MEETING NOTICE
The regular monthly meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Ellsworth City Hall Council Chambers
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AGENDA
1. Call to Order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Rules of Order.
4. Adoption of Ellsworth City Council minutes:
- 02/13/2023- Regular Council Meeting
5. City Manager’s Report.
6. Committee Reports.
• Request to appoint Carla Haskell as a volunteer consultant to the Historical Preservation Commission.
7. Citizens’ Comments.
8. Presentation of Awards.
• Lisa Sekulich for 5 years as the Public Works Director
• EHS Varsity Basketball girls team achievement award
• EHS Eagles Cheerleading team achievement award
• Ellsworth Swim team members
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
9. Discussion and update on Maine Organics after the 90 day period for Josh Wellman to make changes in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection on the bird problem and odor control in accordance with Chapter 56 of the Unified Development Ordinance
CONSENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA: All items with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
10. Council Order #032301, Reservation of the City of Ellsworth’s right to harvest alewives.
11. Council Order #032302, Request of the City Manager to hold a Special Municipal School Budget Validation Referendum Election on June 13, 2023, for the purpose of validating the school budget.
12. Council Order #032303, Request of the Tax Collector to release properties redeemed during the 30 day redemption period ending March 9, 2023 through Quit Claim Deeds (the complete list is available in the Clerk’s office) and authorize the City Manager to release said properties through Municipal Quit Claim Deeds
NEW BUSINESS
13. Presentation from the Director of the Sunrise Council for the Downeast Maine’s designation as a National Heritage Area (Sponsored by Beal
14. Public hearing and action on the issuance of Business License (s):
• The Eagles Lodge, Inc., 278 High Street, for renewal of a City Lodging House License.
• Asset Management Inc. d/b/a Riverside Café, 151 Main Street, for renewal of a City Class C License (Victualer and Liquor) and renewal of a State Restaurant (Class I, II, III, IV) Malt, Spirituous, and Vinous Liquor License.
• Ellsworth Moose Lodge #2698, 47 Foster Street, renewal of a City Class B License (Amusement/pool tables, Liquor, and Victualer) and renewal of a State Class V, Club w/o Catering Malt, Spirituous, and Vinous Liquor License.
• Josie’s Country Store d/b/a Josie’s Country Store 126 Surry Road for renewal of a City Class C License (Victualer/Liquor) and renewal of a State Restaurant (Class I, II, III and IV) Malt Liquor, Wine, and Spirits Liquor License.
• Flexit Café and Bakery, 192 Main Street for renewal of a City Class C Victualer and mobile vending license.
15. Public Hearing and action on Council Order #032304, Request of the City Planner to discuss and take action on proposed amendments to Chapter 56, which would modify existing standards to regulate solar energy systems and energy storage systems in the City. Proposed amendments to Chapter 56 include the following: Refine existing permitted categories in Article 3, Section 307 Table of Land Uses; Clarify requirements for development in Article 8, Section 823 Solar Energy Systems; and streamline the definition for Stand-alone Solar Energy Systems in Article 14 Definitions. An additional proposed amendment to Chapter 56, Article 6 will also be heard; Amend the major use site plan development review applicability threshold. ** see note
**An additional proposed amendment to Chapter 56, Article 6 will also be heard; Amending the Planning Board major use site plan development review threshold from new construction or expansion of non-residential floor area greater than 5,000 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. of non-residential floor area. Demolished or previously demolished floor area will not be credited toward the calculation of new floor area.
16. Request of the City Planner for consent from the City Council to move ahead with grant applications to Lands for Maine’s Future Fund and Land & Water Conservation Fund that will assist in the fee acquisition of a parcel of land abutting the Branch Lake Public Forest (Map 74, Lot 2) for the purposes of expanding recreational opportunities and protection of the public drinking water source.
17. Council Order #032305, Request of the City Planner and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to approve their recommendation for consulting services to complete the Comprehensive Plan update and allow the City Manager to sign the agreement.
18. Council Order #032306, Request of the Public Works Director to extend the contract for center and sideline striping and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract.
19. Council Order #032307, Request of the Public Works Director to extend the contract for marking words, symbols, stop bars, parking lines, crosswalks and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract.
20. Council Order #032308, Request of the Facilities Manager to contract with Tupper Times LLC for City Hall cleaning services and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement.
21. Council Order #032309, Request of the Facilities Manager to contract with Tupper Times LLC for janitorial services for City owned restrooms at public facilities and to authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement.
22. Council Order #032310, Request of the Facilities Manager to contract with Natural Lawn of America for City property lawn treatment services.
23. Council Order #032311, Request of the Economic Development Director and Ellsworth Business Development Corporation to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for professional economic development consulting services to prepare the City’s Economic Development Business Attraction Plan, Market Analysis and Action Plan Matrix.
24. Council Order #032312, Request of the Deputy Fire Chief to purchase a used 2020 Ford F-450 Four Wheel Drive Braun Ambulance from Ambulance Network Incorporated and to purchase a stretcher and track system for the ambulance.
25. Council Order #032313, Request of the Deputy Fire Chief to purchase all ambulance equipment in accordance with Maine laws and rules to operate as a Licensed transport agency.
26. Council Order #032314, Request of the Interim Deputy Finance Director to approve the proposed FY 24 budget workshop dates.
27. Discussion about a standardized procedure for the annual evaluation of the City Manager (sponsored by Hanson)
28. Discussion of budget categories (sponsored by Hanson)
29. Discussion of changing the April Council Meeting date due to absences of the City Manager and Council.
30. Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) A for a personnel matter
Maine Revised Statutes allow bodies or agencies to hold private executive sessions under certain criteria. These types of private proceedings do not include any decision-making, motions, or final authority. They are discussion only. The purpose under the law for such proceeding related to personnel is to protect individuals’ reputation, right to privacy, employment conditions, evaluation, and other personnel related topics.
31. Councilor Comments
32. Adjournment.
