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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-08 Infrastructure Committee Minutes Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, November 8, 2011 City Hall Council Chambers Councilors: Patricia Blanchette Charles Longo Nelson Durgin Geoffrey Gratwick Gerry Palmer Richard Bronson Staff: Robert Farrar Dana Wardwell Art Morgan Cathy Conlow Debbie Cyr Guests: Jerry Livengood Dan Cassidy The Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Continued Discussion: Pay-Per-Bag/Single Stream Art Morgan explained the City had been considering the municipal solid waste process for some time. And after meetings with the Municipal Review Committee and much consideration, it was determined the Pay-Per-Bag/Single Stream program would not be cost effective. He requested the Committee make a motion to the Council not to recommend this program, at this time. Councilor Blanchette noted the contract with PERC expired in 2017 and asked when this would be addressed and did the Finance Director have figures as yet. Debbie Cyr responded that MRC was talking with the partnership about renewal but it was still the early stages and perhaps would have some recommendations in 2013. Councilor Blanchette asked about looking into regional recycling. Art responded that it was a consideration being looked at. Councilor Durgin stated that regardless of which system penalties would still be high. He was not ready to scrap Pay-Per-Bag, but couldn’t afford to do it at this time. Councilor Longo suggested PPB/SS should be “put to bed” and the City should look at other options besides the PERC plant and to look for the most cost effective method. Councilor Palmer did not wish to “put this to bed”. He considered the “non-profits” that don’t currently pay for trash pick-up, environmental factors with running diesel trucks, the City’s failing equipment. He called on Assistant City Manager, Robert Farrar, who also is a director on the MRC to approach the table. Bob explained to the Committee that there were a lot of variables and unknowns before the expiration date. In two to three years it may be possible to implement the PPB/SS program. If they were to renew a contract it would not be for thirty years, but perhaps ten to fifteen years. 1 Councilor Blanchette would prefer to start sooner rather than later and asked how Brewer was doing Pay-As-You-Throw Program and were they a member, which Bob verified they were members of MRC and wasn’t sure how they’ve done calculations. He suggested Greg Louder with the MRC could come back to address further questions and concerns of the Councilors. Councilor Blanchette also asked if there were talks with Juniper Ridge, which Bob was not sure or what they were accepting for materials. MRC preference would be to work with PERC, but would look at Norridgewock and Pine Ridge if that didn’t work out. Councilor Longo didn’t think other communities looked into this as deeply as Bangor had. And noted their guaranteed annual tonnage might not be as high. He suggested a press release for the citizen’s benefit. Councilor Durgin noted that Bangor produces twenty-five percent, which was significantly higher than other communities. Ultimately taxpayers would pay the price of PPB/SS, and suggested waiting until it was fiscally feasible. A motion was requested and Councilor Durgin motioned Staff recommendation to deny the amendment of the Solid Waste Ordinance, to which Councilor Longo seconded. Yes: Unanimous No: 2. Discussion: Timeline for Installation and Removal of Docks Art explained the City installed docks in mid-May and removed them in mid-October. There had been suggestions to put in sooner and remove later and to bring it to this Committee for discussion. Councilor Bronson stated there were no additional costs once the docks were in the water. He noted there must be other alternatives. He preferred a longer season and to use the best equipment instead of mowing around. Art explained that part of the cost savings was the fact they could store the docks close by at Public Works. Councilor Durgin suggested storing them on the waterfront in a less intrusive location. Dana explained to the Committee the cranes need to be scheduled ahead of time. He would prefer to set a week. It was also explained that if the ADA dock were even to move 200’-300’ it would require an extra crane and a tractor trailer, which increase the cost. Councilor Palmer asked was Bangor open for business or not? He stated his preference was the earlier the better and to leave them as long as possible. Perhaps in the long term acquire where the storage tanks were behind Hollywood Slots and relocate downstream. Cranes were the most expensive and asked if there were other options. He suggested having University of Maine, Engineering figure it out. Councilor Blanchette had concerns about leaving docks in later due to potential hazards associated with the icy weather and the safety of Public Works crews. Also those crews had 2 other tasks such as paving to attend to. She suggested purchasing a spec house to store the docks in. Councilor Bronson did not agree that Bangor would be threatened with ice that early. He asked with the proposed restaurant being located on the waterfront, where they would store the floats. Councilor Durgin suggested they would need to look at scheduling of the crane. He was not comfortable with a fixed timeframe for installation and removal. Art mentioned he was not looking for a formal motion and wished for a discussion before the next season. Councilor Longo suggested dovetailing to have the docks removed with the start of the winter st season of November 1. Dan Cassidy preferred to use the docks as much use as possible. He explained that the ADA Heavy Vessel Dock was good for bigger vessels such as the Patience and American Cruise Lines, but not for smaller vessels that could potentially be damaged by it. He stated smaller floats could be floated in but would still need a crane for the ADA dock. Dana Wardwell preferred the first week of May for installation and removal last week of October, based on weather conditions. Art explained he had a meeting with Cianbro in Brewer regarding using their crane, however it was significantly more costly to “shift” their crane to do so. Also, the docks would take up space on someone else’s land and they would have to pay rent. Councilor Palmer indicated that it would be a secure site. Councilor Longo preferred Dana’s timeline. Councilor Bronson preferred a more flexible timeframe and Councilor Durgin concurred and stated whatever would be prudent. End discussion. Vote: No vote necessary. 3. Discussion & Update: Street Opening Permits & Bangor Gas Company Art explained that Bangor Gas had been very busy and was struggling with installations and needed to pay attention to cleanup. Last Wednesday issuances of permits were hauled until they could provide a sign of their progress when patching up after a project. The City felt there was significant progress and there would be an anticipated press release tomorrow to notify the public that the City would issue permits once again. 3 Cathy said that the citizens had made investments and were expecting service this year. The City would hold weekly meetings with Bangor Gas to view their progress on fixing trenches. The patching would be done with advance techniques. Councilor Bronson stated the City was lucky to have gas here and was supportive of the Staff getting the situation under control. He was concerned about those who had submitted applications in September and October and offered little sympathy. He noted that he had observed the patching in front of his house was of better quality than a couple years ago. Councilor Palmer stated there was more demand than supply, but Bangor Gas was willing to make it work, as it showed by the attendance at the meeting. He stated the City needed to be more accepting, but also noted the sub-contractor’s work could have been better. Bangor Gas has growing pains and need to work with them, they would get better. Jerry Livengood joined the table upon Councilor Palmer’s request. Councilor Palmer asked how far the gas line ran. Jerry said it went to Grandview and that all schools except Downeast had service. And the last college (University of Maine at Bangor) to gain service was currently having the gas infrastructure installed. Councilor Blanchette stated that due warning had been given to Bangor Gas. Art stated this was an update and the press release was for public awareness that Bangor Gas would continue work. Councilor Longo was supportive of Staff and noted that Bangor Gas should have some accountability, requesting assurance of no further repeats. Both Cathy and Jerry assured the Committee that they had a solid plan moving forward. Jerry stated they were having growing pains and should have done a better paving job. The sub fell behind and the quality of work was thus given to the right company for future work. Councilor Gratwick noted the past problems with sub-contractors killing trees and such. Vote: No vote necessary. There was no further discussion and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:26p.m. 4