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Home My WebLink About2008-05-20 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Minutes Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Minutes Councilors Attending: Peter D’Errico, Patricia Blanchette, Gerry Palmer, Geoffrey Gratwick Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Dana Wardwell, Rebecca Hupp, Risteen Masters, Jerry Hughes, Ron Gastia, Mark Hathaway Others Attending: Paul Svendson, Kathy Guerin, Monique Gotra, Nick Bearce Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Sewer Abatement Request: 89 Third Street, Account # 050006 Jim provided an overview. There was a heating malfunction which was repaired. Councilor Blanchette moved and was seconded for passage. REGULAR AGENDA 2. Recycling Committee Report The Recycling Committee Report appeared fourth to be reviewed by the Committee. Councilor Gratwick provided a handout for Solid Waste/Recycling and provided an update for potential plans, and provided items of focus on how to save money, environmental/education, funding, and costs. Jerry Hughes, Recycling Coordinator gave a brief overview and stated that it was started in 1998 on a volunteer basis, in 1991 curbside pick up started. The facility is a regional process center and has received grants through the 90’s and was considered a top rated facility. Dana introduced to the Committee the concept of “single-stream” which there was pick up at the curb and sorting was done at another location, which would allow pick up of additional items. The advantages of single stream would be easier pick up, less time, recycle more items, automated pick up potential. The disadvantage would be capital investment, larger/more bins. Jim stated he had several meetings with Casella/Pine Tree and Eco Maine regarding single stream. He stated the benefits would be simplification of collection, potential increase in recycle rates, use packer truck, and replace bins with toters. The financial impact would be on received revenues as Bangor would be a transfer station. Ed suggested looking at the economic incentive to adopt a “pay to throw system” with a minimal charge. Councilor Blanchette stated this would require further discussion and education and sited the number of people not recycling. She also stated if it is burned at PERC 1 today it will be breathed in Bangor tomorrow and suggested to restrict the number of bags put out, incorporate a charge, apartments with more than four units should have a dumpster, and recycle bumpers, and provide wheels/lids on bins. Suggested there should be discussion at the Recycle Committee meeting. Ed stated that Pine Tree already picks up dumpsters at apartment buildings with four or more units. Councilor Blanchette inquired about grants available for “flipper bins”. Jerry stated that was not at the State level and stated the need to educate in the schools with the children. Councilor Palmer suggested placement on the City channel. Councilor D’Errico asked about the ETA for single streaming. Jim stated he wasn’t sure exactly, but the waste haulers were very interested. Paul Svendson stated this was a throw away society and the only way to make them recycle was to “hit them in the pocketbook”. He also stated that there was an educational article that is published in The Weekly once a month and editorials in the Bangor Daily News, which was working. He stated that currently there wasn’t an energy policy and suggested people in each neighborhood would be in charge, do a demonstration from Maple Street to Summit to see how it worked. Kathy Guerin, Executive Director with Keep Bangor Beautiful would like to see increased participation, noted it would require constant reminders. KBB had helped with signage improvement at the drop off center and spoke of the redesign work done to the website to include a resource/forum which would cost $400-$500 to get it up and running. Monique Gotra spoke of how she took advantage of the City’s giving away composite bins and discussed her participation at the Bangor Home Show where they sold the units for $48.00 for 80 gallon compost unit. Monique offered a suggestion to have a “composite in the park” for 1 ½ - 2 hours on a Saturday morning, or go door-to door providing handouts on composting and concurs with education in the schools. Nick Bearce talked about looking into glass recycling and proposed taxing excessive packaging. 3. Increase for Permit Parking Violation-BPD Lt. Mark Hathaway and Ron Gastia provided a memo to the Committee. They were hopeful that consideration would be given to raising the fine. The fine for parking in a permit lot without a permit currently is $10 and would like to discourage non- permitted parking by raising it to $25. Ed stated this was being presented now due to the new printing order for tickets that would need to be placed soon. He also suggested changes to the Ordinance, waiving first reading, and to take action. Councilor Blanchette asked why towing was not being done. Councilor Palmer stated parking was at a premium and should raise the cost. Councilor Palmer moved and Councilor Blanchette seconded. 4. MDOT Grant Applications for Sidewalk Projects Submission of grant applications for establishing sidewalks at three qualifying locations were planned. These projects were to address pedestrian safety issues where sidewalks are nonexistent. Staff would review the projects and programs in greater detail at the meeting. The locations are: o Vicinity of Downeast School o Westerly side of Union Street, I-95 to Vermont Avenue o Odlin Road commercial area, vicinity of I-395 2 Jim stated there was an opportunity to obtain grant funding. He outlined programs such as Quality Community Program, Safe Routes to School. He stated all were safety related issues and outlined that for Safe Routes would be a 100% match and the other grants would require a match of 20%. Dana Wardwell stated he was th working on an application that had a June 6 deadline. Downeast School would require two different applications and that some portion may be done this year. The work would involve 1900’ for Downeast School, 2750’ for Union Street, and 2200’ for Odlin Road. Councilor Blanchette stated a sidewalk for Downeast School had been fought for, for about three years and was happy. She stated the work on Odlin Road would help economic development and stated Union Street needed another sidewalk. But expressed concern that if it was paved it would be plowed. Dana assured that it would be designed to plan for the plow with the wing on the dump truck would be able to plow those sidewalks. Councilor Blanchette moved and it was seconded. Jim added that to improve the chances of acquiring the grants would be to increase the “in-kind” match. 5. Passenger Statistics for March & April-BGR The Passenger Statistics followed Item #1 for review. Passenger statistics were down 12% in April. There was strong competition from Portland. It was noted that flights to JFK would be daily in beginning in June, Delta/North West’s merger would hopeful increase through the Detroit Hub, and marketing soon to take place for weekly flights to Reagan via U.S. Air. 6. Standard Ground Handling Agreement-BGR Standard Ground Handling Agreement was next as Item #3 for review. Rebecca stated this was a standard agreement for a three year duration; and was done through Legal. Fees and prices are in line with other airports. Rebecca stated they were reasonable and competitive, on the average of $3.06 per passenger. Ed stated the “money maker” for the airlines was in fueling. There was a motion and it was seconded for passage. Councilor Blanchette moved to adjourn at approximately 6:42 p.m. and it was seconded. 3