Lewiston council rejects mobile home rent moratorium extension, approves police overtime

The Lewiston City Council voted 2-5 to reject a six-month extension of the moratorium on mobile home lot rent increases, citing concerns over the impact on park owners and investment. The council also approved a $200,000 supplemental appropriation for police overtime to address a rise in shootings, while a proposed amendment to fund an additional autonomous drone was debated but not voted on in the provided transcript.

Key points

• Council voted 2-5 to fail the motion for first passage of the mobile home lot rent moratorium extension, with Ward 3 and Ward 7 voting yes and all others voting no.
• The council approved a $200,000 supplemental appropriation from the salary reserve to cover police overtime for increased foot and bike patrols in response to 20 shooting events in the first seven months of 2026.
• Councilor Scott Harriman proposed an amendment to add $55,000 for a second autonomous Skydio drone, noting the first unit is already approved and expected within three weeks.
• Public commenters expressed divided views on the mobile home ordinance, with park owners arguing that frozen rents are unsustainable due to rising costs, while residents supported the extension to prevent price spikes.
• The council approved the consent agenda, including amendments to the solid waste ordinance for the new cart-to-curb program and the appointment of Craig Tribuno to the Lewiston Housing Authority Board.

Next steps

• The Housing Committee and legal counsel are expected to finalize the mobile home lot rent ordinance and present it for a public hearing within two to three months.
• The city will hold additional public information sessions for the cart-to-curb program on August 6 at McBean Elementary School and August 12 at Apple Valley Golf Course.
• The Community Ambassadors program kickoff event is scheduled for August 13 in Kennedy Park.

Read the full transcript