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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes June 20, 2016 Councilors Attending: Plourde, Perry, Sprague, Nichols, Graham, Baldacci Staff Attending: Conlow, Farrar, Heitmann, Wardwell, Hamilton, Willette, Lundy Others Attending: Peter Hansen, Dan Schwartz, Media Chairman Plourde convened the meeting at 6:50 pm 1. Referral, Council Ordinance 16-249: Amending Schedule III of Chapter 291, Article III Sec 39,of the Code of the City of Bangor, by Establishing a One Hour Parking Space at 634 Hammond Street. - Assistant City Manager Farrar explained that this was referred to Committee to permit property abutters and public to comment on the proposed change. No one from the audience spoke and Public Works Director Wardwell indicated he had heard from one abutter who was not opposed to creating a one hour parking space at the location. Graham asked if staff had any further recommendations as this seemed to be a general location with parking challenges. Wardwell noted that if more problems arose, staff would come back to the Committee. It was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Sprague and voted unanimously to recommend this Ordinance to the full Council. 2. Citizen Request to Discuss Enacting Smoking Restrictions in Public Places and Property including Parks, Playgrounds, and School Bus Waiting Areas - Public Health and Community Services Director Hamilton introduced business owner Peter Hansen. He provided a handout to the Committee which emphasized his position that the city should ban smoking at school bus stops and in parks and playgrounds. The handout provided background information on this issue, explained the dangers of second hand smoke, and provided examples and estimated costs of signage. Mr. Hansen felt this was an important safety and health issue and requested that the Committee address the issue. Several Committee members spoke expressing their support for drafting an Ordinance that would prohibit smoking in places frequented by the public as outlined by Mr. Hansen. Following further discussion, it was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Graham and unanimously voted to request staff to draft an Ordinance prohibiting smoking in parks, playgrounds and at school bus stops, as outlined by Mr. Hansen. Once prepared, the draft Ordinance will return to Committee for review and discussion. 3. Draft City Council Resolve Opposing Legalization of Retail (non-medical) Marijuana. - Public Health and Community Services Director Hamilton explained the background on this issue, and that the request for the Resolve had come forward at the request of Councilor Nealley. Baldacci suggested that a public hearing / meeting be held before the Council votes in order to let the public comment. This could be a separate meeting or pre-Council. Sprague questioned whether this issue was appropriate for the Council to take a position on, as a procedural matter. Graham commented that the Council had taken positions on other issues effecting / impacting Bangor. Plourde commented that perhaps the problem was the language of the question itself, not the issue of whether to legalize non-medical marijuana. A question was asked whether the city could supersede state law, and the response from Solicitor Heitmann was no, but the city could establish zoning requirements. It was then moved by Graham, seconded by Perry to schedule a pre-Council public meeting later in July to discuss the issue and Resolve. The vote was two in favor (Graham and Perry), and three opposed (Plourde, Sprague and Nichols). The motion failed. Following further discussion it was decided that Director Hamilton would continue to work on the public health part of the issue, and perhaps schedule an informational / educational session from a public health perspective and to discuss the referendum question language. 4. Request to Restripe / Paint a Downtown Crosswalk - Downtown Liaison Lundy informed the Committee that he had been approached by a business requesting that the city paint a down crosswalk in Pride colors to show Bangor’s support for those affected the recent Orlando tragedy and to show support for the upcoming Pride Parade and events this week. Lundy outlined two possible locations: on the State Street Bridge and on Main Street in front of Paddy Murphy’s. Dan Schwartz also spoke in support of the request and emphasized that this would help promote awareness and show that Bangor is an accepting and tolerant community. Several Committee members spoke in support of the plan and the State Street location. Public Works Director Wardwell has been told by the City’s paint supplier that paint could be available by the end of the week, and Wardwell believes the work can be accomplished by the parade on Saturday. There was a discussion concerning the cost of the labor and paint (estimated at $900) the up keep of the colors in the crosswalk, and a consensus emerged that once the colored paint had worn off, that it would be repainted in its original color. A motion was made by Nichols, seconded by Sprague and unanimously voted to approve painting the State Street with Pride colors, with the condition that once the colors began to wear out / off, the crosswalk would be repainted in its original color. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.