Bangor council advances budget, backs downtown district assessment

[1:02] David Szewczyk: Good evening, it's seven o'clock, and this is the regular meeting of the Bangor City Council. I'm City Solicitor David Szewczyk. Chair Hawes is not able to be in attendance tonight, so I would call for a motion to select a chair pro tem. I would like to move to appoint [1:20] Susan Deane: point Councillor Michael Beck in Council Chair Hawes's absence. Second. Any objection? [1:32] David Szewczyk: We have to do a roll call vote as there's a council member in attendance via Zoom. [1:42] Lisa Goodwin: Adam, Clerk. Councillor Beck? Yes. Councillor Carson? Yes. Councillor Deane? Yes. Councillor Flume? Yes. Councilor Fish? Yes. Councilor Leonard? Yes. Councilor Mallar? Yes. Seven yes, zero no. [2:05] David Szewczyk: Councilor Beck, you are Chair pro tem. [2:14] Michael Beck: Okay, we start all of our meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'd like to invite School Committee Chair Tim Surratt to lead us. Okay, first order of business tonight, we have a proclamation, and to present the proclamation for June 19th as Juneteenth will be Councillor Leonard. Thank you, Mr. [2:54] Joseph Leonard: Mr. Chair. Today we'll be proclaiming June 19th as Juneteenth, whereas the first Juneteenth celebration was in 1866, a year after Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865, with news that the war had ended in April and that the enslaved were now free. And whereas this announcement was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are and henceforward shall be free. And whereas Juneteenth commemorates the determination of the people who were seized and brought to this country from Africa and whose descendants were enslaved for over 200 years before the horrific institution of slavery was abolished, and whereas Juneteenth commemorates that moment in time when the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, received word of their freedom. As an anonymous celebrant said, we imagine the depth of their emotions, their jubilant dance, and their fear of the unknown, and whereas the City of Bangor believes it is important to recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth in order to advance racial equity, human dignity, and justice, and whereas Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and what many people consider to be America's second independence day observance, is now A federal and state holiday and is also recognized by the city of Bangor and whereas the city of Bangor acknowledges black Mainers are disproportionately impacted by poverty which leads to higher rates of incarceration food insecurity and negative health impacts due to systemic racism and whereas the city of Bangor affirms we hold these truths to be self-evident that all human beings are created equal that they are all endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness now therefore I Joseph Leonard on behalf of the mayor of the city of Bangor on behalf of the city council and the citizens of Bangor do hereby proclaim June 19th 2026 as Juneteenth to honor African-American history and encourage all community members to reflect on how each of us can promote equality liberty and justice for all people given this the eighth day of June 2026 and we have Athena Bryce president of the Greater Bangor Area Branch of the NAACP to be accepting this proclamation okay [6:04] Public commenter (Mike Norton): Point [6:15] Michael Beck: of order Mr. Chair there's no point of orders from the gallery they're not recognized for points of order that you like to make sir please sir there's no point of order from the gallery okay this is the point of the meeting for public comment so I have to read the statement for everyone this is the portion of the meeting set aside for general public comment related to city business for matters that do not appear on this evening's agenda public comment requires a person to state your name and whether you are a resident of Bangor. The City Council has adopted a public comment policy that we will adhere to. Statements during public comment should respect the dignity and seriousness of the proceeding, and individuals will be restricted to speaking once. Obscene, truly threatening, or overly repetitive comments will be deemed out of order and will be interrupted and removed. Topics that are considered out of order also include matters that are in litigation, individual employees, or employee groups discussing matters for which complaint or grievance procedures are in place, personal disputes between the speaker and another residence not germane to city business, support for or opposition to any candidate for political office, and personnel complaints pertaining to individual city employees. There is a time limit of three minutes per speaker, and the total time allowed for general public comment regarding city business will be limited to no more than one hour. The public comment period is for city council members to listen and not respond or debate with persons. If you do not live in Bangor or own property in Bangor, please allow those who do to have the opportunity to speak first. If you'd like to offer a comment on any item directly related to city business not appearing on the regular agenda, you may approach the podium. Individuals who have appropriately pre-registered to give public comment via remote means will be given the opportunity to participate remotely. Alternatively, counselors may be reached via email at counselors at bangormaine.gov. And with that, public comment is now open. Please approach the podium. [8:26] Public commenter (Mike Ferrell): My name is Mike Ferrell. I'm a resident of Bangor. I'm not working for any nonprofits, receiving any federal, state, or local funds like many of those that will be speaking after me. I'm just a concerned citizen. I would like to talk about compassion. Compassion. Is compassion giving drug needles to drug addicts, telling the police not to arrest anyone who is homeless, doing drugs in the open, being naked in public, having sex in public? Is this compassion? Is compassion giving homeless a day center where they can all meet and do illegal things? Just so you know, there is no place in the state of Marion where this exists. Is compassion giving the homeless a sanctioned encampment where they can all meet and do illegal things? Just so you know, this is the beginning of a lawless society and there is nothing good that will come from it. We do not really have a homeless issue. This is a propaganda word for those promoting encampments and tiny homes. Just so you know, we have individuals on the City Council who may have conflicts of interest and benefit from nonprofits who benefit from an ever-increasing number of homeless. Just so you know, the more homeless and drug addicts there are, the more money some of these nonprofits receive. Nonprofits, Needlepoint Sanctuary, Wabanaki Health and the City of Bangor Public Health Departments are handing out up to 200 needles. Needles with no accountability and the taxpayers are funding this. There is also a discussion for drug addicts who return needles to some type of compensation, i.e. like the bottle returns. So just so you know, this is a failure before it even begins. The question is, where are the homeless getting their money? The answer is welfare. Where are they spending their welfare money? On illegal drugs from drug dealers. Why are the police letting these illegal drug transactions take place and not dealing with the drug dealers? This is called the homeless industrial complex. The cost of one homeless person is approximately one million dollars, which goes in the pockets of the non-profits. This is why we have so many non-profits and a four billion dollar payroll for the six northern counties, approximately 28,000 people, which make up 17.9 percent of the non-profit workforce. What could possibly go wrong with this approach? So just so you know, nonprofits are making lots of money, taxpayers are getting poor, and there are more homeless on the streets. Just so you know. HIV, 500% up. Hep C, the highest in the US, north of Virginia. I guess best practices are not the best, unless you want the current outcome. We have a drug problem causing mental illness and homeless problems. We also have a tiny home project and plenty of nonprofits taking advantage of those with addiction and mental health problems. They profit from the... Thank you very much. [11:30] Michael Beck: Thank you, sir. Next to the podium. [11:39] Public commenter (Jacqueline Smollett): My name is Jacqueline Smollett. I'm a Bangor resident, and I'm here tonight to put three documented concerns regarding advisory committees on public record. The Opioid Settlement Fund Committee, the Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, and the newly formed Homeless Committee. In each case, the same structural problems exist. Members are sitting on committees that directly influence funding and policy for the very organizations they work for, represent, and have direct conflicts with. The Opioid Settlement Committee, at least three members helped design the grant application and scoring system and then scored applications and made final recommendations. Their employers collectively received $147,000 in the first award round. A separate member voted to direct $550,000 to our city department without recusing herself. The city solicitor conducted the ethics briefing at the very first meeting. A formal complaint was filed, yet the process proceeded anyways. The racial equity board the committee chair testified before the main legislature using her committee title on the same policy issues she advises the city on while operating a consulting firm that specializes in leadership coaching and development of nonprofits. She lists her committee role and school board see as marketing credentials. The structural question is whether her city role generates business for her practice and whether her practice shapes what she advances to the council. The homeless committee. Only two of nine members appear to have no obvious conflicts. The remaining seven are professionally and organizationally embedded in the same ecosystem advising on itself. The same ecosystem with a financial stake in the ongoing homelessness and addiction problems should not be the people who will be advising on how to steer funds and develop future policies. It's basic conflict of interest. Under Bangor's Chapter 33 Code of Ethics and Maine Title 30-A, Section 2605, members with a financial or special interest must disclose to the city clerk and abstain from participation. Critically, any decision where a conflicted member participated without proper disclosure is voidable and can be legally challenged and overturned. I respectfully request that you direct the city clerk to confirm whether required disclosures were filed for all three committees and identify violations. Instruct the city solicitor to advise the homeless committee on recusal obligations before it issues any recommendations and require future advisory boards in this funding ecosystem to include a majority of members with no professional or financial stake in the outcome it is my hope that this council the city solicitor and the city manager will take corrective actions on behalf of the citizens Bangor thank you thank you next speaker hi [14:45] Public commenter (Mike Norton): My name is Mike Norton. I'm at 83 Elm Street, Apartment C in Bangor, Maine. It's gonna be tough to follow up those two speakers, but I'll try. 1993, 450, first year liberal arts college students were asked to read a book over the summer before starting their fall semester that year with all kinds of career tracks. It was a liberal arts interdisciplinary school and they read a book by Jonathan Kozol about poverty in America's school. [15:17] Michael Beck: Mr. Norton, what does this have to do with city business? [15:19] Public commenter (Mike Norton): I'll get to it. I've got three minutes somewhat about America's school systems being impoverished and without supplies and the equipment and personnel they need in our ghetto zones of America. I believe that Maine having lived here for seven years myself has a serious education problem. I spoke to a nine-year-old this week who's last week of third grade is this week and I had a great conversation with him and I asked him what his challenges were in the third grade this year and he told Mr. Norton this isn't [15:54] Michael Beck: city business your time's expired sir next speaker please are you kidding me we need an education speaker please Mr. Norton take your seat please take your seat please next speaker to the podium please thank you Mr. Norton if you can't be quiet you can leave good evening my name is Trisha Quirk [16:17] Public commenter: and I'm a resident property owner taxpayer and landlord in Bangor I'm here tonight because I'm increasingly concerned about public safety and the unequal burden that is being placed on residents and property owners in Bangor on April 30th I was followed for approximately three blocks while I was out on my morning walk by a man that I was kind to and said hello fortunately when I confronted him he turned and left while not physically harmed later found out that he had been arrested for assault that very afternoon a recent background check found that he had 57 criminal infractions at least three of what in which were felony unlawful use of a weapon and that he has been in Bangor since he assaulted the police officer in May of 2025 after finding this report I studied another unhoused neighbor of ours and he had 74 four criminal counts of domestic abuse. What frustrates me is the imbalance of responsibility. When I make a report to the police department, I have to state my name, my address, and my birthdate. Though when I called for two unhoused people that were camping between my property, my business property, and the neighboring property the BCAT team came and they pushed them along without any question of what their you know what their status was what their names were all they did was they gave them a little pack a lunch pack of snacks and pushed them on their way now do we really know who our neighbors are here do we know I was you know I was shamed because I was giving the optic that I didn't Like the camp, campground that we had in front of the library. I was shamed that these people aren't gonna hurt you, but we don't know who is sitting on our steps out in front of the, out in front of the library. We have no idea just based on these two background checks. Now we have ordinances that take care of these unlawful people, and we need to start using them. This City Council cannot even help us from losing business. They can't even put a moratorium on the needle exchanges new to the city. Maybe we should have a taxpayer moratorium until you get this thing cleaned up. [19:13] Public commenter (Mr. Lance): Silence of [19:15] Michael Beck: the gallery, please. Next speaker to the podium, Adam [19:25] Public commenter (Adam Baker): Baker, Bacon resident. All my words are my own and do not reflect any committee. I'm here to just give my opinion on the recent place for AI thing with Downtown Bangor Partnership and just give some of my concerns, my personal concerns. I don't believe in surveillance and I don't believe that our data should be taken freely really like that. I know that it's properized as anonymous, but like, you're taking data from people's phones, I feel like it's a privacy. And I feel like that data kind of falls under the Fourth Amendment of personal belongings. And I have nothing but respect for the Downtown Bangor Partnership. I mean, I'm a local artist here in Bangor, I do their markets, I have nothing but respect for them, but I just, I'm very wary about using AI and using this tracking for these purposes, so thank you. Thank [20:29] Michael Beck: you. Next speaker to the podium, please, Tim [20:34] Public commenter (Surrett): Surrett. I live and work in Bangor. First, thank you counselors for your service to the Bangor community. Also, I'm speaking solely as a private citizen. My comments do not represent my employer or any organization or institution to which I belong. I'm here tonight to speak about discarded syringes within the city limits of Bangor. Typically, when I speak or advocate publicly on issues, I lean on research and the expertise of others. But in this case, I want to simply provide my own personal experiences and perspective as a citizen living in Bangor for the past 12 years. I love to walk outdoors and do it nearly every day in Bangor for my physical health, mental health, and because it helps me feel connected to my community. I walked in my own neighborhood known as Little City. I walked the Kanduske River Trail, Prentice Woods near Bangor High School, Brown Woods off of Ohio Street. I walk oftentimes with my children and spouse from my home down Center Street to access the shops, restaurants, public library, and the many events in Bangor's vibrant downtown. We sometimes walk from our home to attend services at All Souls Congregational Church on the corner of Broadway and State Street. During my campaigns for school committee, I walked in nearly every neighborhood in Bangor, knocking on doors and speaking to citizens. We walk our dog, Monroe. Over the years, our family has walked in and around and played in the Little City Public Park, the Fairmount Public Park, Broadway Public Park, Hayford Public Park, and Stillwater Public Park. I bet I've walked thousands of miles all in the city of Bangor over the past 12 years, while walking, the number of times I was injured by a discarded syringe, zero. The number of times my children or spouse were injured by a discarded syringe, zero. The number of times our dog was injured by a discarded syringe, zero. When I've asked friends of mine who also walk a lot and in many different parts of Bangor how many times they've been injured by a discarded syringe, their response was zero. If I had to ballpark it, I'd say in the past 12 years while walking thousands of miles in Bangor I've seen 10 maybe a dozen syringes discarded on the ground. I believe a great deal of hyperbole and fear-mongering has occurred here at City Council meetings recently and in local online communities on the issue of discarded syringes and about what syringe service providers do. I think it's harmful and doesn't align at all with my own or my family's experiences living here in Bangor. Thank you for listening councillors and for your and for supporting syringe service providers. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. Good [23:12] Public commenter (Scott Party / Sean Hinckley): evening my name is Scott Party and I'm a resident of Bangor and I'm here tonight to talk about the danger of increasing property taxes. When property taxes go up it triggers a domino effect that impacts far more than just homeowners. It functions like an invisible sales tax on almost everything within city limits. Landlords treat property taxes as a fixed operating expense. When the city increases taxes, property owners pass the cost directly to tenants with a markup. With Bangor's multi-unit apartment assessments seeing sharp market adjustments, renters will feel this pressure immediately. Local supermarkets, pharmacies, and hardware stores either own their buildings or operate under triple net commercial leases. When taxes rise, the cost of operating the store goes up. To survive, businesses raise the shelf prices on milk, bread, basic household essentials. From your favorite downtown coffee shop to local mechanics and even hair salons, small businesses operate on a razor thin margin. A higher tax burden forces them to increase menu prices and service fees just to keep the lights on. Higher taxes increase monthly mortgage payments via an escrow. Local real estate experts note that rising taxes push prospective buyers over budget, making homes even less affordable than they already are, and putting immense strain on seniors living on fixed incomes. When municipalities, schools, and county expenses rise, the financial burden is distributed across all property types. Because businesses can't absorb these hikes alone, ordinary citizens end up paying for the property tax increase every single time they pay rent, buy groceries, or purchase services in Bangor. Don't raise taxes. I also want to talk here a little bit about I use AI in communication with the city council as a tool for responsible, productive citizenship. I noticed that one member of the council recently on social media objected to somebody using AI. It ensures that my contributions to local governments are constructive, accurate, and professional. First and foremost, AI allows me to ground my arguments in objective data. When discussing complex municipal issues such as Bangor property tax structures, real revaluations, or budget allocations, I use AI to help organize historical data, verify local economic figures, and double check my facts. This ensures that I am bringing substance, not speculation, to the podium. Furthermore, AI acts as an essential structural guide. Finally, and perhaps the most importantly, AI serves as an emotional filter. Property tax hikes and rising costs are deeply stressful topics that trigger intense frustration. It is easy for passion to develop into anger. By utilizing AI to refine my vocabulary, I am able to channel my raw frustration into disciplined, impactful language. language it strips away emotional volatility, preventing me from using profanity and escalating a situation to the point of being disruptive. Thank you. That's your doubt by the chief of police. Thank [26:20] Michael Beck: you. Next speaker. Is there anyone else wishing to speak inside the room? Okay. [26:31] Public commenter (Suzette Furrow): My name is Suzette Furrow. I'm a resident of Bangor. The opinions I express on my own and not those of any committee I am a member of. Are we the taxpayers funding drug paraphernalia and then the drug users is spending their welfare check on the substances drugs going into the syringes? This is why they are homeless because all the money the drug users are spending is going into the drugs. Therefore they have no money left for food and housing. Therefore the taxpayers footing the bill so that the drug user gets more drugs and continues to be homeless. Then the tiny home project people plan on using more taxpayer money to give them a home so that they can all be centralized in one location so that more non-profits can take advantage of them and the drug dealers all know where they can go to get more business. We have a drug problem which is causing a homeless problem and we have a tiny home project and plenty of non-profits taking advantage of those with addiction and mental health problems. They profit not from the addict recovering but from bringing in more with addiction issues and continuing the addiction. We have a homeless industrial complex. The methadone clinics have not worked. If they did, there would not be three of them. The federal lawsuit filed against the city of Bangor to increase the number of methadone clients should have been challenged and taken to the Supreme Court, where it most likely would have been overturned. The needle programs have not worked either. We don't need propaganda data provided by Needlepoint Sanctuary. Everyone with eyes that can see knows it's not working. The people promoting tiny homes and encampments are the ones who potentially financially benefit. Some of them are on the council, some are on the planning board. Look at the planning board and look at the board of directors of Dignity First, the tiny home project. The city of Bangor is not a large city and for counselors to compare it to Baltimore or even Portland is irresponsible. There is precedence for the fact that the city of Bangor does not need to provide a sanctioned encampment or a day center. The case is the city of Grants Pass, Oregon versus Johnson. This was a city of 38,000 people. The Supreme Court decided they do not need to provide a homeless encampment. It appears that some counselors are not working for the people of Bangor. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. My name is Renee Hudgens and I am a [28:58] Public commenter: Property owner and business owner and a landlord as well, I just wanted to add a couple notes. If we have going to continue this needle stuff that's going on, I've been going to the park every week with my grandchildren, one of the safer parks in town, which is Stillwater over here, not so much. The reason being I go and I chat with the moms that are bringing their kids, and I warn them, do not wear your Crocs, because a croc will allow a needle to get in your foot, and as we've heard two or three times ago, there is a fellow that was actually putting needles at the parks upside right, whether you believe they're there or not, and he's called the needle Nazi, and that was a homeless person who had shared that information with us. So if you're gonna allow for this, I suggest you put some lovely signs at the parks that say watch for needles, poor children, and how will that go over with our families and our taxpayers, because I know I'm tired of paying for all of this stuff that you're giving away. It's time for change. Thank you. [30:04] Michael Beck: Is there anyone else in the gallery wishing to speak before we go to Zoom? [30:09] Public commenter (Scott Party / Sean Hinckley): Please approach. Hello, I'm Sean Hinckley. I live in Bangor. I lived here for seven years, seven good years. And I love Bangor. Very fortunate to be here. And for me, it was a second chance. You know, coming to Bangor, my life was turbulent and I came to Bangor and it gave me an opportunity to settle down and have a functional, happy life. You know, so I just want to start by saying that what I want to talk about though was kind of accountability a little bit, and one thing I'm concerned about is the way the city is going a little bit, because when I moved here, my city's been kind of moving into a certain direction and I'm hoping we can do better, obviously, right? But about three weeks ago, I had a gentleman woman, went to Acadia to get treatment, and she was in my front lawn kind of falling asleep a little bit. And my initial reaction wasn't, you know, get off my lawn. It was, can I help this person? Can I do it? I'm a part of Bangor. And the problems we have here, they can't all be solved by the city government. We need a community of people that are willing to contribute to fix the problems, right? So I'm talking to this guy. I'm like, hey, how are you doing? Are you okay? Do you want some water? You know, go get him a bottle of water, right? And I say, do you have a case manager? You know, do you, are you getting help? Right? No, I don't have a case manager. Nobody's helping me. Right? I said, oh my god, let's get you some help. Right? I contacted the Bangor Community Action Team. I mean, I'm waiting and I'm talking to him, right? And he's, he's got this shopping cart and his whole life is in it, right? His whole life isn't a shopping cart because he doesn't have a house. And waiting for the recovery team to get here and I greet them, I say, hey, thanks for coming, right? And they said, we talk with this guy like every week and we're always trying to get him help, but he never takes it. And for me, I thought to myself, well, how do we help him if he's not willing to get the help, right? And it's like a very difficult situation because he obviously has substance abuse problems and he has mental health problems. But when people come to help, he's not willing to take it. You know, and I've had a close relationship with two different unhoused people and it was the same thing. And it's very hard, right? What do you do about that, right? So it's frustrating for the community, for the counselors, for first responders, for the police and we're all in this together trying to fix a problem so I'm running out of time here but one thing I hope that we can all talk more about is thinking about having a person at the Greyhound station that can help welcome people to the city and also see when an unhoused individual comes to Bangor we find out where they come from and we can hold that municipality responsible that way we have some type of you know support from them if they're gonna be bringing people here thank you thank [33:23] Michael Beck: Is there anyone else in the gallery? [33:32] Public commenter (Vicki Martin): Vicki Martin, I lived here for over 30 years and I have seen needles located on the Stillwater Avenue and I live right by Stillwater Park. So they are here and I've seen them in parks as well. So there is a problem. I don't support giving them out. I don't think that people are going to want to stay in housing that you provide, because they will have to follow rules, and they won't be able to have their drugs. I think the two are counterproductive. So that's all I want to say I just that there are actually needles out there and kids and people need to be careful. anyone [34:25] Michael Beck: else in the gallery. Okay, moving to Zoom, and I'm gonna call members in the order they registered. First we have Amber Webb. Hello. [34:38] Public commenter (Amber Webb): Good evening, my name is Amber Webb. I was born and raised in Bangor. At the last meeting I spoke about how we can't solve homelessness without addressing mental health and addiction, because those issues go hand in hand. It's it's impossible possible to have a meaningful conversation about homelessness without talking about what led people to that point in the first place, which is a conversation for another day. To today I want to ask the members of the council a question. What does success actually look like to you guys? Because when I hear conversations about homelessness I hear concerns about downtown public spaces, businesses, and dirty needles, which are all completely legitimate. Nobody wants lost children finding used needles in a park or public drug use, and nobody wants to watch people suffer in the street. Our conversations always stop there. We always talk about the needle but not the addiction. We talk about the encampment but not the homelessness. We talk about the symptom but not the cause. Homelessness is not the problem itself, it's the result of other problems. Mental illness, addiction, trauma, poverty, lack of housing, lack of support, lack of services, those are the wounds. Homelessness is the symptom. I understand the desire to address what's visible, but we need to be honest about what that accomplishes. We can move people, we can pass ordinances, we can make homelessness less visible, but we cannot ordinance someone into housing. We cannot ticket someone into recovery, and we cannot punish somebody into stability. So I'm going to ask, and I really want you guys to think about this as people who make these decisions primarily for us, what does success look like to you? Is success that homelessness becomes completely invisible, or a success that fewer people become homeless in the first place? Those are two very different goals, and i'm only seeing choices that try to hide them, which is extremely concerning. At some point we have to decide whether we want to move the problem or solve it, and the measure of success isn't seeing how many homeless people that we actually stop seeing, it's how many people stop becoming homeless. Thank you. Thank [36:50] Michael Beck: you. Next speaker is Richard Ward. All [36:58] Public commenter: Right, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. I'll be short. I speak tonight as a resident to condemn the repeated waste of public money being spent on the Pride sidewalk mural downtown. It's already been burned out into face by tire marks twice this year alone. According to foyer records, the initial painting cost twenty five hundred and $90, $600 on paint alone, nearly $1,900 on labor. That money's gone. And now we're doing it again while real problems fester. This isn't about inclusion. It's about priorities. Bangor has homeless people in the streets, drug crisis, destroying families with fentanyl and overdoses every day. That money could shelter beds, treatment slots, or outreach instead of fresh paint on the asphalt that drivers keep proving belongs to the road, not political theater. theater. I do not support using taxpayer money to celebrate pride because I see it as promoting degenerate behavior with serious public health consequences. The CDC data shows that men who are LGBT, a core part of the pride movement, account for nearly 67% of HIV infections in the United States, despite being a small percentage of the population. They're facing dramatically higher rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and other STIs. Mr. Ward, what does that have to do with city business? I'm trying to speak about the LGBT you guys spending all this money on the pride sidewalk and this is sure let's keep it to that please. All right, I'll keep it to that. So I just don't see the city should be spending all this money the behaviors that the city is promoting I don't believe I don't agree with and public health data you know reaffirms my beliefs. This is my free speech to say these things. You shouldn't be cutting people off just because they disagree with you. You know you're letting people come up and speak about things that have nothing to do with city business but when it's something that you don't agree with you constantly interrupt speakers. I'm just calling for truth and fiscal sanity. The taxpayers in the city should not be forced to celebrate and subsidize the celebrations that you promote while not letting others have their own celebrations. I want the city to redirect every dime from these projects to actual core Services such as addiction treatments and public safety and the shelters these people actually need, stop cycling you know taxpayer money into wasteful programs. Prior to prioritize people over paint, put our attack dollars first in real solving of suffering instead of the virtue signal that you so happen to just keep promoting. But Bangor deserves the leadership grounded in reality, not ideology. Where is this, where is the pride and two, but that you keep, so you've been warned that has nothing to do with [39:36] Michael Beck: city business. Moving on, Mr. Lance George. Lance, can [39:48] Public commenter (Mr. Lance): you hear me? Hello there, can you hear me sir? Yep, go ahead Mr. Lance. Okay great, and I am going to ask something definitely within the purview your city council. You guys make proclamations and you set special days and you give special awards and recognition for things all the time, and what I'm asking for today I will state and then I will make the reasons and argument for why I'm asking for this. At no point am I deviating from my statement of what I'm asking you to do, which is within your purview and as I support it with my argument, I ask you not to interrupt me with your bigotry and hateful discrimination and intolerance of my viewpoint. What I would like your city council to do is, under the circumstances of the Southern Poverty Law Center getting exposed for making up white supremacy and us having a lot of white citizens, I would like the city council to both do two things. I would like a day, at least a day, perhaps maybe a month, or maybe we could do a year, including parades, I would like something for the white race and the Europeans to come together with pride and have a chance to explain to the different communities and different ethnicities and sexual preferences and so on and on, different Jewish groups, and let them know that this boogie monster that has been made up about white supremacy is really made up to divide everyone against each other and to extinct the white race. There are whites that want to have these parades and to have pride amongst themselves for their accomplishments and what we've done in the world, and every time white people get together and start having a pride for themselves, there's this you know kind of faggotry like this guy Mr. [41:44] Michael Beck: Lance, you've got to keep it on city business. That's the end of the public comment period. Let's move on, we're now under the consent agenda. Madam clerk, [41:55] Phil Drew: minutes [41:58] Lisa Goodwin: of Bangor City Council regular meeting of May 27 2026 in government operations committee meetings of December 1st 2025 and December 15 20 [42:09] Michael Beck: gallery is not recognized for points of order please be seated please [42:15] Lisa Goodwin: continue madam clerk 26-1 8 3 order authorizing the city manager to accept nine hundred $172 in funds as a result of a state criminal forfeiture. 26-184 order authorizing the city manager to accept $1,110.95 in funds as a result of a state criminal forfeiture. 26-185 order authorizing the city manager to accept $506 in funds as a result of a state criminal forfeiture. 26-186 order authorizing the purchase of an air start unit from tld sorry every time america in the amount of 305 280 for the bangor international airport 26-187 order accepting 15.452 acres of open space proposed in the rose ledge estate subdivision approved at the may 19th 2026 planning board meeting 26-188 order authorizing the city manager to amend the terms of a community development loan for the purposes of preserving affordable housing created through the redevelopment of the freeze department store 26-189 order authorizing the reallocation of 975 thousand from previously approved local share funds to be appropriated for the cumberland street sewer separation project and to enter into a construction contract with lou silver incorporated [43:56] Joseph Leonard: mr chair i would move on the consent agenda second okay we have a motion in a second [44:05] Michael Beck: second any discussion okay [44:09] Lisa Goodwin: roll call vote councillor beck yes councillor carson yes councillor dean yes councillor falloon yes councillor fish yes councillor leonard yes councillor maller i [44:32] Wayne Mallar: vote no [44:36] Michael Beck: six yes one no consent agenda has passage referrals to committee and first reading madam clerk 26 [44:46] Lisa Goodwin: -190 ordinance amending the land development code subsection 165-30 to add a new accessory use for farm stands and to exempt agricultural and outdoor recreational uses from paving requirements first reading and referral to planning board meeting on june 16 26-191 ordinance amending chapter 148 historic preservation code by adding flexibility and clarity to the process for certain types of alterations to historic structures. First reading and referral to historic preservation commission on June 11, 2026. 26-192, Ordinance amending the Land Development Code, Subsection 165-26, to add a new seasonal storage use and to add flexibility for temporary storage uses. First reading and referral to Planning Board meeting on June 16th, 2026. 26-193, Ordinance amending the Code of the City of Bangor to grant the City Manager authority to apply for grants. First reading. 26-194, Ordinance amending the Code of the City of Bangor to modify the mission of the Advisory Committee on Homelessness. First reading. 26-195 Resolve making an appropriation for the total school budget for the Bangor School Department as required by 20-A MRSA Section 15690-4A. First reading. 26-196, Resolve. Approving School Department estimates of revenue and budget, Trust and Agency Fund. First reading. 26-197, Resolve. Approving School Department estimates of revenue from state sources and budget, Enterprise Fund. First reading. 26-198, Resolved, approving School Department estimates of revenue from state sources and budget, Special Revenue Fund. First reading. 26-199, Resolved, making an appropriation of 579,462 for Adult Education for the Bangor School Department as required by 20-A MRSA Section 8603-A1. First reading. 26-200, Resolved. Appropriation for Vocational Education Region No. 4, pursuant to Title-A, Chapter 606, 15601-15619, Maine Revised Statutes. First reading. 26-201, Resolve, making an appropriation of $2,380,000 for non-state funded debt service allocation for the Bangor School Department as required by 20-A MRS Section 15690-2A. First reading. 26-202, Resolve, Making an Appropriation for the Bangor School Department in Excess of the Minimum Spending Target Established by 20-A MRSA Section 15671A4. First reading. 26-203, Resolve. Making an appropriation of $19,698,980 for the school district contribution to the total cost of funding public education from pre-K to grade 12 as required by 20-A MRSA Section 156901A-B. First reading. 26-204, Resolve. Appropriation for Municipal Year 2027. First reading. 26-205, Resolve. Appropriating funds for various capital purposes, utilizing various reserves, trusts and agency accounts, and other funds for expenditures to be made during fiscal year 2027. First reading. 26-206, resolve appropriating downtown TIF funds for expenditures to be made in fiscal year 2027, first reading. 26-207, resolve appropriating special assessment funds for Bangor Center Development District expenditures to be made in fiscal year 2027, first reading. 26-208, resolve appropriating $837,221 of fiscal year 26 community development block grant funding and $250,000 in anticipated program income, first reading. Mr. Chair, I move these items be referred. [49:56] Michael Beck: Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Not for referrals and first reading, but I do want to speak to that. So part of our budgeting process, this is how we do it. For the first part of the month we get the first reading in. This will most likely be amended on the June 22nd meeting as council discussions and makes changes, and there will be a public hearing at that time for anyone wishing to speak on the budget on June 22nd. Well sir, those questions you'll ask at the June 22nd public hearing. Thank you sir. Yeah, on June 22nd we have a motion, we have a second. Any other comments or discussion? Roll call vote. [50:49] Lisa Goodwin: Councillor Beck? Yes. Councillor Carson? Yes. Councillor Deane? Yes. Councillor Faloon? Yes. Councillor Fish? Yes. Councillor Leonard? Yes. Councillor Mallar? Yes. Eight yes, zero no. These items are referred. Unfinished business, Madam Clerk. 26-178, ordinance amending the land development code section 165-31, temporary sales of food and merchandise, to allow increased flexibility for this use. Councillor Faloon. Thank [51:33] Susan Faloon: you, Madam Clerk. Mr. Chair. Sorry, can't get used to that. I move passage of item 26 dash 178. This ordinance amended would broaden seasonal sales to encompass other products besides unprocessed agricultural, marine or forest products, allow temporary sales of food and merchandise in neighborhood and service districts or NSD districts, allow temporary sales of food and merchandise on vacant lots, increase the maximum gross floor area of all temporary structures on a lot in most commercial zones to 2000 square feet, remove the requirement for extra parking for this use in most commercial zones and reduce the setbacks for this use. use. The amendments would also prohibit temporary sales from having drive-through service. This item was reviewed and unanimously recommended by the Planning Board at its meeting on June 2, [52:34] Michael Beck: 2026. Thank you, Councillor Faloon. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Roll call. [52:44] Lisa Goodwin: Vote. Councillor Carson. Yes. Councillor Deane. Yes. Councillor Faloon. Yes. Councillor Fish. Yes. Councillor Leonard. Yes. Councillor Mallar. No. Councillor Beck. Yes. Seven yes, one no. Ordinance [53:06] Michael Beck: two six one seven eight has passage. Moving on, Madam Clerk, 26 [53:14] Lisa Goodwin: -179 resolve ratifying staff action accepting and appropriating 685,221 dollars in grant funds from United States Housing and Urban Development to fund the Bangor Rental Assistance Program. [53:30] Susan Deane: Councilor Deane. Thank you, Madam Clerk. This resolve ratifies staff action accepting and appropriating $685,221 in grant funds from United States Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, to fund the Bangor Rental Assistance Program, formerly Shelter Plus Care, for operating year May 1, 2026 to May. This grant provides rental assistance to qualified individuals and families to live in Bangor and other communities in Penobscot County. The City of Bangor Rental Assistance Program promotes housing stability by paying rent for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and meeting other eligibility criteria. Participants are referred to case management for life skills such as healthy living, financial literacy and employment. These funds are granted through the Maine Continuum of Care Notification of Funding Opportunity Competition Process, which will house approximately 42 households. This contract was delayed from HUD. It was not received by the City of Bangor until after the contract start date. The contract needed to be signed quickly to access funds for paying rents. This item was reviewed and recommended for passage at the Gov Ops Committee meeting on June 1st, 2026. I move passage of Council Resolve 26-179. Second. Okay, we have a motion. We have a [54:56] Michael Beck: second. Any discussion? Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Please go ahead, Counselor Maller. Well, I have a question. I [55:04] Wayne Mallar: guess maybe I wasn't completely aware of it when we discussed it at the government office, but I'm curious, are we the only organization in the Bangor area that handles Shelter Plus Care? I believe there's another one, but I'm not sure. And because of that, I'm wondering if we're getting a duplication of effort. I was never a big fan of Shelter Plus Care, so I'll be voting no for this. [55:35] Michael Beck: Were you looking for an answer in your question, Councillor Miller? No, I'm sure I can't [55:38] Wayne Mallar: Get one, it's, it's a little late now, but I'm just posing the question because I believe we have another organization that does the same thing in the area, and I don't know why two people are fighting over the same person to give money to. So Public Health Director Jen Gunderman is coming to [55:56] Michael Beck: the podium now. [56:04] Jen Gunderman: Through the main continuum of care funding, there's two organizations that get this money, City of Bangor and DHHS. DHHS then works with Preble Street and other organizations to also provide vouchers throughout the state of Maine. One of the organizations local to us is Community Health and Counseling Services. Because of the coordinated entry system that we use to give out these vouchers, there's not a competition for the vouchers. We use a coordinated entry system to equitably give out to the vouchers based upon their process. Thank [56:45] Wayne Mallar: you. Any other discussion? Well, I have one more question then. It seems to me if we, if two organizations are running the same program, you obviously have duplication of effort because you have two administrations. I'm just looking to save money all overwise, you know, completely, and I don't see that as happening. I still will vote no, but I understand what's going on. [57:11] Michael Beck: Okay. Anyone else? Roll call vote. [57:16] Lisa Goodwin: Counselor Carson. Yes. Counselor Dean. Yes. Counselor Falloon. Yes. Counselor Fish. Yes. Counselor Leonard. Yes. Counselor Maller. No. Counselor Beck. Yes. Seven yes, one no. [57:33] Michael Beck: Resolve 26179 has passage. Madam Clerk. Clerk. [57:38] Lisa Goodwin: 26-180 Resolve authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate $41,328 from the Maine Cancer Foundation grant to implement a 30-day alcohol reset challenges to reduce alcohol use. Councilor Beck. [58:01] Michael Beck: This resolve authorizes the city manager to accept and appropriate $41,238 for two years of funding from the Maine Cancer Foundation to plan and implement 30-day alcohol reset challenges in each of two years of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. This aligns with Bangor Public Health's Maine Prevention Network service area. The challenge will encourage employees to take a mindful break from alcohol, reset their habits, and learn about the connection between alcohol use and cancer risk. All staff time needed to implement the program will be funded by existing prevention grant funds, and this project aligns with our overall alcohol prevention priorities. Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of cancer. Even moderate drinking increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, colorectal, and liver cancer. Unfortunately, less than half the population knows about this link. Penobscot and Piscataquist counties have the state's highest rates of cancer. This is a two-year grant, and the project period of performance of July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2028. This item was reviewed and recommended for passage at the government operations committee on June 1st, 2026, and I'll entertain a motion. So moved. Second. Okay, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion? Roll [59:22] Lisa Goodwin: call vote. Counselor Carson? Yes. Councillor Deane? Yes. Councillor Faloon? Yes. Councillor Fish? Yes. Councillor Leonard? Yes. Councillor Mallar? Yes. Councillor Beck? Yes. Seven yes, zero no. And I just want to correct for the record that there are only seven councillors in attendance, and I've been saying eight. My apologies. [59:50] Michael Beck: Resolve 26180, hands passage. New business, Madam Clerk. [59:55] Lisa Goodwin: Public hearing, application for special amusement license of Aros LLC, doing business as Diamonds, 190 Harlow Street. Counselor Beck. [1:00:06] Michael Beck: I'll entertain a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Chair. [1:00:11] Daniel Carson: I'd like to move that we open the public hearing on the application for this special amusement license of RIO's LLC doing business as Diamonds at 190 Harlow Street. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Roll call vote. Councilor Carson? Yes. Councilor Deane? Yes. [1:00:29] Michael Beck: Councilor Faloon? Yes. Councilor Fish? Yes. Councilor Leonard? Yes. Councilor Mallar? Yes. Councilor Beck? Yes. Seven yes, zero no. Public hearing is now open. Mr. [1:00:45] Daniel Carson: Chair, seeing nobody approach, a move that we closed the public hearing for the application for a special amusement license for of our ios LLC doing businesses Diamonds at 190 Harlow Street. Second. We have a motion in a second. Roll call vote. [1:01:01] Lisa Goodwin: Counselor Carson? Yes. Counselor Dean? Yes. Counselor Falloon? Yes. Counselor Fish? Yes. Counselor Leonard? Yes. Councillor Maler? Yes. Councillor Beck? Yes. Seven yes, zero no. Public hearing is now closed. [1:01:17] Daniel Carson: Mr. Chair, I move that we grant the special amusement license of varios LLC doing business as Diamonds at 190 Harlow Street. Second. Okay, we have a motion in [1:01:29] Michael Beck: a second. Any discussion on that item? Roll call vote. Councillor Carson? Yes. Councillor Deane? Yes. [1:01:37] Lisa Goodwin: Yes. Councillor Faloon? Yes. Councillor Fish? Yes. Councillor Leonard? Yes. Councillor Malheur? Yes. Councillor Beck? Yes. Seven yes, zero no. [1:01:49] Michael Beck: The application is granted. Madam Clerk. [1:01:54] Lisa Goodwin: Public hearing 26-209 order Bangor Center Development District establishment of implementation [1:02:01] Susan Faloon: assessments. Councillor Faloon. Thank you, Madam Clerk. This order will implement an assessment of $0.70 per $1,000 of assessed value for the Bangor Center Development District and $0.02 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the overlay. In total, the special assessment will raise approximately $285,600 on properties located in the Bangor Center Development District. The proposed budget for the Bangor Center Management Corporation slash Downtown Bangor Partnership for the 2026-27 program year is $760,084. dollars anticipated additional revenues include requested funds of two hundred and thirty thousand dollars for the services from streets plus forty three thousand seven hundred and forty six dollars from the downtown tiff funds and two hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty eight dollars from sponsorships events and marketing mr chair i move that we open the public hearing on item number 26-209 second okay he's been moved and second in roll call vote councillor carson yes [1:03:18] Lisa Goodwin: councillor dean yes councillor falloon yes councillor fish yes councillor leonard yes councillor mallor yes councillor beck yes seven yes zero no the public hearing is now open [1:03:39] Susan Faloon: mr chair seeing no one approach i move that we close the public hearing on item number 26-209 i would like to wait i'm sorry i think we have a hand raised councillor miller yes i think we [1:03:54] Wayne Mallar: should postpone this because we're we're using tiff funds we have not finished the budget we've not determined how the tif funds will be distributed yet and i think we're getting the cap before the horse on this one and i see no reason why it can't be postponed until our next meeting the contract with downtown partnership doesn't expire until the end of the month so we still have a few days sure [1:04:21] Michael Beck: we're in the middle of the public here at the moment but i would entertain a motion to postpone after we close the public hearing okay thank you [1:04:32] Public commenter (Adam Baker): adam baker bengal resident all my words on my own that don't reflect any committee kind of just my earlier your point i just want to advocate that for at least for the downtown area that these funds do not go into ai promotion or tracking or surveillance like that 's that's all thank [1:04:53] Phil Drew: you do [1:05:14] Susan Faloon: We have a motion to close the public hearing. Yes, Mr. Chair, I move that we close the public hearing for item number 26-209. Second. Okay, we have a motion in a second to close the [1:05:25] Lisa Goodwin: public hearing. Roll call vote. Councillor Carson? Yes. Councillor Deane? Yes. Councillor Faloon? Yes. Councillor Fish? Yes. Councillor Leonard? Yes. Councillor Mallar? Yes. Councillor Beck? Yes. [1:05:40] Michael Beck: Seven yes, zero no. The public hearing is now closed. Should [1:05:49] Wayne Mallar: now I bring up the postponement of this until the next meeting, or do we have to have a vote? [1:05:57] Michael Beck: I believe we confer with the city solicitor. I believe it has to be moved in second and then postponed, or can be postponed without having to. I think you can do it either way. If you'd like to make your motion now to postpone, Counselor Mallard, you can go ahead do so. [1:06:12] Wayne Mallar: now yes i would like to i'd like to postpone this to the next meeting of the city council which i believe is on towards the end of the month i don't remember the exact date but someone probably has a calendar 22nd and the reason being we've not decided the budget yet some of the money is going to the downtown partnership is tiff money and there's not been a determination by the council in general on how that's going to be distributed so i think we're getting the cat before the horse on this one Okay. [1:06:46] Carolyn Fish: We have a motion, I second it. I did when I saw this under new business, I thought the same thing that were some of these items are in the budget that you know until we determine what the budget is and we can look at it and compare post moment in my opinion is a good idea, so I would vote for this and I second this motion. [1:07:13] Michael Beck: Any discussion on the motion? I would just have to ask a question of staff. It's my understanding that this order is simply just implementing the assessment, it's not actually determining what that [1:07:27] Lisa Goodwin: assessment money will go towards yet. That's correct, and I just mentioned that they're requesting money from all those other sources, but it doesn't effectuate the approval of that [1:07:38] Michael Beck: money from other sources. Okay, any other questions or comments on the motion? [1:07:45] Wayne Mallar: Councillor Mallar, you have your hand up. No, I'm sorry, I didn't bring it, put it down. [1:07:49] Lisa Goodwin: Okay, roll call vote. Counselor Carson? Yes. Counselor Dean? Yes. Counselor Falloon? No. Counselor Fish? No. Counselor Leonard? No. Counselor Maller? Yes. [1:08:08] Michael Beck: Counselor Beck? No. Three [Lisa Goodwin: yes, four no.] No, so the item will not be postponed. Mr. [1:08:21] Susan Faloon: Chair, I move passage of item number 26-209. Second. [1:08:28] Michael Beck: We have a motion and a second. Any other discussion before we take this vote? [1:08:35] Lisa Goodwin: Roll call vote. Councillor Carson, yes. Councillor Deane, yes. Councillor Faloon, yes. Councillor Fish, yes. Councillor Leonard, yes. Councillor Mallar, no. Councillor Beck, yes. Six yes, one no. [Michael Beck: Order 26209.] Has passage. Madam Clerk, public hearing 26-210, order adopting municipal development program and financial plan for the Bangor Center Development District. Councillor Leonard. [1:09:16] Joseph Leonard: Thank you, Madam Clerk. This order will adopt the municipal development program and financial plan for the Bangor Center Development District. This is for the city council to consider the program to be implemented for the Bangor Center Development District. The program has been prepared by the Bangor Center Management Corporation, Downtown Bangor Partnership. Budget highlights include marketing at $85,550, beautification, $40,250, events, $44,000, networking and outreach, $3,750, safety and security, $340,000, general and administration, $246,534, with a total of $760,084. Dollars. Mr. Chair, I would move that we open the public hearing. Second. Roll call vote, counselor. [1:10:13] Lisa Goodwin: Carson, yes. Counselor Dean, yes. Counselor Falloon, yes. Counselor Fish, yes. Counselor Leonard, yes. Counselor Maller, yes. Counselor Bet, yes. Seven yes, zero no. The public hearing is now open. [1:10:32] Joseph Leonard: Seeing no one approach. Oh, my apologies, ma'am. [1:10:37] Public commenter: Resident of Bangor, also downtown partnership member and assessment taxpayer. My one question is, I know that there is 340,000 or what I've just heard, 340,000 in the budget or in their proposed budget for safety and security. Would these funds be better paid to our police department for additional officers? I know that right now that well, I believe anyway, that they are working with Street Plus and quite honestly, I don't see Street Plus around that much. It may just be because I'm up in the corner of the downtown district. But I feel that we may want to reconsider spending more money with the police fire departments where they're struggling right now. And I believe that money would be better spent on additional officers. Anyone else? [1:11:51] Joseph Leonard: And, Mr. Chair, may I actually respond to some of the comments that the citizen made? [1:11:58] Michael Beck: Did you want to wait until after the hearing closes and then to the motion? [1:12:01] Joseph Leonard: Oh, we can do that, too. That's fine. I just want to give general information. Unless there is anyone else, I would move that we close the public hearing. [1:12:13] Wayne Mallar: I'll make a comment. Oh, sure. Councilor Miller. Same comment I made before. I think we're getting the cat before the horse. We're approving something that we haven't even discussed at our budget meeting coming up tomorrow and next Wednesday and Thursday. We still don't know how TIF money is going to be spent. So if we approve this, does that mean that's out of the TIF and we don't have to, we can't consider realigning that to something else? It sounds that way to me, but I'm not sure. I'd like an opinion. [1:12:51] Michael Beck: Opinion. Sure, count on what I'll do is I'll ask that question after we close the public hearing. Thank you. Do we have a second on the motion to close? Second? Okay, we have a motion to close the public hearing. Roll call vote. Councillor [1:13:07] Lisa Goodwin: Carson. Yes. Councillor Deane. Yes. Councillor Faloon. Yes. Councillor Fish. Yes. Councillor Leonard. Yes. Councillor Mallar. Yes. Councillor Beck. Yes. Seven. [1:13:19] Michael Beck: 7 yes, 0 no, public hearing is now closed. [1:13:24] Joseph Leonard: May I, it give my general information, chair? Have you made a motion to pass it yet? No, I have not. Here, I'll do that first, Mr. Chair. I would move a passage of order 26-210. Second. [1:13:42] Michael Beck: Okay, we have a motion in a second. Councillor Leonard, go ahead. [1:13:45] Joseph Leonard: Thank you. Thank you for those comments, Miss Quirk. I really appreciate hearing them because it's actually a very, this program has been of a long process in the making for many years prior to Street Plus getting approved by the council. There were a lot of discussions regarding some of the safety and security issues that have been brought up by a lot of business owners, and personally speaking, if I'm being truly honest, I would actually prefer more of a governmental agency just because I do prefer giving employees more opportunities to do data collection. Getting that raw data can actually be very helpful to the city. The reason why we're in this position of having Street Plus is because there was a bit of an apathetic attitude toward adding these programs, and there were people from the Downtown Bangor Partnership that brought forward this program, and it was the only actionable plan that council had at the time. It's, it's not perfect, you'll, I'll be the first one to admit that. I will say though that these services were very welcomed by a lot of people on the board and by downtown business owners as well. If I could see this program, move into a direction where services are not interrupted, and we create like a constable service or something along those lines, I of course, would be completely open to that. Absolutely. For me, I don't, I really want to stress, I don't want to see an interruption of those services that business owners and citizens in the downtown have now relied on. So I definitely, I completely agree with what you said. I just wanna make sure that the history of how we got here as complicated and as problematic as it is, we are in a better place than where we were five years ago, but we're still improving. So I thank you so much for those comments. I really do appreciate that. that. [1:16:01] Michael Beck: Each member of the audience is allowed to speak one time. I'm sorry. I do want to direct a question from Councilor Malheur to staff regarding this. Does this order actually commit the funds at this point? [1:16:17] Lisa Goodwin: No, Council won't commit the funds from the TIF for the TIF portion of StreetPlus until Council votes on the budget. But for completeness of information, the TIF is mentioned in the downtown partnerships overall. overall presentation of their budget because it does assume that they will receive that money [1:16:38] Carolyn Fish: any other comments or questions I just would like to go I'm sorry I thank you Mr chair I have to admit it is confusing when we talked about the TIF the 70 or 90 cents to be assessed so after explanation that's where i think we are now that i was confused that if it seems like we're approving this without having looked at the whole budget and how it's going to impact the taxpayers so i guess to be clear if we're voting to pass this which is a proposed program that's prepared, are we then obligated or not obligated? Because I think you said no. Not obligated. Not obligated. Okay. So what does passing this actually do with [1:17:34] Lisa Goodwin: this? So it's the acceptance of sort of, this is the only opportunity that you'll have to approve their overall budget. And so you approve the assessment, and now this is your approval of how they're going to spend the money from that assessment I just want to confirm with Anne though I mean there would be no harm moving this postponing it to next week if you would prefer [1:18:00] Carolyn Fish: to approve them as one well I guess I'm still confused because if we prove this then we're approving this as their budget yeah [1:18:11] Lisa Goodwin: And it's so, like, for example, their budget also includes an assumption that they'll receive donations, and you're approving that budget, but they might actually receive those donations. They're assuming a certain level of donation that may or may not [1:18:24] Public commenter: come to pass. [1:18:32] Carolyn Fish: Mr. Chair, I move to postpone this to the next council meeting. [1:18:37] Michael Beck: Second. Okay, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion on the postponement? [1:18:44] Lisa Goodwin: Roll call vote. Councillor Carson, yes. Councillor Deane, yes. Councillor Faloon, no. Councilor Fish. Yes. Councilor Leonard. No. Councilor Mallar. Yes. Councilor Beck. Yes. Five yes, two no. [1:19:06] Michael Beck: This item is postponed until the June 22nd regular City Council meeting. Madam Clerk. [1:19:15] Lisa Goodwin: 26-211, order authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Bangor Center Management Corporation doing business as Downtown Bangor Partnership. Councillor Fish. Thank [1:19:30] Carolyn Fish: you, Madam Clerk. Mr. Chair, I move for passage of 26 dash 2 1 order. Second. [Joseph Leonard: This] order authorizes the city manager to execute contract with a Bangor Center management corporation, Downtown Bangor partnership, for the purpose of providing management services and administration of the development program for the Bangor Center development district for the period of July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. The proposed budget is 760 thousand eighty four dollars. The revenue consists of two hundred and eighty five thousand six hundred dollars in special assessment funds, forty three thousand seven hundred and forty six dollars in TIF funds, 200 two hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty eight dollars from sponsorships, events and marketing, and anticipated additional funds requested of two hundred and thirty thousand dollars for services from Street Plus. Okay, we have a motion, we have a second. Any discussion? Question. [1:20:38] Wayne Mallar: Question. Counter Mailer, I just have a question. So if we approve the contract, does that mean we've approved the budget? It [1:20:49] Lisa Goodwin: does not mean that we have approved the budget. It just allows me to sign the agreement that they will receive the special assessment funds that you've already [1:21:00] Michael Beck: approved. Okay, any other questions or comments? Yes, one more question. Come from Eller, go ahead. [1:21:07] Wayne Mallar: the special assessment funds can only be used by the downtown partnership unlike tiff money that can be used for other things that's correct it's based on the governing [1:21:22] Lisa Goodwin: documentation for the creation of that special assessment district. And what does it say in the [1:21:27] Wayne Mallar: governing ordinance i'm i don't remember reading it and i'm just curious because i know tiff money we can use for like sidewalks in the downtown what does this assessment involve uses what uses can this assessment be used for other than for the downtown partnership [1:21:49] Lisa Goodwin: Yeah, Ann Creek can come up and give you a general sense. I suspect she doesn't have the full documents in her but she's familiar. Thank you. Good evening Mr. Chairman, Ann Krieg. [1:22:02] Public commenter (Suzette Furrow): Director of Community and Economic Development. So it is confusing between there's a TIF and then there's the assessment district. The TIF is the captured added value of downtown from like 1996 and as it as it goes forward that added value from that date moving forward it gets captured into its own fund. And then there's a budget where you can assign it to anything that's helping that downtown district, whether it's a capital improvement, or providing funds to the partnership or marketing. So that is its own budget that you can assign to different things. The assessment district comes from a state statute that allows a city to actually add an extra tax so it's on top of the tax that they're already giving to the city and at a certain percentage rate that you've approved and those funds go for the specific purpose of a downtown and management corporation of some kind and I did give counselors the original documentation of that but it was a while ago so I can resend that to you since you've postponed I can resend you the original document of how you created the assessment district so you aren't able to reassign those into a capital fund or into the general fund and that's by statute any [1:23:52] Wayne Mallar: other questions or comments counselors question of Ann can but it can be changed to other things in the downtown area for instance it could be changed to the police department for two offices downtown or is [1:24:07] Public commenter (Suzette Furrow): that just tiff money that can be the tip money can go to public safety but not the assessment district that was very specific to the banger partnership well what you mean the state said it had to go to bengal partnership no the state statute created empowers municipalities to do an assessment for the purpose of funding a downtown management organization [1:24:33] Wayne Mallar: but it doesn't specifically say what organization I'm just trying but you did in your original [1:24:41] Public commenter (Suzette Furrow): original documents of creating the district but if we don't approve the contract what happens to [Wayne Mallar: the money I] Don't I don't know I mean that would you 've already if you allow the assessment of that district I don't know I'd have to confer with our attorneys on that on what the responsibilities would be of the city at the end that if that happened thank you any other counselors [1:25:16] Carolyn Fish: Roll oh sorry counterfish go ahead it just seems a little odd that we you know we had the authorization to authorize to go into the contract for the same amount of money that we just postponed to consider the financial plan comparing it to the budget but the contracts for the same exact amount so by approving the contract we're kind of stuck to have to approve the budget It's the same exact amount of money, and it's just laid out, and it's, you know, I see it's two different acts, you signing The contract versus the financial plan, but they're kind of hand in hand. [1:25:58] Lisa Goodwin: Yeah, I think point taken, I think we can take this back. [1:26:01] Public commenter (Suzette Furrow): Okay, yeah, you're empowering the city manager to execute a contract, but without exactly where those funds are going, she likely would not execute that contract. Contract because the contract goes into exactly you know reporting requirements and things like [1:26:17] Lisa Goodwin: That okay gotcha thank you I think we also hear you that it would have been clearer and cleaner thank you any [1:26:28] Michael Beck: Other comments from other counselors roll call vote counselor Carson [1:26:35] Wayne Mallar: Person point of order yes sir would you clarify what the what the motion is as it stands because I'm confused we're voting to approve the are we voting to approve the city manager signing [1:26:54] Michael Beck: The contract we're authorizing her to enter the contract but from what we heard from the city manager that it's her discretion when she signs it so she was mentioning the fact that because we postponed the other item she wouldn't be entering the contract till we have clarity on the other item am i mischaracterizing nope okay so that 's so the motion is again order two six two one authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with bangor center management corporation doing businesses Downtown bangor partnership so if we if we vote [1:27:30] Wayne Mallar: Against this it would be fine because it could be brought up at the next meeting after we approve the budget correct i [1:27:39] Lisa Goodwin: Think if you're inclined to vote against it then we should for the re simply because of timing then we should simply postpone it [1:27:48] Michael Beck: Were you able to hear that, Councillor Meller? What the city manager was saying is that, you know, for the same reasons postponing the other one, you know, instead of voting this one down, you would vote to, or you would move to postpone this one as well. Yeah, I agree. Were you looking to enter that motion, sir? Well, there's already a motion on the floor. Well, you can move to postpone while it's [1:28:12] David Szewczyk: Yeah, you can, you can move to postpone after the motion in the second. Yeah, so you could. Yeah, it [1:28:17] Michael Beck: would take precedence if you were to move to postpone. Okay, well, I would move to postpone it [1:28:21] Wayne Mallar: until the budget has been determined, which is on the 22nd of June. [1:28:28] Michael Beck: Second. It seems more consistent. Okay, we have a motion to postpone until June 22nd, and it's been seconded. Any comments or questions about the postponement? All right, so this is for the postponement, not the actual order itself. Roll call vote. Counselor Carson, yes. Counselor Dean, [1:28:49] Lisa Goodwin: yes. Counselor Falloon, yes. Counselor Fish, yes. Counselor Leonard, no. Counselor Maller, yes. Counselor Back, yes. 6 yes, 1 no. Order 26211 is postponed until June 22nd. Madam Clerk, 26-12. Oh, excuse me, 26-212. Order authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to work with the Greater Bangor Association of Realtors to accept a donation toward the purchase and installation of an accessible piece of play equipment. [1:29:27] Carolyn Fish: Councilor Fish. Thank you, Madam Clerk. And just for the record, I have no conflict of this that I know of. I had nothing to do with this, but I'm very pleased that this opportunity came to Bangor. This order authorized Parks and Recreation Department to work with the Greater Bangor Association of Realtors for the purchase and installation of accessible multi-user play equipment at Hayford Park. Specifically, the play equipment would allow for any mobily challenged and able-bodied user to enter and use equipment at the same time. The Greater Bangor Association of Realtors received a grant from the National Association of Realtors to assist with the purchase and installation of the equipment. This was reviewed at the council workshop on June 8th. Mr. Chair, I move for passage of order 26-212. Second. Okay, we have a motion, we have a second. Any discussion or [1:30:24] Michael Beck: questions on this item? Roll [1:30:28] Lisa Goodwin: call vote. Councillor Carson, yes. Councillor Deane, yes. Councillor Faloon, yes. Councillor Fish, yes. Councillor Leonard, yes. Councillor Maler, yes. Councillor Beck, yes. [1:30:42] Michael Beck: seven yes zero no order two six two one two has passage and that brings us to the end of the agenda tonight any comments from staff oh sure good [1:30:58] Phil Drew: Evening, Chair. Phil Drew, City Assessor. I just wanted to bring it to the public's attention that June 10th, that would be next Tuesday evening, from 5 30 p.m. to 8 p.m., KRT Appraisal will be available to explain the reevaluation process to all citizens that are interested to attend. The meeting will be at Peek's Auditorium at Bangalore High School, and it will generally cover single-family homes, small multi-family homes, condominium homes, PUD homes, vacant land, and also mobile homes or manufactured homes in those communities in Bangor. So come, listen to the process used by KRT Appraisal. There will be no values presented on specific properties, but you'll, you'll come to understand their process that will be used for the tax bills for April 1st, 2026. [1:32:17] Michael Beck: Thank you. Any other members of staff? All right, well, we're to move to counselors now. We'll start on this end. Counselor Faloon. Thank you, I just wanted to [1:32:30] Susan Faloon: quickly like talk about a something that I discussed in a committee meeting last week that I've gotten a lot of pushback on when I suggested that there were needles existing in the community that were not coming from the syringe service providers, and I said, stated that since a lot of people are using GLP ones that there are a lot more needles out in the community, and I just want to go on the record as saying that there is evidence that shows that primary syringe sources are from pharmacies, primary sources in addition to these needle exchange programs are pharmacies, secondary, in other words, people, somebody gets it from an SSP and then gives it to a friend, or street sellers, friends, acquaintances, partners or relatives. And that category, according to a New England study, was actually the largest source of needles. That, again, is street sellers, friends, acquaintances, partners, and relatives. So just wanted to mention that. And then on a brighter side, I had the opportunity to spend some time over the weekend downtown. And I just want to say that it looks great because there are so many flowers. Hours so thanks to the downtown partnership and all the other folks who made all of that possible. I brought my granddaughters down and we had a great time visiting some of the local shops, and I did not feel uncomfortable one bit and I didn't see one needle. So I'm not saying those things don't exist, but I think our downtown Bangor is looking beautiful and I really appreciate all of the work that everyone has done to make it that way. And with that, good night Bangor. [1:34:27] Carolyn Fish: Councillor Meller. Good night, Counselor Fish. I just want to thank everyone that's reached out, emailed, text, called, all those that come to speak up, listen to you, all your voices are important, thank you. And with that, good night Bangor. Councillor Leonard. I want to go over [1:34:53] Joseph Leonard: some things and I'm not gonna name any names or anything here, but I think it's important because enough citizens have come forward about certain conversations and words and feelings that have been brought forward that have made certain meetings in council rather uncomfortable. There have been members of this council that have referred to other individuals as being intimidating, bullying, or not having an honest conversation. The tone of voice is loud, that they have said that they've had numerous conversations of people reaching out to them about bullying or being harassed and provided zero evidence whatsoever. So in the future, when such things occur, I personally am not going to tolerate those anymore. And I will call out people who do that sort of stuff in the future. That's all I want to say. Good night. Counselor Dean. [1:36:00] Susan Deane: Thank you. I just would like to address the newly formed Advisory Committee on Homelessness. I think there's some misinformation out there on why this was developed and council spent hours upon hours weeks upon weeks searching for the best candidates they are experts in the field and that is why we chose them i think all nine of us felt that we were not qualified to try to solve this problem not that anyone could ever solve it 's it's a big issue and we are looking for those that have much more experience than we do to hopefully find some sort of solution so i'm hoping that you can all just give us a chance with this and hopefully we can make a difference and with [1:36:44] Michael Beck: that I'll say good night Bangor. Thank you, Counselor Carson. Good night. Now with that, I'll just say to my colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to serve tonight, and we are adjourned.