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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-20 Infrastructure Committee Minutes Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, December 20, 2011 City Hall Council Chambers Councilors: Patricia Blanchette Susan Hawes Geoffrey Gratwick Benjamin Sprague Nelson Durgin Cary Weston Staff: Brad Moore Art Morgan Dana Wardwell Paul Nicklas Guests: Mary Lingley Lucy Quimby Rob Kenerson Steve Ribble Mike Poulan James Garrity Jim Tyler The Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Sewer Abatement: 27 Linden Street, Account #1100401 (Copy of Request and Memo from WWTP Superintendent, Brad Moore Attached) Brad Moore explained the request was for water used outside the home for the purpose of a soaker hose to water the garden. The Ordinance did not allow for the intentional use of water outside the home, without a sub-meter. Staff denied request and informed Mary Lingley of the appeals process, thus it was brought to this Committee. Councilor Gratwick joined the meeting. Mary Lingley stated that when she received her bill for May 24, 2011 to September 13, 2011 she expected the water bill to be higher but did not expect the sewer bill to be higher, as the water didn’t enter into the sewer system. And, that in that timeframe spent two thirds of her time at their camp not at the Linden location. She asked how the bill was calculated. Councilor Blanchette asked if WWTP had provided her with information. Mary stated that they had. She also asked how a person could know that that sort of a thing could happen. Brad said that in the spring they print a note on the bill saying that if using outside water, please give them a call, they also list the information on the website, as well as when a person opens a new account, the Bangor Water District provides it. In the past there had been inserts with the bills on different colored paper, so as to stand out from the bill. Councilor Sprague asked Brad to explain the billing of the sewer and water. Brad explained there were separate bills, one for the water and one for the sewer but that both were mailed together. Brad also informed the Committee the abatement would be for $162.33, if the abatement was granted. He responded to Mary’s question about the calculation process. 1 That, as prescribed by Code, it was based on the previous year’s usage and the abatement would reduce the bill, but there would be a minor charge for water to be pumped through the system. Councilor Gratwick also explained that what water goes in usually comes out. Councilor Blanchette explained the cubic foot used to measure water. If using a sub-meter, the water sent through the meter would be deducted from the sewer bill because it didn’t go into the system. Councilor Weston joined the table. Councilor Durgin asked if Mary regularly gardened with the use of water, and she responded not in the future, it would have been much cheaper to have a neighborhood child to go over and turn on the hose. Durgin moved to adopt Staff recommendation and it was seconded by Councilor Gratwick. Brad added that a sub-meter could be acquired from Bangor Water District for approximately twenty-five to thirty-five dollars and could be simply installed by a plumber or someone who was handy. Vote: Unanimous 2. Authorization to Apply for Transportation, Community, & System Preservation Program Grant (Grant to Construct Trails and Sidewalks in Bangor) Councilor Blanchette stated this item was straight forward. She also said there would be no conflict of interest. Lucy Quimby, President of Bangor Land Trust being married to Councilor Gratwick, member of the Committee didn’t have personal gain. Lucy Quimby from 1230 Kenduskeag Avenue stated they relied on the expertise of many others for the trails projects. Rob Kenerson, Steve Ribble, and Mike Poulan were asked to join the table and Art was asked to provide information regarding the TCSP grant application. Art explained the three grant applications and their locations.  Bangor Trails Trail V: construction of approximately one half of a mile paved bicycle/pedestrian trail, connecting from the end of Sylvan Road to the end of I- 95/Stillwater Avenue overpass.  Union Street, Phase I: construction of a new sidewalk on the westerly side of Union Street from Vermont Avenue to Godfrey Boulevard and attended crosswalks across Vermont Avenue at Union Street, across Union Street at Eastern Maine Healthcare Mall, and across Union Street at Godfrey Boulevard.  Union Street, Phase 2: construction of a new sidewalk on the westerly side of Union Street from Telecom Drive to Griffin Road and the southerly side of Griffin Road from 2 Union Street to the Department of Human Services offices and attended crosswalks across Union Street at Griffin Road.  Rob Kenerson, Director of BACTS stated that Federal requirements were to look at pedestrian facilities along any road that receive federal money, and would pay 80% of the cost for the project. Councilor Durgin said he was interested in responding to citizen request for sidewalks at Union Street and Griffin Road areas. He asked if grants were received, would the projects start in the spring. Art responded that it would potentially be in early July of FY13. Councilor Weston asked Dana Wardwell, Director of Public Works if it was customary to double bike/pedestrian paths and advised doing it in the future. Dana indicated yes. Councilor Durgin asked about additional upcoming projects. Dana Wardwell explained there were upcoming MDOT projects expected at Maine Avenue to the new Godfrey roundabout, from that new roundabout to Griffin Road. These projects would include widening the shoulders of the roads. Councilor Sprague asked if the money was allocated already or if it needed to be. Art responded the money would need to be allocated or use in kind services. Also, that Bangor Land Trust had $20,000 to contribute to the match. Councilor Blanchette asked if communities routinely put bike/pedestrian paths in. Rob responded that the Federals required communities to look at those roads that received federal funds and had better have a good reason as to why they didn’t have them. He provided outer Ohio Street near Sunbury Village as an example where there wasn’t a sidewalk because they needed significant right-of-way and that would nearly triple the cost of construction, due to the acquisition of property. Councilor Sprague offered his support for the projects. Councilor Durgin moved on all three TCSP applications to be applied for, Councilor Gratwick seconded. Councilor Weston asked about the Stillwater area being higher in cost than the other projects. Factors in building the trail included the terrain, size, and lighting as Art explained. Steve Ribble, 17 James Street provided information about “complete streets”, which passed in the Senate last week. He expressed concern for kids/citizens being forced to go through culverts as a means to get from Eastern Maine Community College area to the Mall. He said 3 due to the Hogan Road widening, no room was left to provide a sidewalk. This trail would provide a legal surface connection. Councilor Gratwick was supportive of the projects. Lucy wanted to underline the connectivity. This was the only impassable link needing to be built. Councilor Durgin also expressed concern for the college students walking. The City would have approximately eight miles of trails. Councilor Blanchette stated the trails made the City of Bangor more livable. She stated that although this was not a public hearing, she would extend an invitation for input from anyone who wished to speak. Councilor Weston asked Rob if there was any federal funding for skybridges or walking paths over a road as opposed to around them. Rob said there was a five percent cut over the next two years. Significant proof must be provided that a safety issue existed. He stated there was a struggle to maintain the existing. He read a letter to the Committee he had written in support of the trails and the other two applications and provided a copy to the members. Mike Poulan reminded the Committee there was a comprehensive city report from 2008 which outlined trails. These three items to go to the City Council on December 28, 2011. Vote: Unanimous 3. Extending Term of the Stormwater Citizen Review Panel (Memo from Assistant City Solicitor, Paul Nicklas and Proposed Terms Attached) Paul provided the background for the new members. Since the Clean Water Act of the 1970s, the regulatory agencies of DEP and EPA focused on different aspects of water quality. First the City built the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the City then had to focus on CSO abatements, focus on lakes and major lakes and now must focus on stormwater and streams in particular urban streams. In 2009 there was a Penjajawoc Citizen Review Panel. A few months ago the Stormwater Citizen Review Panel was enacted, and is due to expire in January 2012. The request was for a two year extension of this group until January 1, 2014. Councilor Durgin moved Staff recommendation and it was seconded. He noted the language that read “less than two months” should read “less than two weeks”. Paul responded that the memo was written over a month ago and the item got bumped. 4 Councilor Gratwick invited others to speak to hear business perspective and suggestions. James Garrity, Bangor Mall General Manager said the CRP was represented by environmental interests, businesses, and non-profits. The last couple of years they worked very closely with Staff to avoid serious pitfalls, unlike neighbors to the south (Portland). He expressed there was a need to continue this work because DEP expected improvements and the City planned to meet those expectations. Jim Tyler, Chair of the CRP and landowner also spoke to the need to continue with their ongoing efforts. James Garrity spoke about the Watershed Management Plans to be used as a benchmark and spoke about the monitoring the watersheds. Councilor Durgin wanted the public to know this was not a product of the Councilors, but a mandated. The City cannot say no, it must be done as required. Councilor Blanchette asked about the terms of the existing members. Paul said there were various terms for the appointed nine member panel, with three terms being up each year. Those three may reapply. This item to go to the City Council on December 28, 2011. Vote: Unanimous Request by Council Chair, Weston to ask Art a question, item not on the agenda: Councilor Weston asked Art about the Stillwater Avenue Exit status. It was looked at a year ago when Mr. Grant had inquired about allowing a left hand turn off the interstate ramp, onto Stillwater. Then Director, Jim Ring indicated it would seven to ten years to negotiate that and was it still being worked on or would they have to pick it back up and start over again. Art said it was still being worked on and would require public hearings, recommendations from MDOT and the Federal Highway Commission, then on to legislation. Councilor Weston requested Art provide periodic progress updates to relay to the citizens. There was no further discussion and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m. 5