ROCKLAND — Members of the Rockland City Council will tend to a diverse docket of agenda items when they convene Monday, Sept. 14. On the docket will be a petition for Rockland schools to withdraw from RSU 13, the sale of several properties acquired by the city, possible permit for a street party called Café Miranda Fest, and changing the start time of City Council meetings. 

ITEMS FOR 09/14/15 REGULAR MEETING:

Communications:

a.  Letter from Rob Milliken – Offer for 99 West Meadow Road

b.  Letter from Rob Milliken – Offer for 328 Limerock Street

c.  Letter from John Sargent – Request for ROW License – Rock Wall

Owner of property adjacent to Good Tern built a rock wall to hinder further damage to his property by cars attempting to park at Good Tern. The rock wall is very nicely done, according to Code Enforcer John Root. However, the owner unintentionally built the wall in the way of City snow plows.

Licenses and Permits:

a.  License to Operate a Taxi Company – Joe’s Taxi (8 cabs)

b.  Liquor License – Pho Sizzle Restaurant

Rocklanders may remember Pho Sizzle as the Vietnamese food stand behind the Police Station. The owner of Pho Sizzle has signed a lease for a permanent restaurant at 10 Leland Street, behind Wasses and Dunkin Donuts, according to Pho Sizzle’s Facebook page. With the permission of council, the restaurant will serve alcohol.

Resolves:

#38  Accepting Donation – 1891-92 City of Rockland Annual Report

#39  Appointment –- Economic Development Advisory Committee (G. Pinto)

Ordinances in Final Reading and Public Hearing:

#21  Zoning Map Amendment – Farwell Drive Vicinity

#23  Ch. 17, Sec. 17-801  Parking Prohibition – Gordon Drive

#24  Ch. 12, Sec. 12-107  Parking Ordinance – Shuffling

This ordinance is being pushed to a future date so councilors can receive the data and surveys they’ve requested. One idea mentioned at the agenda-setting meeting Wednesday, Sept. 9, is to reconsider a shared transit system between Thomaston and Camden, at least during the summer months. The summer months is also when tourists heading out on the ferry, as well as boat owners, park their cars in Rockland for prolonged periods of time. Using the high school parking lot for tourist parking is in consideration, however, returning tourists find free spots in neighborhoods, thereby moving the congestion problem to new areas. Rockland may see overnight parking fees where none has previously existed.

#25  Authorizing Lease to Own Contract – CIP Equipment

#26  Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 328 Limerock Street

#27  Ch. 12, Sec. 12-107  Curfew Violation; Notifications

#28  Authorizing Lease of Community Building – YMCA

City Manager James Chaousis requested that councilors skip this resolve during the agenda-setting meeting and concentrate on Order #75 instead.

#30  Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 44 Old County Road

#31  Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 319 Broadway

Ordinances in First Reading:

#32  Zoning Map Amendment – “B” to “I” Thomaston Street

#33  Authorizing Quit Claim Deed – Sale of 35 Broadway

#34  Ch. 2, Sec. 2-212  Rules of Procedure – Regular Meetings Starting Time

In the past, City Council meetings commenced at 7 p.m. in order to accommodate the schedule of a member who is no longer serving. The current council wishes to start sessions at 6 p.m. instead.

#35  Authorizing Quit Claim Deed — Sale of 60 Merrill Drive

Orders:

#67  Authorizing Cost of Living Salary Adjustments (Postponed from 8/10/15)

#69  Public Hearing/Acceptance of Petition – RSU 13 Withdrawal

Some Rockland residents submitted a petition requesting the withdrawal of Rockland schools from RSU 13. Because the petition is sufficient, council is obligated by law to add the question — Should Rockland withdraw? -- to the November ballot. Three members of council signed the petition, but only as a conversation starter. A yes vote by the public will start a 22-step process, which will include setting up a committee and providing that committee with $20,000 for resources.

Along with the yes or no question, councilors would like to add a survey question to the ballot asking why the voters gave the votes they did. 

#70  Calling Election and Placing Referendum Question on Ballot

#71  Authorizing License Agreement – Rockland Motor Company Use of ROW

ROW stands for right-of-way. Representatives of this company, located at 140 Park Street, are requesting the ability to construct either a sidewalk or a curb along the roadside of the property. Drivers along the road are using the private property as part of the roadway. The company wishes to make the boundary clearer.

#72  Authorizing Expenditure – Technical Support on REC Proposal

#73  Authorizing Reserve Funds – Elm/Museum St. Project

The City of Rockland is sharing the funding of newly constructed sidewalks with the Farnsworth Art Museum.

#74  Authorizing Sale of Duplicative Books – Historical Society

#75  Authorizing License and Operations Agreement – YMCA

#76  Authorizing Street Closure — Oak Street

Kerry Altiero, owner of Café Miranda, has applied for a street closure permit so the public can celebrate the new Oak Street mural in the form of a street party currently referred to as Café Miranda Fest. The date of this event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 4 p.m.

#77  Placing Referendum Question on Ballot — Education Options