BELFAST — Belfast City Council will meet Tuesday, Aug. 20, for its regularly scheduled meeting. Agenda items on Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig’s pre-meeting report include a final report for the Harbor Sedimentation Study, additional Smart Road repair costs, and a Department of Homeland Security Civil Rights Evaluation Tool request. 

“At an Aug. 15, 2023, City Council meeting, the Council awarded a request for quote, for the Breakwater Sedimentation Study to WSP, an engineering and professional services organization,” Herbig’s pre-meeting report begins. 

The study was conducted in an effort to provide additional information with regard to potential impacts of sedimentation, should the breakwater be extended. These concerns were raised by both the Harbor Committee and the Belfast City Council, according to Herbig’s report. 

During the meeting, WSP will provide an explanation of their findings and answer any questions Council members have. Harbor Master Kathy Given, in addition to representatives from WSP, and members of the Harbor Advisory Committee, will be at the meeting to present and answer questions. 

A request from Director of Planning and Codes Bub Fournier will also be heard, for the Council to authorize a change order and increased funding for the replacement septic system project at 36 Smart Road. 

The project was approved at the July 2, regularly scheduled Council meeting, when the Council approved administration of funds for a Maine Department of Environmental Protection Small Community Grant to replace a failing septic system located at 36 Smart Road. 

During the construction phase, additional work beyond the original scope of the project was determined to be necessary, including a tank replacement and additional earth work. This resulted in a change order for increased costs, according to Herbig’s report. 

The original approved total was up to $30,000 and the new total is expected to be $39,850. 

Additional details about the request are available in Herbig’s full pre-meeting report. 

Director Fournier is also requesting a Capital Improvement Project expenditure for a new large format printer and plotter. The Planning and Codes department currently uses a Canon iPF 785 large format color printer and plotter for scanning, printing, and copying large documents, which include maps and plans throughout the City, according to Herbig’s pre-meeting report. This device was purchased around 2017. A Capital Improvement Project was submitted this year to replace the equipment before issues begin to arise. 

If the Council approves the request, Fournier requests a motion be made to authorize up to $10,720 for the purchase of a new plotter for the Planning and Codes Department from an account earmarked for office equipment. The account has a current balance of $11,720. 

Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge has submitted a request for the authorization to submit a Department of Homeland Security Civil Rights Evaluation Tool. 

The City of Belfast was awarded $310,952.38 in funding through the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. According to Kittredge’s request, the funding will be used to purchase and install “a number of self-contained breathing apparatus units, a rapid intervention team pack, and three power lift systems. 

The City is in the process of meeting any and all grant requirements so that the City can access these funds, and one of those remaining requirements is the completion and submission of a DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool. 

Additional details regarding the tool and what data the instrument collects is available to view in Herbig’s full pre-meeting report. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com