Auburn City Council workshop and regular meeting

Feb. 22, 2016

Auburn Hall

Housing and solid waste
New proposed housing and solid waste rules need to balance the need to keep a neat city without overburdening residents, city councilors said Monday.
What it means: Auburn’s current code was adopted in 1967. The city has attempted to update those rules before but councilors voted the plans down, fearing they were too hard on property owners.
The proposed code update included more specific language — saying structures must be free of chipping and peeling paint, for example — but councilors deleted those requirements.
The updated code also requires trash be left curbside in durable containers, not just bags, and allows city staff to clear waste left at the curb illegally, and charge the property owner for the removal.
What’s next: A second reading of those changes are scheduled for March 7. 

Annual report
Having reviewed the audited financial report for fiscal year 2014-15 at two previous meetings, councilors accepted it into the permanent record.
What it means: Overall, the city spent $82 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year, about $12 million less than the previous year for both city and school operations. 
What’s next: Councilors will begin working on their next budget, for fiscal year 2016-17, in the next few months.

Drug forfeitures
Councilors accepted $2,050.10 in forfeited property from a July 2015 drug arrest on behalf of the Auburn Police Department.
What it means: In the 2015 case, police found a man downtown slumped over the steering wheel of his car. Police determined that he was under the influence of drugs and found 580 grams of prescription drugs and $2,050.10 in cash on him.  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the State of Maine Attorney General share proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved.

Registration Appeals Board
Former City Councilor Mary LaFontaine will serve as the chairwoman of the Registration Appeals Board through 2020. Councilors confirmed her appointment Monday night.
What it means: Each Maine municipality of more than 5,000 must have a body to handle appeals when a voter’s registration is canceled or rejected by the city. Auburn has a five-member board. Regular members serve three-year terms and the chairperson serves a four-year term. 

Constables
Francis Carignan will serve as an Auburn police constable without a firearm, councilors agreed.
What it means: Police rely on sworn civilian constables,  appointed by the City Council, to serve time-sensitive documents, such as subpoenas.
What’s next: Appointments are typically renewed every year. 

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