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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-18 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes July 18, 2016 Councilors Attending: Plourde, Nichols, Sprague, Perry, Graham, Baldacci, Faircloth Staff Attending: Conlow, Farrar, Heitmann, Higgins, Hathaway, Willette, Hamilton, Comstock, O’Donnell Other Attending: Media representatives, several residents Committee Chair Plourde called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm CONSENT AGENDA 1. Resolve, Accepting and Appropriating $149,979 for the Supplemental Nutrition Education Grant Program ( SNAP-ED) 2. Order, Authorizing the City Manager to Extend the Sub-Recipient Agreement with Katahdin Shared Services as the Fiscal Agent for Partnership for a Healthy Northern Penobscot from a Twelve Month Contract to a Fifteen Month Contract Ending September 30, 2016 3. Order, Authorizing the City Manager to Extend the Sub-Recipient Agreement with Mayo Regional Hospital as the Fiscal Agent for Piscataquis Public Health Coalition form a Twelve Month Contract to a Fifteen Month Contract Ending September 30, 2016 4. Election ballot for Maine Municipal Association positions of Vice President and Executive Committee members - There were no questions or comments concerning Consent Agenda items 1-4. It was moved by Graham, seconded by Sprague and voted to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. REGULAR AGENDA 5. 2016 Byrne Memorial/ Justice Assistance Grant Funding - Chief Hathaway explained the nature, purpose and intended use of the 2016 Byrne Grant, which is shared with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department. It was moved by Graham, seconded by Sprague and voted unanimously to recommend acceptance of the Grant to the full Council. 6. Resolve, Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $190,507 in Homeland Security Grant Funding from the Maine Emergency Management Association (MEMA) - Chief Higgins explained the nature, purpose and intended use the 2016 Homeland Security Grant totaling $190,507, Funding for various projects will be shared between the Police and Fire Departments. It was moved by Sprague, seconded by Graham and unanimously voted to recommend approval of the Resolve to accept and appropriate the funding to the full Council. 7. Consideration of Draft Ordinance Prohibiting Smoking in Certain City Parks - City Solicitor Heitmann explained the draft Ordinance that had been requested by the Committee at a previous meeting. As proposed, the Ordinance would prohibit smoking in all established city parks, with the exception of West Market Square and the Municipal Golf Course. Councilors added numerous comments and asked several questions concerning how / whether school bus stops could be included, other park locations, whether to exclude West Market Square and the Golf Course, and whether the Ordinance was too restrictive or not restrictive enough. Comments about the health risks of smoking and second hand smoke were made, as well as the rights of smokers and non-smokers. Resident Peter Hanson advocated for continuing to try and ban smoking at school bus stops. After considerable discussion on a variety of viewpoints it was moved by Sprague and seconded by Baldacci for the ordinance to only include a prohibition on smoking in those city parks that had features / amenities that were designed to attract children such as playgrounds, swimming pools, athletic fields and similar areas. Graham voiced his concern that the proposed ban should extend further to include all parks, including West Market Square and the Golf Course. The motion passed after further discussion and debate. The Committee did request that this topic return at a later date to discuss issues surrounding school bus stops and West Market & Pickering Squares. 8. Discussion concerning the Relocation of the Skateboard Park on Union Street - Parks and Recreation Willette provided a brief history of the creation of the Skateboard Park and where it has been located over the years. The Skate Board Park may need to be moved again as there is interest in developing the parcel of land located between Maine Avenue and Union Street where it is presently situated. Councilors spoke about the proposed new location in back of the Parks and Recreation facility on lower Main Street, as well as the benefits / limitations of other potential locations. Interest was expressed in making the facility more of a destination, engaging users, and undertaking fundraising, if necessary. Following further discussion, it was moved by Sprague, seconded by Nichols and voted 4-1 ( Graham) to move forward with staff recommendation to relocate the skateboard park to a location behind Parks and Recreation, to engage with those using the Park to gain their input and suggestions, and to consider fundraising as an option , if necessary. 9. Continued Discussion and Review of Proposed Ordinance Regarding Abandoned / Stray Shopping Carts - City Solicitor Heitmann explained the background of the issue and the proposed Ordinance that had been requested at a previous meeting. Several Councilors commented that they now felt that voluntary compliance / education / outreach / working with companies would be a preferred approach to enacting a local Ordinance regarding this issue. Graham did not agree with those thoughts, commenting that he favored the concept of an Ordinance that would deal with shopping cart blight, environmental concerns and safety issues now, rather than waiting and relying on voluntary compliance. There was no motion made to move the proposed Ordinance forward. Following further comments, questions and debate, as outlined above, staff was directed to work with local companies using shopping carts in an effort to gain voluntary compliance, to continue to monitor the situation, to track complaints, etc., and the Committee would review the issue in another 6-12 months. 10. Appointment to and Election of Representatives to the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) - Assistant City Manager Farrar explained that as a member of the Maine Municipal Association, Bangor appoints one member to their Legislative Policy Committee, and votes, along with the Town of Hermon to elect a second member. LPC membership is established by State Senate Districts. It was moved by Sprague, seconded by Perry and voted to appoint Nelson Durgin as Bangor’s representative and to cast Bangor’s ballot for Roger Raymond from Hermon, the only candidate on the election ballot. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm.