Council tends to August business
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council took care of several items of business during their Aug. 6 meeting at City Hall. Matters addressed during the session included:
• Made plans to discuss the city’s Strategic Plan at the next regularly-scheduled Council meeting in September, at which time a workshop time will be set to review the document, any changes that need to be made and how to proceed;
• Approved a special permit for music, dancing and entertainment for BLD Hospitality d/b/a Hampton Inn on Main Street;
• Heard citizen Todd Russell’s concerns over fireworks. Russell, a Vietnam vet, indicated while some may find them fun, he hears “incoming rounds.” He asked councilors to consider a future compromise, adding, “I don’t think you should eliminate them but tone them down in some way.”
• Approved consent agenda items;
• Amended the administration of government policy, as presented, to eliminate the director of human relations position and incorporate it into the deputy city manager’s duties;
• Amended the employee handbook, as presented;
• Approved the release of funds from the Northern Maine Regional Airport’s Air Show account, with City Manager Jim Bennett authorized to contact donors to see if they want a refund or how they’d like their contributions handled;
• Approved the draft of the 2013 budget calendar and omitting Nov. 19 due to it being so close to Thanksgiving. City Council is set to discuss the matter at 6 p.m. on Oct. 1, 15, 22 and 29; Nov. 5 and 26; and Dec. 3. The final public hearing and budget adoption date has tentatively been set for Dec. 10 at 6 p.m., with Dec. 31 set as the final date allowed by charter for budget adoption;
• Discussed the implementation of a suggestion/incentive employee program whereby employees would receive monetary awards for recommendations that saved the city money. Examples included tips on being more energy efficient or better use of supplies;
• Discussed holding a candidates’ forum to meet with officials elected to state offices to talk about such things as revenue sharing and other matters that affect municipal government, with Bennett and councilors agreeing public input would be welcome in the form of questions submitted to City Hall for presentation at the special meeting, which has tentatively been set for sometime in October; and
• Authorized the abatement of taxes on an abandoned trailer in a local mobile home park, citing the park owners wish to demolish the home. Abatement is contingent on the demolition taking place within 45 days.
The next regularly-scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, Sept.5, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. Meetings are broadcast on Time Warner cable channel 16.
For more information, visit www.presqueisle.govoffice2.com or call 760-2785.
