Rockland Council Meeting Results 7-12-2021

Rockland, Maine - The city of Rockland Council held their regular meeting on July 12th, 2021.

Below is the summary/results:

1.  Roll Call  All Council members present.  City Manager excused due to illness.

2.  Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  All present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

3.  Public Forum of not more than 30 minutes (5 min. limit each speaker)

4.  Council/Manager Response to Public Comment

5.  Meeting Notice

6.  Reading of the Record

7.  Reports:

        a.  City Manager’s Report

        b.  City Attorney’s Report

        c.  Other Official’s Report:  Energy & Sustainability Advisory Committee

                                                Waterfront to Wilderness Trail Committee

        d.  Mayor’s Report

 

8.  Consent Agenda:

        Resolve #29  Accepting Donations –

Library                                                City Council

        Resolve #31  Accepting Donation – Casella Waste Systems – Trees                             City Council

        Order #60  Approving Collective Bargaining Agreement – Firefighters               City Council

        Order #62  Amending Library Fee Schedule                                             City Manager

        Order #63  Amending EMS PPE Equipment Expenditure                                        City Manager

        Consent Agenda was passed.  Vote:  5-0.

 

9.  Licenses and Permits:

        a.  Medical Marijuana Retail/Tier 1 Cultivation – Scrimshaw (Postpone 06/14/21)

        Denied.  Vote:  0-5.

        b.  Adult Use Marijuana Retail – Botany, Inc.

        Granted.  Vote:  5-0.

        c.  Tier 1 Marijuana Cultivation Facility – Belvidere Farm LLC

        Granted.  Vote:  5-0.

        d.  Adult Use Marijuana Retail – Belvidere Farmacy LLC

        Granted.  Vote:  5-0.

        e.  Lodging House License – Old Granite Inn

        Granted conditioned upon final approval from Code Office and Fire Dept.  Vote:  5-0.

        f.  Liquor License – Hong Kong Island

        Granted conditioned upon final approval from Code Office and Fire Dept.  Vote:  5-0.

 

10.  Resolves

        #30  Appointment to RSU #13 Board of Directors                                                     Mayor Glaser

        Passed as amended.  Vote:  5-0.  Amended to add the name “David Martz” to the Resolve.

        Vote on amendment:  5-0.

 

11.  Ordinances in Final Reading & Public Hearing:

        #23  Chapter 2, Section 2-704  Breakwater Lighthouse Advisory Com.                     Mayor Glaser

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.  Eff. Date:  08/11/2021.

        #24  Term Note Ordinance – City Hall Paving                                          Councilor Dorr

        Passed.  Vote: 3-2 (Austin, MacLellan-Ruf).  Eff. Date:  08/11/2021.

 

12.  Ordinances in First Reading:

        #  1  Chapter 19, Section 19-302  Renewable Energy Projects (Post. 5/10/21)               Councilor Davis

        Defeated.  Vote:  0-5.

        #25  Chapter 19, Section 19-302  Food Vendor Vehicles                                           Councilor MacLellan-Ruf

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.   Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

        #26  Chapter 19, Section 19-304  RR1 & RR2 Zones; Recreational Activities                       Councilor Austin

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.  Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

 

        #27  Authorizing Lease – Sea Scout Building                                       Councilor MacLellan-Ruf

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.  Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

        #28  Chapter 2, Section 2-1211  Juneteenth Holiday                                 Councilors MacLellan-Ruf & Dorr

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.  Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

        #29  Chapter 19, Section 19-304  TB1; Auto Body Shop                                                   Councilor MacLellan-Ruf

        Passed.  Vote:  4-1 (Austin).  Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

        #30  Chapter 19, Section 19-309  Micro Renewable Energy Projects                         Mayor Glaser

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.  Public Hearing Date:  08/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

 

13.  Orders:

        #56  Setting Due Dates & Interest Rate – FY22 Taxes                                        City Manager

        Passed as amended.  Vote:  5-0.  Amended to set interest rate at 3.00%.  Vote on amendment:  5-0.

        #57  Setting Public Hearing – Charter Amendments                                Councilor MacLellan-Ruf

        Passed as amended.  Vote:  5-0.  Public Hearing set for 09/13/2021 at 6:00 p.m.

        Amended as follows: Question #6:  Sec. 202, set salary for council members at $4,000 per year; and Sec. 203, set         salary for Mayor at $4,500 per year.  Vote on amendment:  4-1 (Glaser).

        Question #3: Sec. 605, delete the phrase :…and residence…”  Vote on amendment:  5-0.

        Question #s 4 & 5:  Sec. 513 (Question #5) Change $400,000 to $700,000; and combine Question #4 and Question         #5 into one question to read as follows:

       "Shall the Rockland City Charter, Section 513(c)(2) & (3), be amended to change the limit on the amount that        the City Council may authorize for the issuance of Bonds or Notes without voter approval from no more than        $100,000 to no more than $350,000, and to change the limit on the aggregated total of the City’s indebtedness        on notes from no more than $200,000 to no more than $700,000?”

 

       Text of proposed Charter Amendment:

 

        Sec. 513  Borrowing for Capital Improvements

 

        (c)  Procedure of Issuing Bonds and Notes.

 

        (2)  If the total amount of the bonds specified in a "bond ordinance" is more than $100,000 $350,000 that "bond         ordinance" shall be submitted to the voters at the next regular or special election, and the bond shall not be         negotiated unless approved by majority vote at that election.

        (3)  The City Council may issue term notes by ordinance, but the aggregated total of the City's indebtedness on         notes shall not exceed $200,000 $700,000, excepting notes issued pursuant to Section 514.

        Vote on amendment:  5-0.

 

        #58  Authorizing TIF Expenditure – Rockland Main Street, Inc.                   City Council

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.

        #59  Authorizing Bids – Sale of 56 Willow Street                                              City Manager

        Passed as amended.  Vote:  5-0.  Amended as follows:

       Add the following:  In conformance with Maine Statute Title 33, Chapter 6, Section 124,  Covenant restrictions        in the deed for this property shall include:

              1)  Purchaser must be a resident of Knox County, with their primary residence in Knox County as reflected        in current tax records.

              2)  Purchaser must have a household income at or below 150% of Knox County AMI as calculated by        US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

              3)  Purchaser shall maintain property as the purchaser’s primary residence.

       Vote on amendment:  5-0.

 

        #61  Establishing Police Review Committee                                             Mayor Glaser

        Passed as amended.  Vote:  5-0.  Amended as follows:

        Add:  “• Efficiency – Time savings, cost savings and energy savings”.   Vote on amendment:  5-0.

        Second paragraph:  “The committee may have consultants representing various partner agencies and other users    serving as non-voting members, and the Mayor’s or their designee shall serve as a non-voting ex-officio        member.”  Vote on amendment:  5-0.

 

        #64  Authorizing Reserve Fund Expenditure – Parks & Rec                                    City Manager

        Passed.  Vote:  5-0.

 

14.  Adjournment.  Adjourned without objection from the Council at 8:31 p.m.