October 6, 2025 Bangor City Council Meeting Summaries

Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.

Finance Committee

You can read the meeting agenda by clicking here.

• Airport Parking Tractor: The committee recommended the purchase of a new parking tractor from the low bidder, United AG and Turf, for $34,610. This was under the budgeted amount of $40,000.
• Parks and Recreation Barn Demolition: A contract was recommended for DM & J Waste Management of Winterport to demolish a storage barn for $50,597. This was well below the $100,000 budget for the project. A councilor noted the bidder had listed “no experience” on their form, but the Parks and Recreation Director clarified that while they had not done this specific type of project for the city before, they had done similar work and staff felt comfortable with the recommendation.
• Airport Boiler Replacement: The committee approved a multi-part boiler project. The recommendation is to award contracts to two different bidders: Sullivan and Merritt for a boiler replacement and conversion, and CCB Construction for a feed tank replacement. The project had a budget shortfall of $161,709, which will be covered by reallocating funds from a water infiltration project that came in significantly under budget.
• Fleet Tube Heaters: A bid from Dead River Company for $32,315 was recommended for approval to replace two old tube heaters. Although only one bid was received, staff had reached out to multiple other vendors who were not interested. The cost is under the $50,000 budget.
• Public Works Salt Shed Roof: The committee recommended awarding a contract to the low bidder, Restorations Unlimited of Maine, to reshingle the salt shed roof for $63,500. The project was budgeted at $135,000. There is also a pending insurance claim for $12,000 related to the roof.
• Central Fire Station Renovations: To begin a major renovation of the Central Fire Station, constructed in 1978, the committee recommended hiring the architectural firm Haley Ward for $68,500. This initial phase involves assessing the building to determine the full scope of repairs and improvements needed before spending the $500,000 budgeted for the entire project.
• Airport Building Demolition: Following a rebid, the committee recommended awarding a contract to Lakeside Concrete Cutting and Abatement for $555,600 to demolish the “alert building number 610.” The property is planned for future commercial warehouse space. The cost is significantly under the budgeted amount of $856,250.
• Wastewater SCADA System Upgrade: The committee recommended waving the competitive bidding process to award the engineering and programming contract for Phase C of the SCADA system upgrade to Wright Pierce for $315,800. Wright Pierce conducted the initial system-wide assessment in 2017 and handled the previous two phases; staff felt that continuing with them would save time and money. The construction portion of this final phase will be put out for competitive bidding.

Business and Economic Development Committee

Click here to read the meeting agenda.

Based on the provided transcript, here is a summary of the Business and Economic Development committee meeting.

Greater Bangor Region (GBR) Wayfinding Project

Lisa Sturgeon, committee chair of the GBR, provided an update on regional economic development efforts. Over a recent period, the GBR has spent $375,000 on projects to support economic growth in the 21 communities of the Greater Bangor region.

A key initiative is a new wayfinding project, which includes:

• Five new regional digital wayfinding kiosks that are ready for installation. These kiosks will feature QR codes that allow users to download directions to their phones.
• A request for the city to accept a donation of 40 new physical signs, valued at approximately $5,500, to be installed in Bangor.
• These signs will be placed in locations such as the waterfront, Essex Woods, and the City Forest. Most will replace old, weathered signs, with only 10 being entirely new installations.

Downtown Bangor Partnership Update

An executive director for the Downtown Bangor Partnership provided an informal quarterly check-in on marketing, advocacy, and other programs.

Marketing & Tourism

• The partnership has focused on sophisticated marketing campaigns, often piggybacking on Maine Office of Tourism efforts.
• These campaigns have been successful, with about 75% of the partnership’s website traffic coming from tourism markets. More people visit the website from New York City and the Boston area than from Bangor.

Advocacy Issues

The partnership presented memos on three key issues to improve safety and hospitality downtown:

1. Shopping Cart Ordinance: A request to create an ordinance to deal with abandoned shopping carts, which are a challenge for property owners and city staff.
2. Abandoned Personal Property: A proposal to review the city’s policy, which requires that abandoned property be tagged and left in place for 24 hours. This poses a public safety risk, as ambassadors have often found dangerous materials like used needles and drugs in abandoned bags.
3. Sidewalk Ordinance: A request to simplify the language of the sidewalk ordinance to make it clearer and more easily enforceable regarding sitting or lying on public sidewalks.

The committee expressed support for having city staff and the solicitor conduct a thorough review of these proposals.

Ambassador Program

A significant discussion took place regarding the Downtown Ambassador program.

• Committee members raised concerns about the program’s cost and effectiveness, questioning if the ambassadors were visible and performing as expected.
• The director clarified that they are “safety ambassadors” who primarily work nights and weekends, intervening in situations like people lighting fires or setting up camps in parks and alleyways. It was stated that over 90% of individuals comply when asked by an ambassador to move, with few situations escalating to police involvement.
• A request was made for feedback from downtown business owners on the program’s performance.

Holiday Decorations

The partnership offered to purchase and donate 50 large, lit snowflakes to the city for holiday decorations. The decorations would be used to enhance areas along Harlow Street and Park Street Hill. This was approved to go before full council.

Stormwater Ordinance Change

The Director of Engineering, requested an ordinance change that would give the city delegated authority to review and approve intermediate stormwater permits for land development projects. This authority currently lies with the Maine DEP, which has experienced staffing shortages, leading to significant project delays. The city already handles the more complex “site law” permits, and taking on this additional review would help streamline development without adding new processes for city staff.

Bangor International Airport (BGR) Update

Airport Director Jose Saavedra presented a comprehensive report on airport operations, finances, and future capital plans.

Performance and Finances

• The airport continues to see growth across the board and recently set a record with 370,000 passenger enplanements.
• While Canadian traffic (40% of the total) has seen a slight decrease, BGR is faring better than other border airports.
• Financially, the airport is in a positive position, with revenues exceeding expenses by approximately $500,000 for the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Major Capital Projects

The airport is planning for significant capital development over the next five years, with projects estimated to cost at least $123 million. Major initiatives include:

• TSA Checkpoint Expansion: The current checkpoint, designed before 9/11, is inefficient and creates congestion for the nearly 750,000 passengers who pass through it annually. A project is underway to expand and relocate the checkpoint to increase passenger flow and improve the overall experience.
• Taxiway Rehabilitation: The main taxiway is in “really rough shape” and requires a full rehabilitation, similar to the project recently completed on the main runway.
• Other Projects: Long-term plans include relocating the airport’s fuel farm and developing additional hangar space to support corporate and cargo operations.

Other Business

• CDBG Program: The committee received an overview of the successful Community Development Block Grant program, highlighting a new partnership with Partners for Peace that provides programming for children in transitional housing.
• Housing Update: There has been an increase in single-family building permits, and the city’s rental registration program now includes 22 short-term and 261 long-term rentals.
• YMCA Grant: A request was made for the city to support the Bangor YMCA’s application for funding from the Northern Border Commission.
• Historical Installation: The Commission on Social Development is requesting to pursue a $10,000 grant to create a historical art installation in partnership with the Bangor Historical Society.
• Executive Session: The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss the disposition of real property. A motion was subsequently passed related to the housing authority and a real estate property. The item will appear on the October 15, 2025 regular meeting for full council approval.

Government Operations Committee

Click here to read the meeting agenda.

Bangor State Fair Review

General Manager of the Cross Insurance Center provided a recap of the 2025 Bangor State Fair.

• Attendance and Revenue: The fair, which ran for seven days over two weekends, had a paid attendance of just over 17,000. The total gross revenue from the gate and rides was $477,000. While total attendance was down compared to the previous year, revenue was up due to changes in business operations.
• Agricultural Focus: A key success was moving the agricultural area inside the arena, making it more connected to the fair and accessible to patrons. The event featured over 460 animals and hosted two nationally ranked shows. This renewed focus on agriculture resulted in the Maine Agricultural Fair Association moving its annual event from Portland to Bangor for the upcoming January.
• Challenges and Future Plans: Lower attendance was attributed to competition from two other state fairs running concurrently, some rain, and a self-admitted “lack of marketing” due to a transition in the marketing department. For the 2026 fair, scheduled to begin July 30, organizers are considering opening during the weekdays between the two main weekends to offset competition.

Updated 287g Resolve

The committee held a lengthy and impassioned discussion regarding an updated resolve from the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights.

• Purpose of the Resolve: Representatives from the advisory committee explained the goal was not to create a “sanctuary city” or tell federal immigration (ICE) officials they cannot operate in Bangor. Instead, the resolve’s purpose is to formally document the city’s existing procedures, making it clear to the public what would happen if the city were ever asked again to enter a 287(g) agreement to delegate federal immigration enforcement to local police.
• Arguments Against Passage: Some councilors felt the resolve was unnecessary, arguing the city had already passed a resolve declaring itself a “welcoming and safe city”. One councilor expressed concern that it “draws a target on us” and makes the city appear to be taking a political stand against the current administration.
• Argument for Passage: I argued in favor of the resolve, stating it was the “bare minimum” the city could do. I made it clear that this resolve simply puts in writing all of our processes and public statements. I countered the main arguments against it:
  • On Loss of Funding: I stated that this administration had already attempted to compel cooperation through withholding funding and had experienced “loss after loss after loss” in court cases on this issue. I argued there is no legal basis for the fear of losing federal funds, as the Constitution prevents the federal government from coercing municipalities into a voluntary program and the courts have consistently upheld that.
  • On Being “Targeted”: If we were to be “targeted”, it would be for our refusal to sign an agreement not because we passed this resolve outlining the process on how we would do it.
  • On the Need: I addressed why residents are fearful, citing “abuse after abuse after abuse” in other communities with such programs, where even American citizens have been targeted due to their skin color. I concluded that if a city can do this to resolve to calm part of the community’s fear, it should, and that refusing to put our public statements into writing would send a terrible message.
• Police Chief’s Clarification: Police Chief Mark Hathaway was asked for his opinion. He stated that a 287(g) agreement gives local law enforcement immigration authority, which the Bangor Police Department has not asked for and does not anticipate asking for. He assured the committee that any future consideration of such an agreement would involve a full public discussion before a decision was made.
• Outcome: Following the debate, a motion was made to move the ordinance forward to the full council for consideration, which was seconded and passed by the committee.

Homelessness and Warming Centers

The committee addressed a potential gap in services for the unhoused population, as some organizations did not receive anticipated funding for warming center expansions.

• Proposal: The city has received a one-time General Assistance (GA) payback check of $156,971 from the state. The proposal is to allocate $60,000 of this funding to support one or more warming shelters. This direct funding would reduce the administrative burden on service providers.
• Discussion: Members expressed urgency. There was consensus to move quickly and empower city staff to distribute the funds rather than initiating a time-consuming formal RFP process. Concerns were also raised about the burden on Bangor to provide services for residents of surrounding communities.
• Outcome: The committee supported the plan. A formal council vote is required to accept the funds and appropriate the $60,000.

Other Business

• Fire Department Grant: The committee approved the fire department’s request to apply for a $10,000 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for new communication and hearing protection headsets.
• Golf Course Clubhouse Naming: A motion passed to move forward with naming the Bangor Municipal Golf Course clubhouse in honor of former city engineer John Frawley (1960-1992).
• Zoning Fee Amendment: The committee approved a change to waive zoning appeal fees for disability-related cases to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act.
• MMA Delegate: City Manager Carolyn Lear was designated as the city’s voting delegate for the Maine Municipal Association convention.

City Manager Update

• Government Shutdown: A federal government shutdown will primarily impact residents needing to access federal agencies. For the city, it will cause delays in federal reimbursements for programs like WIC. TSA agents at the airport are currently required to work without pay, which could become an issue if the shutdown is prolonged.
• Technology: Council members will receive new Surface Pro devices to replace their iPads. The city will also transition from Zoom to Microsoft Teams for public meetings to reduce costs.
• Bus Service: The Center Street (Route B) and Hammond Street (Route U) bus routes, which had been combined due to staffing shortages, will resume as separate routes on Monday, October 13th.