HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-06 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
MINUTES
July 6, 2015
Councilors Attending: Civiello, Blanchette, Plourde, Sprague, Durgin, Graham
Staff Attending: Farrar, Johnston, Comstock, Goodwin
Others Attending: Media
Committee Chair Civiello called the meeting to Order at 6:00pm. She noted that that Councilor Faircloth
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had requested that Agenda Item #5 (Political Signs) be postponed until the July 20meeting as he would
like to participate in the discussion. As there was no objection, the agenda was amended to include the
first four items as previously printed.
1. FY 16 SNAP Education Grant Funding
Jamie Comstock explained that the purpose of the grant is to provide nutrition education for
eligible recipients and that the funding amount is $155,369 for the 12 month period beginning
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October 1. This is the fourth year of the grant. It was moved by Councilor Plourde, seconded by
Councilor Graham and voted without objection to recommend the acceptance and
appropriation of the grant to the Council.
2. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
Deputy Chief Johnston explained the purpose and intended uses of the grant which will be
shared between the Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department. Bangor will
administer the grant and there is no local match required. Bangor’s share will be $13,885.77. It
was moved by Councilor Sprague, seconded by Councilor Graham and voted without objection
to recommend application for and acceptance of the grant funding.
3. Approval of the final wording for the plaque dedicating the Police Station in honor of
former Chief Donald Winslow.
Deputy Chief Johnston explained that Council Order 15-062 approved the dedication of the
Police Station in honor of former Chief Donald Winslow. The Order provided that the wording of
the plaque would be subject to the final review and approval by the Committee. A color copy of
the plaque design and wording was distributed to the Committee. The Committee reviewed and
discussed the proposed wording. Following the discussion, it was moved by Councilor Plourde,
seconded by Councilor Sprague to make the following two changes: add a period at the end of
the last sentence after “treated”, and to delete the first line “Police Station”, and replace it with
“This building is”. (The remainder of the wording was otherwise acceptable). The Committee
voted 4-1 (Graham opposed) to support the motion. Assistant City Manager Farrar noted that
there would be a dedication ceremony planned once the plaque is completed / received and
that Council and the public would be notified.
4. Liquor License Notification Process
Following up from a previous Committee discussion and review of this issue, the concern that
was raised was for additional notification to be provided when a first time liquor license was
going to be considered by Council in a building that also contained apartment units. This would
serve to provide tenants with notice that a change in building use (serving of alcohol) was being
contemplated. Staff recommended that a copy of the notice published in the newspaper be
posted in a conspicuous outside location in the portion of building where the liquor license was
being sought. City Clerk Goodwin had a sample for the Committee’s review. The applicant would
be responsible for posting the notice, a copy of which would also be provided to either the
building owner or designee, such as a property manager. Councilor Graham indicated his belief
that posting at the location was not enough additional notice to the building tenants. He felt
there should be more notice that was easily accessible by tenants. Councilors Durgin and
Blanchette stated that they felt the proposed approach was sufficient, given that this had only
been an issue once that they could recall in their tenures on the Council. Councilor Civiello
stated that she believed this was a good first step and that this was an improvement over the
past procedure. When asked how this would be implemented, the City Clerk responded that her
office would provide the Notice to be posted and instructions when the application for liquor
license was made. After further discussion, it was moved by Councilor Sprague, seconded by
Councilor Blanchette to adopt the recommendation proposed by staff. The motion passed 4-1
(Graham opposed).
5. Political Signs
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This item was postponed to the July 20 meeting at the request of Councilor Faircloth.
With no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.