Bangor council advances ethics findings against Mallar, delays housing pilot

At a Sept. 14 workshop, the Bangor City Council voted to accept the ethics board's investigation and found Councilor Wayne Mallar violated two ethics code provisions over remarks caught on a live mic. The council directed staff to draft an order including possible training, and referred the question of appropriate training to the racial equity committee. Councilors also raised concerns about a proposed state-funded housing pilot and delayed further discussion.

Key points

• The council voted to accept the ethics board's investigation into Councilor Mallar's March 31 remarks, with no additional council investigation.
• Councilors voted to find Mallar violated Section 33-1 (fair and impartial conduct) and Section 33-5.1 (nondiscrimination), agreeing with the ethics board.
• A motion to find a violation of Section 33-13.1 (use of title) failed, matching the ethics board's finding of no violation there.
• Councilor Mallar did not give a defense statement at the workshop; he is barred from deliberating or voting on the matter.
• On the proposed housing pilot, several councilors questioned using Community Development Block Grant funds and the opioid settlement fund, and wanted the homeless advisory committee to weigh in first.
• City Manager Carollynn Lear said the city will try scheduling purely informational presentations during the day to avoid late-night meetings.

Next steps

• Staff will prepare a proposed council order with the two violation findings and possible penalties for a future regular council meeting.
• The question of appropriate ethics training was referred to the advisory committee on racial equity, inclusion and human rights, which next meets in October.
• The city will reach out to Brewer about possibly sharing an emergency response manager position.
• Councilors Leonard and Hawes volunteered to serve on the Penobscot County budget committee.
• The homeless advisory committee recommendation and the housing pilot were delayed to a later meeting.

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