October 15, 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.

City Council Workshop

You can read the agenda by clicking here.

Advisory Committee on Racial Equity Recommended Resolve

Background and Purpose

• The issue originated months ago from community members who, following an ICE-related incident at the Kobe restaurant, sought a formal prohibition on the city entering into a 287(g) agreement, which would involve the Bangor Police Department participating with ICE.
• After meetings between the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights and the police chief, city solicitor, and city manager, the initial resolution was revised into the current resolve.
• The final version does not prohibit future agreements but instead outlines the existing public procedure for how any such agreement with a federal agency would be handled, ensuring the decision is not made “behind closed doors”. The goal is to provide transparency and reassurance to residents.

Council Discussion

• Arguments Against: Several councilors expressed opposition, stating that the city’s commitment to being a welcoming community is already covered in its charter and code of ethics. They argued that passing another resolve on this topic was redundant, citing a similar one from February, and that the council’s time should be focused on other pressing issues affecting the entire community, such as taxes and support for the elderly and veterans. There was concern about setting a precedent of “governing by resolve”.
• Arguments For: Proponents argued that the resolve serves to formally document a procedure that is not written down elsewhere, making the information accessible to the public. They emphasized the need to continually reassure residents who feel unsafe, particularly given what one councilor described as unconstitutional and deplorable actions by ICE at a national level. It was also noted that ensuring immigrants feel safe is vital to the state’s labor force and economy.

No vote was taken during the workshop, but it was confirmed the resolve would be on the agenda for the council meeting later that evening.

City Update

A city staff member provided updates on several items:

Warming Center Update

• A grant application for organizations to run warming centers was made public on October 14.
• Applications are due October 22, and funded centers must open by December 1, though a November 15 start is encouraged.
• A discussion arose about the city potentially running its own shelter. Councilors agreed that a future conversation should be held about the city’s long-term strategy for addressing homelessness to avoid being in an emergency situation each winter.

Letters of Support

• Wabanaki Grant: The council supported sending a letter for Wabanaki’s DHHS application to fund a peer navigator program.
• HUD Funding: The council agreed to send a letter to Maine’s senators advocating against a potential change in HUD funding rules. The proposed change would reduce the budget for permanent supportive housing, which could lead to 124 people in Bangor losing their housing vouchers and becoming homeless.
• Opioid Settlement Funds: The council discussed requests for letters of support for organizations applying to the county’s opioid settlement fund. Due to the city having its own separate committee and process for distributing opioid funds, it was decided that issuing letters for the county’s process could create a conflict. The city will instead encourage these organizations to apply for the city’s funds once that application is available.

Airport TV Screens

• The city manager reported that the city had declined a voluntary request from Homeland Security to display a political video about the government shutdown on the TV screens at Bangor International Airport.
• The decision was based on the fact that the content was not the typical public service information needed for travelers to navigate the airport safely and efficiently. The council expressed support for this decision, with one councilor describing the video as a “political ad”.

Regular City Council Meeting

You can read the agenda by clicking here.

On October 15, 2025, the Bangor City Council held a meeting that included a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, public comments primarily focused on homelessness, and a lengthy, contentious hearing on a resolve concerning local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agencies.

Proclamation

The meeting began with Council Chair Fournier proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Amanda Cost, the executive director of Partners for Peace, accepted the proclamation and spoke about the organization’s work in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, where they serve approximately 1,600 people annually. She highlighted upcoming awareness events, including Wear Purple Day and a march at the University of Maine on October 17th.

Resolve 25-300: Local Enforcement and Immigration Policies

The main business of the evening was a public hearing and vote on Resolve 25-300, titled “Resolve Reaffirming Safety, Trust, and Community Priorities and Local Enforcement Policies”. The resolve was recommended by the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights. Its stated purpose was to reaffirm that the Bangor Police Department would not enter into cooperation agreements with federal immigration enforcement, such as ICE, without an open process involving multiple layers of review, including the city manager’s office and relevant committees.

Public Comments in Favor of the Resolve:

• Community Trust: Supporters argued that cooperation with ICE erodes trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, making people afraid to report crimes. A member of the public shared the story from a teacher from Bangor High School detailing the fear and trauma her multilingual students have experienced due to ICE raids in the community.
• Proper Use of Resources: Speakers noted that enforcing federal immigration law diverts municipal resources, including funds and police time, away from local public safety needs.
• Rule of Law and Safety: A retired Air Force law enforcement officer stated that the resolve was “absolutely critical to the good rule of law,” as it helps ensure local police can effectively investigate crimes by having the cooperation of all residents. Others pointed to incidents of what they described as ICE “abductions” of individuals who were in a lawful immigration process.
• Transparency and Accountability: Proponents saw the resolve as a way to ensure transparency and oversight before the city enters into any agreement with federal immigration authorities.

Public Comments Against the Resolve:

• Unnecessary and Divisive: One public commenter called the measure unnecessary, stating that Bangor police already have strong, transparent policies and a commitment to civil rights. Some felt it was a symbolic political statement that creates division.
• Hindrance to Law Enforcement: It was argued that the resolve could create procedural hurdles that obstruct necessary information sharing between local and federal agencies on issues like human trafficking and drug operations.
• Enforcing Existing Laws: Some speakers voiced strong support for ICE’s mission, arguing that cooperation is necessary to remove “criminal illegals” and enforce federal law.
• A “Watered Down” Measure: Several speakers who supported the intent of the resolve expressed disappointment that it was not a stronger ordinance and merely reaffirmed a process rather than creating a binding law.

Council Comments Against the Resolve:

Councilor Tremble

• He stated that the resolve is a “very weak” measure that will not change the actions of ICE, which he identified as the public’s primary concern.
• He argued that the city is not going to enter into a 287(g) agreement with or without the resolve.
• He stated his belief that the real solution requires checks and balances at the federal level, which this local resolve cannot provide.

Councilor Fish

• She argued that the council had already addressed this topic a few months prior and that the time and energy spent on it detracts from other critical issues like homelessness and the tax base.
• She said the city’s charter and ethics policies already protect residents and that passing the resolve implies a lack of faith in the city’s police department.

Council Comments For the Resolve:

• Councilor Leonard
  • He viewed the resolve as the “absolute minimum” the council could do and stated he believes ICE is an “enemy to American citizens at this point”.
  • He said he was supporting the measure because it was the least he could do to address the issue.

• Myself (Summary of my public statement)
  • I don’t think anyone in favor of this resolve had any illusion that it would change federal policy or stop ICE’s actions. That was never the point. This was about making sure that when a resident’s door is kicked in, it isn’t their neighborhood police officer putting the zip ties on them.
  • This resolve is about something the city can actually control: our process. It ensures that if a 287(g) cooperation agreement with a federal agency like ICE is ever considered, there is a clear, public process in place. It means residents won’t wake up one day surprised to find our local police engaged in federal immigration enforcement. They will be part of the process, and we will work through it together as a community.
  • The City and Council has said publicly that we are not interested in such agreements, but when it came time to put that promise in writing, there was significant hesitation. I feel I can’t in good conscience tell the public that our policies are one way but then refuse to formalize it in a resolve. This is about putting our money where our mouth is and having our stated position in writing.
  • Some argued that we’ve spent too much time on this issue. My perspective is that we wasted more time performing “mental gymnastics” to find reasons not to support it. If we had just taken the advice from our advisory committee and voted yes, the matter would have been settled. For me, this was probably the easiest “yes” vote I’ve had on council.

Video of my comments:

The motion to pass Resolve 25-300 ultimately failed by a vote of 3 to 5.

Votes in Favor: Beck, Deane, Leonard
Votes Against: Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Mallar, Tremble

Everything else had passage or was referred:

Consent Agenda

• ORDER: Authorizing the Award of Two Contracts for Boiler Replacement, Conversion, and Feed Tank Replacement at the Bangor International Airport
• ORDER: Authorizing Waiving the Bid Process for the Control System Upgrade Phase C for the Department of Water Quality
• ORDER: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Option Agreement with the Bangor Housing Development Corporation for the Purchase of Property off Maine Avenue in the Amount of $120,000
• ORDER: Authorizing a Contract with Lakeside Concrete Cutting and Abatement Professionals in the amount of $555,600 for the Demolition and Removal of the Alert Building at the Bangor International Airport
• ORDER: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Societe Internationale De Telecommunications Aeronautiques on 188 Maine Avenue at Bangor International Airport
• ORDER: Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission in the Amount of $10,000
• ORDER: Accepting the Gift of Holiday Decorations from the Downtown Bangor Partnership, to be Erected by City Staff for the Holiday Season
• ORDER: Accepting the Donation of Signage To Be Placed in City Parks and Rights of Ways for the Purpose of Direction and Information as Part of the Greater Bangor Region Tourist and Visitor Initiative
• RESOLVE: Ratifying Staff Action to Apply for a Grant from Firehouse Subs for a Multi-User Headset System for the Fire Department in the Amount of $10,000

Referrals to Committee and First Reading

• ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 165-11, Appeals, to Remove Appeal Fees for Disability Variances and Fair Housing Act Reasonable Accommodations (First Reading)
• ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map to Re-zone a Property Located at 69 Perry Rd from Industry and Service District (I&S) and Contract Urban Industry District (UID) to Non-Contract Urban Industry District (UID) (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on October 21, 2025)
• ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map to Re-zone a Portion of the Property Located at 1009 Ohio St from Neighborhood Service District (NSD) to Government & Institutional Service District (G&ISD) (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on October 21, 2025)
• ORDINANCE: Authorizing modifications to City Code of Ordinance Chapter 165 to Allow City Departments to Review Projects Requiring Stormwater Law Permits (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on October 21, 2025)
• RESOLVE: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $156,970.96 from Maine Department of Health and Human Services as a General Assistance One-Time Payment to Municipalities (First Reading)
  • This resolve also includes the $60,000 allocation of this money towards warming centers this winter.

Unfinished Business

• RESOLVE: Accepting & Appropriate up to $730,000 in Grant Funds from Maine Department of Health and Human Services for the Purpose of Funding Bangor Public Health and Community Services Infrastructure Needs

New Business

• PUBLIC HEARING: Application for Special Amusement License Renewal of Penn Entertainment, Inc. d/b/a Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, 500 Main Street
• PUBLIC HEARING: Application for Special Amusement License Renewal of Giri Bangor Holiday Inc., d/b/a Holiday Inn 404 Odlin Road
• ORDER: Authorizing Naming the Golf Course Clubhouse “John Frawley Clubhouse” in Honor of Former City Engineer John Frawley
• ORDER: Appointing Nominees to Various Boards, Commissions and Committees