Presque Isle, ME

City Council Meeting

City Council Workshop

This is a City Council Workshop agenda with a single substantive item: a presentation regarding the RHR Smith Auditor. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Presque Isle Council Chambers. The agenda also includes an executive session citation under State Statute 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) for real estate matters, but no further details are provided.

• Presentation on RHR Smith Auditor
• Executive session authorized under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) for real estate

City Council Meeting

The Presque Isle City Council is meeting to handle the annual tax commitment, which sets the property tax levy for the coming year. Following that, the council will enter an executive session under state statute to discuss real estate matters. The agenda contains no other substantive items.

• Annual tax commitment
• Executive session on real estate (1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C))

City Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the denial of a liquor license to Amarjit Dhillon d/b/a Time Out Sports Bar & Restaurant at 116 Main Street. The council will also discuss a conditional approval for a lodging license and consider a WARM loan. Several routine consent items are on the agenda, including approval of warrants totaling $6,383,557.35.

• Public hearing on denial of liquor license to Amarjit Dhillon d/b/a Time Out Sports Bar & Restaurant at 116 Main Street
• Discussion of July 1 conditional approval for a Lodging Establishment License to Fernand Martin d/b/a Martin’s Manor Rentals at 72 Houlton Road
• Approval of a WARM loan to Kevin Thorstenson
• Approval of warrants #23-#28 totaling $6,383,557.35
• Road closure for Aroostook Agency on Aging's Cruise Down Memory Lane block party on September 11, 2026

City Council Meeting

The Presque Isle City Council will consider approving over $6.3 million in warrants and a liquor license for 116 Main Street. The body will also discuss a lodging license for 72 Houlton Road and a WARM loan for Kevin Thorstenson.

• Approval of 2026 Warrants #23- # 28 totaling $6,383,557.35
• Liquor License for Amarjit Dhillon d/b/a Time Our Sports Bar & Restaurant, LLC at 116 Main Street
• Lodging Establishment License for Fernand Martin d/b/a Martin’s Manor Rentals, LLC at 72 Houlton Road
• WARM loan approval for Kevin Thorstenson
• Road closure for Aroostook Agency on Aging fundraiser on September 11, 2026

City Council Meeting

The City Council will hold public hearings regarding lodging and marijuana licenses. The body will also consider the designation of a dangerous building at 4 Pond Street and approve several board appointments.

• Approval of lodging license for Martin's Manor Rentals, LLC at 72 Houlton Road
• Renewal of marijuana license for Star City Wellness at 694 Main Street
• Approval of 2026 Warrants #20- #22 totaling $1,028,943.17
• Hearing on dangerous building designation for 4 Pond Street
• Road closure for Elk’s Club 4th of July Celebration

The City Council approved a $4,537,075 design/build agreement with Sheridan Corporation, a $37,514 engineering agreement with Aviest Engineering, and a $5,118,114 financing agreement with a 20-year term at 4% interest. It also declared 4 Pond Street a dangerous building, approved two licenses, and made several appointments.

• Approved $4,537,075 design/build agreement with Sheridan Corporation (7-0)
• Approved $37,514 engineering agreement with Aviest Engineering for Maine DEP Site Law Amendment (7-0)
• Approved $5,118,114 financing agreement for development costs, 20-year term at 4% interest (7-0)
• Declared 4 Pond Street a dangerous building, ordering abatement within 30 days or $100/day penalty (7-0)
• Approved lodging license for Martin's Manor Rentals at 72 Houlton Road, contingent on inspection (7-0)
• Approved marijuana license renewal for Star City Wellness at 694 Main Street (7-0)
• Appointed Lewis Cousins and Nate Allen as Code Enforcement Officers (7-0)
• Denied offer on 95 Mountain Road (7-0)

Council Workshop

City Council Meeting

The Presque Isle City Council will review financial warrants and discuss funding for homeless services. The body will also consider a rental policy for the Recreation and Park Department and schedule a hearing for a property at 4 Pond Street.

• Approval of 2026 Warrants #16- #19 totaling $2,621,688.17
• Notice of Hearing for property at 4 Pond Street
• Homeless Services of Aroostook gap funding request and MOU
• Rental policy for City of Presque Isle Recreation and Park Department
• Presentation on tourism and grant activity by Resource Director Kimberly Smith

The Presque Isle City Council approved a 12-month memorandum of understanding with Homeless Services of Aroostook, providing up to $200,000 at 3% interest. The council also approved a policy for renting Recreation and Parks facilities to outside organizations, scheduled a hearing for a property at 4 Pond Street, and denied an offer on 95 Mountain Road. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

• Approved minutes from May 6, 2026 (7-0)
• Approved warrants #16-#19 totaling $2,621,688.17 (7-0)
• Scheduled Notice of Hearing for abatement at 4 Pond Street for July 1 meeting (7-0)
• Granted 12-month MOU up to $200,000 at 3% interest to Homeless Services of Aroostook (7-0)
• Approved Policy for Rental to Outside Organizations and Groups for Recreation and Parks (7-0)
• Denied offer on 95 Mountain Road (7-0)

City Council Meeting

The council approved the Vacant Building Ordinance (Chapter 67) with minor syntax revisions (vote 4‑3), renewed several special amusement and marijuana licenses, and adopted a consent agenda that includes $3,352,827.81 in warrants. They also scheduled a public hearing on the Chapter 16 Land Use Ordinance, approved a grant application for the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund with a 5% city match for the Williams Brooks Crossing on Henderson Rd, and considered real‑estate offers in executive session.

• Approve Vacant Building Ordinance (Chapter 67) with syntax revisions – vote 4‑3
• Renew Special Amusement License for Northern Maine Catering, LLC at 35 Parkhurst Siding Road – vote 7‑0
• Renew Marijuana License for Royal Leaf, LLC at 415 Main Street, Suite 1 – vote 7‑0
• Approve warrants #11‑#15 totaling $3,352,827.81 (consent agenda) – vote 7‑0
• Approve grant application for Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF) with 5% city match for Williams Brooks Crossing on Henderson Rd – vote 7‑0

The Presque Isle City Council adopted the Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance with a 4‑3 vote and authorized minor syntax revisions. It unanimously renewed several business licenses, including Special Amusement and Marijuana licenses. The council also accepted a $29,000 offer for 14 Park Street, refused an offer for 10 Delmont Street, approved a grant application for the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund, and scheduled a public hearing on the Chapter 16 Land Use and Development Ordinance.

• Approved Vacant Building Ordinance (4-3)
• Renewed Special Amusement License for Northern Maine Catering, LLC (7-0)
• Renewed Marijuana License for Royal Leaf, LLC (7-0)
• Renewed Special Amusement License for Ignite Presque Isle (7-0)
• Accepted $29K offer for 14 Park Street (7-0)
• Refused offer on 10 Delmont Street (7-0)
• Authorized grant application for Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (7-0)
• Scheduled public hearing for Chapter 16 Land Use and Development Ordinance (7-0)

City Council Meeting

The Presque Isle City Council will hold a second public hearing on the Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance. The body is also reviewing several lodging and business licenses and approving city expenditures.

• Second public hearing for Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance
• Approval of 2026 Warrants #7 - #10 totaling $3,777,122.31
• Lodging license applications for 436 Main St, 12 Church St, 768 Main St, 116 Main St, 22 Pleasant St, and 71 Main St
• Road closures for the May 25 Memorial Day Parade and April 25 Color Run/Walk
• Support for Star City ATV Club municipal grant application

The Presque Isle City Council unanimously approved seven new lodging establishment licenses for properties on Main, Pleasant, and other streets. It also approved warrants #7‑10 totaling $3,777,122.31. Road closures for the Memorial Day Parade and the 5th Annual Color Run/Walk were authorized, and the council voted to support the Star City ATV Club’s grant application. The Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance was tabled until the May meeting.

• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Ignite PI d/b/a The Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main St (6-0)
• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Traci and Chuck Halvorson, 12 Second St (6-0)
• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Roger Beaulieu d/b/a BLD Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Hampton Inn, 768 Main St (6-0)
• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Amarjit Dhillon d/b/a Presque Isle Hotel, 116 Main St (6-0)
• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Michael and Pamela Willette/Clark’s Lodge d/b/a SP Holdings, LLC, 22 Pleasant St (6-0)
• Approved Lodging Establishment License for Ranjit Singh d/b/a All Star Hospitality, LLC, 71 Main St (6-0)
• Approved warrants #7‑10 totaling $3,777,122.31 (6-0)
• Tabled Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance until May Council Meeting (6-0)

City Council and Airport Advisor Committee Joint Meeting

The City Council will hear presentations from airline bidders for Essential Air Service and deliberate on a final recommendation. The meeting includes a public comment period and a final vote on any waivers of service criteria.

• Essential Air Service airline bidder presentations and Q&A
• Airport Director presentation and Q&A
• Public comment on airline proposals
• City Council deliberation and final recommendation vote
• Final vote on waivers of Essential Air Service criteria

The Presque Isle City Council held a joint meeting with the Airport Advisor Committee where American Airlines and JetBlue presented their Essential Air Service proposals, followed by a presentation from Airport Director Scott Wardwell. No formal decision on airline selection was made. Councilor C. Green moved, and Councilor H. Legassie seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

• Adjourned meeting at 7:30 p.m. (motion by C. Green, seconded by H. Legassie)

City Council Meeting

The Presque Isle City Council will conduct a Vacant Building Tour of sites including Aroostook Centre Mall, 20 Dyer Street, Rathbun Lumber Company, and others. After the tour, City Solicitor Richard Currier will meet with council members in the Council Chambers. The meeting will conclude with an open conversation during a working lunch.

• Vacant Building Tour of Aroostook Centre Mall, 20 Dyer St, 43 State St, 153 North St, Rt1 (Houlton Road) and other locations
• City solicitor Richard Currier session in Council Chambers (11:30‑12:30)
• Open conversation working lunch (12:30‑1:30)

The council unanimously approved a 12‑month moratorium on Chapter 59A Adult Use and Medical Marijuana Businesses Ordinance. It also unanimously renewed the marijuana license for Northern Maine Flower at 540 Main Street, amended the taxicab ordinance, and scheduled a public hearing on the Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance for April 1, 2026. Additional unanimous actions included adopting the Founder’s Week proclamation, authorizing airport ARFF/SRE building design services, and approving departmental overspending and a new recreation‑parks fee schedule.

• Approved 12‑month moratorium on Chapter 59A Adult Use and Medical Marijuana Businesses Ordinance (7‑0)
• Approved renewal of marijuana license for Peter Haines d/b/a Northern Maine Flower, 540 Main St (7‑0)
• Approved amendments to Chapter 12 Taxicab Ordinance (7‑0)
• Scheduled public hearing on Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance for April 1, 2026 (7‑0)
• Approved Founder’s Week April 2026 proclamation (7‑0)
• Authorized City Manager and Airport Director to procure engineering services for ARFF/SRE Building expansion (7‑0)
• Approved FY 2025 departmental overspending (Fire $130,648; Library $358; Insurances $1,195; Utilities $16,572; Airport $30,004) (6‑0)
• Approved updated 5‑year fee schedule for Recreation & Parks Department (6‑0)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a first public hearing regarding the Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance. Members will also consider changes to the Planning Board Ordinance, Land Use and Development Code, and Planning Board Bylaws.

• Public hearing on Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance
• Warrants #49-#51 (2025) and #1-#2 (2026) totaling $1,693,828.67
• Proposed PIDF loan to VALT Enterprises, Inc.
• Scheduling of public hearings for Chapter 59A (Adult Use and Medical Marijuana) and Chapter 12 (Taxicab) ordinances
• Reappointment of Sarah M. Christensen to the Rec & Parks Board

The Presque Isle City Council unanimously approved several ordinance updates, consent‑agenda items and a $145,000 loan to VALT Enterprises. It also accepted a $20,000 offer for 26 Braden Street, denied a $10,000 offer for 66, 68, 74 Exchange Street, and extended the city’s lease with the FAA. All votes were 6‑0.

• Approved changes to Chapter 67 Vacant Building Ordinance (2‑public hearing scheduled) – 6‑0
• Approved changes to Chapter 43 Planning Board Ordinance – 6‑0
• Approved changes to Chapter 16 Land Use and Development Code – 6‑0
• Approved changes to Planning Board Bylaws – 6‑0
• Approved consent‑agenda items including warrants totaling $1,693,828.67 – 6‑0
• Approved $145,000 Presque Isle Development Fund loan to VALT Enterprises, 5% interest, 2‑year amortization – 6‑0
• Accepted $20,000 offer on 26 Braden Street – 6‑0
• Denied $10,000 offer on 66, 68, 74 Exchange Street – 6‑0

City Council Meeting

The council will consider the application for an adult‑use and medical marijuana license submitted by Kelsey Clapp d/b/a Full Bloom Cannabis, located at 445 Main Street. The meeting also includes routine business such as re‑passing several ordinances, approving 2025 warrants totaling $1,975,623.24, and scheduling public hearings on planning and land‑use code revisions.

• Application for adult‑use & medical marijuana license to Kelsey Clapp d/b/a Full Bloom Cannabis, 445 Main St.
• Re‑pass ordinances due to sunset provision (City Seal, Assessors, Taxicab, Building Code, Energy Conservation, Public Assemblies, Special Amusement, Advisory Board, City Council Compensation, Nudity Displays, Emergency Management, Adult Use & Medical Marijuana Businesses)
• Approve 2025 warrants #44‑#48 totaling $1,975,623.24
• Approve $10,000 façade grant to Dan Peers d/b/a MFX, Inc.
• Schedule public hearings for Chapter 43 Planning Board ordinance revisions and Chapter 16 Land Use and Development Code revisions

The Presque Isle City Council held its annual organizational meeting, reelecting Jeffery Willette as Council Chair and Hank King as Deputy Chair. The council approved numerous appointments to boards and committees, reappointed the city attorney and clerk, re-passed ordinances due to a sunset provision, and approved an adult use and medical marijuana license for Full Bloom Cannabis. It also approved warrants totaling $1,975,623.24 and entered executive sessions to discuss labor contracts and real estate.

• Reelected Jeffery Willette as Council Chair (5-1-1)
• Elected Hank King as Deputy Council Chair (4-3)
• Approved 2026 board and committee appointments (6-0-1)
• Re-passed 13 ordinances due to sunset provision (7-0)
• Approved adult use and medical marijuana license for Full Bloom Cannabis at 445 Main Street (7-0)
• Approved warrants #44-#48 totaling $1,975,623.24 (7-0)
• Approved $10,000 Facade Grant to Dan Peers d/b/a MFX, Inc. (7-0)
• Authorized City Manager to sign MOA and contract for Airport Management Services with LDA (7-0)