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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-16 Infrastructure Committee Minutes Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Minutes Councilors Attending: Patricia Blanchette, Gerry Palmer, Harold Wheeler, Geoffrey Gratwick, Richard Bronson Staff Attending: Jim Ring, Dana Wardwell Others Attending: Steve Ribble Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. It was noted by Jim Ring there was a typo, the following should have read Regular Agenda, not Consent Agenda. 1. 2010 Spring Cleanup Overview Jim said in previous years fees had not been charged and the cost for the service was about $60,000. There was a decision during the budget process to continue to provide the drop off program but to charge fees for accepting materials. The approved FY10 budget included revenue of $15,000 from fees collected. The Spring Cleanup fee schedule “flyer” would be run in “The Weekly and broadcast on the Government Access Channel around mid-April upon approval from the Council. This year three acceptable items were added: 1) Small engines. 2) Items containing Freon. 3) Tires mounted on rims. An outline of the fee schedule and requirements was provided. Councilor Gratwick requested there be clarification to the flyer to indicate “car loads”, also “truck, trailer, & van loads”. He also suggested incorporating “Bangor Residents Only” in bold letters at the top, and to make note at the bottom of the page the upcoming hazardous waste cleanup in October. There was discussion of the fee schedule, curbside collection, the disposal of materials taken in, where they would be transported to, and how they arrived at the rates. Councilor Wheeler motioned and Councilor Blanchette seconded. 1 2. Updates/Future Action Items  Final Property Disposition/Paper Street – City Land Within Block Bounded by Third Street, Vine Street, Fifth Street, and Carroll Street Jim stated Habitat for Humanity had approached the City a number of years ago about some land bounded by Third Street, Vine Street, Fifth Street, and Carroll Street to development two houses. There was to be a survey performed by Habitat for the conveyance of land, which did not occur. Since that time the City Solicitor and himself had a survey done and received it. The surveyor had noted a paper street on interior land that would need to be discontinued before continuing with conveyances, to prevent title issues. He noted the Committee would hopefully see this item at the next meeting.  Revision of 2006 Memorandum of Understanding Establishing the Bangor Trails Project Jim stated with regards to Bangor Trails, there were initially three parties to the Memorandum of Understanding: City of Bangor, Bangor Land Trust, and Keep Bangor Beautiful. The purpose of Bangor Trails group was to determine interest, develop appropriate mapping of future trails, and proceed with new trails. Since Keep Bangor Beautiful no longer existed they would need to revise the Memorandum of Understanding to be between City of Bangor and Bangor Land Trust. There were two members of Keep Bangor Beautiful that were instrumental in the work that had been done and they would like to reappoint to due vacant positions and Keep Bangor Beautiful not be existent. This item should be coming forward soon. Councilor Wheeler, at this point, noted that on Kittredge Road near the City Forest repairs were needed. Dana and Jim would take a look at, noted it could be graded up, and thought that work was recently being done in that area. Steve Ribble was in attendance and spoke in concurrence with Jim’s presentation.  Private Interest in City Dock Operation The Committee had requested Jim report back regarding private interest in the City dock operation. He provided a brief background and noted the budget reduction process. Proposed was to install Dock 5 and Dock 3, but not Dock 4. About two months ago there was discussion about the potential for private interest. Jim met with several folks: Waterfront 2 Marine at Hampden line, Hamlin Marina from Hampden, and Port Harbor Marine in Holden who have docks in Bucksport, and the Manager of the Sea Dog. The Sea Dog has a couple of docks in other locations in Maine. After providing them with information, the universal response was that they were not in a good business position to do so or take on anymore. He also had confirmation that the American Cruise Lines vessel would not be visiting to the extent they had in the past. They would see a revised budget plan that excluded installation of Dock 5 (which was 60% of the total cost), to serve American Cruise Line from Dock 3 (which had been done in the past), to install Dock 4 and Dock 1, and limiting Staffing to the weekend. The net reduction would be $16,000 from not installing Dock 5. The cost was approximately $62,000 to install all docks. Breakdown of overall cost:  Dock 5 – 60%  Dock 4 -20%  Dock 3 – 7%  Dock 2 – 7%  Dock 1 – 6%= Councilor Gratwick informed the Committee of an upcoming downtown signage item they should be looking for to come up in a couple of weeks. Item to think about - should Bangor have a “Bangor Brand” of signage for the trails, waterfront, etc. Meeting was adjourned at 5:56 p.m. 3