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South Portland City Council - June 17 2025
The meeting is called to order with a welcome message from the chair.
The meeting begins with a welcome from the chairperson, greeting all attendees and setting the stage for the proceedings.
Attendees are asked to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The chair asks all attendees to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, demonstrating patriotism and unity.
Attendance is confirmed with a roll call of council members.
A roll call is conducted to confirm the presence of council members, ensuring a quorum is present for the meeting.
The minutes from the previous meeting are reviewed and approved.
The minutes from the last council meeting are presented, and a motion is made and seconded to approve them. The motion passes unanimously.
Election results and voter participation for the school budget referendum are discussed.
The council discusses the results of the recent school budget validation referendum, thanking voters for their participation. The school budget and referendum process are approved by a significant turnout of registered voters.
The consent calendar items are read and opened for public comment.
Items on the consent calendar, including street closures for events, lease agreements, and flag authorizations, are presented. The floor is opened for public comment, but no comments are made.
Public is invited to speak on agenda or non-agenda items.
The public is invited to address the council on any item, whether on or off the agenda. A citizen discusses their interest in an appointment to the Conservation Commission, highlighting the importance of land conservation.
Elevation of non-conforming structures in flood risk areas is discussed.
A public hearing is held on the ordinance to elevate non-conforming structures in flood risk zones. The ordinance requires five affirmative votes due to zoning implications and reflects the city's long-term planning goals.
The location for the new police station is selected after extensive review.
The council discusses the selection process for a new police station location, considering several sites. After reviewing recommendations and public input, the Mahoney site is selected, balancing community needs and practical considerations.
The municipal budget appropriation is resolved with a majority vote.
The council discusses and votes on the municipal budget appropriation resolve, which includes non-school portions of the budget. After deliberation, the budget passes with a 5-2 vote.
The capital improvement plan is approved unanimously.
The council reviews the capital improvement plan, which encompasses various infrastructure and resource protection projects. The plan is approved with a unanimous vote.
The order to assess taxes and set payment dates is passed.
The council sets the tax assessment order, including due dates for tax payments and interest rates on unpaid taxes. The order is approved with a majority vote, with provisions for payment reminders to residents.
Authorization for the city to release interest in properties is discussed.
The council discusses authorizing the finance director to release city interest in properties through quick claim deeds, streamlining the process for resolving tax-related property issues.
Street opening fees for the next calendar year are set.
The council sets the street opening fees for the upcoming calendar year. These fees cover the administrative costs of the street opening program, aligning with the city's budget cycle.
The sewer user fees for the fiscal year are established.
The council establishes sewer user fees based on the budget requirements for water resource protection. These fees are crucial for maintaining the city's wastewater and stormwater management systems.
Discussion on the budget with focus on the Pearl Street pump station upgrade causing sewer rate hikes.
The meeting included a presentation on the budget, specifically highlighting the upcoming major investment in the Pearl Street pump station. This project will necessitate an increase in sewer rates. Communication strategies to inform the public were discussed, including outreach and open houses planned for July and October.
Public invited to comment on the Pearl Street pump station project, no comments were made.
The agenda item regarding the Pearl Street pump station was opened for public comment. There were no public comments made. The council then moved to pass the item.
Parks and Recreation proposed to increase facility rates due to labor and staffing needs.
The Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront department requested an increase in facility rates to address labor and staffing needs. Additional updates included formatting corrections and ordinance references. Public comment was invited but none was received. The council moved to approve the changes.
Proposal to prohibit dogs in the Pal Tree Conservation Area to protect the environment.
The council discussed a proposed ordinance amendment to prohibit dogs in the Pal Tree Conservation Area. The discussion included the reasons for using the term 'dogs' rather than 'pets.' The amendment aims to preserve the environment and limit human impact by restricting off-trail walking and prohibiting dogs. Public comment was invited but none was given.
First reading to designate the Petroli Conservation Area as a nature preserve.
The council held the first reading of a proposal to designate the newly acquired Petroli Conservation Area as a nature preserve. The designation includes prohibitions on dogs, motorized vehicles, and requires staying on trails. The aim is to maintain the area's pristine condition and provide educational opportunities.
Open floor for citizens to discuss items not on the agenda, no comments were made.
The meeting opened the floor for citizens to discuss any items not covered in the agenda. No citizens came forward to make comments during this part of the meeting.
City Manager passed on communication. Councilors shared announcements and comments.
The City Manager opted not to make any announcements. During the round robin, councilors shared various announcements and personal notes, including congratulations on becoming a grandmother, reminders about taking advantage of tax programs, and thanks to the fire department for its service.