's Department is looking did get eight new vehicles at $71,000 a piece, all
[6:57] tojos under an RFP that was put out last year.
[7:00] They are looking into leasing vehicles in the future, which I know we have done.
[7:05] They say it's a good chance to see it a large percentage, but they need more research on it.
[7:12] And in the long run, at the end of the meeting, it was brought up that the council chair was requesting a change.
[7:23] And in a vote, it was voted that Commissioner Marshall take the spot of
[7:31] It was two against one council or tremble of order to against it because recent issues that Council and Marshall had had in the millenocket area, that there's a video online. I have no idea what that is, but he voted no on that. The housing authority, they were awarded a three year raw grant for two staff members that will be covered under it.
[7:56] and also covers low income residents and they received $28,000 more than they did last year.
[8:05] The director has locked out of the HUD database for reimbursements and is having just still
[8:09] do it manually.
[8:16] The capital fund for 2026 is $461,850 and it is under a five-year plan.
[8:23] They are in the process of replacing hall rugways. This was on June 29,
[8:28] They received a direct lightning strike to the Darnell building, which took out their internet and also caused boiler issues.
[8:36] They are applying for an emergency grant through HUD to cover that, the last meeting they did not have an update on that.
[8:45] So, on June 29th, the planning board held a special meeting where they were presented zoning changes for the riverwalk, and they did pass those zoning changes to push them on to us.
[8:56] July 1st, County Commissioner's meetings now being run by Chair Marshall and they approved the contracts for the Sheriff's Department for their ongoing every year they do eight or nine towns under those contracts that they subscribe to.
[9:24] what I found interesting out of that is that with the contracts, they don't ask them to cover
[9:30] the officer that is covering them. So if they have a lieutenant covering their area,
[9:35] they only pay a standard rate. It's no difference.
[9:39] So the Penobs got county pays the difference on any town. It doesn't matter who's serving them.
[9:44] So if you have Lieutenant's insurgents covering all of them and they're only charging a certain amount,
[9:49] the county pays that difference in the police budget.
[9:53] So the towns themselves don't pay for that.
[9:56] So I found that interesting.
[9:59] They are looking at doing more of a standard rate per town when it comes to that.
[10:05] And
[10:08] that's a quick synopsis of that meeting.
[10:11] That was quite a long one.
[10:15] July 13th, planning board meeting, bright springs,
[10:18] ball development group home, four single family homes.
[10:22] They were requesting a basically to have this as a, yeah, I'm going to get the word, development.
[10:34] So to have that in a development with those forehomes considered that one location, they did not have all of their information together.
[10:40] And so it was tabled by the planning board July 15th on to the county commissioners meeting.
[10:45] Register of Deeds said that they have, in six months in, they have done 127,000 for June,
[10:56] which makes the total of 766,000 for six months, that is above average.
[11:01] And they are about a half million in sales or registrations above what they were.
[11:07] They do say the mansion tax helped a lot, but they subsisting the big loss of mains first
[11:14] home buyers program and the quote is the state has lost a lot of money with that program being
[11:22] gone.
[11:25] They awarded a hazardous mitigation contract and August 4th annual joint counsel, school
[11:35] trustee in school board meeting, attended by myself and Mayor Moran.
[11:41] They talked about the SRO Freeman explained the raptor system for emergencies in the school,
[11:49] how it works, and how it is used during a fire drill.
[11:53] They spoke about summer academy, which students attend for which academy, the logging program
[11:58] and 67 students are in the extended year program.
[12:01] the new posts are in place so the brick columns are in place. They are waiting for the
[12:08] plaques to be put on them. And August 5th County commissioners had a workshop. You
[12:15] can watch it. It's way long. And yesterday was the planning board meeting for going back
[12:23] over the ball development and that was passed.
[12:28] I don't think I missed anything.
[12:31] over Chiever.
[12:33] Good job, Michelle.
[12:35] Okay, so I don't take clearly as detailed notes, but I can tell you that last week on the
[12:43] third council of Daniels, and I did attend the Joint City Council with the school
[12:55] continuing the trustees all together. And so it kind of overflowed into the meeting that night
[13:02] where I believe Dr. Chad Barnes first official meeting. Lots of people are really excited about
[13:10] the energy that he's going to be bringing to our district. And so that's exciting news. I also
[13:18] I want to say that I want to give a big shout out to a few different people.
[13:28] So, two weeks ago we had the city of Brewer, the police and fire public safety
[13:34] participated in the Youth Public Safety Academy and huge thank you to Officer Freeman,
[13:41] and an officer-tropic firefighter and torque and firefighter Mayhew who made all of that possible.
[13:49] There were 30 kids, I would say, pretty close anyways, that graduated from the program.
[13:57] Everybody seemed to be having such a great time all week long, and also a huge shout out to Darcy and
[14:05] team and economic development because if they hadn't been out knocking the doors looking for
[14:12] donation dollars, it might not have been possible, so thank you for that. Also, I'm Dileais
[14:19] on for the cultural and arts committee and a huge shout out to chair Marissa Worcester
[14:29] and Vice Chair Anne Colson, you know, they're really taking, which is our second year of
[14:36] cultural arts committee to the next level. And they've got some really awesome, like over
[14:43] the top fun things that are going to be planned for our community this fall. I think the first one
[14:48] is going to be kind of focused around Halloween and then of course a winter themed one. So I just
[14:58] Thanks.
[15:00] And I think that's all I have to report out on. I think we've covered all of our liais on assignments.
[15:08] So, as long as. Okay. So we're moving on to the city manager report. The chair recognizes city manager Eric Lidden.
[15:16] Thank you, Mayor Mourin. First of all, I want to thank Dave Cody and his team as they wrap up the paving work for for this year.
[15:23] And as they wrap up some of that work, the residents may have concerns regarding the transitions
[15:29] between the newly paved roadway and their driveway apron and so public works will be reviewing
[15:36] these driveway transitions in the areas that were paved and will make adjustments as needed.
[15:41] If residents have, I just want to remind the public of residents have concerns.
[15:45] They're encouraged to contact public works that they can evaluate that particular location.
[15:51] Quick update on the peer park project on North Main Street.
[15:55] We are well underway with that project.
[15:58] Acorn engineering has been on site and they're finalizing their field work.
[16:02] So we should have the results of that here very soon.
[16:06] As Mayor Moore mentioned, I had the privilege of attending a
[16:10] Culture and Arts meeting this last week where they discussed an upcoming event
[16:14] fall event for I believe it's going to be on October 10th just so everyone can kind of put that
[16:18] on their calendar. It's going to be at the lot right next to the tojo's building where the
[16:24] craft fairs typically held for the River Walk festival. They have a lot of different things plan,
[16:29] trunk or tree and some different things. So the more information just be on the lookout for that
[16:33] information and the coming weeks will be sending that on notify brewer and also putting it in the
[16:38] city newsletter. And along that same line, I want to remind everyone that on Thursday there
[16:45] is a family movie night at 7 p.m. at Doyle Field, so I encourage everyone to come out for that.
[16:51] It's free to the public. Anyone's welcome to attend. Free popcorn for the kids, so it's just a
[16:56] good time. A good event to spend some time as a family. Parks and Rec director, Whitney Dorset,
[17:04] And I have been working to make some necessary changes
[17:07] to the rental process for really two areas.
[17:11] The children's garden and the new amphitheater.
[17:13] And so we're trying to make sure
[17:15] that there's a process in place so that the rules
[17:21] and regulations around rentals of those properties
[17:24] are clear and that the process for doing so is also clear.
[17:29] So we do receive a lot of requests for those properties,
[17:32] especially throughout the summer so we want to make those that process as
[17:38] clear as possible not only for staff but for the public as well and so I
[17:42] anticipate that these draft changes will be coming to the city council in the
[17:47] very near future. I also want to thank the public for their patience as
[17:53] city staff assesses the condition of the pool. I know that this year has been
[17:57] a bit unusual in terms of pull usage.
[18:01] But we had to make the hard decision to shut it down
[18:04] because we wanted to ensure that there weren't any safety
[18:08] issues at that pool.
[18:10] And so fortunately, we have Whitney's team
[18:14] has found the source of the leak.
[18:16] And so we will be assessing how to move forward.
[18:22] I will also mention that I'll be holding a city council,
[18:26] workshop with the City Council in late September just to kind of talk through what are the current
[18:32] issues with the pool. How much have we spent on the pool over the last several years and just
[18:40] some possible solutions future solutions for the pool? So again there will be a workshop in late
[18:47] September will be presenting some of that information to the City Council. On some of the other
[18:54] construction projects throughout the city.
[18:56] Stone Street was paved last week.
[18:59] This project will be actually completed later this week.
[19:03] And for that project, there's only some minor concrete work
[19:06] that remains.
[19:09] Public works is doing some preliminary prep work on Green Point
[19:12] Road and Elm Street and Wiswell Road
[19:15] for the scheduled repaving.
[19:17] So if you see them out there, they're just doing
[19:19] the preliminary prep work for that work.
[19:22] Coordination with the contractor on the schedule for paving, we're working with them on that and we'll be sending out information to the public once we know when that
[19:32] Repaving project is planned to occur.
[19:36] We do expect at the contractor for the Stone Street and Cov Street slip-line project to be in the city in August to do their preliminary investigative work
[19:46] And after doing their investigation, the order of the pipe material
[19:50] and make preparations for the installation and the next month or so.
[19:56] And a previous council meeting, the council approved funds for the
[20:00] self-main in Chimbro Crosswalk Insulation and Signal Project.
[20:04] That's scheduled to begin in August.
[20:06] This project should have really minimal traffic impacts,
[20:10] as most of the work will be occurring on the sidewalks.
[20:14] Once that work, once we know when that work is going to be occurring, again, we'll send out a message on notify Brewer.
[20:22] There will be a council order later tonight at tonight's meeting for the Stormdrain Replacement on Maple Street.
[20:29] This is the first phase of the Maple Street Reconstruction effort.
[20:32] And for the contract, work will be done later.
[20:36] Hopefully later this fall, but if not this fall would be done next spring.
[20:40] And again, this was a work that was approved in the FY27CIP, and that is all I have.
[20:47] Thank you.
[20:48] Excellent.
[20:48] Thank you for that report.
[20:50] Council as you have any comments?
[20:56] Okay.
[20:57] So we'll now hear comments from the public.
[20:59] Please be advised that no action will be taken at tonight's meeting.
[21:03] For any public comments.
[21:05] And public comments will be referred to a city staff to respond when appropriate.
[21:10] if you wish to share a comment or concern, please step up to the microphone and state your name and address.
[21:17] Okay for this question, does it look like we have anybody?
[21:21] So those that have come for award petitions and public comments, you're welcome to stay if you'd like.
[21:26] It's not going to be a grueling meeting, but now's your time to run away if you want.
[21:37] Thank you.
[21:38] Welcome again.
[21:57] He's a weird moving on to the consent calendar with the clerk, please head a roll.
[22:03] The consent calendar?
[22:05] Not the roll.
[22:05] Please call the consent calendar.
[22:07] Order A158.
[22:10] Accept donation from Brewer, Coanus, to benefit Brewer, Youth Public Safety Academy.
[22:16] Order A159.
[22:17] Acceptionation from Acadia Federal Credit Union to Benefit, Brewer Youth Public Safety Academy.
[22:24] Order A160, award contract for Maple Street Storm Drain Repair.
[23:00] Authorize environmental services to purchase dump truck slash plow from public works. Order A166, except Edward
[23:09] Bern Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Funds. Order A167, authorized contract with RF Jordan and
[23:17] Sons incorporated for construction services for replacement of stream crossing at Felt's Brook on North Main Street.
[23:27] Thank you, are there any items to be removed from the consent calendar?
[23:35] Okay, if you're seeing none, the chair recognizes Council O'Howren.
[23:38] Will you please move the consent calendar?
[23:41] I'm going to give you orders on the exact calendar.
[23:45] That's second?
[23:46] All those in favor?
[23:48] The orders on the consent calendar have passage.
[23:53] We're moving on to monthly reports.
[23:55] The chair recognizes Councillor Pantai.
[23:57] Will you please move the monthly reports?
[23:59] I moved the monthly reports, be accepted and placed on file.
[24:04] Thank you, all those in favour?
[24:08] The monthly reports are accepted and will be placed on file.
[24:12] We're now moving on to nominations, appointments, elections, the consent calendar will
[24:16] the clerk, please read the consent calendar.
[24:20] Resolve B027, except resignation from City of Brewer Board of Ethics.
[24:28] Resolve B028, declare vacancy on City of Brewer Culture and Arts
[24:32] committee. Order A168, a point member to board of commissioners of housing authority. Resolve
[24:42] B029, except resignation of William Kimball as member of the City Council of the City
[24:47] of Brewer. Order A169, a point member to library board of trustees. Order A170, issue
[24:57] for November 3, 2026 City of Brewer Municipal Election and set polling hours for the November 3, 2026 City of Brewer Municipal Election and State of Maine General Election.
[25:11] Resolve B030, prescribed registrar of voters hourly schedule for the November 3, 2026 City of Brewer Municipal Election and State of Maine General Election.
[25:26] Are there any items to be removed from the consent calendar for an individual consideration?
[25:32] I move that 2026-B028 be removed from the consent calendar.
[25:41] And I would like to move that 2026-B029 be removed from the consent calendar.
[25:59] I'm set, wait, I'm sorry, except that one's going to be okay.
[26:08] Listen, you got to check me every time.
[26:10] So just to make sure that that's clear, the items that are removed from the consent calendar
[26:18] is 2026-B028 and then 2026-B029.
[26:26] And so I would just like to take just a moment and I wrote something because speaking of
[26:33] the cop is not really my jam, although I wish it was.
[26:36] I really just wanted to take a moment and recognize the resignation of Deputy Mayor Bill
[26:44] Kimball.
[26:46] Bill has made the difficult decision to step away from a city council because the demands
[26:50] of his business have grown considerably and he no longer feels that he can give the role
[26:54] the time and attention that he would want to give it. I personally respect that decision and
[27:00] appreciate the thoughtfulness behind it. One of the things that I have appreciated most about
[27:06] Bill is as approach to his role on City Council. He was rarely quick to jump to conclusion. He
[27:15] would often like lean back, just listen. He would usually be one of the last counselors to speak and
[27:22] I found them to be thoughtful in that and it's that kind of quality that I deeply appreciate
[27:28] and I think that that's a good skill that probably I'll could learn from.
[27:33] And so public service, it requires a lot and I think sometimes people don't understand how
[27:39] much it requires from those that serve.
[27:42] The meetings aren't the only part of the commitment.
[27:44] Just coming here once or twice a month is not it.
[27:48] it's time spending reviewing information,
[27:51] responding to residents, attending events,
[27:55] ribbing cuttings,
[27:57] you know, and really making sure
[27:59] that we're thinking about the decisions
[28:00] that affect our community.
[28:03] The commitment requires sacrifice from our families
[28:06] and our employers
[28:08] and for those of us who own a business, our businesses.
[28:13] And you know, but I think that that's important
[28:15] and it doesn't go unseen.
[28:16] So, Brewer has always worked hard to lead with respect, professionalism and a genuine commitment
[28:22] to our community.
[28:24] We've not always agreed on every issue, but we continue to work together and remain focused
[28:28] on what's best for the people that we serve.
[28:32] On behalf of the City Council, I want to thank Bill for his service to the City of Brewer.
[28:36] Great full of the time and the perspective and the thoughtful approach that he brought
[28:40] to the council and generally wish him and his family and his business the continued success.
[28:47] And so we look forward as the council head to November and welcoming on the person chosen
[28:54] by the voters and looking to continue to work collaboratively on behalf of the community.
[29:03] So I just would like to ask if any other councilor has anything they want to add before we move
[29:09] to the next item. I just would like to say that that is very well said.
[29:18] I think you said a lot of
[29:20] thoughtfulness that went into it. I'm going to work it up into it and I don't want to go to the
[29:27] city but I appreciate it. Okay, thank you. Anything else? We just...
[29:36] I second your statements. Yeah, you're absolutely right about how he approached things and how he
[29:42] wait until everyone spoke before he made a decision that he wasn't quick to jump to make any decisions.
[29:51] And I think him taking the time to really think about where he was and what was good for his family was very
[29:56] well thought out and I appreciate the time that he put in while he's
[30:03] I don't see it on here, but are we having a discussion about the empty spot in this meeting or are we moving that to a different meeting to what the council was deciding to do with that?
[30:21] There's a there's an order for one of the orders that's on this consent calendar.
[30:25] Yeah.
[30:25] Is for the is issuing a warrant for the election?
[30:29] Okay.
[30:29] Included in the warrant is that the seat for the young folk folk folk turn.
[30:36] So when you're seat for the seat council.
[30:39] Because the way I read it was that it has to come to us.
[30:45] Not that I would vote for a special election.
[30:48] A few months before the election.
[30:50] But I just wanted to make sure that that was the process that I was reading correctly, correct?
[30:56] Yes.
[30:58] Yes, so just briefly, so under the charter, if there is a vacancy for whatever reasons,
[31:06] then that vacancy gets filled at the next general election, or potentially you could have a special election.
[31:14] So I think what Vincent was referring to the way this has been presented for Council consideration is next year on election because the timing aligns fairly well
[31:27] You could reject that and do a special election, but it'd be I'm good. I just an November was trying to figure out the process of it
[31:34] So I believe and I have to go back and look at the charter bullet. I believe by default. Yeah, it is the next
[31:41] I mean, that's a lesson, but it can be a lesson.
[31:43] Unless you otherwise choose to have a special option.
[31:45] All right.
[31:46] I just took it that it had to come before us to make the decision on which way it was.
[31:51] So that's I'm fine with that.
[31:52] I just wanted to clarify that it is the quite correct.
[31:54] When I was reading.
[31:56] Okay. Awesome.
[31:58] Okay.
[31:58] So that tidy stuff 2026 2029.
[32:05] And.
[32:05] Well, do you want clear?
[32:07] We still have the we've got a pass.
[32:08] Right, but the consent calendar is a couple of council.
[32:12] So we need to do we need to finish conversation or we need to have, we need to vote first.
[32:17] Yeah, I would recommend you vote on the consent calendar for the remaining hands.
[32:21] Okay, thank you.
[32:26] So we've discussed the items that are being removed.
[32:29] And so at this point, the Chair recognizes Councillor Daniels, will you move the other items on the consent calendar?
[32:36] I'm going to remove the remaining items that we're not removed from the consent calendar, so I move that the orders on the consent calendar have passage and the remaining results be adopted.
[32:46] Okay, all those in favour?
[32:49] Okay, perfect.
[32:50] Now, please, Councillor Daniels.
[32:54] I move that 2026-B023 resolved.
[32:58] to ClearBake and see a brewer, cultural, and arts committee.
[33:03] I move that the resolve be adopted, do I need a second, okay.
[33:11] And then I move that the resolve be amended to remove or cancel or halorin as the resolve
[33:16] sponsor and add myself as the sponsor.
[33:21] Do I need a second on the...
[33:23] I was like that.
[33:25] Okay.
[33:25] All in favour?
[33:30] The orders on the consent calendar and the other remaining items now have passage, and the remaining
[33:39] results are adopted.
[33:47] So this is where we're going to discuss the, oh, no, sorry, we're going to have something else.
[33:52] So 2026-2028 Resolve, declare vacancy on the city or brewer cultural and arts committee.
[34:00] The chair recognizes counselor Daniels will you please move the resolve we did that. We're good
[34:07] Oh, I think we just completed that special crib notes for me. Yeah, it's good. I think we still need to do B0 to nine
[34:14] Bring it back in yeah bring it back. I moved that we move bring back in to zero to six B0 to nine
[34:21] For adoption
[34:24] Second that I second sorry
[34:27] Somebody
[34:28] Okay, so that is to move the resolve, there's a second, so all those in favor
[34:37] that has
[34:38] passage.
[34:45] We're now moving on to the Main Municipal Association, 2027 Executive Committee Ballet.
[34:51] The Chair recognizes City Manager Eric Glydon.
[34:54] Thank you, Mayor Morn.
[34:55] Before the City Council considers this item, I want to give a brief overview of the MMA Executive
[35:00] Committee in the roles and responsibilities to have an understanding of that in your council
[35:05] packet, you also have the brief resumes that were compiled by the Maine Municipal Association
[35:12] for the candidates that are on the ballot.
[35:15] And there are three vacancies and three individuals recommended for, for the to serve
[35:24] on the executive committee.
[35:26] So the Maine Municipal Association Executive Committee, they serve as sort of like the governing
[35:30] board, who they're responsible for like the overall direction, the oversight, the stewardship
[35:36] of MMAs and on behalf of their member municipalities. It's a 12 member committee and it's made
[35:46] up of elected officials. It's made up of appointed officials throughout the state of Maine.
[35:53] And they're responsible for establishing MMAs long term goals and priorities. They vote
[36:00] to adopt their annual budget.
[36:03] They're involved in the hiring and evaluating.
[36:06] I believe of the executive director
[36:09] and representing MMA's interests throughout the state.
[36:14] They're also very much involved in advocacy
[36:17] efforts at both the state and the federal level as well.
[36:21] And so their role is very robust.
[36:24] The time commitment typically is one day a month
[36:29] to meet. They also have the executive committee members are also involved in the MMA's
[36:39] Rustam Management and their insurance programs and in short what they do is they help
[36:47] to guide the organization. They oversee its resources and they help to ensure that they effectively
[36:54] We serve and represent main municipalities.
[37:00] Thank you, Eric.
[37:03] Council, do we have any discussion on the matter?
[37:09] Thank you.
[37:11] Hopefully it will be able to bring viewers voice to that area of the municipalities and be able to work with them
[37:21] and see that we will get some input.
[37:26] Well, I certainly appreciate.
[37:30] On all the work that you do with us and the level of attention to detail, that you take and the pride that you take with the City of Brewer, and I anticipate you really being able to take it to the next level and help across the state, too, which I think is going to be fantastic. Thank you.
[37:50] To I have a motion.
[37:56] I would like to say that you have heard the famous association executive
[38:00] to the ballot either in this fall.
[38:08] For the famous post-location executive community ballot,
[38:12] I'm very sure you can find questions on the ballot.
[38:15] Vice president will be Shire Shiloh,
[38:19] look for me out.
[38:21] Jay Tamandra,
[38:22] an executive committee members.
[38:25] There is Chris Knear,
[38:27] a Muslim council chair.
[38:29] We show redandles from the University Council and we're drinking from Jack and Jack and Jack.
[38:35] Thank you and is there for a second?
[38:43] Second that?
[38:44] Second please.
[38:45] Thank you.
[38:45] So all those in favour?
[38:48] I don't know.
[38:51] Okay.
[38:55] Thank you.
[38:56] It's not until January.
[38:59] You got time?
[39:00] Yeah.
[39:00] plenty of time. Okay, so unfinished business move on to the consent calendar. Will the clerk please read the consent calendar?
[39:08] Order C018, amend chapter 31 of the charter codes and ordinances of the city of Brewer entitled
[39:14] Environmental Ordnance, Section 1200, Schedule of Sur rates. Order C019, amend chapter 28 of the charter codes and
[39:24] of the city of Brewer entitled Brewer Sign Ordnance.
[39:29] Order C021, amended chapter 24 of the charter codes and ordinances
[39:33] of the city of Brewer entitled Land Use Code, Article 4,
[39:37] Performance Standards, Section 442, Solar Energy Systems.
[39:43] Thank you.
[39:44] Are there any items from the consent calendar for individual consideration?
[39:48] I like to move order 2,026, c, 0,2,0.
[39:59] Which one?
[40:01] That's not it.
[40:04] Sorry.
[40:05] I jumped it down here.
[40:09] I'm setting the tone.
[40:10] Wait a minute.
[40:11] It's way to be on it, though.
[40:12] We're in advance of where we should be.
[40:15] Okay.
[40:16] All right.
[40:18] So are there any, is there just to kind of back this up?
[40:22] Are there any items in the consent calendar for individual consideration?
[40:26] I want
[40:35] to see you do a little bit.
[40:37] Sorry.
[40:42] Okay.
[40:43] So we'll pull C019 from the consent calendar.
[40:50] Council, how long will you remove the other items, please?
[40:55] I'm using the remaining.
[41:02] I second that.
[41:03] All those in favor.
[41:07] Okay.
[41:08] So those items are enacted.
[41:12] Councillor Haloran, discussion on C-019.
[41:16] I love the idea that I'm just not convinced that they may be more than a sense to that.
[41:26] And I know Eric and I talked about it just together.
[41:31] And there weren't really a lot of answers to the questions that I had.
[41:35] as far as, you know, are we going to notice to people
[41:40] that we're going to put these signs up so they're aware of this change?
[41:44] Who's going to do the billing?
[41:46] You know, what you can't track it down?
[41:48] I think that there's, for me, there's a lot of, I mean, to the questions,
[41:51] but I, I love the thought of it because, like, there's a few,
[41:53] I feel like it's just a few time to sign.
[41:56] But you also, yeah, so I, I just kind of voting that for that,
[42:00] but I think that's why I wanted to pull that out.
[42:02] I would like to just address a couple things with it from this isn't my, you know, thing,
[42:08] but what I saw with it is, in June, I believe, and don't quote me on this, it was over
[42:14] 50 signs that had to be removed by Parks and Rack and Public Works that had to be taken
[42:21] down.
[42:22] That's a huge amount of money that we're spending to take those signs out where, you know,
[42:28] they are notified.
[42:29] So if they leave them there, they do get a phone call that their signs are there.
[42:33] So at this point, they're going to be told you have what's, I think that we could put it
[42:38] in and if it doesn't say it within it, you have seven days to pick up these signs or there will be a fee.
[42:45] That's it, you have seven dates.
[42:46] Like, I don't have any problem with like, amending it to the point where they're being called anyway.
[42:52] They're being told to come and pick up their signs.
[42:54] The treasurers are on the signs, so they're contactable.
[42:58] So I don't really have a problem with the night thinking the long run if they know that Brewer is really serious and you're not gonna leave 50 to 100 signs behind for us to pick up because you didn't win or even if you did win.
[43:10] You know what I mean? So those of us who are very cautious and you know, our paranoid and go out the day after or seven eight o'clock on, you know, voting day to pick up your signs.
[43:21] It's appreciated. Like everybody usually does a really good job just this year was only excessive.
[43:26] Yeah, and I think to state law does recognize that if signs need to be picked up by
[43:35] municipalities that we should be able to recover the expense for that, just because like Michelle
[43:42] mentioned, Councillor Daniels mentioned, the staff time to resources that go into that, and so that's
[43:48] kind of the intent.
[43:49] I agree with all of that, you know, I just, you know, in particular, there was one candidate that left him out everywhere, and I don't think you're going to probably get any money out of him.
[44:00] I don't think you're paying anything differently.
[44:03] But I understand, and I don't disagree with that. I think we do, there should be a little bit more added to it.
[44:10] Can you show us, say, just third verdict in there?
[44:15] But currently the way it stands, I just personally don't want to move on.
[44:21] Is it could be that if it's not in there, that it would be acceptable to make an amendment
[44:25] to it, that says that, or add it to it later on, that the city will make every effort to contact
[44:32] with, you know, to notify them within seven days, you know, or something in that verbiage,
[44:38] that there's most of the time we're calling them any way?
[44:43] Yeah, I mean, you can always add language to an ordinance.
[44:48] You can go into the ordinance process.
[44:49] I think what happens in frankly, probably most any type
[44:54] of enforcement situation is you often don't see.
[45:00] E. The prescribed enforcement process. There's just different scenarios and situations. So a lot of times, when it comes to the practicalities or rationality, you know, the code office and others, they're left to, they're always seeking for compliance first.
[45:20] It's not here's an invoice and there's no contact, you know, being made in advance.
[45:27] So, I think the challenge sometimes can be if you're overly prescriptive and what that,
[45:35] think of that seeking voluntary compliance, if that's in the ordinance and there's a,
[45:43] you create a process that must be followed or it's very suggestive that it should.
[45:49] that may not cover every single instance necessarily.
[45:54] So I think to a lot of degree you're relying upon the judgment
[45:59] of the code office and city staff to reasonably administer
[46:06] the ordinance that you have on the books.
[46:08] For some reason that's not working for some reason.
[46:12] You can always adjust the language.
[46:14] But I think the goal here is not having a lot of signs
[46:19] up, you know, way past when they should have been taking down and creating some motivation
[46:23] to get folks to get out there and get them.
[46:25] Yeah.
[46:25] I don't know what this is.
[46:28] That aren't attached to this little police, so they don't, you know, have that simulation
[46:33] shift in the washroom.
[46:34] They don't share our concern.
[46:36] But party line was also for couldn't force them to have much more of a system involved.
[46:40] But that building, if they don't pay, who's going to go out for them that way, it just felt
[46:47] there were more stuff that I wanted to use to question on that part of that is to what kind of
[46:53] work it was going to create an office that already has a lot going on.
[47:01] My response would be it will depend on whatever scenario.
[47:04] I mean, sometimes I send a letter.
[47:08] This is it.
[47:09] Last chance.
[47:12] before it goes to the next level, sometimes that helps, sometimes that doesn't, but yeah, I think my personal view is, you know, the goal is always to bring folks into compliance or have compliance at the outset, if there isn't, bring it into compliance and really work with folks and if people are working to do that, it typically just works out, it's when they're not, and then there's a potential to elevate.
[47:40] than you have to go down that path.
[47:43] That, my suspicion is that it's probably going to be,
[47:48] you know, hopefully outlier scenarios,
[47:51] not a proliferation of it.
[47:53] Yeah. I would echo that, and I would say,
[47:55] you know, just using this last election as an example, right?
[47:57] Like, I think I think it was really only one candidate
[48:00] in a particular that left there's out, right?
[48:02] And that's kind of how this kind of came about, right?
[48:05] So I think typically, you know, it's going to be for a short, a very short time that we have
[48:14] a few signs that we need to kind of go after folks for.
[48:16] So we're not, it's not going to be a year, obviously a year-long thing or anything like that.
[48:19] So I think the time commitment over all is pretty, is fairly minimal.
[48:24] Regardless, we still have to be putting in that staff time to call those folks to let
[48:28] the know that their signs are there and so on and so forth.
[48:38] So, I mean the language includes the potential for collecting attorneys fees, if you have to go in that direction, that can be a good motivating force.
[48:59] because it is, I'm
[49:06] up to the mind said if you put a sign up, it's your responsibility to take it down and I don't think it's the responsibility of the city to have to track people down.
[49:17] But I'm kind of of the mindset that we send a bill if they pay it thing great and if they don't, we've still got to remove it because we're still not going to allow those signs to be in the way.
[49:27] So to me, it's a little bit more of a technicality,
[49:29] but at your responsibility, take your sign down, right?
[49:33] All right, so if we're all anybody else,
[49:36] I move that we have 2 0, 2 6, dash, c 0, 1 9.
[49:45] Move that it be adopted.
[49:49] All those in favor?
[49:57] OK, so we are moving on to 0, 2 6, dash, c 0, 2 0,
[50:02] order amend chapter 24 of the charter codes and ordinance of the city of Brewer entitled
[50:09] land use code article three zoning district section 302 306 307 and 308 article
[50:16] for performance standards section 424 and 447 and article 14 definitions. The chair recognizes
[50:25] Councillor Pantai, will you please move the amendment?
[50:29] I moved the amendment to be amended to be enacted.
[50:41] I seconded that.
[50:43] All those in favour?
[50:48] Oh, that was the one you have the amendment on.
[50:55] So, can you please talk to us about your amendment request?
[51:01] Oh, I wasn't requesting an answer.
[51:04] I was going by this.
[51:06] Oh, sorry.
[51:11] All right.
[51:12] So I moved that the amendment be amended to reflect an effective date of August 16th, 2026,
[51:19] and not blank.
[51:22] blank blank.
[51:22] I seconded down.
[51:25] Okay.
[51:25] Thank you.
[51:26] Thank you.
[51:29] Although it's in favor.
[51:32] I hope this meeting is over.
[51:33] Okay, so the amendment is amended.
[51:36] Oh my goodness, yeah, the wording.
[51:39] All right.
[51:44] We're moving on to new business.
[51:47] 2026-B031 Resolve,
[51:49] the DOP City Councilor annual self-review farm.
[51:54] And just to clarify,
[51:55] if we were to record so the past motion,
[51:58] as I understood, it was to both prove the amendment
[52:00] and as amended.
[52:04] Bundled together.
[52:05] Nella words.
[52:07] The amendment is amended.
[52:09] And the amendment is
[52:11] Applied.
[52:12] As amended.
[52:13] As amended. Thank you.
[52:14] Make sure it's clear.
[52:16] Thank you.
[52:17] Thank you.
[52:23] The tongue twister tonight.
[52:28] Councillor Pantai will.
[52:33] Can I ask for a quick discussion on this? Just really quick. I have a request to change one word in this.
[52:48] It's section two, governance and decision making. How did you approach decision making in ways that
[52:55] who prioritize the city's best interest while seeking input from others.
[53:01] I would like to have that either say the city of Brewer's best interest or Brewer's best
[53:05] interest.
[53:06] I think Brewer's best interest and I'm being a little nitpicky on it but I always
[53:11] say that I don't work for the city, I work for the citizens and when it says that the best
[53:21] interest of the city. I know people could take it that way. So it just kind of set my
[53:29] like, that's a very valid, that's a very valid point. What would everybody like to see that is
[53:36] brewer find or would you rather have the city of brewer? I think brewer is fine. Or just brewer is
[53:43] best interest. Yeah. I think instead of city's best interest, brewer's best interest. Right, because that
[53:48] would be that's encompassing of our constituents and department heads.
[53:54] Yep.
[54:00] So now, is there a way that we need to make that amendment that's proper?
[54:08] Well,
[54:11] it's a chance I made a motion. First we need to technically need to be seconded.
[54:17] I second that. Okay. And then someone would need to move that there be an amendment to change that language.
[54:25] I move that there be an amendment on this order of 2-0, nope, 2-0, 2-6, dash B-0, 3-1,
[54:35] resolve to change section 2 governance and decision making from how did you approach decision
[54:42] making in a way that prioritizes the city's best interest while seeking input from others,
[54:48] city should be changed to Brewers' best interest, and that statement.
[54:54] Do you need a second in that?
[54:55] I'll second.
[54:56] Okay.
[54:57] Anyone?
[54:57] And then you would go down, whether the amendment was, as a doctor, and then you would go,
[55:03] if you resulted in doctor, as an amendment.
[55:09] Okay.
[55:09] So is
[55:14] there a, so the amendment is amended, or I need to call for a vote.
[55:21] I would like to call for a vote on the amendment to be amended.
[55:29] All of those in favor.
[55:32] Okay, so the amendment is amended, and then, and then you've
[55:41] What do you call for both for the resolve to be adopted as an ended?
[55:50] Why is that?
[55:52] Is there a common favor?
[55:53] Is there a motion to adopt a resolve V031 as amended?
[56:00] Okay.
[56:01] All in favor?
[56:02] In here.
[56:03] So much as I have moved.
[56:06] I moved.
[56:07] I moved.
[56:07] I moved in.
[56:08] We've all be adopted as amendment.
[56:10] I second.
[56:13] All right.
[56:17] Okay, three of us, you're abstaining?
[56:20] I'm staining or voting no.
[56:25] Okay, you want to vote no.
[56:26] No, no, no.
[56:29] Okay.
[56:32] Just because a abstain has to have like,
[56:35] abstain is different than no.
[56:36] So I just wanted to clarify what we were doing.
[56:39] So no is good.
[56:40] We're good.
[56:41] And that's your intention.
[56:43] Okay.
[56:48] Well, this goes down in the records of like the worst meeting ever.
[56:53] I apologize to everybody.
[56:55] Okay, so with new leave of council, there are no new items with leave of council.
[57:04] I will now entertain a motion to adjourn.
[57:06] I motion to adjourn.
[57:09] Oh thank goodness.
[57:11] Okay, meeting adjourned.
[57:13] Good boy.
[57:14] That was something.