Lewiston council hears wayfinding, trash fee plans; abuse allegation aired

Lewiston city councilors held two workshops on Oct. 6, 2026, reviewing a proposed downtown wayfinding sign system and a solid waste overhaul that would raise opt-in trash fees to close a $331,660 annual deficit. Councilors asked for more public input before directing staff to draft ordinance changes, and during public comment a councilor described abuse allegations involving a fellow councilor.

Key points

• Economic Development Director John Blaze and design firm Corbin Design presented a wayfinding plan with gateway, parking, and pedestrian kiosk signs; installation is targeted for Aug. 1, 2027.
• Councilor Chrissy Noble said the city should define its downtown and riverfront districts, and that the process should be collaborative with residents and businesses.
• Public Works Director Kevin Ganye and Planning Director John Connor proposed a three-tier trash framework: tax-funded pickup for owner-occupied homes, a $310 per-unit opt-in fee for multi-unit rentals, and a four-unit commercial ceiling.
• Staff said the current $170 opt-in fee leaves a $140 per-unit annual loss and a $331,660 general fund subsidy; the plan also adds 65 owner-occupied mixed-use properties to free pickup.
• Councilor Scott Harriman said he favors treating trash as an enterprise utility and raised the idea of pay-as-you-throw, which staff said could be explored later.
• Councilors Harriman and Noble asked staff to quickly restore service to owner-occupied live-work properties that lost collection, with Connor saying language for a short-term fix could be brought forward.
• During public comment, Councilor Susan Longchamps, speaking as a resident, described abuse allegations involving Councilor Harriman and said they should be investigated independently; Harriman did not respond during the portion captured.
• A resident urged the council to ban retail sale and commercial distribution of kratom within city limits, citing addiction and health risks.

Next steps

• Staff will draft formal ordinance language on the solid waste changes for first and second readings and public hearings.
• Staff will bring forward interim ordinance language to restore trash pickup for owner-occupied live-work properties.
• The council plans additional public sessions or workshops on the trash policy tiers before giving final direction.
• The wayfinding team will finalize its documentation package and submit it within about a month, aiming for installation by Aug. 1, 2027.
• The city will work on defining downtown boundaries, with maps and possible workshops expected within about two months.

Read the full transcript