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.

This was a long evening of meetings with many topics. Council started at 5:15pm and didn’t finish until after 9:30pm.

City Council Special Workshop

Click here to read the agenda for this meeting.

Homelessness Committee Selection Process

The City Clerk sought guidance on managing a high volume of applicants, which reached 23 at the time of the meeting and was projected to hit 50.

• Review and Screening: The Council agreed to review all applications in a private executive session prior to scheduling interviews. This “organizational meeting” will be used to create a rubric/checklist to narrow the pool based on criteria set in the established ordinance.
• Interview Logistics: To ensure commitment and quality, the Council expressed a preference for in-person interviews, though a hybrid/Zoom option will remain available. Interview lengths (previously five minutes) will be determined after the pool is narrowed.
• Deadlines: After debating whether to extend the application window to April 30, the Council reached a consensus to set the deadline for Friday, April 17, 2026. They aim to approve committee selections by the May 11 council meeting.

Executive Sessions

The Council voted to enter three executive sessions to consult with the City Solicitor regarding the following matters:

• Immigration Ordinance: Consultation regarding potential liabilities of a proposed employee authority and immigration matters ordinance.
• 99 Farm Road: Discussion regarding the permitted use of the property.
• Bangor Mall: Updates on pending litigation matters involving the Bangor Mall.

Upon returning to the open workshop, the Council reported that no action was taken during the executive sessions and adjourned the meeting.

Finance Committee

Click here to read this meeting’s agenda.

Bids and Vehicle Purchases

The committee reviewed and moved several purchase recommendations to the full council:

• Sewer Maintenance Truck: Awarded to low bidder Darlings for the Water Quality Management Department for $65,498.
• Vehicle Wash System: A project budgeted at $450,000; the committee recommended the low bid of $430,186 with Maintenance Tech Inc.
• Jet A Refueler: The committee recommended a higher bid for this airport vehicle because the lower bid was incomplete and missing required components. SkyMark Refuelers, LLC – $428,850
• Ambulance Purchase: The Fire Department requested to waive the city’s standard bid process to join a national group bid for a “demo model” ambulance. This allows for delivery in 8 months rather than the typical 2-3 year wait. The purchase will increase the fleet from five to six units. Autotronics – $471,703
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Vans: Approved the purchase of two EV ADA-compliant vans for the bus system, supported by DOT and federal funding. The city secured $24,000 in Efficiency Maine rebates for these vehicles. Mobility Works – $155,317 (Total for 2 vehicles.)

Airport Grant Opportunities

The Airport Director presented two grant pursuits:

• Small Community Air Service Development: A grant to incentivize airlines to add westbound routes.
• Taxiway Alpha and Mike Project: A $14.5 million infrastructure project with 95% federal funding eligibility.

Heating Assistance & Public Health

The committee discussed a $14,500 donation for heating assistance from the Barbara Capacity Foundation. Action was postponed to ask the foundation if funds could be used more broadly, such as for warming shelters, as existing heating assistance reserves remain high due to underutilization of the third-tier program.

Finance Department & Audit Update

The City Manager provided an update on the ongoing audit delays:

• The department is currently “digging out” from a hole caused by past vacancies, though it is now fully staffed.
• Staff are currently focused on the budget process and preparing audit materials, though they have not yet reached the auditors.
• I renewed my suggestion to revive the “Popular Annual Financial Report”, that was used in years past, to provide the public with more accessible and timely data while the formal audit is pending.

Business and Economic Development Committee

Click here to read the agenda for this meeting.

Data Center Moratorium

The committee discussed a proposed 180-day moratorium on data centers to allow time for the development of regulatory frameworks.

• Duration: While some counselors preferred a longer timeline matching the state’s 2027 proposal, staff clarified that state law limits local moratoriums to 180 days. It can be extended, if certain criteria are met. (Click here to read that state law.)
• Effective Date: The committee voted to move the ordinance to the April 13th City Council agenda with an effective date of April 13th, rather than making it retroactive to March, to maximize the 180-day window into September.
• Utility Concerns: The discussion highlighted the significant water and electricity requirements of these centers, supported by correspondence from the water district manager.

Downtown Bangor Parking Committee

A motion passed to amend the ordinance for the Downtown Bangor Parking Advisory Committee.

• Leadership Change: The role of the counselor on the committee will shift from Chair to Liaison.
  • The version of the ordinance that will come before Council will limit the Liaison’s term to one year in line with other committees with liaisons.
• Goal: This change ensures the committee functions similarly to other city volunteer boards, where leadership is elected from within the membership rather than dictated by the council.

---

Economic Reports & Development

Downtown Bangor Partnership Q3 Report

The partnership presented its quarterly report.

• Vitality Markers: The downtown district currently hosts 55 restaurants. The average lifespan of these businesses is 15 years, significantly higher than the 5-year national average.
• Retail Strength: Independent retailers are retained at twice the national rate, with an average lifespan of 26.6 years.
• Ambassador Program: The safety and hospitality ambassadors have moved to a solid staff of six, completing over 2,000 patrols and focusing on needle cleanup and bathroom checks.
• Low Vacancy: The commercial vacancy rate is a mere 2.4%. Staff noted that anything below 8.9% is technically considered “unhealthy” because it restricts growth and movement for new businesses.

The Paradox of 2.4% Vacancy: Challenges and DBP Strategy

While high occupancy is generally positive, downtown Bangor’s current commercial vacancy rate of 2.4% creates unique economic friction. According to national industry standards, any rate below 8.9% is viewed as “unhealthy” for a city’s development.

The Challenges of a “Full” Downtown

• Lack of Movement: The extremely low vacancy rate prevents the necessary growth and movement required for a dynamic commercial and residential sector.
• Barriers to Entry: There are currently very few available options for new businesses looking to move into the downtown area.
• Hidden Occupancy: Some spaces that appear empty are actually under lease but remain inactive due to external factors, such as tenants waiting for the state to clear tax liens before they can move in.

How the DBP is Addressing the Shortage

• Strategic Matchmaking: The Partnership actively fields calls from interested parties and performs matchmaking between prospective tenants and property owners to find available footprints.
• Activating Underused Space: The DBP has successfully negotiated with owners who were using prime first-floor storefronts for storage, convincing them to convert those spaces back into active retail.
• Owner Negotiations: They work continuously with property owners who—for a variety of reasons—have kept their spaces off the market, successfully getting some of those units listed again.
• Promoting Market Synergy: The Partnership encourages property owners to activate dormant spaces by highlighting how a new, active neighbor will increase foot traffic and benefit their own existing business interests.

City-Owned Lease Review

The city currently manages eight leased properties.

• Profitability: The portfolio is performing well, with profit margins between 60% and 77% even on properties where the city covers expenses.
• Management Strategy: Staff proposed outsourcing property management to a professional service to ensure specialized focus, efficient responses, and better maintenance of “institutional knowledge” regarding lease renewals.
• Leasing vs. Selling: The committee reaffirmed its traditional stance of leasing rather than selling city assets to maintain long-term control and revenue.

---

Departmental Updates

• CDBG: An open house for Community Development Week was announced for Tuesday, April 7th, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. The city is also planning direct outreach to housing developers to encourage participation in the program.
• TIFs: Staff provided an overview of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Credit Enhancement Agreements (CEA), noting that the downtown TIF is set to expire in 2036.

Executive Session & Adjournment

Following an executive session regarding real estate acquisition, the committee voted to move forward with the sale of 10 Hershey Ave, 174th Street, and 75 Fourth Street. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Government Operations Committee

Click here for the meeting’s agenda.

Public Health and Opioid Response

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to initiatives managed by Public Health:

• Nutrition Education: The committee recommended accepting $426,535 from the University of New England for a rural health nutrition program. This replaces the discontinued SNAP education program and aims to reach a broader population to reduce chronic disease.
• Syringe Waste Program: The committee approved a $60,300 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness for the third year of a syringe cleanup program. Members discussed moving toward a Request for Proposal (RFP) process in future years to increase transparency.
• HIV Outbreak & Syringe Services: The Public Health Director reported 41 cases of HIV as of March 20th. She proposed a pilot delivery service for clean needles to existing case management clients to reach those who cannot visit brick-and-mortar sites. While some councilors expressed concern over “giving and giving” without seeing improvement, the committee directed Public Health to return with a more detailed plan.
• Case Management Funding: The committee ratified accepting $80,000 from Maine General to support retroactive salary costs for HIV case management.

Infrastructure and City Ordinances

• Sidewalk Obstructions: The committee approved, by a 4-1 vote, an amendment to Chapter 257 of the city code to prohibit the storage of any materials on sidewalks, esplanades, or streets without a license. Previously, the ordinance only applied to construction materials. I dissented, and cited concerns over the broadness and constitutionality, and asked that the ordinance be more narrowly tailored.
  • I argued that this should not be passed as is and should be amended to be narrowly tailored to survive judicial scrutiny. You can read my reasoning by clicking here.
• Wabanaki Veterans Memorial: The committee approved locating a new memorial in Broad Street Park. The project will be funded through private fundraising rather than tax dollars.
• Federal Funding Applications: City Manager Carolyn Lear requested retroactive ratification for several Congressionally Designated Spending (CDS) applications, including $24 million for a Parks and Rec childcare facility, $7.5 million for Public Works storage bays, $4.2 million for airport gate upgrades, and $165,000 for police forensic equipment.

Postponed Items

• Housing Committee: Due to the late hour and the recent receipt of the ordinance, the committee voted to postpone the discussion regarding a standing committee on housing to a future meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.