Gardiner council approves code changes, license renewals, permits and awards in unanimous votes

Gardiner — The Gardiner City Council on April 16 approved a series of routine and policy items including amendments to local codes, multiple cannabis license renewals, several event permits, a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept grant funds, Spirit of America award nominations and an increase to harbor fees.

Council members conducted second reads and final votes on multiple ordinance changes, then moved through license renewals and event permits with little debate. City Manager Bob Peabody reported department sign-offs for the license applications. Finance Director Denise Brown briefed the council later in the meeting on the proposed FY26 budget; that discussion followed the votes.

Key actions and outcomes

- Changes to Gardiner City Code Chapter 5.14 (sidewalk display standards): Motion to approve made by Councilor Rusty Greenleaf, seconded by Councilor Veronica Babcock. Recorded as a unanimous vote.

- Changes to Gardiner City Code Chapter 17.8 (Water Street flood response): Motion to approve made by Councilor Veronica Babcock, seconded by Councilor Gaye Grant. Recorded as a unanimous vote after brief outreach-report from a councilor who said she had walked Water Street and distributed the ordinance to affected property owners.

- Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance, Section 11 (Roads, Traffic Access and Parking Standards): Motion to approve made by Councilor Tim Cusick, seconded by Councilor Rusty Greenleaf. Recorded as a unanimous vote.

- Renewal of cannabis licenses for True Blooms Medical Cultivation and Chocolate Adult-Use Manufacturing (applicant: Eric McMaster): Motion to approve made by Councilor Mark Cohen and recorded as approved unanimously. Departments had signed off and no public comment was received during the public hearing.

- Renewal of cannabis retail license for “MarijuanaVille” (retail): Motion to approve made by Councilor Tim Cusick, seconded by Councilor Cone; recorded as unanimous.

- Memorial Day parade permit for American Legion Smith Wylie Post No. 4: Motion to approve made by Councilor Tim Cusick, seconded by Councilor Dolly; recorded as unanimous. Councilors encouraged participation; the parade was scheduled to assemble at 10 a.m. at the armory.

- Large-event approvals: Art Walk (May 16, Aug. 15, Dec. 5, 2025) and Classic Car Cruise weekly events (Thursdays May–September 2025) were approved after staff sign-offs and recommended operational details (Public Works authority to restrict parking on grass for the Classic Car Cruise). Motions recorded as unanimous.

- Resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for, accept and expend grant funds: Motion made by Councilor Tim Cusick, seconded by Councilor Veronica Babcock; recorded as unanimous. The resolution updates the authorized official from a prior interim designee to the current city manager.

- Spirit of America awards: Council voted unanimously to award the Spirit of America recognition to three nominees: the Guiding and Rec Club (Interact Club/high‑school service group), Janice Slade and Orly Allen. Motion by Councilor Rusty Greenleaf, seconded by Councilor Veronica Babcock.

- Harbor fees: After a staff presentation from Police Chief Todd Pillsbury (which relayed work done by Harbor Master Rob Peekens), the council approved an increase to harbor slip fees. Motion to increase harbor fees was made by Councilor Veronica Babcock, seconded by Councilor Dolly; recorded as unanimous.

- Approval of city council minutes from April 2, 2025: Motion to approve made by Councilor Veronica Babcock, seconded by Councilor Tim Cusick. The minutes were approved with one recorded abstention (Councilor Gaye Grant said she had not attended that meeting).

Council procedure and next steps

Most items passed with no recorded roll‑call opposition. Several items had prior public hearings with no speakers; staff and department head approvals were noted by the city manager for licensing and event items. Items that require further departmental detail — including budget hearings and specific capital projects tied to approved funding lines — were scheduled for upcoming May meetings when department heads will present detailed budget lines for FY26.