[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6657618,"mediaKeyId","5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94","parentId",5070500,"title","City manager previews August City Hall opening, website accessibility upgrade and parking changes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4077525,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94&start=4077&end=4077","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94/thumbnail_4077525.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657618/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/City-manager-previews-August-City-Hall-opening-website-accessibility-upgrade-and-parking-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657618-cd72562395b4e3da1716506537f5dac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169412&Signature=GcJTYXKD1feIqstXGHikndiljN~-cAIIRfN04EZnsxqeS3vsOwoju~k8Q5uTxP3BkX9zhfE7cLdvosNrhgorA367jifIPslrGCmi1Owxf0J05rOUU8zCm8ut8emi2WhYJNGOEtmqYU~V72gyVP8g19Demb8TP8UmdBAN0rAElQfo5RDOCDbDOuqu17HOsB9ugRXeHnfLOG-HBCoS-dvIKzXtuhhCpGhyoQ753a5PPWiQTUPRcjog26-SJv7yBg~aqU0HOH8KWu967SE~G0mXD58HLUjGSZClK75Y5l8qbV78dqvIfLboy05t64yaA0dTBxEgL6zlmR0~L2NCruzeKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bangor Maine","date","2025-06-25T11:22:33Z","article","Carolyn Lear, Bangor’s newly appointed city manager, provided several operational updates to the advisory committee, including an expected August timeline for City Hall occupancy, a website accessibility upgrade and changes to downtown parking aimed at improving citizen access.

Lear said the city is “in the final stages” of the City Hall transition and is “aiming for August.” She said officials expect to provide roughly 30 days’ notice to the public before any short-term closures for the move and that the city plans a public reopening event and a separate welcome for the new city manager later in the fall.

On digital accessibility, staff reported the city plans to implement AudioEye on the municipal website. That service will let users adjust font size, color contrast and other readability features to make the site easier to use for people with visual impairments and other accessibility needs.

Lear also described a parking change approved through the Downtown Bangor Parking Advisory Committee and City Council. The city will free several commonly used parking spaces near City Hall reserved for staff so customers can park closer to the building; signs will be updated and some curbside spots that are currently 90 minutes will be reduced to 60 minutes to improve turnover. Lear said staff members who currently use those near‑building spots will be relocated to staff parking higher up the hill to keep customer parking available.

Committee members thanked councilors for a recent proclamation recognizing Pride month and asked staff to distribute signage and customer-facing notices about the City Hall transition and parking changes. Lear said she will circulate notice plans and signage timelines to help committee members share the information with their networks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights 6.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Carolyn Lear told the advisory committee that the City Hall move is ongoing with an expected August reopening, the city will add AudioEye accessibility features to its website and the downtown parking plan will reserve more spaces for customers with shorter time limits.","taxTitle","Bangor City, Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",2586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6657621,"Committee explores partnership with NAACP for MLK breakfast; volunteer liaison sought",350,3049450,3400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94&start=3049&end=3400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94/thumbnail_3049450.jpg","/articles/6657621/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-explores-partnership-with-NAACP-for-MLK-breakfast-volunteer-liaison-sought","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657621-87c2cb4168b3c5f3e7ebd37f822cd06f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169412&Signature=A7fWjHE2nchzQbLpJJLb2Ee8R3G71~FVeqT297Gavm8v7J2HNn5CmahEAUIVz~t0NmKdkIDUHhKIi2GV~NCuVFmK2kTMT-FdrZhkxmkHZCTZNSyUyPL~8k5bJVDz0ZLOOZImPofv5ABModv7q0YcfBRlsHTnvwD~v3zg5vy8vCGBvVUZinyUdnYFf6QNor6Aruvh6tQrQ4YnW4-058PwzcezSM6p-KjT7Wl3xIoFrtul73RxGxlFHjWYKnqXxtOn7fPL0SP~UJrlpcwXN4aJXp~0gjL0WNqeF5muOTBJbTZ4qq4C73cXAN6grRXj3Gc9u5oQJ-qNX-3Jl7EaCIWe0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The advisory committee discussed how it might partner with the NAACP on the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast and the staffing required to be an active partner.

Committee members reported the MLK planning group will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. and said continued committee participation would require a consistent volunteer to attend. One member offered to serve as the liaison: “I’m happy to just be the liaison and do all of them,” a member said during the meeting.

Members raised cost and venue questions. Committee members discussed possible venues such as the Cross Insurance Center, which can be costly, and other community locations, including an education or campus dining space that could involve students in food service. The committee noted students or a local hospitality program could help prepare a meal at lower cost and provide community involvement.

The committee emphasized the need to be realistic about time commitments and agreed that a single, consistent liaison would help continuity rather than rotating the responsibility. Members asked staff to introduce a volunteer liaison to the NAACP planning group and to clarify what financial support the city might provide. No final financial commitment or formal motion was made at the meeting.","The advisory committee discussed partnering with the NAACP on the annual MLK breakfast, possible venues and budget contributions and agreed to identify a regular committee liaison to support planning.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6657625,"Committee reviews LD 1971 and discusses local options around 287(g) agreements",367,3380490,3748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94&start=3380&end=3748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94/thumbnail_3380490.jpg","/articles/6657625/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-reviews-LD-1971-and-discusses-local-options-around-287g-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657625-6790ba7bcc14b1ac783ab41ef5179e94/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169412&Signature=F~PFdW5zkLKu0-01lIc5Bb-vRavaoOZ8oQJxYW4onIZVEyBtNa~IDdjqJtmqXaSAW-yjegepCyZYSgx2f8vBQS7VuhO4MqxoOMHEm4kP1YKgijMPXPBXX6g1rV-UKC39taqPGWwg-fJtbHTrdf2QYT4gR3TzIxEQr0VtAet~7NZP0pgyfPaG0szZNg8rXJfq9WtAM6hhXyd1MrX9TAMPNNqDP0~DBA7xj9xWriygaqslMVuj6qiCiUc-9CZmbIn5r83UYUsI92uxatBZGTsJCFLC79tG8ay-On0kHnB1a~NvgaYhIP9NbBupBBVjgTJd5S9DenZmPkLplFg16DOD1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Bangor City Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights discussed LD 1971 and how a state-level decision could affect local policy on immigration enforcement partnerships.

Chair Katie Bryden summarized the bill’s status and timeline: she said she had asked the Maine Municipal Association legislative director and was told LD 1971 “passed the house and the senate on June 18, and it's now on the governor's desk for action,” and that “the governor has 10 days… since it was sent her on June 18, she has until June 30 to make a decision.”

Committee members noted the legislative text addresses whether municipalities enter agreements under the federal 287(g) program — written agreements that delegate certain immigration enforcement functions to local agencies. Bryden said the materials she circulated include draft resolve language other municipalities have used to state they would not enter a 287(g) agreement and to make clear that local police would not perform ICE duties.

Discussion emphasized the committee’s limited authority: members agreed they could prepare a recommendation or draft language for city council consideration but could not adopt an official city position themselves during the meeting. Committee members also noted a distinction raised in the meeting materials: LD 1971 would focus on 287(g)-type agreements and would not prohibit federal involvement by agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security or Border Patrol.

The committee agreed to read the materials, discuss language at a future meeting and, if the city council wished, prepare a recommended resolve for council consideration. No formal recommendation or vote was taken at the meeting.","Members discussed LD 1971, which the committee was told passed both chambers and was on the governor’s desk, and explored whether Bangor should consider a local resolve to decline participation in 287(g) agreements that delegate immigration enforcement to local law enforcement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6657630,"Advisory committee finalizes Pride booth plans, prioritizes simple survey and accessibility supports",2621,453971,3075750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94&start=453&end=3075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070500-bd626ef27cd2d181b439a45149ae8b94/thumbnail_453971.jpg","/articles/6657630/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Advisory-committee-finalizes-Pride-booth-plans-prioritizes-simple-survey-and-accessibility-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657630-0e17c304604292633f8ee46c032ada06/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169412&Signature=ISSs3~yBWA2eRa9M0HTtTlnYBhbaGgKDAWxIahK~ray6MvLHP13Z38KVvih6Vm1NmnFJsT9byIBJR0GTe73VBx42SNWiBmHNaeUwa4Tike9-7KR2Y3zhPGAIo-xswzHBWvc1nVooURjFsZC7lLgvKif7pfM-WjOWV4190WA98FV0HqO-s582-8dCEIzIvwWYO~yNK3gFsc7KhWkwLh9vnQjjF6tsWGdU~dbiL4OSdgJ87fB4rStCP7kT30s7SnLE47IocQCTUzOILxrPXzlSpWU~ymJI1Lm85PEM9uhHemzZbkAPWxwJso7TkmCBjF~hTbwyRelUgPo8cndxYRGFnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bangor City Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights on Tuesday agreed to staff a booth at this year’s Pride celebration and to use a short, mixed-format survey to gather community feedback on inclusion.

Chair Katie Bryden said practical details are set: “The booths are open from 10AM to 4PM. The parade starts at 11 and goes from 11AM to 12PM,” and she outlined three two-hour shifts (10–12, 12–2, 2–4) for volunteers. Student representative Emmy volunteered for the 10–12 slot and committee members agreed to aim for two people per shift so the booth is never left unattended.

The committee focused on creating low-barrier ways for festivalgoers to share views. Members backed a large poster-board option for on-site voting (star or sticker choices) plus a QR code linking to a longer online form for people who want to provide more detailed responses later. “We could maybe identify three of these questions and write them on the board so that the folks there at 08:30 in the morning…can still collect the things that we actually care about,” Bryden said.

Accessibility requirements and equity concerns shaped the discussion. A public commenter, Jamie Back, asked whether printed surveys and QR codes would be available in “high frequency languages other than English” and whether the booth would have ASL interpretation. Committee members noted translation and interpreting options are constrained by short lead time but proposed two near-term steps: (1) provide hard‑copy surveys at the booth and a QR code that links to the online form, and (2) recruit volunteer translators (students and community contacts) to produce vetted Spanish and French versions before the event or otherwise prioritize multilingual rollout at a later date. Members also said they will ask the Pride organizers about ASL interpreters for the booth area or whether stage interpreters can be available to help.

On survey design, the committee favored a short core of nine items that can be completed quickly and a nonrequired free-text field at the end. Members proposed question options that address housing, public gathering spaces, representation at events and city leadership, transportation barriers, and physical accessibility. The committee agreed to allow respondents to skip questions, to include “choose all that apply” options where useful, and to add an optional field for contact information to enable follow-up when available.

Logistics and materials were finalized in general terms: members volunteered to bring folding tables, chairs, stickers and craft supplies (friendship‑bracelet materials) to attract engagement; the city manager’s budget will cover modest purchases. Bryden said she will confirm the booth location with Pride organizers and circulate the event packet and final survey link to the committee in advance.

The committee asked staff to coordinate printouts, poster boards and at least one device at the table for people who prefer to complete the survey on-site. Members said they will prioritize low‑intensity, festival‑friendly ways of soliciting feedback and will treat the on-site activity as a pilot for future outreach.

The committee will reconvene before the event to confirm volunteers, pick up supplies and post final materials.","Bangor's advisory committee on racial equity, inclusion and human rights set logistics for the city's Pride booth, drafted a brief survey to gather inclusivity feedback, and discussed steps to make outreach accessible, including translations, ASL provision and paper copies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City manager previews August City Hall opening, website accessibility upgrade and parking changes

Committee explores partnership with NAACP for MLK breakfast; volunteer liaison sought

Committee reviews LD 1971 and discusses local options around 287(g) agreements

Advisory committee finalizes Pride booth plans, prioritizes simple survey and accessibility supports