skip to main content
South Portland City Council - August 5 2025
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by an official.
Attendees were asked to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Council members were present as indicated by the roll call conducted by the clerk.
The clerk called the roll of council members. Councilor Cohen, Councilor Coleman, Councilor Pride, Councilor Tipton, Councilor Walker, Councilor West, and Mayor Matthews were present.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by a unanimous vote.
The council considered the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made to accept the minutes, which was seconded and passed with a vote of 7-0.
The tax assessor provided a memo about updates on personal property evaluations and tax bill delays.
The tax assessor's office provided a detailed memo explaining the updates to personal property evaluations affecting business equipment. It was noted that there will be a delay in issuing tax bills, moving from the usual end of July to early September, with payments still due in November and May.
Nomination papers for various city positions are available for the upcoming November ballot.
A reminder was given that nomination papers for city council, school board, Portland Water District trustee, wardens, and ward clerks are available. Interested parties were encouraged to obtain the papers for the November ballot.
James Gailey resigned from the Eco Maine Board; Melissa Hutchins is a potential replacement.
James Gailey resigned from his position on the Eco Maine Board following his departure from the city manager role in South Portland. Public Works Director Melissa Hutchins has volunteered to fill the seat, pending council approval.
The consent calendar was read and opened for public comment, with no items removed for discussion.
The clerk read the items on the consent calendar, which included various appointments and license agreements. The public was invited to comment, and the calendar passed with a 7-0 vote.
Public comments included a story about a community osprey rescue and concerns about police actions.
Citizens shared their comments during the discussion. One resident thanked the fire department for assisting in the rescue of an osprey named Bonnie. Another citizen expressed concerns about police handling of a rumor involving her son, which led to a SWAT raid.
The council discussed updating the city's sex offender restricted property map with new acquisitions.
The city presented an updated map of restricted areas for sex offenders, incorporating new properties acquired by the city. The map was reviewed by police and legal counsel to ensure compliance with state law. The council approved the update.
Discussion on the bond ordinance for the high school athletic complex with a natural grass field.
The council held the second reading of a bond ordinance for funding improvements to the high school athletic complex with a natural grass field. The ordinance will be sent to voters for approval. There was discussion about the wording of the ballot question.
The council discussed the bond ordinance for a high school complex with synthetic turf, amending the title.
A proposal to amend the bond ordinance title to include 'synthetic turf field' was discussed to ensure clarity in the ballot question. The amendment was approved, and the ordinance will be sent to voters. The council emphasized the need for clear communication in the agenda.
Discussion on the passage of a lodging establishment license for a new ownership, requiring public notice and no public comments received.
The council discussed the lodging establishment license passage, which requires a majority vote. The license is for a new ownership of a lodging establishment, formerly known as Ho Joe's location. The licensing process has been completed, public notice was given, and there were no public comments received. Fire, police, health, and code enforcement have reviewed the application. Questions about fees and the nature of the license transfer were addressed.
Discussion on the first reading of amendments regarding stationary and mobile vending, including definitions, zoning, and licensing updates.
The council discussed the first reading of amendments regarding stationary and mobile vending. Assistant City Manager Joshua Rainey explained the updates to definitions, zoning policies, and licensing requirements for mobile and stationary vending units. The proposed changes aim to simplify current regulations, encourage modern vending practices, and maintain council discretion over licensing. The discussion highlighted the need for clarity between mobile and stationary units, zoning allowances, and the removal of outdated proximity regulations. Public comments were invited, and positive feedback was received from local business owners and residents.
Public comments were received in favor of the mobile vending ordinance, and the council voted for the passage of the first reading.
During the public comment session, Henry Sauvey, owner of the 'Sandwiches' food truck, and a local resident, Jeff Steinberg, spoke favorably about the proposed ordinance changes, highlighting the positive community impact of mobile vending. The council then moved to vote on the passage of the first reading of the ordinance, which was passed unanimously.
Announcement that the City Manager will be absent for the next meeting, with Assistant City Manager Joshua filling in.
The City Manager announced that he will be absent for the next week's meeting due to attending a conference. Assistant City Manager Joshua will be sitting in his chair for the meeting. The City Manager thanked Joshua for stepping in during his absence.
Council members shared thoughts and community updates, with condolences given for a community loss and reminders of upcoming events.
During the round robin session, council members shared various thoughts and updates. Councilor Cohen expressed condolences for the passing of John Wolf Graham, a community icon. Councilor Tipton highlighted the importance of city committees and thanked residents for their service. Councilor Walker reminded everyone about the upcoming Art in the Park event. Other councilors thanked participants of recent community events and acknowledged age-friendly initiatives. The meeting was adjourned with a reminder to see everyone next week.