The Lewiston City Council passed a resolution Tuesday urging the incoming council to investigate the residency of councilor-elect Iman Osman, who will be sworn in Jan. 5.

Lewiston officials have been under immense pressure to respond to concerns from residents over Osman’s legal address, as well as his indictment on theft charges involving two firearms.

However, regarding the residency question, officials have said the city charter only grants the City Council the authority to evaluate the qualifications of a sitting councilor.

During the final meeting for the current council, the council unanimously passed a resolution stating that “credible and legitimate questions have been raised by members of the public about (Osman’s) residency qualifications,” and requesting that the incoming council investigate Osman’s qualifications to serve based on his residence.

“I have no agenda with this, but this is an issue that has raised a lot of public awareness, and is distracting to the business of the city and I would prefer to have it resolved as quickly as possible, one way or another,” Council President David Chittim said.

At issue has been Osman’s address, which is listed as 210 Blake St. The building has been condemned since October of last year, with no clear timeline established for Osman’s return, which has led to continued questions from the public regarding whether Ward 5 would have true representation.

Osman has not publicly released the address where he lives now. His attorney has said Osman won’t divulge the location because he is facing harassment. Osman plans to return to the 210 Blake St. address when renovations are complete, according to his attorney.

Officials have said Osman’s legal address is 210 Blake St. because he plans to return there.

Osman, through his attorney, has said he has no plans to step down despite several calls from local officials for him to do so based on the recent indictment.

“We deserve transparency and to know that the individual representing us lives in our ward,” said Councilor Eryn Soule-Leclair, who lost a re-election bid to Osman in November.

During public comment, residents were split on the issue, with some stating that Osman has been the target of racism and harassment, and others arguing that the issue deserves a transparent look.

“I hope an open and fully transparent report is released that puts this issue to bed one way or another, so it’s not hanging over the city for the next two years,” Matthew Agren said.

Shukri Abdirahman, an Androscoggin County commissioner, said she’s been “deeply troubled” by what she believes has been a “targeted harassment campaign” directed at Osman.

“Since his election, he’s faced coordinated attacks that extend beyond the realm of legitimate political criticism,” she said. 

Others, like Dylan Newill, said if an investigation clears Osman “then there should be no worries, but I think due diligence is a factor in this.”

Former Councilor Bob McCarthy said it’s “unfortunate” that the residency question is being characterized as racist, calling it “common sense” for the city to know whether a councilor is truly representing a ward.

Councilor Josh Nagine said while he agreed that the council needs to investigate the issue, he also believes “a lot of the language that’s been framed around this debate has been xenophobic, Islamophobic and it’s vile and disgusting.”

He also said it has further highlighted the need for Lewiston to reconsider its charter.

Mayor Carl Sheline and other councilors reminded residents that the resolution only asks for an investigation into Osman’s qualifications based on residency, and has nothing to do with the recent Superior Court indictment.

“I called for his resignation due to the distraction that that represents. My position has not changed,” he said.

Councilor Scott Harriman voted in favor of the resolution after calling it “pointless” given the fact that five of the same councilors will be sworn in three weeks from now, at which time they could pursue an investigation.

“This is not about racism, it’s about whether or not an individual lives in the ward he is elected to represent,” Chittim said. “We are using the tools that we can to study this question and put an end to it.”