Loading...
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.