BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting this evening, March 21, at 7 p.m., to address topics including the creation of new City committees, new poet laureate, City assessment services, and American flags, among others.  The Council will convene preceding the meeting at 6 p.m. for a work session with manufactured home park owners.

The first item on the council’s agenda is a discussion regarding the restructuring city committees. According to article VI, section nine of the City of Belfast’s Charter requires the establishment of the following citizen boards/committees, which will exist in addition to the City council. 

The required boards/committees are required: 

1. Board of Assessment Review
2. Comprehensive Planning and Review Committee
3. Harbor Advisory Committee
4. Planning Board
5. Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Per charter requirements, city councilors are not permitted to be members of these mandates boards/committees, according to the release.

There are 13 other citizens boards/committees, including:

6. Airport Advisory Committee
7. Broadband Committee
8. Brownfield Selection Committee
9. Cemetery Trustees
10. In-Town Design Review Board
11. Library Board of Trustees
12. CDBG Community Development Advisory Committee
13. Climate Crisis Committee
14. Energy Committee
15. Accessibility Working Group
16. Pedestrian, Biking, and Hiking Committee
17. Harbor Walk and Rail Trail Committee
18. Parks and Recreation Committee

According to Herbig’s report, City staff members are recommending a change to the existing committee structure in an effort to increase efficiency and produce better outcomes. They are proposing the following committee restructure process in two phases. Phase one of the restructuring project would see the creation of the four new committees, which will be called City Policy Committees. It is noted that though due to the combining of existing committees, there would end up being a net reduction of committees, from 18-15.

All current members of the respective committees will retain their posts following the restructuring, if they choose. 

“After an obligatory transitionary period, which will not go beyond 2026, each City Policy Committee will be comprised of nine to 11 members, of which it is recommended that one or two of the membership slots be occupied by City councilors. Each City Policy Committee will also have the authority to have up to two alternates, and to appoint non-voting student members.” 

Additional details of the restructuring project are available to read in Herbig’s full report. 

Next on the agenda is a request to appoint the new Belfast Poet Laureate. Poets may apply for the position, or they can be nominated. The potential poets were asked to send a one-page letter listing their qualifications and vision for performing the duties of the position. The letter also needed to include a copy of one Belfast-oriented poem. 

“Qualifications for the next Belfast Poet Laureate include being Belfastian, a clever, productive, thoughtful, colorful, and a well worded poet to express and convey a poet’s vision of Belfast,” according to Herbig’s report.

The Poet Laureate Committee reviewed the submitted applications and selected a nominee March 17. The Committee is expected to share the nominee at Tuesday’s meeting. 

The Randall Collins VFW is requesting a contribution to their flag fundraising efforts. American flags are added to telephone poles throughout the area each year, with assistance from Belfast Area High School students and community volunteers. Each flag, including attachment accessories, costs approximately $38.50. In total, 56 flags are required this year to cover the City, for a total cost of $2,156. The City Council donated $250 during the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which is the same amount being requested this year. 

The other funds would be donated by nine other businesses or organizations, in the same $250 amount, which would exceed the goal, according to the report. 

The group is asking that the funds be taken from the City’s Miscellaneous Promotional account, which has a current balance of $509. 

A request from the Assessing Department will be heard at the meeting, asking that they be allowed to enter into an agreement with Jim Murphy, of Murphy Appraisal Services Inc., for professional assistance and consultation to the Assessing Department.

“The City of Belfast just received the 2023 Certified Ratio Declaration form from the State, to be filed by June 1, 2023. Our Developed Parcel Ratio is now at 80 percent and were are allowed to claim up to 88 percent without any adjustment to our land and building schedules, a four percent decrease in our Homestead and other exemption from last year’s 92 percent,” the report reads. 

The next agenda item deals with the same topic, which is a request to consider going out to Request for Proposals for Real Estate Equalization  Services. Herbig notes in her report that given that there are only a few months to make any changes to the certified ratio for 2023-2024, “it will be necessary to continue the process with in-depth work overtime on the City’s equalization.”

Equalization refers to equalizing the county taxes among all municipalities and the unorganized territories, according to Maine legislatiure. 

“The State Tax Assessor shall equalize and adjust the assessment list of each municipality by adding to or deducting from it such amount as will make equal to its just value as of April 1. Notice of the proposed valuation of the municipalities  within each county must be sent annually to the municipal officers of each municipality within that county on or before the first day of October.”

The City Planner is requesting the Council implement the 2023 Curbside Belfast program on April 30, 2023. “In 2022 the Department of Code and Planning incorporated comments expressed by the City Council as well as statements and expectations outlined by City staff, business owners, Our Town Belfast, the Planning Board, and Intown Design Review Committee when updating the Curbside application and guidelines. 

Three substantial changes are outlined in the report, and include:

1. Requirement to be open a minimum of four days per week
2. Requirement to provide ramp to address accessibility issues, safety concerns, and uneven areas
3. Prohibition on undecorated traffic features, such as jersey barriers, sawhorses, and cones

Herbig notes that the Curbside program is an evolving one, and that City staff will continue to work with the City Council, Planning Board, Intown Design Review Committee, Our Town Belfast, the Chamber, and local businesses every year “to adjust and improve this program.”

A complete list of agenda items, including details of each, is available.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com