Bangor council backs drafting license plate reader policy, weighs homeless housing TIF

At a Monday workshop, the Bangor City Council asked staff to draft a policy directive against buying license plate reader and location tracking technology, after the city manager said Bangor does not own or operate Flock cameras. Councilors also questioned a proposed tax increment financing district and credit enhancement agreement for a 30-unit supportive housing project, then went into three executive sessions.

Key points

• The council moved, with a second, to have staff draft a legislative policy directive barring the city from buying or subscribing to license plate readers and automated location tracking technology, while not interfering with current camera uses such as security and body cameras. No objections were stated.
• City Manager Carollynn Lear said the city does not own, use, or operate Flock cameras; cameras shown on a public map in Bangor are either privately owned or the city's Myovision traffic detection cameras, which do not record video or store images.
• Lear updated the council on the homelessness advisory committee, which has held two meetings and planned a public input session for its third meeting. Alton Buzzel is chair, Jason Goodrich is vice chair, and Councilor Carolyn Fish will serve as council liaison.
• The council discussed a proposed TIF district and credit enhancement agreement tied to a 30-unit supportive housing project. Councilor Carolyn Fish said she opposed it, citing the value of forgone taxes and city land, while Councilor Wayne Mallar said he still lacked answers on the city's future service costs.
• Councilor Daniel Carson said he wanted more questions answered and said he planned to move to amend the credit enhancement agreement by substitution when it comes up, to add conditions.
• The council entered three executive sessions, citing consultation with the solicitor on the KRT appraisal contract, a personnel matter, and acquisition of real property or economic development.

Next steps

• Staff will draft a legislative policy directive on license plate readers and location tracking technology, with each department identifying where cameras are currently used.
• The homelessness advisory committee will hold a public input session at its next meeting and continues accepting emailed comment at homelessness.committee@BangorMaine.gov.
• Bond items on first reading will be referred to the finance committee for an in-depth discussion next week, with a required public hearing at second reading.
• Councilor Carson said he intends to move to amend the credit enhancement agreement by substitution when it comes before the council.

Read the full transcript