OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lewiston City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026: Budget, CDBG, and Key Votes

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyLewiston, Maine
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 7:04:36

Transcript — Verbatim
4:39

Hello, and welcome to our Tuesday evening workshop.

4:43

We're kicking this off with uh Director Roy, acting Director Blaze, and Administrator Cain Rough.

5:00

This budget, as mentioned, the revenues will be adjusted when the tax rate is towards finalized.

5:05

And at the end, we will adjust the TIFF budget and submit a new one before you approve in May.

5:12

The revenues you'll see are increased.

5:15

Those are from the CMP TIFF last year was not approved until after we approved our budget, so those weren't adjusted until afterwards.

5:24

So you'll see that adjustment.

5:27

The increases in salaries are the percentages for different wages that were requested on page 72.

5:36

You will see the title of each salary and the percentage of what is going in the TIFF account for wages.

5:47

And then on the LCIP at time, as I mentioned at our uh first meeting, the time to ask questions on the capital projects are the times that the department heads are here.

6:01

I have LCIP originally I had put page 29, but it's not.

6:05

I'm sorry for that confusion.

6:06

It's 20 and 21 for the Continental Mill TIFF at million dollars and the Lowell Street development TIF at 850.

6:15

And Director Um Blaze is here to ask answer any questions you have on this department.

6:23

Counselors, do we have any questions?

6:28

Councillor Chidam.

6:30

Thank you, Mr.

6:31

Mayor.

6:31

Uh yes, uh salary line increases of 11 and uh 11 percent.

6:36

Can you talk to that briefly?

6:42

Correct.

6:42

That is for all of the percentages last year, if you remember during the budget season for fiscal year 26.

6:49

We looked at all of the wages that could come out of the general fund and be um paid for by the TIFF when the CMP TIF came on.

7:00

So that's what all these wages are.

7:02

Okay, thank you.

7:02

So this isn't a uh a salary increase as much as it is a shifting of expenditure from general fund to tax increment financing.

7:11

And as I mentioned on page 72, you'll see the titles and the percentages of every individual that is in that TIFF.

7:20

We have a lot of partial people.

7:22

Right.

7:23

Thank you.

7:28

No other questions.

7:30

We will move to economic development, which is on page 67.

7:36

In prior years, we've requested 250 for the economic reserve and public arts for 58,000 was requested by the department.

7:47

These two items were removed from the budget when the city administrator was reviewing the budget due to the amount of funds that are still available in that economic reserve.

7:59

And on your page two that I gave you, has the projects and the balances that are left in all of those reserve.

8:09

So if you look like the pilot business attraction still has 213,000 mill five environment, 435.

8:18

So that gets you what is still available in that reserve from year to year for the projects.

8:25

So the city administrators requested no more increase for this account to bring the tax rate down.

8:31

Any questions on economic development?

8:36

We talked about public art.

8:38

Um there is if you notice still a balance for public art for them to accomplish some projects uh that you see there.

8:45

So I just want to make it clear that we didn't completely uh gut funds for public art available.

8:50

We really appreciate the work the committee does.

8:52

Um public art is uh part of beautification and approving the city's image, and so there are still funds available for that.

8:59

I just want that to be clear because we did talk about um cuts to public art in our initial presentation, but you'll see there are funds still available here for that purpose.

9:09

Thank you.

9:10

Further question, uh yes, counselor Chitum.

9:12

Yes, the revenue for public art.

9:14

Uh where did that come from?

9:16

I I view that negative actual $6100 as a revenue.

9:21

Yeah, so the um it's actually in the um Yeah, that that's it's so originally there was a project that was paid out of there that shouldn't have been.

9:34

So it was from a prior year, so in order to put it in back into that reserve for the public arts, we put it in as a negative to show it coming back, and we put uh the other portion of where um the item was that was paid out of there in the correct account.

9:52

So it's not a revenue, it's just a reallocation and given the money back to public arts for the use.

9:58

Great.

9:58

Thank you.

10:00

And it say again where it came from, where this was a project that was paid out of there that originally wasn't supposed to be paid out of there.

10:06

I believe it was the bridge lights that hadn't yet gotten approved.

10:10

So that had to come back into that fund.

10:13

Now when you say bridge lights, uh and this is for administrator Kenrath, is this for the Wiseman Bridge or for the for the uh the railroad trust or the pedestrian path?

10:22

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Procedural█████████████13%
Economic Development███████████11%
Public Health Awareness█████████9%
Arts And Culture███████7%
Capital Improvement Projects██████6%
Immigration Policy█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Lewiston City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Lewiston City Council held a combined budget workshop and regular meeting on March 17, 2026, starting with a workshop on the FY27 budget followed by a regular meeting that included a St. Patrick's Day proclamation, presentations from the Maine Resiliency Center and on the CDBG consolidated plan, and votes on several ordinances and licenses. The meeting lasted over five hours, concluding with an executive session.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the March 3, 2026 meeting (7-0).
  • Approved consent agenda items (items 1, 3, 4): municipal quick claim deed at 84 Summit Street, authorization to accept transfer forfeiture funds, and authorization to accept transfer of forfeiture funds (7-0). Item 2 (meeting schedule for July/August) was pulled and later voted on separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brian LeClair, lifelong resident, reported needles on sidewalks downtown and urged action.
  • Matthew Agrin (Ward 4) criticized moving agenda items late in the meeting, stating it disenfranchises public speakers, and expressed concern about police presence in the chamber.
  • Martin Charstrand (Ward 3) objected to a news article that claimed "bullet holes scar Lewiston" while city hall focused on an ICE policy, stating the article exaggerated and falsely divided community needs.
  • Andrew Jones (Ward 2) questioned the requirement that public comment be for Lewiston residents only, calling it a new rule.
  • Paula Misha (Ward 3) raised complaints about police misconduct and difficulty getting on the public safety committee.
  • Melissa Dunn (Blake Street) reported a Flock camera tracker installed without permission on her condo association property, urging ordinance for such installations.
  • Several speakers during agenda item 5 (Resiliency Center) and item 6 (ICE ordinance) provided input, including survivors of the October 25, 2023 mass shooting.
  • Lisa Jones (Ward 2) noted that funds for victims cover medical bills but not ongoing daily life expenses.
  • Bobby Nichols (Auburn), a survivor, shared frustration that services offered (e.g., bowling, yoga) did not meet her needs and that she received no financial help beyond initial gift cards. She also stated many other survivors are not receiving adequate support.
  • Ryan Salvatore (Auburn) criticized the distribution of $6.6 million in donations, alleging 29 nonprofits received $1.9 million instead of going directly to victims. He called on the council to confront the Maine Community Foundation.
  • During item 6 (ICE ordinance), multiple speakers urged keeping the word "required" in the ordinance. Lisa Jones criticized the council for ignoring police chief's advice while previously insisting on listening to experts on needle policy. Others argued "required" provides clarity and consistency.
  • During item 11 (rules changes), speakers opposed reducing public comment time from 3 to 2 minutes and eliminating the second comment period, arguing it would reduce public participation.
  • During the security discussion (item 16), one audience member admitted to taking photos of Councilor Harriman's papers during a recess, stating it was within First Amendment rights.

Discussion Items

  • FY27 Budget Workshop (5:55 PM - 7:00 PM): Director Roy and Acting Director Blaze presented the budget, noting TIFF adjustments and salary line shifts. The economic development budget for FY27 was reduced by $250,000 for economic reserve and $58,000 for public art due to existing fund balances. Community Development Manager Catherine Ruth presented the CDBG and HOME budgets: CDBG allocation of $788,103 (same as FY26) plus carry forward of $144,515 from a postponed paving project. Funded projects include Trinity Jubilee ($48,140 for food pantry and diapers, $19,495 for nutrition), Seniors Plus ($19,451), YWCA Kidscape ($15,399), Sophia's House/CCI ($17,830), $157,619 for admin, $105,921 for code enforcement, $160,625 for rehab program, $10,924 for economic development project delivery, $100,000 for Sunnyside Park renovations, $114,950 for lead grant match, and $159,064 for housing rehabilitation. HOME consortium allocation for Lewiston is $219,697. A public hearing on the budget is set for April 7, 2026, with final hearing May 5, 2026.
  • Administrator's Report: Upcoming budget hearings April 7 and May 5. First citywide revaluation since 1988 – assessments expected late April/early May, tax rate will drop approximately half. Community mixer with Councilor Noble April 1 at Trinity Church (247 Bay Street). Lewiston Live Busking Festival returning for five dates (April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15) on Lisbon Street, 4-7 PM. City arborist identified ash trees infested with emerald ash borer; treatment costs estimated at $15,000, with many trees on Lisbon and College streets.
  • Item 5 – Maine Resiliency Center (MRC): Director Danielle Perrin reported the MRC opened 19 days after the October 25, 2023 mass shooting, the second fastest opening in U.S. history. It has served 900+ individuals, facilitated 320+ support groups, 133 community events, 42 trainings. Funded through federal AEAP grant through end of 2027. Senator Peggy Rotundo noted that a Mass Violence Care Fund ($5 million endowment) will generate ~$200,000/year starting October 2026 to cover medical bills and mental health counseling. Council directed administration to develop an MOU with the MRC to formalize partnership.
  • Item 6 – Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (Final Passage): The council debated amending the city code to restrict city employee cooperation with federal immigration enforcement unless required by law. The police chief sent a letter urging use of the word "authorized" rather than "required," stating required creates uncertainty and implies mistrust. Councilor Chitam moved to approve the ordinance with "required" after previous amendment. After debate, the ordinance passed 5-2 (Councilors Harriman and Martell opposed).
  • Item 7 – CDBG Consolidated Plan (Public Hearing): Catherine Ruth and Citizens Advisory Committee Chair Rosie Boyce presented the draft 2026-2030 plan, with goals: public services, affordable housing, economic opportunity, and public facilities/infrastructure. Public survey available through April 3, 2026.
  • Item 9 – Spurwink Syringe Service Program License: Application to operate at 1155 Lisbon Street. Council approved 5-2 contingent on final fire and code inspection scheduled for March 23, 2026. Councilor Chitam noted Spurwink collected 45,000 more syringes than distributed in 2025.
  • Item 10 – Milltown Sports Colisee Guarantee: Milltown Sports sought a city guarantee of $1.4 million to back seller financing for the purchase of the Colisee (total cost $4.9 million). Presentation by Nate Bostick and John Blaze outlined protections (property lien, personal guarantees, operational commitments including youth hockey, year-round programming). Council debated financial viability, received updated draft guarantee at 10 PM, and after a motion to table failed 2-5, then reconsidered and passed motion to table 5-2. The item will return at a future meeting.
  • Item 11 – City Council Rules Amendments: Proposed amendments to reduce public comment from 3 to 2 minutes, eliminate the second public comment period, and set a 10 PM meeting end time unless council votes to continue. All three motions failed 0-7 after public comment and council discussion.
  • Item 12 – Charter Amendment (Typographical Error): Approved 7-0 to correct numbering error in Article 2, Subsection 2.11 D.
  • Item 13 – Sale of 89 Pine Street: Approved 7-0 for $299,000, with proceeds reducing LCIP for Lisbon Street fire station.
  • Item 16 – Security in Council Chambers: Councilor Harriman raised concern after someone took papers from his desk during a recess. Council discussed options including stanchions, officer presence. No action taken; administration to consult with police department on options.
  • New Business: Councilor Nagine requested future agenda item on the Androscoggin River FERC relicensing and classification. Councilor Harriman requested policies on AI use by city employees and partnerships with content creators.

Key Outcomes

  • FY27 Budget: Public hearings scheduled April 7 and May 5, 2026. Revaluation assessments expected late April/early May.
  • Immigration Ordinance: Passed (5-2) with language restricting cooperation unless required by state/federal law or judicial order.
  • Spurwink Syringe License: Approved (5-2) contingent on final fire and code inspection.
  • Colisee Guarantee: Tabled (5-2) to allow further review of financials and the updated draft agreement.
  • Rules Amendments: All three proposals (2-minute comment, eliminate second comment period, 10 PM cutoff) failed (0-7).
  • Consent Agenda: Approved (7-0) with item 2 (July/August meeting schedule) pulled. Later, motion to reduce to one meeting per month in July and August failed (4-3, needed 5).
  • Charter Correction: Approved (7-0).
  • Property Sale (89 Pine Street): Approved (7-0).
  • Appointments: Nicole Haggerty to Housing Committee (7-0). Walter Shostak to Lewiston Auburn Transit Committee (7-0).
  • MOU with MRC: Administration directed to develop and present an MOU for council approval.

Meeting Transcript

Hello, and welcome to our Tuesday evening workshop. We're kicking this off with uh Director Roy, acting Director Blaze, and Administrator Cain Rough. This budget, as mentioned, the revenues will be adjusted when the tax rate is towards finalized. And at the end, we will adjust the TIFF budget and submit a new one before you approve in May. The revenues you'll see are increased. Those are from the CMP TIFF last year was not approved until after we approved our budget, so those weren't adjusted until afterwards. So you'll see that adjustment. The increases in salaries are the percentages for different wages that were requested on page 72. You will see the title of each salary and the percentage of what is going in the TIFF account for wages. And then on the LCIP at time, as I mentioned at our uh first meeting, the time to ask questions on the capital projects are the times that the department heads are here. I have LCIP originally I had put page 29, but it's not. I'm sorry for that confusion. It's 20 and 21 for the Continental Mill TIFF at million dollars and the Lowell Street development TIF at 850. And Director Um Blaze is here to ask answer any questions you have on this department. Counselors, do we have any questions? Councillor Chidam. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh yes, uh salary line increases of 11 and uh 11 percent. Can you talk to that briefly? Correct. That is for all of the percentages last year, if you remember during the budget season for fiscal year 26. We looked at all of the wages that could come out of the general fund and be um paid for by the TIFF when the CMP TIF came on. So that's what all these wages are. Okay, thank you. So this isn't a uh a salary increase as much as it is a shifting of expenditure from general fund to tax increment financing. And as I mentioned on page 72, you'll see the titles and the percentages of every individual that is in that TIFF. We have a lot of partial people. Right. Thank you. No other questions. We will move to economic development, which is on page 67. In prior years, we've requested 250 for the economic reserve and public arts for 58,000 was requested by the department. These two items were removed from the budget when the city administrator was reviewing the budget due to the amount of funds that are still available in that economic reserve. And on your page two that I gave you, has the projects and the balances that are left in all of those reserve. So if you look like the pilot business attraction still has 213,000 mill five environment, 435. So that gets you what is still available in that reserve from year to year for the projects. So the city administrators requested no more increase for this account to bring the tax rate down. Any questions on economic development? We talked about public art. Um there is if you notice still a balance for public art for them to accomplish some projects uh that you see there. So I just want to make it clear that we didn't completely uh gut funds for public art available. We really appreciate the work the committee does. Um public art is uh part of beautification and approving the city's image, and so there are still funds available for that. I just want that to be clear because we did talk about um cuts to public art in our initial presentation, but you'll see there are funds still available here for that purpose. Thank you. Further question, uh yes, counselor Chitum. Yes, the revenue for public art. Uh where did that come from? I I view that negative actual $6100 as a revenue.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com