Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

2009 Taxes

Issue: Councilors approved the 2008-09 budget earlier this spring and passed the tax resolve on first reading at the June 3 meeting. The issue requires two votes, and the final vote was scheduled for Tuesday.

The scoop: Councilors approved the budget for the final time Tuesday. The budget for fiscal year 2009 calls for $44.4 million in property tax collections for the city and school departments – a $1.13 million increase compared to 2008. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Fee schedule

Issue: The budget approved by councilors last month also calls for a 5.1 percent overall increase in most municipal fees, permit, violations and services. Some fees would have increased more, however. The proposed changes include doubling the fee to get a landfill punch pass from $10 to $20, increasing the hourly parking rate at city garages from 75 cents to $1 and increasing the fee paid for a DVD copy of City Council meetings from $10 each to $20 each.

The scoop: Councilors balked after learning that some fees would increase more than 5.1 percent and tabled it.

Up next: They’ll confer with city staff and take up the matter again at the July 15 meeting.

Fee rules

Issue: Dollar amounts for city fees, code violations and permits are listed in city ordinances. Since changing ordinances requires two votes and two advertisements in local newspapers, changing fee amounts can be expensive.

The scoop: Councilors Monday agreed to not list fee amounts in the ordinances but in the city policy manual. That would let councilors schedule a single vote to change a fee amount, saving time and money. It does not include water, sewer and storm water fees or state-mandated permits.

Up next: The matter comes up on second reading at the July 15 City Council meeting.

Fundraisers

Issue: City rules don’t allow Kennedy Park to be used for commercial activities. However, two groups have proposed fundraisers to benefit the city and have asked to use the park.

The scoop: Wal-Mart is proposing a yard and food sale at the park on a Saturday this summer. Proceeds from that sale would be used to help purchase Kennedy Park playground equipment.

The national group Concerts4Charity.org is hoping to host a three-on-three basketball tournament on the park’s basketball courts on Aug. 9. The group plans to sell T-shirts and hats as part of the event. Local nonprofits and charities are being invited to set up booths for the event as well.

Somali celebration

Issue: The African Immigrant Association has hosted an annual Somalian Independence Day celebration for the past five years. This year’s event is scheduled on June 28 at the Multi-Purpose Center. Last year, councilors appropriated $700 to pay for police coverage for the event.

The scoop: Councilors set aside $1,500 for this year for police coverage and use of the center.

Polling places

Issue: The city has already consolidated some polling places. In last week’s primary vote, Ward 1 and Ward 3 voters shared space at the Lewiston Memorial Armory. Wards 5 and 7 voters share the Multi-Purpose Center.

The scoop: Councilors discussed sending all voters to one or two polling places, instead of the current five. City staff cited cost cutting measures for the proposed change, as well as parking and safety issues at some polling places.

Most councilors favored the idea, but Councilor Larry Poulin worried it might discourage future voters.

Up next: The matter will get a public hearing and vote at the July 15 meeting.

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