HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-16 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Patricia Blanchette, Peter D’Errico, Richard Stone, Gerry
Palmer, Harold Wheeler, Neally, Bronson
Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Paul Nicklas
Others Attending:
Committee convened at 5:00 p.m.
Consent Agenda
1. Discussion of Proposed Ordinance Amendment: Provide for Alternate Member of
Planning Board
Paul Nicklas stated that currently the Planning Board consisted of seven members, no
associate members this was a result of an amendment to the City Ordinance on
February 11, 2008. Councilor Wheeler requested an ordinance amendment to change
this provision to add an alternate member no other provisions regarding the Planning
Board would be changed. The request would be to add one alternate member.
Councilor Wheeler stated that currently there needed to be a quorum on two thirds
majority vote. If they did not have a quorum of five and there only was four members.
He explained a developer would have to go one waiting list until the next meeting and
hopefully there would be five at that time. Councilor Palmer would like to review and
would remind the personnel committees when interviewing folks, make them aware of
the attendance policy and their job descriptions. Councilor Palmer supported. Jim Ring
stated attendance hadn't been a real problem, but in some instances it would be
advantageous. Councilor Wheeler and Jim Ring stated that an alternate would be
favorable in an instance where a member had to recuse themselves due to a conflict of
interest. Councilor D’Errico moved passage, seconded by Councilor Bronson to the
Planning Board before going to full Council.
There was continued discussion of conflict of interest and the importance of stressing
attendance and emphasizing the ethics. A question arose if the City offered a two-hour
class in ethics to all board members and councilors? Ed stated they provide orientation
sessions and municipal association sessions although not required, it is suggested.
There was a unanimous vote.
1
2. Referral: Ordinance 09-199: Stormwater Maintenance and Reporting
The MS4 permit required the City to have an Ordinance in place by July 1, 2009. It
should provide an annual inspection requirement for construction discharges into the
City’s storm sewer system. The City had been working on a Comprehensive Ordinance
that would address this requirement, but will not have the ordinance prepared in time
to be enacted by July 1st. The DEP had allowed municipalities a 60 day extension to
enact the Ordinance so long as the municipality had a stopgap provision in place by the
original deadline. The attached Ordinance would meet the necessary criteria for the
City to receive the extension and allow the City to finish work on the more
Comprehensive Ordinance. This Ordinance would require construction projects to
provide the City with a plan for inspection and maintenance and to make annual reports
to the City regarding said maintenance. This Ordinance is intended to be replaced by
the more Comprehensive Ordinance by the end of August 2009. Ed stated this comes
up frequently but there is no system in place to require that those systems be
maintained. The Ordinance before the Committee would ensure the system would be
in place and an Ordinance would be adopted. Councilor Wheeler motioned; and it
seconded. There was a unanimous vote.
3. Update: MDOT Grant Applications for Sidewalk Projects
Jim Ring stated the Committee, over a year ago, was spoken to with regards to a new
program MDOT Quality Community Program Funding. This funding would be for
sidewalks on Blue Hill Road East from Finson Road to Fort Knox Ave., Moosehead Blvd.
from Fort Knox Ave. to Bald Mountain Drive, Dirigo Drive from Moosehead Blvd. to
Down East Circle, and to Ohio St., as part of Phase 2 of the Down East School Sidewalk
Project to increase pedestrian safety has been accepted either in full or in part and will
be included in the departments 2010-2011 Biennial Capital Workplan. The program is
expected to $232,000. Jim provided a map for the Committee's review. The Council
approved for the City to apply and accept those grants, should they become available.
Funding would be available until October 1st. Jim Ring also stated there was an extra
$65,000 for constructing a sidewalk on Union Street and $155,000 for Odlin Road. The
City finally received word and would like to make the Committee aware and to also let
the public know that these are to be anticipated. Councilor Wheeler asked if these
were federal funds, state funds for federal funds funneled through the state? Jim Ring
stated that primarily these were federal funds funneled through the state. These also
require a local match of 20%. Councilor D’Errico asked if this would be done by City
Staff or would it be contracted out? Jim Ring stated it would be expected to be done
by our Staff. Councilor Bronson asked about maintenance after completed commented
he was supportive. Councilor Palmer was supportive. Phase 1 would be around the
school, Phase 2 at Blue Hill, and Dirigo Drive was expected to be started this year and
Phase 2 was not expected to be until next year. There was a note to have connection
between a community center and the school. No motion necessary.
Motion to adjourn and seconded. 5:48:23
2