HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-08 25-270 Order *��a�$qH a CITY COUNCIL ACTION
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!,�/' 1�,, Council Meeting Date: 09/08/2025
If��-' �'� Item No: 25-270
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Requested Action: Order Map/Lot: N/A
Title, Order
Referring the Issue of Private Communications Between City Councilors Following the City Council Budget
Workshop of May 7 to the City's Board of Ethics for an Advisory Opinion
Summary
This order would refer to the City's Board of Ethics for an advisory opinion the issue of whether
private communications between City Councilors following the City Council Budget Workshop of May
7, 2025 constituted one or more violations of the City's Code of Ethics.
The City's Code of Ethics allows for the City Council to request an advisory opinion from the Board of
Ethics as to whether a particular situation constitutes a violation(s) of the Code of Ethics. Upon
referral of a question(s), the Board of Ethics may conduct fact-finding, deliberate, and issue findings
and an advisory opinion with respect to the question(s) referred.
Committee Action
Committee: 0 Meeting Date:
Action: 0 For: Against:
Staff Comments &Approvals
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City Manager City Solicitor Finance Director
Introduced for: New Business �
�-art_aa;y�� CITY OF BANGOR ORDER
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i%�m��;� ��m Date: 09/08/2025
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�,v�. .� Item No: 25-270
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°Rar�n,��-�� Assigned to Councilor: Leonard
Referring the Issue of Private Communications Between City Councilors Following the City Council Budget
Workshop of May 7 to the City's Board of Ethics for an Advisory Opinion
WHEREAS, the Bangor Code of Ordinances, Chapter 33, § 33-21, provides that a City Councilor may submit a
written statement in the form of a Council order to the City Council describing the nature of a matter to seek
advice on whether a situation constitutes a violation of the Code of Ethics; and
WHEREAS, following the City Council budget workshop of May 7, a series of private communications occurred
among City Councilors regarding potential disciplinary action against Councilor Joseph Leonard, whose
comments prompted the resignation of the City's Finance Director; and
WHEREAS, these private communications included, but were not limited to:
A May 8 text message exchange wherein Councilor Dan Tremble asked Council Chair Cara Pelletier whether
the Council could strip Councilor Leonard of his speaking, voting, and committee privileges, to which Council
Chair Pelletier confirmed the Council had the power, and Councilor Tremble indicated his agreement to
proceed.
Text messages from Councilor Carolyn Fish to Councilors Susan Deane and Susan Hawes immediately
following the May 7 meeting to deliberate on the nature of Councilor Leonards conduct.
A subsequent "flurry" of text messages and requests for phone calls among councilors to arrange a private
meeting to discuss the matter further.
WHEREAS, this pattern of serial communication and private deliberation to build consensus on official Council
business appears to be a direct contradiction of Chapter 9, § 9-22 of the Bangor Code of Ordinances, which
states the Councils intent that its "deliberations be conducted openly" and that "clandestine meetings" shall
not be used to defeat this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the discussion of a sensitive personnel matter with potential legal ramifications for the City via
non-secure, private communications may be in conflict with the principles of Chapter 33, § 33-7, concerning
the handling of confidential City affairs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT,
The City Council hereby refers this matter to the Bangor Board of Ethics. The Board is directed to:
Make findings of fact regarding the private communications between City Councilors from May 7 onward
concerning the actions of Councilor Leonard and the resignation of the Finance Director.
Render an advisory opinion to the City Council as to whether this series of actions constitutes a violation of
the Bangor Code of Ordinances, specifically the provisions for open deliberations and the handling of
confidential information as cited herein.
IN CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
CO 25-270
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Vote: 7—2
Councilors Voting Yes: Beck, Deane, Fish, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar, Pelletier
Councilors Voting No: Fournier, Tremble
Passed
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DEPUTY CITY CLERK