Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Curfew falls, again

Issue: After a council meeting wrapped up near 1 a.m. two years ago, councilors set a 10 p.m. curfew for their sessions. According to that rule, councilors must vote to extend their meeting past 10 p.m.

With a 20-item agenda and plenty of discussion amongst councilors and members of the public, Tuesday’s meeting ran long again.

The scoop: “We keep doing the same thing. We’re just going to have to learn not to talk so much,” Councilor Tom Peters said. He moved to adjourn the meeting minutes after 10 p.m., leaving half of the council’s agenda unreviewed.

Councilors Denis Theriault, Robert Reed and Mayor Larry Gilbert called that motion ludicrous, saying it was the council’s duty to finish the agenda.

Up next: They extended the meeting by another 70 minutes, but left several items unheard, including a plan to reduce the number of city streetlights, allocate money for the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport and review an ordinances to allow city dwellers to keep chickens. They continued a vote on the city’s Capital Improvement Plan until their next meeting.

Buying local

Issue: The city usually sends out bids for city-funded projects and purchases, and the lowest bidder usually gets the job.

The scoop: Mayor Larry Gilbert suggested changing that policy, giving a preference to local vendors. They could bid for a project with a price slightly higher than nonlocal competitors.

In a memo to councilors, City Administrator Jim Bennett said there are problems with that. For example, councilors need to define “local” – does it mean Lewiston-only businesses or does it extend to those in Auburn or beyond? Councilors also need to understand they may end up paying higher prices because of the policy. Bennett said he would support such a policy for a short while – no more than two years – as a way to benefit local businesses during tough economic times.

Up next: Councilors Denis Theriault and Betty Dube argued in favor of it, but others said they had concerns. Councilor Robert Reed said it could lead to unfair bidding and Tom Peters doubted the idea would end up helping local business.

They voted against researching the idea further.

Dog park

Issue: Lewiston-Auburn does not have an off-leash park for dogs. Mayor Larry Gilbert is recommending councilors change that, creating a dog park at the corner of Maple and Park streets.

The scoop: Councilors heard from Marge Brisson of 25 Pine St. She owns two dogs, lives downtown and doesn’t drive. She knows dozens of other dog owners who would welcome the park.

Up next: Councilors asked staff to investigate the costs and liabilities of creating a downtown dog park.

Block Grant plan

Issue: Lewiston, along with Auburn, Portland and Bangor, get block grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money helps the cities pay for economic development, public improvements, public services and similar programs.

Each year, councilors have to vote to approve how that money will be spent.

The scoop: This year, officials are expecting to get $1.02 million in block grants. The budget calls for spending $380,407 for neighborhood improvements, $200,000 for work in city parks, $177,746 for program administration, $186,000 for public service agencies and $75,283 for housing rehabilitation. An additional $20,199 allocated for Lewiston by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development last week will be used as a contingency fund.

Up next: Councilors approved the strategic spending plan for fiscal year 2009-10.

Credit union

Issue: Community Credit Union, at 144 Pine St., wants to expand parking in its neighborhood. It is asking for the city’s help turning a nearby three-story building at 149 Pine St. – across the street from the credit union – into a community garden.

The scoop: The building is currently condemned and has been considered unfit for habitation for three years. The credit union has an agreement to purchase the property for $45,000. According to its plan, the city would assume that agreement and then pay about $15,000 to demolish the building. The empty lot would be turned over to St. Mary’s Health Systems’ Lots to Garden Program for later development.

Up next: Councilors approved the transfer.

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 liquor license for the City Side Grill, 16 Park St., Little Joe’s Bar and Grill, 740 Sabattus St., and Gridiron Restaurant, 1567 Lisbon St.

They approved special amusement permits for Little Joe’s Bar and Grill and City Side Grill.

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