PRESQUE ISLE CITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Place: Council Chambers, City Hall
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Time: 6:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order – Roll Call
Present:
Calvin Hall, Chairman Edwin Nickerson
Ronald McPherson Jennifer Trombley
Donald Gardner
Absent:
Richard Scott Walter Elish
Chairman Hall called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
City Councilors led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Councilors held a moment of silence for Peter Shaw who worked
in the Solid Waste Department.
3. Public Hearings
A. Automobile Graveyard, Junkyard and Recycling Business
application by Geary S. Bonville, d/b/a G.S. Bonville and Son, 228
Chapman Road
There were no public comments.
Be it resolved by Councilor Nickerson, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard
application with conditions for Geary S. Bonville, d/b/a G.S. Bonville
& Son, 228 Chapman Road (expires 10-01-2006).
2 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
Conditions Include:
(1) that the materials stored and handled are limited to the following items:
(a) unserviceable, discarded, worn-out or junked motor vehicles; (b)
discarded worn-out or junked plumbing, heating supplies, household
appliances, and furniture; (c) discarded, scrap and junk lumber, and (d)
old or scrap copper, brass, iron, steel and other scrap ferrous or non-
ferrous metals.
(2) that the outside storage or handling site does not exceed three (3) acres
in area;
(3) that a system of containment shall be utilized to collect, recycle, or
properly dispose in a licensed facility of all liquid wastes including; oil,
transmission, brake and coolant fluids and all spilled battery acids;
(4) that there is no burning of any substance;
(5) that there is no disposal or release to the environment of any solid,
special or hazardous wastes;
(6) that the outside storage of handling site is not located on a 100 year
flood plain, within 300 feet of a classified body of water, or on a sand
and gravel deposit; and
(7) that a representative of the Presque Isle Water District shall be allowed
to inspect the premises at any time for purposes of water supply
protection.
Vote – 5-0
Be it resolved by Councilor Nickerson, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve an Recycling Business Permit application for
Geary S. Bonville, d/b/a G.S. Bonville & Son, 228 Chapman Road,
the same conditions apply as previously mentioned (expires 10-01-
2010). Vote – 5-0
B. Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard application by Timothy
Cowett, d/b/a Cowett’s Used Auto Parts, 259 Fort Road
There were no public comments.
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor
Nickerson, to approve the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard
application with no conditions for Timothy Cowett, d/b/a Cowett’s
Used Auto Parts, 259 Fort Road (expiring 10-01-2006). Vote – 5-0
3 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
C. Automobile Graveyard by Fred Bonville, d/b/a Fred’s Auto,
204 Chapman Road
Kenny Allen, property owner of 191 Chapman Road, was present to
support the application as long as there is no expansion to the
automobile graveyard itself. Mr. Allen is against having vehicles
piled on Beryl Kenney’s property up to the train tracks.
Mr. Allen provided a copy of a letter submitted by Beryl Kenney
giving permission to use his abutting property for the purpose of
storing salvage vehicles on.
Randall Cyr, property owner of 190 Chapman Road, stated he is the
nearest property to the automobile graveyard. There are cars that are
piled, stored and stripped on the section of land owned by Mr. Kenney.
There is no fence around the property and visible to him and the road.
Mr. Cyr indicated he had no problem with Mr. Bonville maintaining
his 4.5 acres as an automobile graveyard, but has a problem if he
infringes onto Mr. Kenney’s property.
Fred Bonville stated that he rented property from Beryl Kenney,
which abuts Mr. Cyr’s property, with the understanding that he is
allowed to store some vehicles there.
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor
Trombley, to table the application for the Automobile Graveyard for
Fred Bonville, 204 Chapman Road, until the May 1
st City Council
meeting. Vote – 5-0
Chairman Hall requested that Code Enforcement McAvaddy provide
an opinion regarding the property in question and what the
understanding is between the property owners as far as storing
vehicles.
D. Special Amusement Permit for Dancing and Entertainment
application by Daniel R. Collins, d/b/a 19th Hole Restaurant and
Lounge, 35 Parkhurst Siding Road
There were no public comments.
4 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor
Trombley, to approve a Special Amusement Permit for Dancing and
thEntertainment application by Daniel R. Collins, d/b/a 19 Hole
Restaurant and Lounge, 35 Parkhurst Siding Road. Vote – 5-0
4. Citizen Comments
Treasurer Donald “Spike” Savage stated that the Warrant will not be ready for signatures until Friday afternoon, due to a computer glitch.
Pamela Sweetser, resident of 52 Higgins Road, was present to make a
statement regarding the proposed North/South Highway project and
Presque Isle by-pass. There have been surveyors present on their
property surveying their land. If the by-pass occurs, there will more
loss versus gains. Ms. Sweetser requested that the City Council
revisit the by-pass issue in a fully open forum that provides complete,
accurate and related information and that people are invited to partake.
Wayne Sweetser, also a resident a 52 Higgins Road, expressed his
concern regarding the proposed North/South Highway project. He
indicated that he and his wife raise beef cattle on a farm that has been
in his family for 150 years. On the North end it would go thru his
property and on the South it would go thru Danny Stewart’s farm. He
requested that the City send a strong statement to MDOT and Susan
Collins with a “no build” option. Mr. Sweeter provided a letter from Judith Powell, Executive Director of the Maine Beef Industry Council
urging the Planning Board and Planning Director to protect Mr.
Sweetser’s farm, land and family history.
Mr. Stevens indicated that there was a presentation made by Mr. John
Melrose from the Maine Department of Transportation sponsored by
the “Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development” (LEAD) for the
Aroostook Municipal Association meeting. Mr. Melrose is willing to
come back on May 19 to attend an “Eggs & Issues” breakfast meeting, co-sponsored by the City of Presque Isle, Chamber of Commerce and
LEAD at the Northeastland Hotel.
The City Council will be receiving updated information regarding the
Aroostook Transportation Study during the May 1
stth and 15 meetings
5 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
Presque Isle City staff has been meeting with Caribou municipal staff
to look at a joint effort to establish a roadway management program
between the two communities.
5. Old Business
A. Funding the purchase of a Public Works plow truck
After a lengthy discussion the following action:
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor Nickerson, that the City Council authorize the City Manager and City
Treasurer to enter into a loan agreement with Katahdin Trust Co. for a
five (5) year loan at 4.71 percent to pay for a plow truck for the public
works department, and to apply the FEMA grant of $34,913 as down
payment. Vote – 4-1 Councilor Trombley opposed
6. New Business
A. Taxi Cab Service License application by Lori Hodsdon, d/b/a
Town Taxi, 13 Laurette Street, Caribou
Be it resolved by Councilor Trombley, seconded by Councilor McPherson, to approve a Taxi Cab Service License application by
Lori Hodsdon, d/b/a Town Taxi, 13 Laurette Street, Caribou (for 2
vehicles). Vote – 5-0
B. Taxi Cab Service License application by Marty Clayton, d/b/a
Aroostook Cab Company, 4 Mecon Street, Caribou
Be it resolved by Councilor Trombley, seconded by Councilor McPherson, to approve a Taxi Cab Service License application by
Marty Clayton, d/b/a Aroostook Cab Company, 4 Mecon Street,
Caribou (for 3 vehicles). Vote – 5-0
C. Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Liquor License application by
Daniel R. Collins, d/b/a The 19
th Hole Restaurant and Lounge, 35
Parkhurst Siding Road
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor Trombley, to approve a Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Liquor License
6 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
thapplication by Daniel R. Collins, d/b/a The 19 Hole Restaurant and
Lounge, 35 Parkhurst Siding Road. Vote – 5-0
D. Malt Liquor License application by Daniel R. Collins, d/b/a
Riverside Inn Restaurant, 344 Main Street
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve a Malt Liquor License application by Daniel R.
Collins, d/b/a Riverside Inn Restaurant, 344 Main Street.
Vote – 5-0
E. Pawnbroker License application by Harold Drost, d/b/a Uncle
Sam’s, 513 Main Street
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor
Trombley, to approve a Pawnbroker License application by Harold
Drost, d/b/a Uncle Sam’s, 513 Main Street. Vote – 5-0
F. Pawnbroker License application by George Jaime, d/b/a Star
City Trading, 167 State Street
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve a Pawnbroker License application by George
Jaime, d/b/a Star City Trading, 167 State Street, with the condition
that he must not buy or sell firearms per order of the Police Chief.
Vote – 5-0
G. Juke Box License application by Capital Pizza Huts, Inc., 814
Main Street, Presque Isle
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor
Nickerson, to approve a Juke Box License application by Capital
Pizza Huts, Inc., 814 Main Street, Presque Isle. Vote – 5-0
H. Going Out of Business/Closing Out Sale application by Karen
St.Peter, d/b/a Down Home Design, 719 Main Street
Be it resolved by Councilor Gardner, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve a Going Out of Business/Closing Out Sale
7 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006 application by Karen St.Peter, d/b/a Down Home Design, 719 Main
Street. Vote – 5-0
I. Lease with Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter for the Homeless
Patricia Mullens spoke in favor of the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter
for the Homeless and stated that if the shelter would ask the citizens
of Aroostook County they would be able to receive additional funding
to assist with their operations.
After a lengthy dialogue, City Councilors’ consensus was to table this
discussion until the May 1st City Council meeting and to have a representative from the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter for the
Homeless present.
J. City Council Retreat
City Manager Stevens provided a copy of a memo submitted by Frank
Bemis indicating his availability on May 31st to moderate a City
Council retreat. The time allotted would be from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. at the Northeastland Hotel.
After some discussion, consensus of City Councilors was to table this
stdiscussion until on May 1 when all Councilors are present to coordinate calendars.
K. Approve consent agenda: City Council meeting minutes of
April 3, 7 and 11, 2006; Warrants #12, #13 and #14 totaling
$821,463.99
Be it resolved by Councilor Trombley, seconded by Councilor
McPherson, to approve consent agenda: City Council meeting
minutes of April 3, 7 and 11, 2006; Warrants #12, #13 and #14
totaling $821,463.99. Vote – 5-0
7. Manager’s Report
A. Presentations
City Manager Stevens provided copies of Chapters 49 –
Administration of Government Ordinance and Administration of
8 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
Government Policy that set out the city’s current administrative
structure for its various departments, for City Councilors to review.
A schedule for departmental presentations before the City Council
was provided.
B. Selection Team for Selecting a new Fire Chief
Councilor McPherson volunteered to serve on the selection team to
hire a new Fire Chief, as a representative of the City Council.
Chairman Hall suggested tabling this issue until the May 1st meeting
due to interest expressed by Councilor Elish in serving on the
selection team also.
Be it resolved by Councilor Nickerson, seconded by Councilor
Gardner, to approve the Manager’s Report as presented. Vote – 5-0
8. Announcements
Chairman Hall read several announcements.
9. Executive Session
A. Discussion or consideration of the use of City property or
interests pertaining to the Northern Maine Regional Airport as
allowed under 1 M.R.S.A. ? 405 (6)(B)
B. Discussion of information contained in records made
pertaining to travel expenses as allowed under 1 M.R.S.A. ? 405
(6)(F)
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor
Gardner, to enter into executive session at 7:45 p.m. for:
A) discussion or consideration of the use of City property or interests
pertaining to the Northern Maine Regional Airport as allowed under 1
M.R.S.A. ? 405 (6)(B); and
B) Discussion of information contained in records made pertaining to
travel expenses as allowed under 1 M.R.S.A. ? 405 (6)(F). Vote – 5-0
9 – City Council Meeting Minutes – April 26, 2006
Councilors came out of executive session at 8:37 p.m. with no action
taken.
10. Adjournment
Be it resolved by Councilor McPherson, seconded by Councilor
Gardner, to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Attest:
Nancy G. Nichols, City Clerk