Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Animated signs

Issue: Advertising signs with flashing lights or animated messages are allowed under city zoning rules, but they can only change slowly and need Planning Board approval to exist. Rules require animated signs to hold a single message for at least 20 minutes before changing.

The scoop: Neocraft Signs owner Roy Ulrickson asked the city to ease those rules, letting city staff be the final authority and letting signs update and change every five seconds. The Planning Board met in June and agreed that was a fine idea.

Up next: Councilors agreed, approving the changes on first reading. They’ll see the issue again at their July 9 meeting.

Capital spending

Issue: Cities use long-term borrowing in the form of municipal bonds sold to investors to pay for especially expensive products and services. Since those items tend to last at least 10 years, borrowing the money to pay them spreads the tax burden over many years.

The scoop: The city will borrow $6 million later this year and about $4.2 million of it will pay for road, and sidewalk improvements due later this summer and next spring. About $900,000 will go for school building improvements and materials and $728,750 will go for new equipment and technology.

Up next: Councilors will vote on the capital improvements bond a second time at their July 9 meeting. That bond issue should be complete later this fall if they approve.

Financial report

Issue: City finance staff present a regular report on the city’s spending and tax collections at every City Council meeting. As of May 31, the city had completed 11 months of the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

The scoop: So far in this fiscal year, the city has collected $65,333,504 of its revenues, 103.4 percent of the annual budget. That includes personal and property taxes, state revenues and rent, and licenses and fees. While other revenue streams were within budget estimates, the city collected 130 percent of its budgeted license revenues, about $109,000 more than expected. City staff said that reflects a healthy real estate development climate.

The city has spent $55,127,899 of its annual budget so far, 87.2 percent of the total budget.

New Auburn polls

Issue: Voters in Auburn’s Ward 5 have voted in the Boys and Girls Club on Second Street for 11 years, but City Clerk Mary Lou Magno said there is limited parking there and difficult access for voters in wheelchairs.

The scoop: She suggested moving the Ward 5 polling place to Sherwood Heights Elementary School, which has a larger parking lot and no stairs.

Up next: Councilors will vote at their July 9 meeting. If they approve, the change in polling place takes effect during November’s municipal election.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses let them serve alcohol; amusement permits let them play music, have a DJ or karaoke, or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors approved a new liquor license and a special amusement permit for The Hot Spot at 34 Court St.

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via E-mail at [email protected]