Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Debt ratchet

Issue: Concerned that city debt could get out control, the city’s Finance Committee this spring began discussing a rule to help ratchet city borrowing down. Councilors reviewed it Tuesday.

The scoop: A new rule would stop city councils from borrowing more than they’ve paid off over the previous three years. It limits new borrowing to 97 percent of the average of the previous three years’ debt payments. It would apply to debt that would be paid off with general property tax revenues and not TIF supported bonds or those repaid by the state.

Up next: Councilors approved the rule change on first reading, adding a requirement that future councils must have a specific five vote majority before they could bypass the rule.

Old bonds

Issue: Federal stimulus funds and hard work at the Bates Mill Enterprise complex mean the city needs to borrow $11.8 million less than first thought. City staff want to take that debt, in the form of bonds that have not been sold, off of the city’s financial books.

The scoop: In May 2004, councilors approved a $5.4 million guarantee bond to insure the city met its obligations in the sale of the Bates Mill to Platz Associates. Now that the city has met those requirements and development at the complex is moving forward, the city no longer needs to keep those bonds on the books.

Another $5 million was set aside in the city’s 2009 bond issue to pay for a water treatment project, a sewer project along Goff Brook and paving work along Russell Street. Those three projects were under way and paid with federal economic stimulus money.

Another $1.3 million in 2009 bonds was set aside for development of Island Point. Staff is recommending councilors hold off on that money until a viable project comes forward.

Up next: Councilors agreed.

Trash rules

Issue: A resident, dumping some recycling materials at the city’s landfill this June, accidentally fell and was injured. As a result, the city installed 42-inch-tall guardrail barriers in front of the bulky items recycling roll-off dumpsters.

The scoop: Residents and councilors have complained those barriers make dumping recyclables difficult, especially for people with heavy loads.

Staff recommended moving the city’s bulky recycling area to a different place, near the shredder building. That’s where the city currently stores recycled asphalt shingles and Sheetrock. The city currently sells that waste. Under that plan, those shingles and Sheetrock would be disposed of with other construction waste.

Acting City Administrator Phil Nadeau said the barriers need to stay up to make sure the city is not liable for injuries and remains insurable.

Up next: Councilors said they didn’t like the barriers and urged Nadeau to find a better long-term solution, including possibly having dump users sign a waiver before entering the area. The city will allow bulky waste dumping near the shredder building in the meantime, however.

Public comment

Issue: Councilors this spring began setting aside 15 minutes at the beginning of each regular meeting for residents to talk to councilors about items that were not on that evening’s agenda. They made it a temporary rule, however, and agreed to take a deeper look at the practice after three months.

The scoop: Councilors said they liked having public comments and voted to continue the practice.

Up next: Mayor Larry Gilbert suggested making sure the comment period is reserved for items that are not on the current agenda, and councilors agreed.

Dempsey Challenge plans

Issue: Organizers of the Dempsey Challenge fundraising bike ride and event are planning a special dance Oct. 3, the night before the main events. They hope to host the event at the Lewiston Armory.

The scoop: Since the event is a charitable one, organizers are asking the city to waive all rental fees associated with using the Armory. That amounts to $262.35. That includes space rental, use of a table and a $30 application fee. Organizers said they are willing to pay $164 custodians to help set the event up and clean up afterward.

Up next: Councilors agreed to waive the fees for the event. They also approved an entertainment permit for the Dempsey Challenge events on Oct. 4 in Lewiston’s Simard-Payne (formerly Railroad) Park.

Liquor licenses

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

The scoop: Councilors renewed a special amusement permit for Little Dan’s BBQ and Grill, 757 Main St.

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