BELFAST — Members of the Belfast City Council will meet for their regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting Jan. 21, to address an agenda that includes the confirmation of two new city employees, discussion and possible action on a proposal for transitional housing, how to report hate crimes, and future visits from cruise ships. 

The first two items on the agenda are the confirmation of a new full-time firefighter/paramedic for the city’s Fire and Ambulance Department, and the confirmation of a new full-time utility equipment operator/laborer for the Public Works Department. 

Following the confirmations, there will be a discussion and possible action on a proposal for transitional housing in Belfast, an idea that was first presented at the Jan. 7 Council meeting. The Belfast Planning and Codes Department received the proposal, which named 23 Mill Lane as the intended housing site. 

After the initial presentation of the proposal, the Council requested additional information from the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition, including meeting with interested parties and reporting back at tomorrow’s meeting. 

According to the premeeting report, if the City is supportive of the idea of having transitional housing, Director of Planning and Codes, Bub Fournier, recommends the Council create an ordinance amendment. The scope of that amendment would be determined based on what is considered best for the community. 

Fournier will be at the meeting to answer questions, as will members of the Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition. 

Belfast Police Chief Bobby Cormier will give a presentation of how to report hate crimes, after incidents of hate crimes were recently reported in the community, according to the pre-meeting report. The presentation was requested by Councilor Bonneville. 

Cormier will present the correct avenue of how to file a report of hate speech to ensure that if an incident occurs, it is responded to by police appropriately.  

At a Nov. 6, City Council work session, the Council and the Harbor Committee discussed cruise ships and their impact on Belfast Harbor operations, as well as community feedback on the issue. During the work session, the Council requested the Harbor Committee work to establish recommendations on ways to limit large vessel activity in the harbor for increased safety and improved operations. 

During the Harbor Committee’s regular Jan. 15 meeting, the group was unanimously adamant in opposing cruise ships or large passenger vessels visiting Belfast, the pre-meeting report states. 

Part of the draw of hosting cruise ships is an anticipated increase in funds being spent in the respective port; however it is noted that in recent years this has been disproven with regard to both American Cruise Line ships that have visited Belfast, and also with regard to the American Eagle and Independence, the report said.

A memo from the Belfast Chamber of Commerce explaining the finding is included in the materials for the meeting. 

The City does receive funds associated with docking costs for the specific vessel. Dock space for these vessels is limited for the entire coast of Maine, the report noted. Belfast Harbor Master Kathy Givens reportedly stated that she expects the City will be able to generate much of potential revenue from cruise ship docking fees if the ships do not return, given that the available open dock space could be used to accommodate other visitors. 

If approved by the Council, Givens has requested that a motion be made to support the recommendation by the Harbor Advisory Committee that any marine vessel certified to carry 50 or more passengers not be allowed to embark or disembark guest passengers, including by tender, at the City Landing or other City property or marine facility. 

Herbig’s pre-meeting report and supporting materials are available to view in their entirety on the City’s website. 

Harbor Master Givens will be available at the meeting to answer any questions. 

View Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig’s complete pre-meeting review. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com