ROCKLAND — There will be a special meeting of the Rockland City Council tonight, Monday, to include a public hearing on a downtown revitalization grant application, to discuss amending the solid waste disposal fee schedule and set the agenda for the April 13 regular meeting.

Also on tonight's meeting agenda are brief updates on the transient housing and downtown zone height proposals.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Rockland City Hall, 270 Pleasant St.

The city is poised to apply for a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant, which will be used to reconstruct storm water and waste water infrastructure, and rebuild sidewalks on Elm, Museum and School streets.

The goal of the project is to improve downtown sidewalks, which are key for pedestrians to gain access to Main Street; and to separate storm water and sanitary sewer systems, which the city is currently under an order with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to complete.

Earlier Downtown Revitalization work focused on Main Street, north of Limerock Street to the intersection at Rankin and North Main and Main streets. Attention is now being turned to sidewalks along side streets, in order to improve pedestrian safety and increase connectivity to businesses and other key destination within downtown.

"Ultimately, this project will ensure issues causing impediments to pedestrian safety or limiting access to businesses are addressed in a coordinated and integrated manner," said Rockland Community & Economic Development Director Audra Caler-Bell to City Manager Jim Chaousis in a memo.

In regards to the storm water and sanitary water systems, the project contributes to separating the currently-combined systems in order to reduce flow directed to the waste water treatment facility.

This will also result in eliminating combined sewer system overflows, said Caler-Bell in the memo.

"Therefore, this downtown project will contribute significantly to this effort, ultimately addressing many concerns regarding overloading the sanitary sewer system and preventing possible sewer backups in and outside downtown buildings," said Caler-Bell.

A proposed budget for the project - which includes expenses for work on Elm, Museum and School streets - totals $626,750. The scope of the construction work expenses covers storm and sanitary installation; curbing; sidewalk resurfacing; and road resurfacing. A 10 percent contingency line has been included, along with a total of $50,140 for design, engineering and permitting.

Funding sources include a CDBG grant of $400,000; a City of Rockland Downtown TIF of $170,000; and a Farnsworth Art Museum grant of $65,000, for a total of $635,000.

The Council will also discuss an order amending Rockland's Solid Waste Disposal Facility Fee Schedule.

Two of the proposed changes to the resident and seasonal waste disposal permits are to leave the fee at $135 per year, and eliminate the language "if purchased on or before 4/30/15, which fee shall permit MSW disposals through 5/1/15; no fee thereafter."

The Council will also set the agenda for the April 13 regular meeting, to include accepting a letter from the U.S. Coast Guard and a plaque recognizing Rockland as a Coast Guard City.

There will also be a spate of liquor and entertainment license renewals, including for Brass Compass Café, Archer's on the Pier, Rockland Café, Sunfire Mexican Grille and The Pearl Restaurant.

John Root and Kenneth Elwell will be recognized for 20 years of service to the city, and appointments of the Maine Service Center Coalition and MCEDD General Assembly.

Ordinances up for final reading and public hearing April 13 include Chapter 7, Sec. 7-107 Sprinkler System Alarm and Ch. 9, Sec. 9-214 Buoy Park Food Vendors.

The Council will also authorize/accept the following orders:
- Authorizing license agreements for Brass Compass tables in the park and an awning at 421 Maine LLC.
- Accepting forfeited assets of P. Solari.
- Accepting grant-in-aid for the Snow Marine Park floats.
- Authorizing reserve funds for repairs to the Water Pollution Control Facility.
- Authorizing a banner to promote the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's 14th annual Maine Lobster Ride.
- Authorizing a letter of support for the Mid-Coast Council of Governments.
- Accepting a design plan for the Mechanic Street portion of Harbor Trail.