OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lewiston City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026: Police Overtime, Housing TIF, and Moratorium Vote

City Council — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyLewiston, Maine
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:18:16
Transcript — Verbatim
2:02

Uh hello, and welcome to our uh Tuesday evening um pre pre meeting meeting.

2:18

Item number one executive session to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real estate of which the premature disclosure of the information would prejudice the competitive bargaining position of the city.

1:04:20

Hello, and welcome to our Tuesday evening council meeting.

1:04:24

Appreciate you all being here.

1:04:25

We're going to kick things off with a Pledge of Allegiance, and uh administrator Kenrath has graciously agreed to leave us.

1:04:52

Thank you, Mr.

1:04:52

Mayor.

1:04:53

All roll call votes for this meeting will be given with the counselor of Ward One.

1:05:00

May I have a motion, please?

1:05:01

Move to approve as presented.

1:05:03

Counselor Chairman.

1:05:04

Second by Councillor Nejene.

1:05:06

Madam Park, please call the vote.

1:05:07

Counselor from Ward 1.

1:05:09

Yes.

1:05:09

Word two?

1:05:10

Yes.

1:05:10

Word three?

1:05:11

Yes.

1:05:12

Word four?

1:05:12

Yes.

1:05:13

Ward six.

1:05:14

Yes, with thanks.

1:05:15

Ward seven?

1:05:16

Yes.

1:05:16

And Mr.

1:05:17

Mayor.

1:05:17

Yes.

1:05:18

Thank you.

1:05:18

And we will note through the record that the counselor of Ward 5, Councillor Noble has an excused absence this evening.

1:05:25

Thank you.

1:05:26

Yes.

1:05:27

We are now.

1:05:29

We are now up to public comment.

1:05:31

Any member of the public may make comments regarding issues pertaining to Lucy Government.

1:05:35

This period is reserved for non-agenda items.

1:05:38

Public comment is also allowed during individual agenda items.

1:05:41

Please state your name for the record and please indicate if you're a Lucent resident for our council rules.

1:05:46

This period is reserved for Lucent residents only because this is the business meeting of the Lutheran City Council.

1:05:52

All questions should be directed to the mayor who will follow up, who will ask staff to follow up at a future time.

1:05:57

It is illegal for the city council to allow comments related to personnel matters.

1:06:01

All personnel complaints should be made directly to the city administration office.

1:06:05

Please continue.

1:06:07

Ronnie Parody, Ward 6.

1:06:09

I want to thank you for the last meeting you guys had.

1:06:12

It was one of the best meetings that I have seen in a long time.

1:06:17

And I really want to thank you guys.

1:06:19

And Susan, I want to thank you for getting ministration and everything all together for what you know for this violence.

1:06:30

Talking about violence again, less stress issues, less not do personalities.

1:06:37

Again, I think that's the best way to go about things.

1:07:05

But one thing I would like to push out, I remember when I was on the school board, I used to go to Longley School as a reader, as a volunteer reader for Longley School.

1:07:17

I'm challenging all of you to do that.

1:07:20

I think the kids need to see successful people and role models out there.

1:07:28

Go for an hour a month and read to a student or whatever the principal needs to do, volunteer in the schools, and then you know what's going on when you're voting for the budget and see what the programs do.

1:07:44

I mean, I used to have fun when I used to go in there, you know, as on the school board and read into a child and everything.

1:07:52

Uh and that was at Longley School, which is a was a very needy school, as many of you who have been in Lewiston for a long time.

1:08:00

And then Peggy Rotundo and I, we used to, when we were on the school board, used to run in the springtime, all the art shows, you name it, the Montello, uh, what was that called, Peggy?

1:08:15

I don't remember, but anyway, and one time we were following each other around the schools to go to all the shows as the school board member.

1:08:24

And you need to go in the classroom and show yourself.

1:08:28

Show that you've been successful.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Public Safety██████████████████████22%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████8%
Surveillance Technology███████7%
Youth Programs████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Economic Development██2%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lewiston City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

On August 4, 2026, the Lewiston City Council held a regular meeting, addressing a range of public safety, housing, and municipal governance issues. Key actions included approval of $200,000 in police overtime for community policing, a 6-1 vote for a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement for the Soleil affordable housing project, and a failed motion to extend a mobile home park rent moratorium. The council also passed consent agenda items, an ethics policy update, and tabled a discussion on dissolving the Lewiston Auburn Railroad Company.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved a consent agenda consisting of three items: an amendment to the traffic schedule adding 15-minute parking spots on Pine Street, authorization to accept transfer of forfeiture funds, and an order approving the disposition of 35 Beechwood Avenue. All passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ronnie Parody (Ward 6) praised the council for a recent meeting and challenged members to volunteer as readers in local schools, emphasizing the need for role models.
  • Former Mayor Larry Gilbert (not identified initially) spoke in support of Flock cameras, citing 33 years of law enforcement experience and arguing that public surveillance is a valuable tool for solving crimes.
  • Rick Lachappel (Ward 4) criticized the council for lacking leadership on gun violence, called for more accountability from state representatives, and referenced the death of Elizabeth Camachi a year ago as a reminder of unaddressed safety issues.
  • Sherry Withers (Ward 1) described an attempted home invasion at her home involving four masked juveniles, urging more resources for youth programming and supporting the new community safety committee.
  • Kim (Ward 2) highlighted unresolved vandalism and escalating violence, pleading for better police engagement with the unhoused community and more funding for homeless services and addiction treatment.
  • Nathan Burl (Ward 3) noted that while skyscrapers have been built since 1885, 800,000+ Americans remain unhoused, calling for systemic change.
  • Jessica Donovan (taxpayer, downtown Lisbon Street) raised concerns about a last-minute radon testing requirement for a certificate of occupancy that delayed a home closing, asking for clearer communication from the city on building code changes.
  • Joe Hafford (Ward 3, former drug dealer) opposed Flock cameras, arguing that surveillance did not deter his past criminal activity, and advocated for best-practice policing from other cities.
  • Matt Roy (Ward 6) criticized the complexity of the proposed mobile home rent ordinance, suggesting a simpler cap like 5% or CPI.
  • John Deary (Ward 6, Fox Run Mobile Home Park homeowner) supported extending the moratorium to protect tenants while the ordinance is finalized.
  • John Horton (Ward 2, owner of Sunset Gardens Mobile Home Park) opposed the moratorium extension, stating that costs (taxes, utilities) have risen and that the process was driven by outside activists, not tenants.
  • Chris Sarroy (business partner of John Horton) argued that restricting rent increases to CPI would force park owners to take a pay cut, and that the moratorium had already cost them a sale contract.
  • Dash Padam (Ward 3, housing committee member) noted the committee did not vote to request the extension and warned against sending a signal that discourages business investment.
  • Matt Roy (Ward 6) questioned the need for a $200,000 overtime transfer, pointing out that police overtime budgets have been underspent in recent years.
  • Amran Osman (Ward 3) supported enforcement but called for equal investment in youth prevention programs, as the city's own data shows juveniles are involved in 12 of 19 shootings.
  • Ifra Saidisa (statement read by Elizabeth James) urged that the $200,000 be used instead for a coordinator role to ensure agencies work together for at-risk youth.
  • Elizabeth James added that community violence intervention programs, not just policing, are needed.
  • Melissa Dyne (community organizer) opposed funding the CEA initiative, arguing it frames violence in a punitive way and that money should go to prevention and community-led efforts.
  • Danielle Snow (chair, Downtown Lewiston Association) supported the overtime funding based on positive results from increased foot patrols downtown, but stressed that prevention is equally critical.
  • Jen Hogan (president/CEO, Community Credit Union) thanked the police and encouraged a collaborative approach among businesses, nonprofits, and the city.
  • Julia Harper (Ward 4) called for investment in youth employment and prevention strategies, citing models from other cities.

Discussion Items

Police Overtime and Community Engagement (Item 8)

  • City Administrator Brian Kenrath and Police Chief Carly Conley presented a two-part plan: $200,000 from the salary reserve account for foot patrols, bike patrols, and a mobile resource unit, plus a legislative strategy to address the revolving door of repeat juvenile offenders. They noted 20 shootings in the first seven months of 2026, with 69% of cases solved, but many juveniles re-offending due to lack of programming.
  • Councilor Martell proposed an amendment to add $55,000 from fund balance for a second automated drone, citing its force-multiplying capability. The amendment failed 2-5 after debate on fiscal responsibility and the need to first evaluate the first drone already approved.
  • The main motion passed 7-0.

Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium Extension (Item 6)

  • The Housing Committee requested a six-month extension to finalize a complex rent stabilization ordinance. Legal counsel estimated 40-50 billable hours needed. Councilors expressed concern about harming park owners and discouraging investment; some worried about the impact on seniors and disabled residents. The motion failed 2-5.

Soleil Multifamily Housing TIF (Item 7)

  • Penny Lindsay of Lewiston Housing Authority presented a $31 million project (72 units, 60 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom, plus three commercial spaces) at Ash and Bates Streets. The TIF covers the remaining $1.2 million funding gap. The project will use federal and state tax credits and create significant economic impact. Passed 6-1, with Councilor Martell dissenting due to perceived inconsistency with the moratorium vote.

Lewiston Auburn Railroad Company Dissolution (Item 10)

  • Councillor Chitham proposed exploring dissolution, noting the city owns 75% but benefits little from the railroad's assets. After discussion, the council voted 7-0 to table the item for further study.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved 7-0.
  • Solid Waste Ordinance Amendments: Final passage 7-0.
  • Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium Extension: Failed 2-5 (Councilors Nagine and Mayor voted yes; others no).
  • Soleil TIF Agreement: Approved 6-1 (Councilor Martell opposed).
  • Police Overtime Funding: Approved 7-0 after amendment failed.
  • Ethics Policy Amendments: Approved 7-0.
  • Liquor Store License Request: Approved 7-0.
  • Railroad Dissolution Exploration: Tabled 7-0.
  • Executive Sessions: Approved 7-0 to discuss labor negotiations and a personnel matter.

Meeting Transcript

Uh hello, and welcome to our uh Tuesday evening um pre pre meeting meeting. Item number one executive session to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real estate of which the premature disclosure of the information would prejudice the competitive bargaining position of the city. Hello, and welcome to our Tuesday evening council meeting. Appreciate you all being here. We're going to kick things off with a Pledge of Allegiance, and uh administrator Kenrath has graciously agreed to leave us. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. All roll call votes for this meeting will be given with the counselor of Ward One. May I have a motion, please? Move to approve as presented. Counselor Chairman. Second by Councillor Nejene. Madam Park, please call the vote. Counselor from Ward 1. Yes. Word two? Yes. Word three? Yes. Word four? Yes. Ward six. Yes, with thanks. Ward seven? Yes. And Mr. Mayor. Yes. Thank you. And we will note through the record that the counselor of Ward 5, Councillor Noble has an excused absence this evening. Thank you. Yes. We are now. We are now up to public comment. Any member of the public may make comments regarding issues pertaining to Lucy Government. This period is reserved for non-agenda items. Public comment is also allowed during individual agenda items. Please state your name for the record and please indicate if you're a Lucent resident for our council rules. This period is reserved for Lucent residents only because this is the business meeting of the Lutheran City Council. All questions should be directed to the mayor who will follow up, who will ask staff to follow up at a future time. It is illegal for the city council to allow comments related to personnel matters. All personnel complaints should be made directly to the city administration office. Please continue. Ronnie Parody, Ward 6. I want to thank you for the last meeting you guys had. It was one of the best meetings that I have seen in a long time. And I really want to thank you guys. And Susan, I want to thank you for getting ministration and everything all together for what you know for this violence. Talking about violence again, less stress issues, less not do personalities. Again, I think that's the best way to go about things.

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