HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-17 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee
Monday,July 17th, 2017
City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
Councilors Present: Nichols, Faircloth, Graham, Perry,Tremble, and Weston.
Staff Present: City Manager Conlow, Assistant City Manager Crooker, Police Chief Hathaway,
and Deputy Police Chief Bushey.
Councilor Nichols opened the meeting at 7:37 PM.
Regular Agenda
1. Order,Authorizing the Police Department to apply, in conjunction with the Penobscot
County Sheriff,for the 2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant.
Deputy Chief Bushey provided the Council with an overview of what the Police
Department hopes to receive from the grant. The Police Department intends to use
the funds to purchase and upgrade equipment for the patrol division, community
relations unit, criminal investigations division, and to cover the expenses associated
with training for the department Media Relations Officer. Councilor Tremble
moved. Councilor Perry seconded. All in favor 6-0.
2. Discussion of 2017 Mayors Challenge Application
Assistant City Manager Crooker explained that Council Chair/Mayor Baldacci
forwarded to staff the notice of Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayors Challenge.
Mr. Crooker explained that the Mayors Challenge helps cities develop bold and
innovative ideas to solve some of the Cities most urgent problems with the goal of
being able to replicate those ideas in other areas of the Country. Mr. Crooker
indicated that staff came together to discuss potential projects and came up with
the idea of addressing the opiate problem, the upcoming work force shortage in
industries such as agriculture and aquaculture, and the food hub. Mr. Crooker
indicated that he was just giving the Council an overview of the proposed project but
noted that additional information was included in their packets. Assistant City
Manager Crooker noted that he could provide the Council with additional
information, if desired. The intent is to bring together the clinical work of the
Community Health Leadership Board regarding substance abuse and the
employment support services of the local Career Center and Northeastern Work
Force Development Board to assist with job training and education as well as job
placement in the areas of aquaculture and agriculture, which will help support the
Food Hub concept that is being developed for the Greater Bangor Area.
Councilor Graham asked for clarification since he was confused by Mr. Crooker's
explanation. Mr. Crooker highlighted the three major elements and clarified that
work force development in terms of job training, education and placement was a
key component of the project. Mr. Graham indicated that this explanation helped
but wondered if the intent was for the City to run the food hub and be responsible
for this project. Manager Conlow indicated that the staff only had a week to put a
concept together and that the intent of the grant is to apply with an idea and if
Bloomberg Philanthropies liked the concept then the City could be awarded
$100,000 to test the proposal and work on implementation concepts in detail. It
was noted that the city is what is really being sold.
Councilor Tremble motioned. Councilor Weston seconded. All in favor 6-0.
Meeting Adjourned 7:37 PM.