2026-09-09 - Special City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. A video is posted on the city portal; no transcript has been processed.

Called to order 5:05 PM by Mayor Dion; all nine members present; adjourned 8:30 PM (9-0).
No one spoke in the non-agenda public comment period. Mayor Dion gave a Finance Committee update.
Approved minutes of two special meetings of August 24, 2026 (4 PM and 5:30 PM), each 9-0.
Seven proclamations read, including honoring Michael F. Brennan and Timothy P. Wilson, and recognizing African Heritage Month, National Service Dog Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Rent control resolution passed as amended 7-2 after about thirty public speakers.
Passed 9-0: Casco Bay Trail Board appointments (Order 34), Terlingua Outpost outdoor dining on public property (Order 35, consent), the EMS Transport Plan, Hope House funding, the MaineDOT intersections agreement, a $73,721 U.S. Department of Justice grant (Order 29), a $20,000 state grant for victim and witness advocacy (Order 30, as an emergency) and the opioid settlement funds ordinance.
Passed 8-1 (Councilor Sykes opposed): Fore Street traffic schedule and the Jetport TSA K9 grant (as an emergency, with the second reading waived).
First reading: the two Brownfields grant orders (38 and 39).

Resolve 2-26/27 passed as amended 7-2 (Phillips and Dion opposed). Sykes Amendment 1 passed 7-2; Mayor Amendment 2 failed 4-5; a floor amendment from Councilor Pelletier got no second.