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South Portland City Council - July 8, 2025
The roll call was performed with all council members present, including the mayor, indicating a full attendance.
The city council workshop began with a roll call to ensure all councilors and the mayor were present. All members responded affirmatively, confirming their attendance at the meeting.
Julie Rosenbach, the sustainability director, presented proposed revisions to the EV charging ordinance, aiming to simplify compliance, reduce costs, and align with current market conditions.
Julie Rosenbach, the sustainability director, along with Marin Stevens from the planning division, presented proposed revisions to the EV charging ordinance. The revisions address market shifts and aim to ensure EV charging requirements do not exceed current needs. Proposed changes include eliminating the requirement for EV capable spaces, exempting small parking lots, reducing EV installed charger requirements, adding EV ready requirements for residential units, and introducing flexibility for developers with offsite installation options and in lieu fees. The goal is to simplify compliance, make the ordinance more cost-effective, and align it better with current EV adoption trends.
Council members discussed the proposed changes to the EV charging ordinance, expressing general support while acknowledging the need for adjustments due to market conditions.
Following the presentation by the sustainability director, the council members engaged in a discussion regarding the proposed changes to the EV charging ordinance. Councilor Cohen inquired about the impact on current businesses and projects, while Councilor Tipton asked for clarification on specific amendments. The council acknowledged that while the changes were necessary due to slowed EV adoption, they still reflect the city's commitment to sustainability.
A public comment was made expressing support for the changes while lamenting the need for them due to national EV adoption trends.
During the public comment period, Jeff Steinbrink of Cottage Road expressed his support for the proposed changes to the EV charging requirements. He praised the presentation and acknowledged that while the changes are necessary, they are unfortunate due to the larger issue of EV adoption slowing down in the U.S. compared to other countries.
The council provided guidance on moving forward with the proposed changes to the EV charging ordinance, agreeing on adjustments to address market conditions.
The council continued their discussion on the proposed EV charging ordinance changes, with Councilor Cohen suggesting a way to make the ordinance retroactive for projects currently in the pipeline. The city manager indicated that they would consult with corporation counsel about an effective date for the ordinance that could assist current projects. The council agreed on the importance of aligning the ordinance with current market conditions while maintaining a focus on sustainability.
Aubrey Strauss introduced proposed changes to the Land Care Management Ordinance, focusing on making the ordinance more effective and responsive to community needs.
Aubrey Strauss from the Water Resource Protection Department presented an introduction to proposed changes to the Land Care Management Ordinance. The ordinance, which has been in place for about eight years, is undergoing amendments to improve its effectiveness and address specific community needs. The staff is seeking feedback from the council on these proposed changes.
The committee proposes changes to the ordinance to include new definitions and references to the National Organic Program, allowing more products for organic land care.
The Land Management Advisory Committee presented proposed changes to the ordinance to better align it with the National Organic Program. This includes adding definitions for key terms related to organic management, allowing more products to be used for organic land care that are approved by the USDA. The changes aim to provide residents with more options for natural bio-fungicides, such as EcoSwing and Double Nickel, which are not currently on the national list but are approved for organic production. The committee also seeks to clarify application requirements for waivers and adjust the composition of the advisory committee itself, allowing for more flexibility in qualifications.
Public comments were invited regarding the land care management proposal, with no comments recorded.
Following the presentation on the proposed ordinance changes, the floor was opened for public comments. No members of the public offered comments at this time.
The council expressed unanimous support for the proposed changes, noting their thoroughness and alignment with current scientific standards.
Council members discussed the proposed changes to the land care management ordinance. They expressed support, highlighting the thorough investigation and mindful approach to updating standards to reflect current practices and scientific understanding. The changes were seen as necessary adjustments to keep up with evolving organic land care methods.
A proposal for hosting a major music festival at Wainwright Athletic Complex was discussed, highlighting potential economic benefits and logistical considerations.
Richard Broman presented a proposal to host a major music festival at the Wainwright Athletic Complex. The festival is expected to draw significant attendance and provide economic benefits to the area. Broman emphasized the interest of major festival organizers in the Portland region due to its attractive infrastructure and undeveloped market for festivals. The Wainwright site is considered suitable due to its layout and sound buffering. However, there are logistical challenges to address, including local resource access and field impact. The council discussed the need to engage with stakeholders, including the Wainwright family, to ensure compliance with deed restrictions and negotiate terms for hosting the event.
The meeting discussed successful festival sites like Napa expo center and Boston calling at Harvard fields, showcasing effective use of sensitive properties.
The meeting covered examples of successful festivals such as the NA Napa expo center and Boston calling, which is held at the Harvard athletic fields. These examples illustrate how producers can effectively use sensitive properties for large events and return them in better condition.
A proposal was presented for South Portland to host a nationally significant annual three-day summer festival at Wayne Wright.
The proposal outlined the opportunity for South Portland to host a significant annual festival at Wayne Wright, with a multi-year partnership model involving a leading national producer. The festival would feature best-in-class logistics, security, and local collaboration, benefiting the city's parks and community programs.
Hosting festivals is seen as an economic anchor providing benefits like elevated national visibility, local partnerships, and volunteer opportunities.
The discussion highlighted the economic and community benefits of hosting festivals, such as increased local economic activity, elevated national visibility, opportunities for local business partnerships, volunteer opportunities, and investment in local infrastructure. These festivals can offer a significant boost to the economy.
Festivals must adhere to environmental commitments, with zero waste initiatives and sound management, ensuring minimal disruption to local communities.
The environmental and safety considerations for hosting festivals include zero waste initiatives, composting programs, emphasis on biking and walking access, quiet hours, sound engineering, and local artist stages. Post-event debrief sessions are held to ensure continuous improvement.
Several challenges for hosting a festival at Wayne Wright were discussed, including alcohol sales, ingress and egress points, and covenant restrictions.
The meeting discussed various challenges for hosting a festival at Wayne Wright, such as the need for alcohol sales, the requirement for additional ingress and egress points for safety, and the need to clarify the permissible use of Wayne Wright based on existing covenants.
Next steps include gauging interest, addressing property use questions, and beginning public outreach for the proposed festival.
The discussion outlined the next steps for the South Portland festival proposal, which include gauging council interest, addressing questions of property use, alcohol sales, and ingress/egress, and initiating public outreach to engage and inform the community about the proposed festival.
Council members raised questions about festival logistics, economic impacts, local partnerships, and community involvement.
Council members raised several questions and concerns regarding the festival proposal, including the financial modeling and economic impact, local partnerships, the scale of the event compared to existing local events, and the potential impact on local traffic, safety, and public access during the festival.
Discussion about local festivals, alcohol sales, and community impact. Concerns about alcohol and producer involvement.
There was a discussion about the nature of local festivals, particularly focusing on alcohol sales and the scale of these events compared to larger festivals like Coachella and Austin City Limits. The discussion involved questions about the producers of these festivals and their responsibilities.
Questions about the Wayne Mary property, Scarborough town discussions, and parking issues. Concerns about parking spaces and event impact.
Questions were raised regarding the proximity of the Wayne Mary property to the Scarborough line and whether there have been any discussions with the town of Scarborough. There were also detailed inquiries about the number of parking spaces available and concerns about parking challenges at Wayne Mary property.
Public comments on a proposed music festival at Wayne Wright. Concerns about legality, parking, financial crisis, and community impact.
During the public comment section, residents expressed concerns about the legality of hosting a music festival at the Wayne Wright property, the potential parking and traffic issues, and the possible financial benefits to the city. Some residents shared personal experiences from other cities and festivals, highlighting both positive impacts and logistical challenges.
Discussion on the potential benefits and challenges of hosting a music festival. Concerns about financial benefits, community impact, and logistical challenges.
There was a detailed discussion about the potential financial and cultural benefits of hosting a large-scale music festival, as well as concerns about the impact on the local community, including traffic and infrastructure challenges. The possibility of using festival proceeds to fund local improvements was also discussed.
Council members discuss the festival proposal, highlighting concerns about infrastructure, community impact, and the need for family buy-in.
Council members discussed the proposal for hosting a music festival at Wayne Wright, expressing concerns about infrastructure, traffic, and community impact. There was also a discussion about the importance of getting buy-in from the Wayne Wright family regarding deed restrictions and the potential legal and financial implications of the event.
The council discusses the potential issues and benefits of allowing alcohol in the park, focusing on community opinions, past experiences, and logistical challenges.
The council members debated the idea of allowing alcohol in the park. Some members expressed concerns about the logistics, such as traffic and safety, while others talked about the potential revenue benefits. The conversation included references to past events and the necessity of getting approval from the Wayne Wright family. Concerns about community opposition and the need for further discussions and permissions were also highlighted.
The discussion revolves around the economic benefits and community impacts of hosting large events, including the potential for traffic and noise issues in residential areas.
Council members discussed the pros and cons of hosting large events, such as concerts, in the community. The conversation emphasized the economic benefits observed in other cities, but also noted the challenges, especially regarding traffic and noise in residential neighborhoods. The potential impact on local residents and the need for thorough community engagement and research were key points.
A proposal for a temporary and permanent dog park is presented, discussing the benefits, potential locations, and the need for community and committee involvement.
Councilor West and city staff presented a proposal for establishing temporary and permanent dog parks. The presentation highlighted the benefits of dog parks, such as improving dog behavior and providing safe spaces for dogs and owners. It was noted that a temporary park was not feasible, and the focus shifted to a permanent solution. The council discussed involving relevant committees and community members in the planning process, and the need to hire a consultant to identify suitable locations and gather design and funding options.
Public comments were made in favor and against the creation of dog parks in South Portland, with various residents expressing their opinions.
Numerous residents gave their opinions during the public comment section regarding the proposal for dog parks in South Portland. Some speakers expressed a strong need for designated dog parks to address the issue of dogs running off-leash in inappropriate areas such as ballparks and playgrounds. Others, however, were concerned about the cost, elitism, and potential restrictions on dog access to beaches. Different perspectives were shared, highlighting both community support and opposition to the idea of creating dedicated spaces for dogs.
The council discusses the importance of involving community committees in the planning of a dog park to ensure it meets community needs and uses available spaces effectively.
Council members emphasized the importance of involving the Conservation Commission and Open Space Advisory Committee in the dog park planning process. The discussion focused on ensuring the park meets community needs, utilizes available spaces effectively, and considers potential new acquisitions. The dialogue underscored the need for a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders.
The council discussed the feasibility and community interest in establishing a dog park, with concerns about funding, location, and public support.
Following the public comments, the council engaged in a thorough discussion regarding the proposed establishment of a dog park. Councilors debated the merits of the proposal, considering the potential benefits for the community, such as providing a safe space for dogs to run and addressing current issues with dogs in public spaces. They also discussed the challenges, including funding, appropriate locations, and ensuring that the park would not lead to further restrictions on dog access to other recreational areas. Council members shared their personal experiences and opinions on the matter, and there was a general agreement to explore the idea further while considering public feedback and financial implications.
The council proposed scheduling workshops to discuss funding for city boards and committees, aiming for a more structured process.
The council moved on to propose workshops aimed at discussing the funding process for city boards and committees. Councilor West suggested that a structured discussion could help streamline the funding requests and budget process for the next fiscal year. The council agreed on the need for a workshop to address these issues and to ensure a more organized approach to handling financial requests from various city committees.