Public Meetings of June 16, 2025

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my own as a private citizen and I am NOT speaking for the City Council or the City of Bangor.

City Council Workshop

You can read the Workshop agenda by clicking here.

The main topics of the workshop were:

• Welcome to the New City Manager: Carollynn Lear was welcomed as the new City Manager on her first day.
• Resolution Supporting the Job Corps Program: The council discussed a request for a resolution to support the Job Corps program. Council received an update on the program, which is facing potential dismantling by the federal government. Injunctions have temporarily halted the dismantling for both the Loring and Bangor campuses. Approximately 150 young people across both campuses could be affected. There was no objection to this being placed on the Council Agenda for June 23rd.

Finance Committee

You can read the agenda for this Finance Committee by clicking here.

Key discussion points and outcomes:

• Electric Vehicle Bid Update: The committee discussed re-awarding a bid for an electric vehicle to McGovern MHQ for $43,635 after the original bidder proved unresponsive. The recommendation was based on the vehicle’s longevity, faster charging time (18 minutes to 80% for the Hyundai vs. 45 minutes for the Kia), and longer range, despite being more expensive than a Darling’s vehicle. The vehicle will be used for staff city business, such as attending conferences. A motion to approve the staff recommendation passed.
• Airport Dock 12 Parking Lot Drainage: A bid for storm water concerns at Dock 12 was awarded to LZT Services LLC from Brewer for $26,680, as they were the low bidder. The motion to approve passed.
• Tank Farm Van: The committee approved awarding the bid ($66,850) for a tank farm van for the airport to O’Connor Auto Park from Augusta, the low bidder, with budgeted funds available. The bid was a rebid because the initial bid received did not meet specifications. The motion to approve passed.
• Cross Insurance Retaining Wall: The bid for the Cross Insurance retaining wall was awarded to Hughes Brothers of Hamden for $57,540, as they were the low bidder and recommended by the engineering department. The motion to approve passed.
• Asphalt and Cold Patch: A three-year bid for asphalt and cold patch was recommended to be awarded to Sargent Corporation for $450,500, as they were the low bidder. Public works, water quality, and the airport can use materials from this contract. The motion to approve passed.
• Rock Salt: The committee approved waiving the bid process and extending a one-year contract with New England Salt Company for rock salt at $66.45 a ton. This decision was based on the expectation that new bids would be higher, as evidenced by the State of Maine’s recent lowest bid of $70 per ton.
• Paving Services: The committee approved a one-year extension with B&B Paving for paving services, waiving the bid process. B&B Paving had previously offered to hold their price for two years, and this extension locks in that price for an additional year.
• Cross Insurance Center Steel Rigging Grid: The committee discussed waiving the bid process for the steel rigging grid at the Cross Insurance Center (CIC) to allow for stage placement at any location on the arena floor, enhancing flexibility for events. Penobscot General Contracting was recommended for the project, with an estimated cost of $68,000, which is significantly less than previous estimates from 2022. Jon DiCentes and his crew were involved in the original construction of the CIC. The motion to approve the waiver and award the project passed.
• Mary Snow Masonry Restoration Project Funds Transfer: The committee authorized the transfer of $350,000 from the Mary Snow Masonry Restoration Project, as it was not needed, to other school construction projects such as air quality and roofing projects at Bangor High, Vine Street, and Cohen. These funds will be used to reduce the amount that needs to be bonded for already approved and completed projects, thereby reducing interest costs. The motion to authorize the transfer passed.

Government Operations Committee

You can read the meeting agenda here.

Key discussion points and outcomes:

• WIC Program Grant Funds: The committee reviewed a referral to authorize the city manager to accept an additional $27,801 in grant funds from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Bangor Public Health and Community Services’ Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This item had its first reading and, if approved, will have a second reading at the next council meeting.
• Bangor Rental Assistance Program Funding: An item similar to the WIC program, this authorizes accepting and appropriating $1.5 million for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program, previously known as Shelter Plus Care. This was moved and seconded for referral to the next council meeting.
• Updated EMS No Transport Fees: Fire Chief proposed adopting an updated schedule of fees to reflect EMS no-transport fees. He explained that the department frequently responds to healthcare and assisted living facilities for non-transport calls, consuming significant staff time (275 calls last year, 225 this year so far). His proposal is to charge these facilities a base ambulance fee of $550 for such calls, similar to the fee for medical calls where no advanced procedures are performed during transport. The facilities, not the individual patients or their insurance, would be billed. Concerns were raised about enforceability and potential deterrence of calls, but Chief believes facilities will continue to call due to liability. The committee moved to approve this fee structure, and it will be on the council agenda.
• Memorial Policy for City Parks and Open Spaces: A new policy was proposed for adopting a memorial policy for requests to place memorials in city-owned parks and open spaces. This policy aims to streamline the process, outlining evaluation criteria, duration, and other expectations, and would allow the Parks and Recreation Director to authorize requests directly with an appeal process in place. The policy also aims to standardize benches and amenities in different parks. This item was moved and seconded for passage to the next council meeting.
• Grant Funding for Community Connector Buses and Vans: The committee discussed a grant funding opportunity to replace one community connector bus and two ADA paratransit vans. This grant would cover 80% of the cost, with Maine DOT splitting the remaining 20% local share, making the city’s share only 10%. This initiative aligns with the regional climate action plan to move towards hybrid and electric vehicles. The committee supported pursuing this opportunity, and it was moved and seconded for the next council meeting.
• City Hall Parking Proposal: The final item was a proposal regarding City Hall parking. The Downtown Parking Advisory Committee recommended freeing up some parking spaces next to City Hall for visitors and moving staff permitted parking to the upper half of Center Street Hill. Additionally, they recommended reducing the time limit for the five spaces in front of City Hall on Parlo Street from 90 minutes to 60 minutes to improve turnover and allow for better enforcement. The proposal aims to increase accessibility for visitors and provide more flexibility for staff accommodations, potentially adding an accessible spot. The committee moved to approve the staff recommendation for the new parking arrangement, and it will be on the council agenda.

Business & Economic Development Committee

You can read the meeting agenda by clicking here.

Here’s a summary of the topics discussed:

• Reconsideration of 8 Harlow Street Development Agreement: The committee re-evaluated a proposed modification to the development agreement for 8 Harlow Street. City Solicitor explained that a procedural issue arose during the previous meeting where a fifth voting member was appointed after a motion had been made and seconded with only four members present. While the city ordinance allows for temporary committee member appointments, and Robert’s Rules of Order did not explicitly prohibit what occurred, the solicitor recommended rescinding the previous vote and re-voting on the matter. A motion to rescind the previous vote was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
  • Concerns were raised about the two-year-old cost estimates for the project and whether the brick repointing had been completed. It was clarified that a letter of credit ensures the developer’s capacity to obtain credit, unlike a performance bond which would allow the city to complete the project if the developer fails. The committee ultimately voted to forward the development agreement to the full council.
• Airport Lease Renewals (Lyft and Uber): The Airport Director presented the yearly renewal of agreements with Uber and Lyft, noting no modifications to the terms. The committee approved a motion to send both lease renewals to the full council.
• 2025 Planning Division Mid-Year Report: Council was provided an update on the year’s development activities.
  • There has been a low number of housing applications, with only two on hold and two currently under review.
  • Commercial projects have been more prevalent, including large projects like Encompass Health and Bangor Savings Bank’s waterfront building addition.
  • Overall, it has been a slow year for development applications.
  • The planning division is working on the technical review report for the land development code update, with a public draft expected soon.
  • Other ongoing projects include implementing approved grants and reviewing the city’s historic preservation ordinance, which is expected to come before the council in July.
• C-PACE Program: The committee discussed and approved entering the city into a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program with Efficiency Maine. This program allows commercial property owners to finance energy efficiency improvements with a lien on their property. Efficiency Maine will handle most administrative burdens, and the city will have no funding liability in case of default on the C-PACE lien. This program provides a service to businesses without incurring city liability. The motion to move this to council passed.
• Letters of Support for Grant Applications: The committee approved sending letters of support for two grant initiatives:
  • Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness group’s application for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant to improve their downtown Bangor windows and signage.
  • University of Maine School of Policy and International Affairs’ application for a “Cover Fellowship Program” to connect Peace Corps returnees with internships. Neither request required city funding.
• Airport Director’s Report: The Airport Director provided an update on ongoing projects.
  • The runway project is proceeding smoothly and is on its seventh closure. The current closure began on June 16 at 8 AM and will reopen on Wednesday at 3 PM, with one more 17-hour closure scheduled for mid-September. This week is the last of the long 55-hour closures.
  • Other construction projects, such as the jet bridge replacement at Gate 11 and the connector project, are mobilizing and progressing well.
  • The direct routes to Detroit and Atlanta have been very successful, leading to an upgrade in aircraft size and an extension of the seasonal routes. This success provides tangible data for future discussions with airlines regarding expansion.

The meeting concluded with an executive session. Motions to approve forwarding the disposition of 39 Florida Avenue and 110 Hildreth Street to the full council were passed.