Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Falcon Drive

Issue: Heavy Court Street traffic and difficult road conditions prompted parents earlier this summer to pass a petition calling for changes at the busy Falcon Drive intersection in front of Auburn Middle School to make it safer for students walking to the school, as well as traffic trying to leave the school.

The scoop: State traffic engineers have said the intersection is not busy enough to merit a signal, despite a Sept. 26 accident. The petition and queries from city and state leaders prompted another review, according to police Chief Phil Crowell.

Up next: Engineers should meet with city representatives Thursday.

Finance Director

Issue: School officials will advise city finance staff, but are not interested in sharing a finance director/business manager for both city and school operations.

The scoop: City Manager Glenn Aho had approached the school district to consider sharing a financial director after Denise Brown resigned from the city’s top financial post earlier this month. School Business Manager Jude Cyr and Superintendent Tom Morrell declined, saying that both jobs require a full-time manger.

City Finance department employee Betty Griebel will act as interim finance director for Auburn’s municipal government while the city searches for a long-term replacement.

Up next: The city will begin advertising for a permanent replacement this month.

Public Access

Issue: A state law requires all municipal officials – elected, appointed or hired – to complete a training course on Freedom of Access rules and requirements beginning July 1. Freedom of Access rules determine what kind of information is considered public, when meetings must be open to the public and how city officials can communicate with each other.

The scoop: The state rule change allows councilors to log onto the state’s FOA Web site, at maine.gov/foaa/faq.index.html to review the rules and then file a log with the city clerk. Councilors may also attend a session at the Maine Municipal Association’s convention Oct. 8 and 9. Failure to meet those requirements carries a $500 penalty.

One Way Main Street?

Issue: The city has made Main Street one way between Mechanics Row and Court Street for the duration of a paving project there. But it has led some city officials and neighboring merchants to call for making the change permanent.

The scoop: The change would create five additional on-street parking spaces, according to City Manager Aho and could slow down traffic on the downtown street and make it more pedestrian friendly.

Up next: The issue will get at least one more discussion at a council workshop before a public hearing is scheduled, Aho said.

Stevens Mill

Issue: A downturn in the housing market has hurt developer Travis Soule’s Stevens Mill condominium development. Of the 20 units he’s had for sale in the development during the past two years, Soule has sold four. That’s left him on the verge foreclosure, with mortgage payments due to his bank and $65,000 in city property taxes past due.

The scoop: The project was partly financed with a $250,000 affordable housing loan using city managed Housing and Urban Development money, and the city could lose that if the development fails. Staff and Northeast Bank have negotiated a deal to give Soule more time. According to the deal, he’d have another year to get the project on sound financial footing. Both the city and the bank would waive liens and foreclosures.

Councilors Dan Herrick and Mike Farrell both said they were against the change, urging councilors to get out of the project right away. Councilor Ray Berube argued that delaying the foreclosure was the only way to get the federal grant repaid.

Up next: Councilor Robert Hayes voted to table the matter, saying it deserved more discussion, and councilors agreed, delaying a decision.

Mall TIF

Issue: Redevelopment of the Auburn Mall cost developer George Schott $1.3 million more than expected. He asked the city to share those costs.

The scoop: Under a 2006 tax deal, the city agreed to return part of the property taxes Schott pays. He hopes to expand that by $500,000 total over the next 20 years.

But councilors Monday couldn’t support the change, making Schott responsible for losses and cost overruns on his projects.

Councilor Mike Farrell said he believes that Schott’s cost overruns were indicative of an economic downturn in commercial real estate.

Drug bust money

Issue: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency shares the proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved.

The scoop: Councilors on Monday accepted proceeds from the sale of a Pontiac Grand Am and a 1999 Cadillac Escalade. That money will go to Auburn police.

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 special amusement permit for Rack M Up Billiards, 128 B Center St.

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