BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., to address an agenda that includes seating for upcoming Ice Festival, updates on City website redesign, the proclamation of Belfast’s 2023 Spirit of America recipient, and a request to appoint members to the Belfast Poet Laureate Committee, among other topics. 

The first item on Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig’s agenda is a request from Darby’s Restaurant allowing an extension on their liquor license to allow for outdoor seating during this weekend's Ice Festival. 

The Ice Festival is an annual event, which takes place this weekend, Feb. 24-26. This year’s Ice Festival is presented by Nordic Aquafarms and features the second annual Maine State Ice Carving Championship.

The competition will takes place Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Judging will begin at 3 p.m. and the winners will be announced once the scores are tabulated.

The ice sculptures will be spread throughout the downtown area, where there will also be ice bars and other outdoor activities. On the Our Town Belfast website, it is noted that volunteers are still needed at the event.

Following the request from Darby’s, the Council will hear a request to approve a facility use application by Launchpad for use during the annual All Road Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The permit would allow use of Steamboat Landing and the City Hall parking lot on High Street.

All Roads Music Festival, which will take place May 19-20, touts itself as a celebration of local and indie music. According to the festival website, 

“All Roads Music Festival is a two-day festival and celebration of indie music that brings some of the finest emerging musicians under one banner in a city known for its passionate support of the arts and locally grown creative talent. The festival features performances in a variety of genres including indie rock, folk, pop, bluegrass, and indie folk musicians, as well as performers from related contemporary genres such as alternative country, punk and hip-hop.”

Later in the meeting, there will be a proclamation honoring Keith Pooler as the 2023 Belfast Spirit of America recipient. The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented in the name of over 100 municipalities in Maine. According to their website, in many of these municipalities, the selectmen choose their town’s respective tribute recipient and honor them at an annual town meeting. 

The Council is also being asked to appoint members to the Belfast Poet Laureate Committee. 

There will also be a presentation and update from Website Resign Working Group on the redesign of the City website. 

A presentation on the Wight Street Reconstruction Project will take place after the update on the City’s website. 

City Manager Herbig is requesting that she be authorized to sign on behalf of the City a permanent easement with the Belfast Shrine Club, as part of the Wight Street Reconstruction Project. 

The manager of Belfast’s airport is scheduled to request the Council allow him to enter into a ground lease with the Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems LLC (doing business as Verizon Wireless) for installation, maintenance, and operation of the communications equipment at Belfast Municipal Airport.

Belfast City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings can be streamed on the City of Belfast website. They also air live on BEL TV and on Belfast Community Radio at WBFY 100.9. 

Comments can also be submitted by emailing the Council during the meeting. Comments will be presented to the Council.

Information and documents related to this meeting are available on the City’s website. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com