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Rockland, ME

Rockland public meetings in 2023

38 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 14, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to discuss Chapter 19 zoning changes

The Comprehensive Planning Commission will meet via Zoom to discuss new business. The primary item on the agenda is Ordinance #30 regarding Chapter 19 zoning changes.

zoningordinanceplanning
Wed Dec 13, 2023

Harbor Trail Committee

Harbor Trail Committee sets 2024 goals including Atlantic St. sidewalk extension

The committee discussed goals for 2024 and community outreach efforts. Members reviewed potential projects and noted a delay for Tilson & Park Drive due to future development.

sidewalkspublic-worksbeautificationcommunity-outreachplanning
Mon Dec 11, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on $447,945 lease for police, fire, public works equipment

The Rockland City Council is meeting to consider several ordinances and orders, including a lease-purchase contract for capital equipment totaling $447,945, parking permit changes, zoning updates, and a charter amendment to remove the mayor. The council will also vote on re-appointments to boards and commissions, and discuss a possible property acquisition in executive session.

budgetzoningparkingpublic-safetyharborcharter-amendmentappointments
Mon Dec 4, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to set Dec. 11 agenda, hear warming center plan

This is a special meeting of the Rockland City Council to receive a presentation on an Emergency Warming Center and to set the agenda for the December 11 regular meeting. The regular meeting agenda includes several ordinances and orders, such as a lease-purchase contract for capital equipment, zoning updates, and fee amendments. No public comment or licenses are listed for this special meeting.

city-councilemergency-warming-centerzoningbudgetcapital-equipmentfees
Thu Nov 16, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission to discuss Chapter 16 changes

The Commission is meeting to discuss changes to Chapter 16. The body will also review a City Manager’s report regarding departmental activities related to Comprehensive Plan goals and strategies.

comprehensive-plancity-managementplanning
Mon Nov 13, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on rental inspections, revaluation, grants, holiday events

The Rockland City Council will hold public hearings and final votes on two ordinance amendments: one requiring inspection of multi-family rental units at sale, and one requiring property revaluation at least every 10 years. The Council will also vote on several orders, including spending ARPA funds, accepting a federal grant, and authorizing holiday events.

zoninghousingbudgetpolicegrantsholiday-events
Tue Nov 7, 2023

Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee

Rockland energy committee to review updates, harbor cleanup plans

The Rockland Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee is meeting to review and approve prior minutes, hear public comment, and receive updates on a City Council presentation, sustainability coordinator activities, the Window Dressers program, and preliminary steps for a harbor cleanup. The meeting is largely routine updates and business, with no major decisions or votes listed on the agenda.

sustainabilityenergyharbor-cleanupcommittee-meetingrockland
Thu Oct 12, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to discuss changes to Chapter 16 and review city manager's report

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission is meeting remotely to review the city manager's report on departmental activities related to the Comprehensive Plan goals and strategies, and to discuss changes to Chapter 16. The agenda includes routine items such as approving minutes and setting the next meeting date.

comprehensive-planplanningchapter-16city-manager-report
Wed Oct 11, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on permit parking, GA rates, Tillson Ave deed, and more

The Rockland City Council is holding a regular meeting with several ordinances in final reading, including changes to permit parking rules, updates to General Assistance maximum levels, and authorizing a quit claim deed for 15 Tillson Ave. The council will also consider first readings on rental unit inspections and assessor duties, plus orders on EMS debt write-off, poll times, TIF spending, and other items.

parkinggeneral-assistancepropertybudgetpublic-hearing
Mon Oct 2, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on OJJDP grant, street closure, and discuss 5G and paving

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to vote on two orders: applying for a U.S. Department of Justice OJJDP grant for youth services, and closing Main Street for a Sunday Stroll event. They will also receive an update from the Energy & Sustainability Advisory Committee, discuss a 5G ordinance update and the 2024 paving plan, and set the agenda for the next regular meeting. An executive session is scheduled to discuss a possible property acquisition.

grantsstreet-closure5gpavingenergyproperty-acquisition
Thu Sep 14, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to urge Council to act on Comprehensive Plan objectives

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission will meet remotely to discuss encouraging the City Council to begin work on Comprehensive Plan objectives assigned to them. The agenda also includes introducing a new member, approving past meeting minutes, and setting the next meeting date.

comprehensive-planplanning-commissionmeetingrockland
Mon Sep 11, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on sale of Engine Quarry property for $22,600

The Rockland City Council will hold a regular meeting with a presentation by the Energy and Sustainability Committee, followed by votes on several ordinances and orders. Key items include final readings on the sale of city property at 224 Old County Road (Engine Quarry) for $22,600, a reconveyance of 11 Dunton Ave., and a contract renewal with ecomaine for solid waste disposal. The council will also consider first readings on parking permit changes and economic development committee membership, plus orders on cruise ship operations, fish pier policy, and a street closure.

property-saleparkingsolid-wasteappointmentsstreet-closurecruise-ships
Wed Sep 6, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to discuss 5G ordinance, set Sept. 11 agenda

This is a special meeting with an executive session on a Haines Fund request and a discussion of the 5G Ordinance. The council will also set the agenda for the September 11 regular meeting, which includes public hearings on several ordinances and orders.

5gordinancepublic-hearingparkingsolid-wasteproperty-saleappointments
Mon Aug 14, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to vote on lobster industry support, property deeds, parking changes

The Rockland City Council will hold a regular meeting on August 14, 2023, starting with an executive session on personnel and property acquisition, followed by a public forum and regular agenda. The council will consider a postponed resolve supporting the lobster industry, several ordinance amendments including property reconveyances and parking permit changes, and numerous orders covering fees, reserve fund expenditures, and transfers. The agenda includes both final readings with public hearings and first readings of new ordinances.

lobster-industryproperty-transferparkingfeesbudgetappointmentsordinances
Mon Aug 7, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to set Aug. 14 agenda, hear police certification

This is a special meeting of the Rockland City Council. The council will hold an executive session on personnel and legal matters, receive a presentation on the Rockland Police Department's Community Policing Certification from UMA, and set the agenda for the August 14 regular meeting. The agenda for that regular meeting includes multiple ordinances, resolves, and orders on topics such as parking, property conveyances, and fees.

parkingordinancespolicelobster-industrypropertyfeesappointments
Mon Jul 10, 2023

City Council

Council to set FY2024 tax due dates, 8% interest

The Rockland City Council is meeting to handle routine business, including confirming appointments, setting property tax due dates and interest rates for FY2024, accepting a $12,000 grant for fire equipment, and authorizing several fund transfers and expenditures. The agenda also includes first readings of ordinances related to a property quitclaim deed and the Board of Assessment Review.

budgettaxesgrantsordinancesappointmentswaterfront
Wed Jul 5, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on $40K bike grant, tax due dates, and more

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the Farmers Market and set the agenda for the July 10 regular meeting. At the regular meeting, the council will consider orders authorizing a $40,000 grant application for bicycle infrastructure, setting FY2024 tax due dates and interest, accepting a $12,000 grant for Fire & EMS equipment, and several other items including a quitclaim deed for 17 Forrest Ave. and appointments to boards.

budgettaxesgrantsbicyclingfire-emsland-useappointments
Mon Jun 26, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to adopt FY2024 budget with $22.06M tax levy

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to adopt the FY2024 municipal budget, which includes a $22,061,333 net general fund tax assessment, and to approve several related orders. These include a declaration of intent for capital improvement financing, cost-of-living salary adjustments for the city manager and city clerk, amendments to solid waste and wastewater fee schedules, and a $45,000 expenditure from Downtown TIF funds for Rockland Main Street Inc. The meeting is a public hearing for the budget adoption.

budgettaxescapital-improvementssalariessolid-wastewastewatertifdowntown
Thu Jun 15, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to discuss resolution supporting lobster industry

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission will meet remotely to discuss Resolve #10, a resolution supporting the Maine lobster industry. The resolution, introduced in the City Council, highlights the industry's economic importance and opposes federal regulations based on what it calls non-credible data. The commission will also approve minutes from previous meetings.

lobster-industryeconomic-developmentresolutionsplanning-commission
Mon Jun 12, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on downtown housing zoning, parking rules, and city property sale

The Rockland City Council is holding a regular meeting with public forum, reports, and several ordinance amendments in final reading and public hearing. Key items include changes to downtown residential use rules, parking restrictions, and Planning Board duties, plus orders authorizing a street closure, a fish pier fee schedule change, a fee waiver for the Lobster Festival, and the sale of city property at 295 Old County Rd. The agenda also includes a resolve supporting the lobster industry and a commendation for a 20-year city employee.

zoningparkinghousingproperty-salefeeslobster-industrycity-council
Mon Jun 5, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to set agenda, discuss festival, parking, zoning

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the Rockland Festival Corporation and set the agenda for the June 12 regular meeting. The regular meeting agenda includes public hearings on several ordinance amendments, including parking restrictions, downtown zoning for residential use, Planning Board rules, long-term parking, and Personnel Board duties, as well as first reading of a vacant buildings ordinance. The council will also consider orders on street closures, fee changes, a fee waiver, a grant application, a fund transfer, and sale of city property.

zoningparkingfeesproperty-salefestivalpersonnelgrants
Thu May 11, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to discuss downtown housing exemptions and planning board changes

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission will discuss two proposed ordinance amendments: one on downtown housing exemptions and another with the Planning Board's recommended changes to the administration section. The meeting is remote via Zoom, and no final votes are scheduled.

zoninghousingordinanceplanning
Mon May 8, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on parking, zoning, and revaluation contract

The Rockland City Council is holding its regular meeting with several first-reading ordinance amendments and orders. Key items include changes to parking restrictions and long-term parking, zoning text edits, and a contract for a city-wide property revaluation. The agenda also includes appointments and street closures for local events.

parkingzoningrevaluationcontractsfeesstreet-closures
Mon May 1, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to review FY2024 budget, zoning, parking changes

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting on May 1, 2023, starting with an executive session on a Haines Fund request, followed by a presentation of the FY 2024 Municipal Budget and a set agenda for the May 8 regular meeting. The May 8 agenda includes first readings of several ordinance amendments (parking restrictions, DT zone residential uses, zoning edits, long-term parking, personnel board duties) and orders on solid waste fees, street closures, a pilot metered parking program, and a city-wide revaluation contract. The meeting is available via Zoom and live-streamed.

budgetzoningparkingfeespublic-hearingappointments
Wed Apr 26, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on solar lease options for two city-owned parcels

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to consider Order #24, which would authorize the City Manager to enter into lease option agreements with BlueWave Organization, LLC for city-owned property at 60 Merrill Drive and 400 Limerock Street. The options would give BlueWave the exclusive right to investigate developing solar energy facilities on those parcels. The meeting also includes a workshop on a city-wide property revaluation and discussion of the council's 2023 goals.

solarleaserevaluationcouncil-goals
Mon Apr 10, 2023

City Council

Council to vote on No Mow May, cell tower donation, and downtown zoning changes

The Rockland City Council is holding its regular meeting with several public hearings and votes. Key items include a resolve supporting No Mow May, accepting an $8,500 donation for cell tower/5G ordinance work, and final readings of ordinances affecting food vendors, the Middle Pier, parking, truck loading, and downtown residential uses. The council will also consider orders for a CDBG grant, street closures for the Lobster Festival, and a police cruiser purchase.

zoningbudgethousingpoliceparksdowntowngrants
Mon Apr 3, 2023

City Council

Rockland Council to vote on No Mow May, property sale, CDBG grant

The Rockland City Council will hold a special meeting to set the agenda for its April 10 regular meeting, where it will consider several ordinances, orders, and resolutions. Key items include a resolution supporting No Mow May, a quitclaim deed sale of city property, and acceptance of a $995,000 CDBG grant. The council will also hold an executive session with the city attorney regarding a lease of city property.

zoningbudgethousingparkspublic-safetygrantsordinances
Tue Mar 28, 2023

Harbor Management Commission

Harbor Commission to review fees and cruise ship ordinance

The Rockland Harbor Management Commission is meeting to discuss harbor operations, including a fee schedule review and a cruise ship ordinance discussion. They will also hear reports from the Fish Pier and Harbormaster, and consider applications from North Atlantic Blues Fest and Breakwater Kayak.

harborfeescruise-shipspermitsrockland
Mon Mar 13, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council to vote on historic districts, zoning, cannabis term change

The Rockland City Council is holding a regular meeting with several ordinance amendments in final reading and public hearing, including changing 'marijuana' to 'cannabis' in city code, designating local historic districts and landmarks, and reorganizing zoning ordinance. The council will also consider first readings for food vendors at Buoy Park, temporary shore side presence at Middle Pier, establishing a parking advisory committee, truck loading restrictions on Main St., and downtown zone residential use regulations. Orders include placing charter amendments and a referendum question on the June 13, 2023 ballot, authorizing grants for waterfront improvements, a TIF expenditure for downtown sidewalks, and an opioid settlement.

zoninghistoric-preservationcannabisfood-vendorsparkingsidewalksopioid-settlement
Thu Feb 16, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Commission to review tasks and ordinance amendment for new comprehensive plan

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission is meeting remotely to review its assigned tasks under the new Comprehensive Plan and to consider Ordinance Amendment #7, which makes clarifying edits to Chapter 19. The commission will also approve minutes from previous meetings and set the next meeting date.

comprehensive-planzoningordinanceland-usewaterfront
Mon Feb 13, 2023

City Council

Rockland council to weigh cannabis license fees, fire truck bond, tobacco ban

The Rockland City Council is holding its regular meeting with a consent agenda covering appointments, cannabis ordinance wording changes, license fee updates, a public hearing on charter amendments, and grant/reserve fund expenditures. Final readings and public hearings are scheduled for a quit claim deed, a flavored electronic tobacco ban, marijuana business licensing, HMC membership, small wireless facilities, and an $800,000 fire truck bond. The council will also consider first readings on historic preservation and zoning ordinance updates, plus orders on license transfers and EMS fees.

cannabistobaccofire-departmentzoninghistoric-preservationfeesbudget
Tue Feb 7, 2023

Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee

✓ Decided: RESAC confirms Mary Ellen as Chair and Nathan as Co-Chair

The committee unanimously voted to confirm Mary Ellen as Chair and Nathan as co-chair. Members discussed upcoming events including a biking survey workshop on March 5th and a harbor cleanup scheduled for April 20th.

Mon Feb 6, 2023

City Council

Council to hear audit, set agenda with flavored tobacco ban and $800K fire truck bond

The Rockland City Council is holding a special meeting to receive the FY 2022 municipal audit presentation and an update from the Georges River Land Trust, and to set the agenda for the February 13 regular meeting. The regular meeting agenda includes final readings and public hearings on several ordinances, including a ban on flavored electronic tobacco products, a $800,000 bond for a fire truck, and a quitclaim deed sale of city property at 224 Old County Road. The council will also consider appointments and various orders, including fee schedule changes and grant acceptance.

audittobacco-banfire-truckzoningfeesappointmentsland-trust
Tue Jan 17, 2023

Harbor Management Commission

Harbor Commission to review fees, permits, and cruise ship rules

The Rockland Harbor Management Commission is meeting to discuss routine harbor business, including reports from the Fish Pier and Harbormaster. They will also consider several new items, such as pop-ups in city parks, a ticket booth for Morning in Maine, cruise ship ordinance cleanup, and a review of Fish Pier user permits and preliminary fees.

harborfeescruise-shipparkspermits
Thu Jan 12, 2023

Comprehensive Planning Commission

Rockland planning commission to elect officers, discuss ordinance changes

The Rockland Comprehensive Planning Commission will meet remotely to elect officers for 2023, discuss a change to Ordinance Amendment #1, and review edits to Chapter 19. The agenda is mostly procedural, with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

planningordinanceelectionsmeeting
Mon Jan 9, 2023

City Council

Council to consider $800K fire truck bond, marijuana license rules, wireless facility ordinance

The Rockland City Council is holding its regular monthly meeting with several first-reading ordinances, including a marijuana business license amendment, a Harbor Management Commission membership change, a new small wireless facilities licensing ordinance, and an $800,000 bond for a fire truck. The council will also vote on a quitclaim deed sale of city property at 224 Old County Road for $22,600, approve appointments to boards and commissions, and authorize reserve fund expenditures for Fish Pier repairs and a dock replacement. A discussion on 2023 City Council goal setting is also scheduled.

zoningbudgetfire-departmentharborwirelessmarijuanaappointments
Wed Jan 4, 2023

City Council

Rockland City Council sets agenda for Jan. 9, including marijuana license and wireless facility ordinances

This is a special meeting of the Rockland City Council to set the agenda for the January 9, 2023 regular meeting and to discuss 2023 City Council goals. The agenda includes several ordinances for first reading, including amendments to marijuana business licensing, Harbor Management Commission membership, and a new ordinance for small wireless facilities in public rights-of-way, plus a bond ordinance for a fire truck. Also listed are orders authorizing reserve fund expenditures for Fish Pier repairs and dock replacement, and a transfer of funds for a wastewater facility renovation project.

city-councilagenda-settingmarijuana-businessharbor-managementwireless-facilitiesproperty-salebudgetinfrastructure
Tue Jan 3, 2023

Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee

Committee to discuss sustainability coordinator, revolving fund, and 2023 goals

The Rockland Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee will meet to discuss sustainability initiatives, including an update from Julie Hashem on grant opportunities and a potential municipal revolving fund for sustainability projects. They will also review and vote on the minutes from the December 6 meeting, hear public comment, and continue work on their 2023 goals, which include developing a Climate Action Plan and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

sustainabilityclimate-action-planfossil-fuelsgrantsrevolving-fundtransportationcommunity-education