Lewiston City Council unanimously approves permits, ordinance changes and funding applications

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously on a slate of permits, ordinance amendments and funding-authority resolutions at its Tuesday meeting, approving applications and first passages that city staff said will simplify licensing, allow an outdoor fundraising event, and authorize the city to accept potential federal earmarks.

The council approved the minutes of prior meetings and then passed the following items, each by recorded roll call votes that were unanimous (7–0): a special amusement permit for 20 ms social club at 195 Lincoln Street; an outdoor entertainment permit for the Main Needs community walk and music fundraiser at Sunnyside Park on May 24, contingent on final department sign-offs; first passage of an amendment to the Vehicles for Hire ordinance removing local taxi licensing requirements; first passage of an amendment to align special amusement permit renewals with state law so renewals no longer require a council public hearing; a resolve authorizing the police department to apply for, accept and appropriate congressionally directed spending (CDS) requests; and a resolve authorizing applications for a CDS award for the Riverwalk Longley Bridge underpass project. The council also approved the election warrant for a special municipal election on May 13 to validate the school budget and appointed Bruce Damon to the Lewiston Auburn Railroad Company board of directors.

Key votes and details

• Item 1 — Special amusement permit (20 ms social club, 195 Lincoln St.): motion to grant; outcome: approved, roll call vote 7–0.

• Item 2 — Outdoor entertainment permit (Main Needs walk, Sunnyside Park, May 24, 9 a.m.): motion to authorize permit contingent on positive recommendations from police, fire, code/land use and health officials; outcome: approved, roll call vote 7–0.

• Item 3 — Vehicles for Hire ordinance (chapter 82) amendment: first passage to eliminate local taxi licensing requirements and preserve a minimal registration so police have local contact information should a Lewiston-based taxi operator appear; outcome: approved (first passage), roll call 7–0; public hearing continued to next regular meeting for final passage.

• Item 4 — Amusement and entertainment ordinance (chapter 10) amendment: first passage to remove the public hearing requirement for annual renewal of special amusement permits so renewals are handled administratively, matching the liquor-license renewal process; outcome: approved (first passage), roll call 7–0; final passage still required.

• Item 5 — Resolve authorizing police department CDS application acceptance: chief described the FY26 congressional directed spending request as a resubmission encouraged by Senator Collins’ office; the new FY26 ask totaled $2,239,000 as presented; outcome: council approved the resolve to authorize application/acceptance, roll call 7–0.

• Item 6 — Resolve authorizing application for Riverwalk Longley Bridge underpass congressional directed spending (approx. $3.4 million): Director Libby said the project is in the Riverfront Island Master Plan, requires engineering due to proximity to the water line, and would include lighting and resilience measures; outcome: approved, roll call 7–0.

• Item 7 — Election warrant for special municipal election (May 13) to validate the school budget: council approved issuance of the warrant and related clerical recommendations including absentee ballot processing; outcome: approved, roll call 7–0.

• Item 8 — Annual appointment to Lewiston Auburn Railroad Company board: Bruce Damon appointed as Lewiston director for a three-year term ending April 2028; outcome: approved, roll call 7–0.

Context and next steps

City staff noted some items were first passages and will return for final votes; the outdoor event approval was contingent on departmental approvals. Councilors asked staff to publicize the special election and to continue working with applicants and departments to finalize conditions attached to permits. Several councilors thanked staff and applicants for streamlining renewal procedures expected to reduce repetitive council agenda time.

Ending

All recorded votes shown in the meeting transcript were unanimous for the listed items. No items were rejected or tabled during the meeting.