Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday

Comprehensive planning
Issue: Councilors are currently reviewing a new comprehensive plan, one written by a committee of residents during the last two years.
The Scoop: City Manager Glenn Aho suggested councilors form an interim committee, made up of councilors and city staff, to identify goals and steps the city needs to take to implement the plan’s recommendations and suggested councilors name at least two from their group to sit on the interim group.
Up Next: Councilor Mike Farrel volunteered for the group and nominated Dan Herrick. Councilor Robert Hayes volunteered as well. Mayor Dick Gleason said he would select council nominees by the next council meeting.

Joint city fees
Issue: Lewiston and Auburn staff have been working on a shared fee and permit management computer  system. The system designed by EnerGov Solutions should come online June 28.
One step involved matching fees between the two cities. Councilors reviewed the new fees and adopted them as of July 1. The new fee schedule for both cities will be simplified, substituting flat fees or simple calculations based on square footage for more complex fee schedules. Revenues from building permits and fees would increase 17 percent, according to the new fee structure.
The Scoop:  Since the new software is scheduled to debut on June 28, City Manager Aho suggested councilors make the fees change as of that date.
Up Next: Councilors agreed to making the new fees take effect on June 28.

Identity Red Flags
Issue: In 2007, the Federal Trade Commission began requiring banks, financial institutions and other groups  that took credit and debit card information to adopt standards to protect against identity theft.
Since the city began taking credit and debit cards to pay for city fees and permits, they needed to adopt an identity theft standard.
The Scoop: Staff presented a new policy that identifies red flags and risks where credit information could be vulnerable. Calls for a training program to teach staff how to protect  customer information.
Up Next: Councilors approved the red flag policy.

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 Holly’s Own Deli, 84 Court St.

Next meeting: The next workshop scheduled for the Auburn City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m.

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