Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday

Labor talks
Issue: City Manager Glenn Aho regularly negotiates union contracts with city employee groups on the city’s behalf. Although the final contract is a public document, most discussions — between Aho and the City Council and Aho and the unions — go on behind closed doors.
At their last meeting, some councilors argued for more of a public process.
The Scoop: Aho told councilors Monday public negotiations are possible, if both the city and the individual union leaders agree to make them public. He argued against doing so, saying the city can negotiate a better contract when all offers are not on the public record.
But  City Councilor Ray Berube argued for a workshop meeting at the start of union negotiations for councilors to review the old contract and suggest changes. Councilor David Young also argued for having the city post copies of each contract on the city’s website.

Capital projects
Issue: The city sells municipal bonds to pay for especially expensive or long-lasting items, such as equipment, building renovations or road improvements.
The Scoop: This year, the city plans to sell $7.9 million worth of bonds to pay for a variety of projects — including equipment replacement, road and drainage repairs, road lighting and traffic-signal repairs. It also includes $2.5 million in repairs to Auburn schools. The Maine State School Renovation Revolving fund could reimburse the city for at least $1 million of that.
Overall, the city’s total debt is $73 million.
Up Next: Councilors approved the $7.9 million in new bonded debt by a 5-1 vote, with Councilor Michael Farrell opposing. City Manager Aho said an October sale is scheduled.

Web promotion
Issue: The city plans to update its website, www.auburnmaine.gov. Aho wants the new site to include a way for users to search for Auburn-based businesses.
The Scoop: Businesses would be able to register their business for the promotion when they purchase a $10 business license from the city. Aho said it will allow them to post menus, coupons, maps of their location and contact information to the Web.
Aho said the software needed to manage the business information on the city’s website will cost about $7,000. He proposed paying for the software with tax increment finance money set aside for economic development.
But councilors Michael Farrell and Belinda Gerry were concerned that adding a new business license fee, whether it was voluntary or not, would hurt local businesses.
Up Next: Councilors voted to table the matter.

Student food prep
Issue: Students at Auburn’s Regional Educational Treatment Center have created a student-run business, selling boxed lunches to teachers and administrators. Called Deali’s, the students sell boxed lunches — a sandwich, drink, two side dishes and a dessert — for $5.
The Scoop: City rules require businesses, including student-run businesses, to register and pay a $125 fee. School officials asked the City Council to waive that fee.
Up Next: Councilors voted 6-0 to waive the fee.

Next meeting: The next workshop scheduled for the Auburn City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.  Monday, August 2, 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].