Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A number of ordinances were up for discussion at City Council’s Jan. 7 meeting.
“The city charter has a sunset provision that requires Council re-pass ordinances on a regular schedule,” explained City Manager Tom Stevens. Stevens told Council this was a single-hearing matter and that changes couldn’t be made with out public hearings on the ordinance change being considered.
“We can’t make changes (to an ordinance) unless Council wants to schedule two public hearings. I recommend all (ordinances) be re-passed,” said Stevens.
Councilman G. Melvin Hovey questioned the process of amending ordinances, with Stevens explaining proper procedure.
“You (Council) have to pass an ordinance as is, to keep it on the books. To amend is a different process,” that requires two public hearings before a change can be approved to a particular ordinance, said Stevens.
“We have to pass them (the ordinances) in their entirety first, then we’d be required to hold two public hearings. We can’t do more than pass them at this point,” added Councilman Ron McPherson, noting changes could then be made at a later date.
Stevens indicated some items might return before Council in coming months.
“We may see some (ordinances) coming back to amend,” said Stevens.
Councilman Don Gardner made the motion to pass: Chapter 12 – Taxicab Ordinance; Chapter 13 – Litter Ordinance; Chapter 25 – Building Code Ordinance; Chapter 25A – One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code Ordinance; Chapter 31 – National Electrical Code Ordinance; Chapter 37 – Personnel Ordinance; Chapter 38B – Life Safety Code Ordinance; Chapter 38C – Property Maintenance Code Ordinance; Chapter 42 – Solid Waste Ordinance; and Chapter 43 – Planning Board Ordinance. McPherson seconded the motion. Council voted unanimously to re-pass all ordinances specified.
In other recent discussion, Council took the following actions:
• Held its first hearing on changing the name of that portion of Fort Street between Griffin and Maysville streets to North Street. The second hearing on the name change will be held during Council’s Jan. 22 meeting;
• Approved a municipal quitclaim deed to Scott Thebarge for tax acquired real estate at 10 Parkhurst Siding Road;
• Approved the expenditure of $626 from the Unclassified Contingent Account in the 2007 budget for the purchase of two plaques for listing the names of selectmen and councilors that have served the community since 1900;
• Approved a malt and vinous liquor license application for Tony and Sherry Sullivan, Nor’easter, Inc., d/b/a Governor’s Restaurant and Bakery, 350 Main Street;
• Approved a malt and vinous liquor license application for Northern Lanes, Inc., 510 Main Street;
• Reaffirmed the rules of the Presque Isle City Council without changes, and to form a committee to review these rules and report back to the City Council. Councilors Calvin Hall and McPherson volunteered to serve on the proposed committee;
• Approved a total of $150 from the 2008 Unclassified Contingent Account for 15 gift certificates to University of Maine at Presque Isle students who assisted in the Community Satisfaction Survey;
• Approved a special amusement permit for dancing and entertainment for Presque Isle Hotel Company, d/b/a Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main Street;
• Approved the Five Year Department Fee Schedule as presented;
• Approved applications for a solid waste licenses for: Gilford Berube, d/b/a Gil’s Sanitation, Inc., 19 Caribou Road; jack Hebert, d/b/a McNeal’s Trucking, 73 Solman Street, Caribou; Edgar LeBlanc, d/b/a Star City Sanitation, Inc., 218 Parsons Road; and Pine Tree Waste, Florence Avenue, Houlton. Pine Tree’s license limits the company to roll-offs and semi-trailers. McNeal’s is limited to rolloffs;
• Approved a license for Matthew Gregg to use the space at the former Mapleton Transfer Station site for the purpose of storing hay and other items;
• Voted 6-1, with Councilman Ed Nickerson abstaining, to take no action on the proposed change to the composition of the Forum Advisory Board;
• Approved a malt liquor license request from Capital Pizza Huts, Inc., d/b/a Pizza Hut, 814 North Main Street;
• Approved salaries for Sewer and Water District Trustees as presented;
• Voted 4-3 in favor of keeping the bi-monthly schedule for Council meetings, with sessions held the first and third Monday each month, rather than changing to every third Monday – or once a month. Council Chairman Walt Elish and Councilors Jennifer Trombley and G. Melvin Hovey voted in opposition;
• Approved consent agenda of City Council meeting minutes of Dec. 5, 2007, written departmental reports for November and warrants 48 and 49 totaling $1,010,891.80; and
• Approved consent agenda of City Council meeting minutes of Dec. 19 and 20, 2007, and warrants 50 through 52, totaling $2,542,626.40.
Due to the Monday holiday, the next scheduled Council meeting will be held on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Sessions are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact 764-4485.
