HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-04 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
Minutes
April 4, 2016
Councilors Attending: Plourde, Graham, Nichols, Baldacci, Durgin, Faircloth
Staff Attending: Conlow, Farrar, Nicklas, Willette, Heitmann, Goodwin, Potter
Other Attending: BDN, 1 taxicab driver, Andrea Beaulieu
Committee Chair Plourde called the meeting to order at 6:55pm.
1. Referral, Council Resolve 16-127, Accepting and Appropriating $353,891 in Grant Funds from the US
Department of Housing and Urban Development – Shelter Plus Care Renewal
It was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Nichols and voted to recommend approval of Resolve 16-127 to
the Council.
2. Referral, Council Ordinance 16-124, Repealing and Replacing Chapter 378, Taxicabs, of the Code of
the City of Bangor
Assistant City Solicitor Nicklas presented a summary of the significant changes to the proposed
Ordinance. He also explained the differences between taxicabs and new ride services such as Uber and
Lyft, which are regulated by the state, not municipalities. He also presented an overview of the reasons
for the changes. Following Council questions, it was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Durgin, and voted
to recommend approval of Ordinance 16-124 to the Council.
3. Proposed Taxicab Fee Changes
Assistant City Solicitor Nicklas reviewed the proposed changes to the taxicab fee structure. Essentially,
the increase is $25 to cover the cost of an annual criminal background check. Currently, those are only
performed when the first license is issued. The new annual fee would total $57. Following questions
concerning the need for more regular background checks and whether those checks should also apply to
holders of other city licenses or employees, it was moved by Graham, seconded by Baldacci, and voted
to recommend approval of the proposed fee structure to the Council. Nicklas noted that the Order for
th
the new fees would appear on the April 25 Council agenda, to allow for the new taxicab ordinance to
th
be passed first on April 11.
4. Bags for Bangor Program
Parks and Recreation Director Willette briefed the Committee on the proposal by Andrea Beaulieu,
known as Bags for Bangor. Ms. Beaulieu collects, assembles and distributes large zip lock bags
containing a variety basic food items and personal care products for those in need. Dangerous items
such as razors or products containing alcohol are not included. She plans to distribute the bags through
two donated newspaper boxes located at downtown locations. Ms. Beaulieu answered several
questions from the Committee, and members were very appreciative and supportive of her proposal. It
was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Graham and voted to permit Willette and Beaulieu to work out a
Use Agreement for the location of the distribution boxes, acceptable to the City and Ms. Beaulieu.
5. Request to Increase the number of Seasonal Food Vendors on the Waterfront from three to five.
Parks and Recreation Director Willette presented his recommendation to increase the number of
seasonal food vendors on the Waterfront from 3 to 4. (The original request was to move to five vendors,
but this is not allowed under the current land development code.) Willette explained that there is
interest and space available for both the vendors and necessary parking, without infringing on other
needed parking spaces. Willette also explained the existing fee structure and reviewed past vendors
who have had space on the Waterfront. The Committee was supportive of moving to four vendors now,
and then considering a fifth space once the land development code is amended to permit it. It was
moved by Baldacci, seconded by Durgin and voted to authorize up to four seasonal vendors on the
Waterfront.
6. Referral, Council Order 16-130, Authorizing the Establishment of a Community Stakeholder Steering
Committee in conjunction with the AARP Grant Application regarding Livable / Age Friendly
Communities and the Innovative Neighborhoods Initiative.
City Manager Conlow indicated that this item returned as a result of some further questions that had
been raised by Councilor Graham regarding the Committee make-up and role /tasks of the Committee.
The City Manager had prepared additional language that could be used to amend the original Council
Order, that addressed some of the issues. Councilor Graham asked a series of questions which were
responded to by Councilor Faircloth and City Solicitor Heitmann. Councilor Durgin also added
information regarding the program and the Council Order. Following questions and answers, it was
moved by Baldacci, seconded by Nichols and voted to recommend this Order, with the proposed
additional language included in an amended Council Order, to the full Council.
7. Citywide Wellness Challenge Program
City Manager Conlow reviewed the background memo she prepared on this issue with the Committee,
outlining the process to date, the city-wide Wellness Challenge, and how it developed, the donation by
Bangor Savings Bank of $3,000 to support the program, and related details. Public Health and
Community Services Director Hamilton added that this citywide challenge would dovetail with the city
employee wellness challenge, and that helpful activity related information would be collected. The City
Manager noted that a draft Council Order had been prepared to establish the challenge activity, accept
the donation and permit further contributions / donations to support the program, should they be
forthcoming. Following questions and answers, it was moved by Baldacci, seconded by Graham and
voted to move forward with the draft Council Order as outlined.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.