Auburn council advances demolition order for 81 Minot Avenue

[0:39] Mayor (presiding officer): The October 5th, 2026 Auburn City Council workshop will be called to order. First item of business is a proposed transfer of property from the town of New Gloucester. Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mayor. [0:51] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Councilors, we received a letter from the town manager in New Gloucester regarding a parcel of land that came known to them through our reval process. That there's about, of a 71-acre lot, there were about five to six acres. That when Maine Turnpike Authority transferred the property to the town of New Gloucester, the 71 acres, five or six of those acres were actually in Auburn. And this came up through the reval. The town of New Gloucester received a $230 tax bill. They had their meeting in May. They have a full town meeting in May. They held their meeting. To the city of Auburn. So they decided that they didn't have any interest in trying to sell this property, but would rather just do a transfer of the property to the city of Auburn. The parcel, if you saw in the packet, you'll see it's pretty limited parcel. Zoom this out back in so you can see it kind of looks like an arrow as it goes down to a point right along the main turnpike authority there's some property owners that about that are we do not own this property not sure what potential use would be but I think it does make good sense for the city of Auburn to just accept this prop parcel we'll have that and then we'll we'll reach out to the city. So we'll look at this further to see if there's any potential use. For the city, but it's limited. As I mentioned, you know, you might be able to get access. I think there's. I think it probably stands to be a better use for the butters than it would be city, but it makes sense for a cleaner transfer just to come back to the city. City. Questions? Council [2:55] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: Platt. Thank you. I'm just curious what kind of internal process do we have to see what 's on the property to make sure no uranium is buried there? Yeah we'll certainly [3:06] Phil Crowell, City Manager: do a full review of the parcel to ensure that there's nothing that we're we're not taking any contaminated site or anything that require further any remediation from the city. So we'll do our due diligence, and then we'll do a transfer. [3:24] Mayor (presiding officer): The question was a comment? [3:26] Speaker D (unidentified): Can you tell me what the zoning is, what the uses of that property may be? [3:33] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Yeah, it's industrial use. It's in the industrial zone. Yeah, just [3:41] Mayor (presiding officer): So people can reference that, at the top of the road access, you see the small square parcel of the building on it. That was the building, the Boy Scouts built a number of years ago and then sold it. I think there's an insurance agency or something in there now. Any other question, council? Here so. [4:16] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: What other streets that abut it there's. [4:20] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Trying to think of the name of that road. It's I think maybe Marshall. I think it's Marshall. That is that smaller road that comes off from Hotel Road and that's that's the only road on the on the along the side of the parcel where you see the arrow comes to a point. That's the a that's the turnpike. So there's really no road access in that area at all. But you can see where there is a strip probably a right-of-way strip that goes along and it takes you to again I don't have it in front of me but I'm. Pretty sure it's Marshall takes you to that road that then gets you to a Hotel Road thank. [4:55] Speaker F (unidentified): You yes sure there's. [5:00] Mayor (presiding officer): Nothing else we'll move on to the recreation revenue and programming report. Thanks so you will see that come before you as. [5:08] Phil Crowell, City Manager: An order at your next meeting when we when we discussed the recreation budget during the FY27 process we had shared at that time we really had only had maybe about seven months worth of data to see because in FY26 just for council's reference in FY26 we moved a lot of the rec programming from a special revenue account process to an actual expense and revenue line item within our budget. And so there was a there was a bit of a shift certainly a change in practice. I think the recreation department. Had historically always worked through special revenue accounts. There's a good use for that. We're still exploring whether or not is this process the right process or should we be looking at changing special revenue so it's more aligned with just the ins and outs for that program and then be able to provide additional revenue that comes in for offsetting the operational budget. So I'll walk through this so that the transition like I said to the revenue and expense structure our goal was really to. improve transparency you would always look at the rec budget at maybe somewhere around three hundred thousand dollars but not realize that there's probably closer to nine well i'm sorry closer about four hundred thousand dollars that had been coming in through revenue and then expenses that had been going on that includes everything from summer rec which is probably our largest one program revenue and expense line them our summer rec program pretty much washes out it's hard to show it within the budget because some families go on a payment plan and that payment plan might extend you beyond that fiscal year and the program actually runs two fiscal years as well, so sometimes there's some overlap within that. So our goal was to look at this as a city-wide accounting practice. As we were looking through the end of the year, we did recognize that some entries were still posted to special revenue accounts. Those are requiring some transfers that finance will do. They'll transfer any expenses that were done during the or any revenues that were posted, they'll be transferred out. We do have Civic Rec, which is our software system, that when someone, when someone registers for a rec program, we notice that those payments automatically transfer to the VUNIS account. And so, but occasionally other revenue that may have come in may have been posted to a special revenue account. So finances, that's transferred those now. So another change was we had a leadership changeup in rec. And so we recognized that there was some communication gap regarding how that information was entered in and in that process, and then we also saw some just some daily workflow disruptions. So if a process was moving forward the way that it had in the past, changing that or even, I'll get into this in a minute, really looking at unplanned expenses. And so through this process we've recognized some things that we'll be working on, especially when it comes to equipment replacement. So in the past you know, take a youth football program always been a special revenue account, it always had a balance in there, and when staff would recognize that we need to change out 20 of our helmets because they've, they've reached their time frame, then they would just make that purchase out of that fund balance. Well, if we haven't budgeted for that, then it really skews our expense column. And so we recognize that in a few locations and we recognize some facility maintenance that sometimes had always been charged To the special revenue account that really should be going into the facility maintenance account, and it needs to be accounted for there. So I think even if we in FY 28 when we come in we'll we'll talk about that, but even if we do make a change, there are some lessons learned here that we know we need to identify certain facilities and certain things with really tracking our youth sports equipment and adult sports equipment to ensure that we have all that on a replacement schedule much like we've done in other departments. Fire department has a has a robust equipment replacement schedule, so does it the PD, whether it's firearm replacement, bulletproof vest replacement, all those things. So other departments have worked through that over the years, REC just hasn't because they've had this ability just to say okay we need it 's in the account we'll pull it up. So share with you a few of the numbers, so going back in time now, this isn't the budget we're in now, this is the one that we just closed out on FY 26. What we had budgeted was that we would have a budgeted revenue of about 456,000, we would have budgeted expenses at 341. This is just for programs and fees, this is not the operating budget for REC, this was just programs and fees. And so what that demonstrated was that we would have a budget a budgeted net revenue of about 150, and so that was our goal. If you remember part of our conversation was we were looking at changing some of our fee amounts because we wanted to capture the goal was to try to at least account for about 10 percent of operating our operating budget would come in through some fees. We had made some of those adjustments with regarding the fee costs so that we were capturing some of the administrative costs. Our next step is to really look at facility as well, what are those facility costs, we'll be working that through as we start making some adjustments this year FY 27. So our actual performance in FY 26 was that we had 531,000 in revenue, our actual expenses increased to 408 000 for those reasons that I just mentioned, as well as service demand. If we got more registrations then there might have been more costs that were associated, and so our net revenue ended up being 123 000 for FY26. Just some key takeaways for this is that the expenses didn't you know some of it was proportionally, if you saw some of our programs we saw some adjustments some changes, but then as I mentioned some of the unscheduled equipment expenses that we hadn't planned On that were spent, you know, that was about 66, almost 67,000 of expenses that we hadn't planned on. They were in the balance accounts for the special revenue. If you remember when we talked about this, we said that we're gonna hang on to the special revenue accounts to ensure that these expenses could be absorbed. We did, but we've also transferred those because there was that additional revenue. So we're able to account for all of it in FY26, which was our goal originally. The results did provide us some informed discussion regarding what we'll be planning for the FY28 budget process. I think you're going to see a hybrid, like I said. I don't think it'll be, you know, we're not going to move completely away from the immunist budget, but we're also not going to move completely away from special revenue, because we did recognize some programs make sense to stay in a special revenue because of the ins and outs and multiple budgets, and our goal, like I said, was that we would cover 10 percent of the recreation operating cost. We actually hit within this budget, we hit thirteen point four percent of the fiscal. So I think we set the bar at ten percent, we put a little cushion in there, we were able to exceed that slightly, but by doing so we were able to ensure that we were able to cover some of those, that hybrid that we do moving forward. My goal would be that we now try to move towards closer to twenty percent of our operating cost as we continue to kind of look at this and ensure that we're still providing good programming. Other takeaways from the FY 26 that we adjusted in FY 27, when we look at each program, as we shared before, we have, we have some adult programs that bring in more revenue and they have less expenses, but those revenues help offset programs that either break even or they don't quite bring in enough to cover their costs. And so, but we did identify one program that we eliminated in it so far at FY 27 is we eliminated competition cheering. This was something that we took a look and said it's being provided in the community pretty extensively. There was a lot of cost to the program for us to continue that. We still provide cheering for our youth sports, so the football still has cheering that they provide, they may have started, so there are some other cheering that's done, continue, it'll continue to be a about a break even. Competition cheering just was more costly. We had, we had to pay probably three individuals as coaches for this because it's A specialized need, it's not like a parent could just step in. There was travel that was involved. Competition cheering requires a minimum of three separate uniforms for one competition, and so those were all costs that as we explored it, I think those who are participating could participate in other opportunities. And so, and that's part of what we're looking at. We want to make sure we're, we want to make sure we're filling that, we're meeting that gap, right, if there's a program that's being offered in the community, but is it, is it not accessible for some of our residents? If it's not accessible, how do we provide a program that does meet that? And but then we're also having conversations about how can we maybe align with another entity in the community so we can, we can provide a real solid program in the community. And so, those were some of the key takeaways. I think we'll, we'll continue to refine the internal system. We'll, I think we still need to look at true operational costs for the, for the program. We're not, we're not there yet, but we'll need to continue looking at that. We're going to continue to look at some better cost models. We want to make sure that it's equitable fee is where it needs to be. We do, you know, what we are seeing, and we're having this conversation last week, we are seeing for some families, if they're say choose basketball, if they're rolling their child into basketball, they're rolling their child into our basketball program, Lois' basketball program, maybe even the Wise basketball program because they're all in on basketball. They're hitting that at all different levels. Well, is that something that we want to continue? Because does that have an impact on our teams, especially if there's conflict games being somewhere else, then what's the impact on our teams? is we'll continue assessing and evaluating that 's where an area where it may make some sense to say how can we do something more regional and provide some better competition for our youth because we're expanding that but and then we have we have great access to facilities where some other programs might be limited and so how can we maybe offer that and we'll we'll continue exploring that we're having conversations but we'll continue exploring and like i said we want to make sure that our Programs continue to be accessible. I think that's that's ultimately the goal. I think we're going to need to really look at summer rec. We know there'll be we're having discussions regarding any impacts right now regarding construction that will take place at Auburn Middle School. What is what will that do for our program? I think we're also looking at that we'll need to be scheduling a debrief with some of our participants regarding challenges for this past year. We were able to bring on behavioral health specialists. That was a teacher that was able to join our team and was able to provide some assistance to our staff. The mayor and I met with the new president at Central Main Community College today and we were talking today about an opportunity there for some of their students to be able to do this almost like an intern or a paid a paid position but it also ties into credits for their early childhood education or for their sports science program and so we see some opportunities here that will continue in school so that you know we shared that we would do an update for you during the FY 27 budget process. Those numbers are in so this is where we're at currently but certainly any questions you might have provide. [19:23] Mayor (presiding officer): Some response questions from the council thank. [19:29] Speaker G (unidentified): You Mr. Mayor and Mr. Manager thank you for the presentation. I know that during the conversations we had in terms of asking you all to adjust fees that there is needing to look at where are we going to be able to meet the needs of those who might need assistance. I know you don't have all that data but you have some sense could you speak to that a little bit in terms of increased fees as did that allow us to still continue to support those that. [19:59] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Might not be able to meet the full cost. Yeah the only area that I know and I can dig into this further but the only area where I know where we did turn away students because we met capacity was the summer rec program and that was it was really as a result of just staffing and so limitations with staffing we want to make sure we had good kiddo to camper supervisor ratio there and so we knew we weren't hitting that in some areas so we and we had to turn away some kids for that and that wasn't. easy we had we had to work through having conversations with many parents who may have just missed the registration time frame or most were registering late those are the ones that were turned away only because we just couldn't hit those numbers programming wise I'd have to dig in a little bit more with some of our program is to find out if there's any of those other supports that we did not hit and get a little bit more feedback regarding you know we opened registration did everybody get an opportunity. I didn't hear anything other than the summer rec, and but we are, we're gonna be digging into this a bit more with the staff to really get a good, a good handle on that and, ensure that we're meeting those needs and it's accessible for everyone. But some of it is just limited capacity. I think we can only hold so many games during a certain amount of hours a day. And so this is where coming up this year will be the first year that we will be able to use the basketball court at PAL. So that's going to open up some opportunities to expand and be able to make sure enrollment into the program is still solid, but then also expand our location. So we'll work on that. If you remember last year, we had just opened the center, so there was still a punch list that was being done within the center, so we opted not to do that. I think this summer we had a summer youth basketball program that used that on Saturdays, and so there was some use at the facility, but this year they'll work that into the schedule. We still have a couple more things to do there. We still have to decide hoops need to be installed before things really ramp up come November. [22:44] Speaker G (unidentified): Other questions? Councilor Duvall. Yeah, so what role, just two-parter I guess about insurance, [22:52] Phil Crowell, City Manager: So what role does it play in the pricing and is it variable across sports or is it you just apply it evenly? For insurance, so we're, we're insured through a Municipal Association or risk program. We don't, we, they know what programs we offer and they insure us for how many, you know, I think one of the questions probably is how many participants do we have across the board with it? And rec programming, so we're covered there. We don't have any, we don't have any added riders on for our insurance that's needed for any of the other programs that we do. We often have to notify any municipal if we are holding a community program that might be separate from what we normally do, just to give them notification. Fright Night is a perfect example, it's coming right up. Usually there's a notification that they're the risk pool to say where we're offering this program is gonna be at this location and they add it to the policy just to ensure that we're covered. But for the most part, it's all so baked into our regular risk program, council. [24:03] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: Gary, Thank You mr. mayor. When the budget season comes up, can we find the cost of each of our facilities that make up our department, like the senior center, what it costs to operation and expenses, what it does for hasty Armory, what it does for Ingersoll as well as the Powell Center, we can other [24:31] Mayor (presiding officer): questions just [24:35] Speaker G (unidentified): a comment. I understand the potential need to use some special revenue crossing over fiscal years, that kind of thing, so but at the same time, we had asked you to explore shifting this over because it was a transparency issue. So just as long as that's, you know, we have ways to easily communicate that out to folks. [25:00] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Yeah. That's a great point. I'm glad you brought it up. As Kelsey and I kind of work through this, what you'll see, if we decide, and I think it seems to be leaning this way, there's certain programs that just make sense for us to do this. When you get the budget, you'll also have a report on all the special revenue accounts that remain, so that way you're seeing those, and you're seeing the anticipated expenses that we feel that we could track pretty well with our program. And I think you'll also see our revenues will be more aligned with our actual revenues that we brought in. We were able to absorb that other extra 66,000 in expenses because there was some under reporting done for I think a good one to example would be pickleball had a I think they just had this place like a placeholder, you know, so that there was it showed a revenue that's probably historically what they had done within the special revenue account of $1,000, well pickleball brings in $10,000, so it's quite a gap, and so ensuring that those are better accounted for i think is really what you'll start Seeing in that budget process that demonstrates that good transparency, and you'll be able to see programs that, what I'll want to be able to do is show you each program with even just a revenue and expense line, so you'll see which ones are covering other ones. You know, I think the adult draft softball league, that's the one that's covering the majority of the revenue that we are looking to cover in operating costs. That's just a, it's, it's a, it's a large program. We have the largest drafts up all league, I think, in the state of Maine, and so, there's a lot of revenue that comes in. Our, we have a decent amount of expenses, but nowhere near the revenue that comes in, and but that revenue helps offset our youth programming, and that's okay. I think that's, that demonstrates that we can provide some of these other programs without raising some of the costs, the application fees for registration, and we still keep it affordable for our community, but we're offsetting with some of the programs that are pretty comparable. If you're going to be in an adult draft softball league someplace else, our costs are coming in pretty similar, and I think in turn we also have made really good investments in our softball field. So as a city, we've said, okay, we're getting a lot of use in our fields, let's make sure we're making the right investment. I think when we moved from a baseball field to a softball field at one of the fields, that was a big investment that the city had made. In turn, there's that revenue that's coming in to help offset our other programs. Any [27:53] Mayor (presiding officer): other questions? Anything else on this, Mr. Manager? That's it. Great, thanks very much. We'll be adjourned until 7 p.m. for the regular meeting. The October 5th, 2026 Auburn City Council meeting will be called to order. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. If we could have the councillors introduce themselves, starting with Councillor Gary. Good [1:32:42] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: evening, Belinda Gary, councillor at [1:32:44] Rachel Randall, City Councilor Ward 1: large. Good evening, Rachel Randall, councillor ward 1. Good evening, Tim [1:32:52] Speaker G (unidentified): Council of Award Two. Good evening, Matthew Duvall, City Council Award Three. Good evening, Jeff Hyrman, Mayor. Good evening, Kelly Butler, City Council Award Four. Good evening, Leroy Walker, [1:33:03] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: Council Ward Five. Good evening, Adam Platt, City Council at Large. Good evening, Brandon Edwards, [1:33:09] Owen Robinson, Student Representative: Student Representative. Good evening, Owen Robinson, Student Representative. Phil Croll, City Manager. [1:33:16] Mayor (presiding officer): Thank you. The first order of business tonight is a consent agenda. There is one item designating Assistant City Manager Dennis Dute is the city's voting delegate for the Main Municipal Association's annual business meeting to be held on October 7th, 2026. Is there a motion to move by Council Walker? Second. Seconded by Councillor Cowan. The vote will be by show of hands. All those in favor? Seven having voted in the affirmative, none in the negative. The motion is adopted. The next item is approval of the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 21st, 2026. Are there any errors or corrections? Not seeing any, is there a motion to adopt the minute? Motion to adopt moved by Council Walker, second by Councilor Duvall. Vote will be by show of hands. All those in favor? Seven having voted in the affirmative and none in the negative. The [1:34:07] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: motions adopted. Correction, I abstained. I was not here at the last meeting, so I sorry. yeah. [1:34:13] Mayor (presiding officer): So six having voted in the affirmative and one abstention, the motion is adopted. We'll move on to communications presentations and recognitions. There is a communication from the clerk notifying residents of Auburn that absentee voting is now available at Auburn Hall until October 29th during business hours. You can vote in person. The absentee ballots can be dropped off at the clerk's office or 24 hours a day in the drop box was the back entrance of the building between City Hall and the parking garage. A reminder from the Comprehensive Plan Committee that the public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on October 14th here in the City Council chambers. That's an opportunity for members of the public to address the Planning Board and the Comprehensive Plan Committee with their feedback regarding the Comprehensive Plan. This is Manufacturing Month. I would like to invite Jay Brenchek, our Director of Economic Development, with Susan Hagerstrom. She is the Director of HR at Pan-E-Lam, and Steve Thurlow, he is the Director of Operations at Pan-E-Lam. They are representing the Manufacturers Group here in Auburn, and they'll be receiving the proclamation, which reads as follows. Whereas the city of Auburn boasts 40 transportation and warehousing businesses and 49 manufacturers within minutes of exit 75, making it Maine's manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution hub, and whereas Maine is home to approximately 1,870 manufacturing business establishments, and whereas the manufacturing sector is Maine's fourth largest business sector,, and whereas there are over 3,000 manufacturing warehouse and distribution careers within minutes of Exit 75 in Auburn, whereas Manufacturers in Maine employ over 56,700 people with an average annual wage of over $67,000, whereas manufacturers help to drive the Maine economy with $1.93 billion in manufactured goods exported, and whereas manufacturing sectors in Auburn includes sectors in advanced materials and composites, aerospace and defense, biotech and medical devices, blue and forest bioeconomy, and food and beverage. Now, therefore, I, Jeffrey D. Harmon, Mayor of the City of Auburn, do hereby proclaim the month of October, 2026, as Manufacturing Month in the City of Auburn. Thank you very much for being here today. If you could turn this way, Eric will... sure. Hello. [1:37:27] Owen Robinson, Student Representative: We chose PANALAM to receive this proclamation because when we created a workforce program for new Mainers, they hopped on board and filled their workforce needs. When we created a transportation service for workforce through Western Maine Transportation, they used that as well. Well, they've essentially used almost every one of the programs that the city has come up with or that we've helped bring to our manufacturers. And because of that, they've been able to fulfill their workforce needs, and we hope they're here for a long time. So thank you, Susan. Thank you, Stephen. [1:38:43] Mayor (presiding officer): So the next item is a legislative sentiment recognizing Lieutenant Tony Harrington, who recently retired from the Auburn Police Department, This legislative sentiment will be presented by Senator Bruce Pickford from District 20. Senator? Sure. And Senators being joined by Representative Adam Lee and Representative Quinton Chapman, who both represent the city. [1:39:15] Speaker F (unidentified): So, Lieutenant Harrington, on behalf of the entire legislature, the House and the Senate, we're presenting you this sentiment. [1:39:24] Speaker D (unidentified): And I'm going to ask one of these gentlemen to read it on [1:39:30] Speaker J (unidentified): His retirement after 25 years of dedicated service in the department. Lieutenant Harrington served in multiple roles, from school resource officer, detective, patrol sergeant, and patrol lieutenant, to most recently commander of the criminal investigations division. In the community, he led the Auburn Police Department Citizens Police Academy and New Auburn neighborhood watch for years, offering guidance, education, and partnership to hundreds of residents. His commitment extended to the Auburn Police Benefit Association, where he kept retired officers connected and helped preserve the history and culture of the department. We extend our congratulations and best wishes, and be it ordered that this official expression of sentiment be sent forthwith on behalf of the 132nd legislature and the people of the state of Maine. Thank you. We'll [1:41:11] Mayor (presiding officer): move on to the first open session of the evening. If there's any member of the public who would like to address the council on items that are not on tonight's agenda, please approach the podium and provide your name and address. Not seeing any, the open session is closed. We'll move on to unfinished business. The first item is ordinance one six zero nine two one two zero two six amending chapter 60 zoning of the city's code of ordinances regarding eliminating the number of people employed in sawmills within the agricultural and resource protection Zoning District. This will be for second reading. Is there a motion? Motion to move. Moved by Council Walker. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councillor Cowan. If any member of the public would like to address the council on this item, please approach the podium and provide your name and address. Not seeing any. Public comment is closed. Discussion by the council. Not seeing any. Is the council ready for the question? The vote will be by roll call. The clerk will call the [1:42:22] Rachel Randall, City Councilor Ward 1: roll. Councillor Butler, yes. Councillor Walker, yes. Councillor Platz, yes. Councillor Gary, yes. Councillor Randall, yes. Councillor Cowan, yes. Councillor Devol, yes. Seven having voted in the [1:42:34] Mayor (presiding officer): affirmative and none in the negative, the motion is adopted. The next item is order 7709082026, a business licensing appeal hearing for Webster's Trading Company at 150 Minot Avenue. This is an item that was postponed on September 8, 2026. The motion is still on the floor. I believe we have a update from Mr. Bowden. Good [1:43:00] Chris Bowden, Code Compliance Team Leader: Evening everybody. So currently I have worked with the owner of the property. They've been issued permits and work is commencing. The work isn't completed, but I believe they're making a good faith effort in remedying the efficiencies to the building. The issue that we do currently have are the budget trucks are still in place, which is a violation of the planning board approval. So I'd still be unable to issue the license. [1:43:31] Phil Crowell, City Manager: Thank you, Mayor. So I appreciate the update, Chris. I think what staff will recommend, Council, is that we table this again, postpone this again, rather, till the November 16th meeting, and then that'll give time, that's almost 45 days, for the work to commence and the work to move forward as Chris mentioned. Regarding the budget trucks, that'll be a separate issue that code will work through with the, with the business. [1:44:04] Mayor (presiding officer): Discussion by the Council. Is there a motion to postpone this matter until November 16th for Yellow City Council meeting? [1:44:12] Speaker D (unidentified): I'd like to postpone it until November 15th. Is our second? Seconded by [1:44:21] Mayor (presiding officer): Councillor Geary. The vote will be by show of hands. All those in favor, seven having voted in affirmative, and none in the negative. This matter is postponed until November 16. The next item is ordinance 1 7 1 0 5 2 0 2 6 amending chapter 24 human relations and services article 2 section 24 and 23 of the city's general assistance program regarding annual adjustment of maximum benefit for the benefit of the Council and the public. This is a technical change. Counselors will recall that each year, Here, Maine Municipal Association posts the minimum reimbursement levels for general assistance. In order for general assistance to be provided in Arbor and the cities required to adopt the minimums at that level, they could adopt higher. And typically, this is a perfunctory action by the Council. Council, this technical change allows the ordinance to be amended so that the MMA minimums schedule can be adopted by order and thus avoiding to reading. Is there a motion? [Speaker D (unidentified): Motion to move.] Moved by Council Walker. Seconded. Seconded by Councilor Platt. Does any member of the public would like to address the Council on this item, please approach the podium and provide your name and address. Not [1:46:00] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: seeing any public comments, closed discussion by the Council. Gary. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Is this, if we approve this, is this a good thing or is this going to tie the hands of the city if in case we have to go higher than what is recommended? [1:46:18] Mayor (presiding officer): So the question before the council tonight simply changes the ordinance in a way that would allow the schedule to be adopted by order on a single reading, as opposed to through an ordinance change in two readings. It won't in any way change the scope of authority or the ability of the council to set the reimbursement at the minimums or at any other higher level that they choose. Thank you kindly. Other discussion by the council? Is the council ready for the question? The vote will be by roll call. The clerk will call the roll. [1:47:04] Rachel Randall, City Councilor Ward 1: Councilor Walker? Yes. Councilor Platts? Yes. Councilor Gary? Yes. Councilor Randall? Yes. Councilor Cowan? Yes. Councilor Duvall? Yes. Councilor Butler? Yes. Seven having [1:47:15] Mayor (presiding officer): voted in affirmative and none in the negative, the motion is adopted at first reading. The next item is order 8710052026. This is a public hearing regarding a dangerous building at 81 Minot Avenue. I'll draw the council's attention to the workbook provided for this hearing. State statute provides standards for the Auburn Council to use at this hearing. Under Section 2856, a municipality has the right to secure buildings that pose a serious threat to public health and safety. Under Section 2851, to adjudge a building to be a nuisance or dangerous, the Council must find that the building is structurally unsafe, unstable or unsanitary, that it constitutes a fire hazard, is unsuitable or improper for the use or occupancy for which it is put, constitutes a hazard to health or safety because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment, or is otherwise dangerous to life or property. The statutory text of the standards are appended to these procedures. The procedures that I will use to conduct this hearing are as follows. One, any document to be used in this proceeding will be marked as an exhibit. Two, the presentation of evidence for the property will occur in the following order. A, Planning, Permitting and Code Department will present an opening statement, relative evidence about why staff believes structure poses a serious threat to public health and safety, and if so, what remedies staff believes the council should order. I guess I would ask at This time, if there's a representative of the owner of the property, you can have a seat at the table here, sir. Following the completion of the staff presentation, any other party will have an opportunity to speak, one at a time. Each party may present an opening statement, any comment about staff evidence and argument, any relevant evidence that wants the City Council to consider, and what any remedy the council should order. Each party can ask questions of staff and any of its witnesses. Staff can then ask questions of any other party and any witness it presents and make additional comments regarding any other parties presentation any other party can then make additional comments regarding the presentation of the staff City Council members can then ask questions of the staff any party or any witness each side can then make closing remarks of not more than two minutes each only parties to these hearings will be allowed to participate comments from the public will not be taken at this hearing After all information has been presented, the record will be closed. The city council will deliberate and determine whether the structure in question is a threat to public health and safety that requires prompt action. If the council so determines, it shall deliberate and take a vote on the appropriate order to be made to remedy the situation. This is an administrative hearing and not a court proceeding or trial. Therefore, the formal rules of evidence will not apply. As mayor, I will determine the appropriateness and admissibility of evidence based on the advice of the city attorney. So with that, we'll proceed. If we could have the parties at the table for the record identify themselves by name and organization that they represent. [1:50:50] Chris Bowden, Code Compliance Team Leader: Chris Bowden, code compliance team leader. I work down the code department. [1:50:55] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: Names there, Steven Percival. I'm here speaking on behalf of my client machine. He owns the building for miracle enterprise, Michael Carey. [1:51:06] Mayor (presiding officer): Thank you, so Mr. Bowden, if you'd like to proceed. Sure, so on occasion [1:51:13] Chris Bowden, Code Compliance Team Leader: we have to bring buildings that we believe are unsafe to the council. We believe they pose a hazard to the community, and we request that you determine whether the destruction of the standards outlined in Title 17, Section 2851, which would be the State's dangerous building statute. When we do these, we only like to present them after careful review. We understand that these buildings, they're owned by individuals, they're owned by companies, but we also recognize the seriousness of the proceedings, including the possibility that we may need to remove the deficiencies, which may include removal of the building or repair. Because we believe our concerns are well-found, justified, and supported by the facts, our ultimate objective is and always remains the protection of public safety. I'm going to start. What I've done is I've put a short PowerPoint together just to kind of show what's been going on with the building. Why we believe that it's a public safety hazard. Just to show you guys, I want to start off with title 17 so the counselors and the public who are viewing this can actually see what the dangerous building statute is, and it also provides a standard which tells us or asks you to determine if the building is nuisance or dangerous. So felt like this definition of functionally obsolete met the definition of this particular building. Means it's unable to be used to adequately perform the function for which it was intended to. So what I've done here is I've taken two photos. One was taken September of last year, which is to the left, and the photo to the right was July 30th. You're gonna notice that there were some repair, the structure was secured a little bit after we requested it to be secured back in September, but now you can see that the building is chronically unsecured and folks are, yeah, the folks are getting into the building creating damage. I have a couple views of the photo, couple views of the interior of the building, which it shows you some of the structural elements are compromised. There's water damage, things are, you know, damaged from, you know, the broken windows that appear to be done by, you know, human intent. The buildings just generally deteriorating. The next photo I just want to point out and put the cursor right here, so the next photo is actually a continuation of this wall. So when we go down, you're gonna see that I [Speaker F (unidentified): apologize] So this is that same wall right here, and you can see the roof is fully collapsed on that side. There's water intrusion, you've got trees growing moths, there is a lot of peeling paint. Although the state doesn't have a lot of regulations when it comes to, you know, potential lead paint commercial buildings, unless they're, they're multi-families, but the hazards can, you know, can relocate. It doesn't stay put, you know, when wind's blowing and people are tracking it everywhere. But as you can see that the structure is clearly deteriorating, and I'd question whether or not it could be repaired at all. This one was important to me to show these pictures because back in September the brush was overgrown, but we didn't have the trash and the debris that had accumulated out here. In fact, when we went there on July 30th there was one or two individuals that were actively using this space. They promptly left when they saw us, but because of the tall fences and, you know, the brush and stuff they, this is a great place for people to hide and stay out of public view. I just created this page to tell you some of the general issues with this property. Something I did want to point out, I'm sure that some of you guys are aware of, is that the location from the high school, the reason I feel like felt like this was important, it's 500 feet isn't really that far, plus there's a direct path on this side and one that comes around this back side, which would promote activity on, you know, people trespassing and creating damage or, you know, unhoused population hiding. I felt like this, that was important to show. This was just a general photo of back of the property, some more photos of accumulation of trash and debris, along with some more photos of the interior of this property. I think this best represents what we were trying to show. This building is dangerous and poses a safety hazard, a belief that the deficiencies should be remedied, whether it be by demolishing the property or repairs and [1:57:10] Mayor (presiding officer): if I can, the first slide that Rebecca Director Bowden showed, yeah, is it shows the standard that you have to determine whether this building, there's five different parts of that standard. So if it meets any one of them, the building, it's a dangerous building, and you go to what remedy should be made. So if you go and look at the, we're arguing today that it meets four of the five. Again, you only need to be one of the five, so here there's four different ones. So the first, because the roof has collapsed Because there's organic matter, trees, and moss growing on the inside. The water damage to the structure shows that it's structurally unsafe or unstable. That's the first of the four. The second is the, it constitutes a fire hazard. This is as Director Bowden showed that there's, there's unauthorized people using the property, and the risk of a fire increases when people are there and aren't supposed to be there. So you look at what happens if there is a fire. The risk of a fire increases because the fire barrier that's typically found in the ceiling and the walls has fallen down in many places, and a lot of the wood is exposed. You also have, and so the, so if there's a fire and it can spread faster, can the fire department get there quickly? And because of the fence that's there, 's a chance that they're not going to see it for one, two, three minutes. That could increase the period of time to come and get response there. And then finally, as he said, 500, just over 500 feet from Edward Little High School which puts a lot of people and a lot of important, a city asset very close to it. The final two conclusions are built on the same facts, that the structure is unsuitable or improper for commercial use at this point, and then finally that it constitutes a hazard to health or safety due to inadequate maintenance, obsolescence, or abandonment. So for any one of these four, and we think all four are met, the building is a nuisance or dangerous. It should be torn down. That's the first thing we're asking. Second thing is until the building is either remedied or removed, that the building be secured, and that is based on the fact that it's evident that people are in there, or can't access it, and that they're able, and that there's no, it's not secured from their access. So that should happen immediately. Before we move on, just so it's clear in the record, the information that Mr. Bowden was referencing on the screen is Exhibit E and is found in tab six of the notebook. I would also make clear that Exhibit A, the notice of hearing, Exhibit B, the advanced public parcel viewer, Exhibit C, the quick claim deed, and Exhibit D, proof of delivery, and other documentary matters are included in a packet, and those exhibits are also submitted to the council. With that, as any opening remarks from the owners [2:00:32] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: Representative, yeah, well, first I'd like to apologize on behalf of my client, Miss She, who owns the property, for the stars, for the delays in the project progressing from 2015. Obviously the other two buildings that are next to it, I totally agree with both the gentleman left the right of me and after this report together saying how dangerous the building is to the public. I went to the location today, did a site inspection, and I've got a report on the actual property itself. Again, I agree, inside and outside the property is deemed as very dangerous to the public, homeless and obviously the children that have been in there. I've been dealing with the property with Eric for quite some time now and I agree that the building doesn't need to be, there can't be anything done with this to make it any safer or to better the building itself. So nothing more said other than I agree that it should be taken down and safer. [2:01:38] Mayor (presiding officer): And do you have any exhibits, evidentiary exhibits, that you'd like to put forth to the council? [2:01:46] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: No, I mean other than the building itself, 81, I do have a plan in place. I have passed over to Eric regarding the buildings next to it. They will start a project and that will start from next month and then there's going to be a phase zero start in 2027. So if I could, I can [2:02:08] Mayor (presiding officer): interrupt, I'm familiar with the planning documents. I appreciate you providing those to the planning office. Yeah, in large part that's related to the adjacent building. Yeah, not germane question in front of the council tonight and any plans that you might have for redevelopment long term should be addressed to the planning office in the ordinary course of business. So do you have any particular evidence that you want to put in relative to this particular building? And do you have any questions regarding the evidence presented by Mr. Bowden or any questions regarding his statement? [2:03:00] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: No, I believe that both statements are true and I agree with both. [2:03:07] Mayor (presiding officer): Any questions from the council? [2:03:11] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: Council Gary. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Do you have, since you went today, you saw how bad it was, and you've been talking with Mr. Bowden, and you were in agreement that this building should come down. What do you think your timeline will be for it to be taken down and the site clean? [2:03:37] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: From my understanding, with my client who I've spoke to over the last few days since I've flown in, They're going to have a team flying out in November, next month, and that team will do their own reports. There's a few specialist guys that are coming out, but obviously my report from tomorrow going over, as I agreed tonight, I believe 81 should be demolished and taken down purely because it's unsafe, and there's obviously more reasons, not just the children, the homeless, but also if someone wants to go in there and start a fire, then you're talking more lives because our brigade will then be in danger. So I agree that there's nothing. [2:04:20] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: Other questions, Council Black? Thank you. This question is probably for whoever can answer it. If we move forward with this order, how do the details of the terms get decided? Who gets to say you need to do this by this amount of time, and if you don't the city, how does that get determined, and what steps of the process? So Mr. Carey, can I believe. [2:04:47] Mayor (presiding officer): Answer, yes. So you in your packet you'll find a staffs proposal for findings of fact and conclusions of law. As I mentioned, there's two things that the staff are asking for, the building to be secured and for it to be demolished. So if you go to the second page of that proposed order, the paragraph 17 is that the owners shall immediately secure the property and keep it secure. So that would, that goes from as soon as they're on notice that this order is entered, which we would take the position that 's tonight if the council acts. That's for securing the building. The second action that we're asking for is demolition. that's paragraph 18 that would be we're proposing 30 days for that to happen and the council could choose for a shorter date the magic of the 30 days is that 's the appeal period for an or a governmental action so there is some risk in going faster than that may be less here where the owner agrees that thank [2:05:55] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: You for pointing me in the direction of that document. That clears. [2:05:58] Mayor (presiding officer): It up. Thank you. Other questions from the council? Any closing remarks, Mr. Boden? [2:06:08] Chris Bowden, Code Compliance Team Leader: Yes, or Mr. Carey? No, I think that everything we presented here is accurate and truthful. It seems that like the representative agrees. I would request that the council issue an order and allow us to move forward with demolition of the property? [2:06:38] Steven Percival, attorney for property owner: First of all, if I speak to my client, do we get the 30 days to discuss and for them to get a company to come in and demolish the building, or do you guys do that? [2:06:54] Mayor (presiding officer): You have 30 days to demolish it in an order. If as if the council enters in order to remove it in 30 days and what if the 30 days goes by and it's not I should have included that earlier the sit in paragraph 19 that if the owner doesn't do Secure the building and remove it respectively. The city shall have the authority to carry it out So this is in this securing the building period portion. The city can come in and secure it and tax the cost to the owner and similarly if there's a If the city does do demolition all of those costs also would be taxed and I say taxed There's a demand letter that's required and then this city goes through and includes this amount Irregular real estate tax on the land and it acts like a normal tax once that any further comments and I will good thank you any last questions the council so this will be a bit tedious but we need to now put the findings of fact conclusion of law into the record for the council this is a tab 8. this is related to 81 minot avenue in auburn maine on october 5th 2026 at 7 pm the auburn city council had a hearing excuse me held a hearing at 60 court street auburn maine to determine whether the commercial structure located at 81 Minot Avenue in Auburn, Maine, later called the structure, is a nuisance or dangerous pursuant to Title 17 Maine Revised Statute, subsection 2851, and whether it poses a serious threat to public health and safety pursuant to Title 17 Maine Revised Statute, subsection 2856. Based on the information presented at the hearing, the Council makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law and orders that the structure be secured demolished findings of fat present at the hearing on this matter for the city where Eric cousins city of Auburn executive director of public services and Chris Bowden city of Auburn compliance building inspector the following individual appeared on behalf of the owners even personal after considering the testimony and evidence presented the City Council makes the following findings of fat on September 10th, for clarity, I'll use the numbering all the way through. It follows through the document, so it'll be easier to reference. Item 1, on September 10th, 2026, a copy of the notice of the hearing was recorded in the Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds at Book 12193, page 233, Exhibit A. the structure is located on the land later called the property which is identified as partial id 230-066 on the city of auburn tax maps this is exhibit b the structure has a commercial three the structure has a commercial use for the property and structure are owned by miracle enterprises llc the owner by virtue of a deed recorded in andrews garden county registry of deed E. IN BOOK 9180 AT PAGE 151. THIS IS EXHIBIT C. Five, the owner was served with a copy of the notice of hearing on September 14, 2026, and September 18, 2026. This is Exhibit D. Six, a portion of the roof of the structure is collapsed, leaving the interior of that portion of the structure open to the elements. This is shown in Exhibit E. For this and the following findings. 7. The interior of the structure contains organic growth, rot, moss, and trees. These conditions suggest that the structure's remaining structural elements may have water damage. 8. In the part of the structure that still has a roof, sheetrock and other wall and ceiling covering are on the floor, removing the barrier from the spread of fire. 9. The property and structure are not secured from unauthorized access. Access. Ten, fire risk increases when unauthorized people access the property and further increases in colder weather. Eleven, the fire's potential consequences are heightened both by the fence that shields a portion of the property from view and by the location of Edward Little High School, 555 feet away. Conclusions of law. Applying the legal standards and Title 17 main revised statute subsections 2851 and 2856 to the findings of fact, the Auburn City Council reaches the following conclusions of law. The structure poses a serious threat to the public health and safety. The structure is structurally unsafe or unstable. The structure constitutes a fire hazard. The structure is unsuitable or improper for commercial use or occupancy. 16. The structure constitutes a hazard to health or safety due to inadequate maintenance, obsolescence, or abandonment. The conclusions in paragraph 12 support a finding that the structure must be secured pursuant to Title 17 Maine Revised Statute, subsection 2856, and the Council hereby concludes that the structure at 81 Minot Avenue must remain secure at all times. Any one of the conclusions in paragraph 13 through nuisance or dangerous building and the council hereby concludes that the structure at 81 Minot Avenue is a nuisance or dangerous building with statute subsection 2851. Order having found that the structure at 81 Minot Avenue is a nuisance or dangerous building within the meaning of title 17 main revised statute subsection 2851 and that the structure must be secured pursuant to title 17 main revised statute subsection 2856. The city of Auburn City Council hereby orders 17 that the order excuse me that the owner or its successors or assigns They'll immediately secure the property and keep it secure. 18 that within 30 days of the service of this order the owners and or their successors and assigns shall demolish or remove the structure remove all debris and stabilize the site. If the owner timely provides the executive director of public services a rehabilitation plan that demonstrates in the director's sole discretion the ability and willingness to satisfactorily rehabilitate the structure the demolition and disposal required by this paragraph shall be delayed. If the director subsequently determines that the owner is not sufficiently carried out and completed the rehabilitation plan the timely satisfactorily rehabilitate the structure the director may issue such a written determination and order that within 30 days of written notice of such termination the owner shall demolish the structures remove all debris and stabilize the site. I fail to comply with this order in the timeframe set forth here in the city shall have the authority to carry out this order. 20 that within 30 days after demand by the city THE OWNERS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNED SHALL REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROCEEDING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXPENSES FOR SECURING AND MAINTAINING THE STRUCTURE, SERVICE AND OTHER COSTS INCURRED AND ATTORNEY'S FEES IF APPLICABLE. 21, THAT IF THE OWNERS AND OR THEIR SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNED FAIL TO TIMELY REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR ITS EXPENSES, THE CITY SHALL ASSESS A SPECIAL TAX AGAINST THE PROPERTY AS PROVIDED FOR IN TITLE 17, MAIN REVISED STATUS. subsection 2853 and or recover its cost by means of a collection action. This decision may be appealed to the Superior Court under main rule of civil procedure 80B. Is there a motion by the council to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions of law and order? So moved. So moved by Councillor Geary. Is there a second? SECOND. SECOND. SECONDED BY COUNSELOR COHEN. THE VOTE WILL BE BY SHOW OF HANDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? SEVEN HAVING VOTED IN AFFIRMATIVE AND NONE IN THE NEGATIVE. THE MOTION IS ADOPTED. ANYTHING FURTHER MR. CARRIE? NO THANK YOU YOUR HONOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. PERCIVAL. WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MR. BODEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES AT THAT ADDRESS. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM WHICH IS ORDER. 8 1 0 5 2 0 2 6 establishing a municipal special election on March 2nd, 2027 for the purpose of conducting a referendum vote on the citizens initiative, excuse me, citizens initiated ordinance titled Automated License Plate Recognition ALPR Ordinance. Is there a motion to move by Council Walker? Is there a second? Seconded by Council Randall. Does any member of the public would like to address the council on this item? Please approach the podium and provide your name and address so. [2:16:26] Scott Barry, public commenter: So sir, Scott Barry, Auburn, Maine. Thank you. 79 Davis Avenue. Just recently on October the first, Judge Sarah E. Hill, Northern District of Oklahoma, she's a federal judge. She felt that the plot camera violated the Fourth Amendment. She also went up and down to San Margarito, Holsing. She characterized the technology as approaching indiscriminate mass surveillance, just like the Chinese do. I feel the same thing. It's indiscriminate and it couldn't be done. [2:17:10] Mayor (presiding officer): Thank you. Is there any other member of the public who would like to address the council on this item? Please approach the podium and provide your name and address. Not seeing any. Public comment is closed. Discussion by the council. Councilor Randall. [2:17:27] Rachel Randall, City Councilor Ward 1: I just want to know if there's going to be an absentee voting or early in-person voting or if it's just a one-day. Madam Clerk. Yes, this will be the same as every election. Absentee voting will be available in person in the clerk's office as well as by mail thirty days [2:17:45] Mayor (presiding officer): before the election. Further questions or comments by the council? Ready for the question? What will be by show of hands. All those in favor? Seven having voted affirmative and none of the negatives. The motion is adopted. We'll move on to report a few items myself and Council Walker, Council Gary, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager had opportunity to attend the senior barbecue. I really want to thank the age friendly committee, all of the various senior groups that hold their events at the senior center, it was a very large turnout. CITY IS VERY THANKFUL FOR THE SENIOR PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE AND APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE THAT. I ATTENDED THE HOME FOR GOOD GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK IN AUGUSTA. THIS IS THE FIRST OF SEVEN HOME FOR GOOD FACILITIES. I THINK AUBURN WILL BE UP NEXT. The expected groundbreaking in Auburn is this coming spring. Relative to the Casco Bay Trail, of the affected communities, all but one have adopted the management agreement, so Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Poundland, Gloucester, and Auburn. And I'm happy to report that Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland, even though they haven't adopted the management agreement, and Yarmouth have each provided $12,000 as well as did the Casco Bay Trail Association to raise the $60,000, which is a 10% match for the first phase of the DOT design effort, which is the Portland to Yarmouth Junction piece of the design. I WANT TO THANK THOSE THAT CAME OUT FOR RALLY TO RECOVERY THIS SATURDAY AND POSTPONED FROM THE PRIOR WEEK. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD TURNOUT. WE HAD A NUMBER OF SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES IN AUBURN THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY ATTENDED AND LOTS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS TABLING AND GREAT EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION. As the manager said during the workshop, he and I had an opportunity to meet with Dr. Susan Rogers. She's the new president at Central Maine Community College and had an opportunity to discuss with her potential ways that the city and CM can collaborate both to raise the profile file of the college in the community, you know, it's kind of tucked away, unless you know it's there, you don't really see it, but they had 5,000 students this year, they're planning 5,500 students next year, and if any of the counselors haven't been up, I'm sure if you call Dr. Rogers' office, they'd be glad to give you a tour, it's quite impressive. Of the educational opportunities that they have there with that council geary other [2:21:26] Belinda Gary, City Councilor: Than I too had an excellent time at their senior dinner that they had at the Hilton this last Wednesday and it was greatly turned out the food wasn't exactly barbecue but it was excellently I mean excellent the staff was very accommodating and everybody had a great time so thank you to the city and the rec department for funding this project council Randall nothing tonight thank you [2:21:55] Speaker G (unidentified): Council Cowan thank you Mr Mayor just the Lewiston Auburn Transit Committee is meeting this Thursday at noon here in city hall in the community room across the hallway thank you [2:22:09] Mayor (presiding officer): Council Duvall, nothing tonight. Council Butler, nothing tonight. Council Walker, thank you, Mr. Mayor. [2:22:17] Speaker D (unidentified): The Auburn Age Friendly Committee is going to have a baked bean supper Saturday, October 17th. The supper will start at 4 o'clock, go to 5.30 p.m. at the Auburn Senior Community Center, Pettengill Park. The cost per person is $10. I think you'll enjoy it, so please register, show up, and we'll have a great time. The doors will open at 3, so you're welcome to come in a little early. Also, we have a lunch and learn and a movie, and as well we will have the city manager, Phil Crow, there to speak. But you must show up at approximately 10 o'clock to be ready to listen to our speaker, have a pizza and the movie and popcorn will be shortly after. So Age-Friendly puts this on October 20th, please come to the community center as well, and we'll have a great time together. We always have a lot of fun, usually 30, 35 people show up at this one, so come on down and watch the great movie. Thank you. [2:23:35] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: Council Platte, thank you. My announcement is that the school board has a meeting coming up on Wednesday, October 7th, and it would, I think it's probably nice for everyone to take a look at that agenda and educate yourself on the school committee's draft goals. These are the goals that will be presented for first reading at the meeting, and these encompass things such as student outcomes, communication, the facilities master plan implementation, and collaboration with the city, and underneath those there's a little bit of breakdown on those goals, so good for us as a council to know what the school committee's goals are, and those will be heard on Wednesday for first [2:24:15] Phil Crowell, City Manager: reading. Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mayor. Just a couple thanks to staff and team. First, the city clerk's office in processing all of the absentee ballot requests, that's a big hurdle for our small team that comes up every couple years, but she has a great team and she's a great team of volunteers to help assist that. Also, Public Works has been doing an outstanding job continuing to communicate, and I know we gave an update recently regarding with Casella for our waste collection, but we'll continue to see a Great benefit on that. We will be putting out information regarding leaves, and so that will be coming out. Will be as presented, but the date for that is still being worked out, so I don't have that to announce now, but look for that within the communications department. It'll be posted soon. And the last thing, when I was giving the rec update, I had a note and the hair regarding our team at the rec department, but all the different programs that I mentioned, we only have a small handful of staff that make that happen. A great deal of the work that is behind the scenes with our parent volunteers and some of our young students that step up for some of our youth programming and our refs and everyone else that makes those programs so successful. But I do want to thank our staff in the community that makes those programs just enjoyable for our youth and for our adult programs. Thanks. Oh, one last thing, both of our student reps have a early appointment tomorrow, that's why they [2:25:56] Mayor (presiding officer): they left for the be prepared for it. Just to clarify, make sure I understand this, so we will have leaf cleanup this fall. There will be leaf cleanup this fall, and the best way I think for the public to get notice about this is to go the city's web page, click on the alert me and sign up, because the city's not doing direct mailing. This will be ongoing, I believe, see how this goes, but in the fall and the spring, but I think that's the best way, and then you'll get an email or text explaining the alert. The alert will give you the details of the leaf cleanup date and how it's going to work. Anything further from the Council? Council Walker? No? Okay. With that, do we have a [2:26:56] Adam Platt, City Councilor At-Large: motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. Don't we need to, did this gentleman want to speak in an open session? Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry, I know he waited after the first one. Thank [2:27:05] Mayor (presiding officer): you very much. So, we'll open up the open session. Mr. Berry? [2:27:11] Scott Barry, public commenter: Good evening, Mayor, Councilman, Councilwoman. Could you just turn me? Okay, that better? Yeah. Okay. I'm I'm here tonight to complain about the road work that was done at Round Granite, Davis Avenue. I'm very unhappy how it was done. It was a folly to me and my eyes and a lot of people in that area. What I'm very concerned about is that we've been treated as second-class citizens. You put concrete curbing in that area. Every place else in Auburn has granite curbing. And what I heard from some of the councillors, it would cost too much money. Cost too much money. Next thing happens, that was done. Spring Street just got granite curbing. You treat us like second-class citizens. You should be ashamed of yourselves. We're not second-class citizens. We pay the same amount of tax as anybody else. I'm not the only one that's upset, but I will stand up for myself that I'm not a second class citizen in this city. You guys should bow your head in shame, that's all I can say. [2:28:27] Mayor (presiding officer): If there's anyone else that would like to address the council, please approach the podium and provide your name and address. I'm [2:28:38] Speaker F (unidentified): compelled to follow up on that statement. My name is John Cleveland, I live at 183 Davis Avenue, right next door to Scott. But when I've been observing this process going on now for two years, been completed, I can say that I and every other neighbor that I've talked to are delighted with the work that you've done. We're very happy. We don't, we feel like first class citizens with the great work that you did. I'm familiar with this slip form concrete. It's a very good product. It lasts for a long time. It has great value far better than the asphalt that was there previously so I'm here to thank you for the good work that you did and let you know that our neighbors are very happy with the [2:29:28] Mayor (presiding officer): outcome thank you is there any other member of the public would like to address the council please approach the podium provide your name and address not seeing any the open session will be closed now we'll move on council walker you have a motion to adjourn motion to adjourn is there a second all those in favor the council will be adjourned