Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Monday, July 20, 2015 Minutes Councilors Present: Civiello, Blanchette, Baldacci, Graham, Plourde, Nealley Staff Present: Conlow, Farrar, Willette, Comstock, Higgins, Riitano, Wardwell Others Present: media, Steven Hicks Committee Chair Civiello called the meeting to Order at 5:15 Consent Agenda 1. Election Ballot for Maine Municipal Association Vice President and Executive Committee members for year beginning January 1, 2016. 2. Resolve, Accepting and Appropriating a $602,941 Healthy Maine Partnership grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to Respond to Public Health Issues. 3. Execution of Memorandum of Understanding with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office regarding the Transfer of Office of Substance Abuse/Public Health and Community Services grant funds in the amount of $4,000 to combat Underage Drinking. All three consent agenda items were moved for passage by Councilor Baldacci, seconded by Councilor Blanchette and unanimously recommended for approval. Regular Agenda 4. Acceptance of $4,000 Donation from the Cole Land Transportation Museum to assist with the purchase of Risers for the Bangor Band Performance Shell. Director Willette detailed the recent donation of $4,200 from the Cole Land Transportation Museum to assist with the purchase of risers for use in conjunction with the Bangor Band and the portable performance shell. It was moved by Councilor Baldacci, seconded by Councilor Plourde to recommend acceptance of the donation to the full Council. Unanimous vote. 5. Referral: Council Ordinance 15-245, Amending Schedule VI of Chapter 291,Article III, Sec. 38 of the Code of the City of Bangor- Removing Handicapped Parking on Union Street – Map 33, Lot 29. Public Works Director Wardwell explained that these two handicapped parking spaces were no longer needed as the business that had requested them was no longer in operation. The former owner was in agreement with their removal. It was moved by Councilor Baldacci, seconded by Councilor Plourde and voted unanimously to recommend approval of Ordinance 15-245 to the Council. 6. Fire Department Training Facility Status Report and Recommendations. Chief Higgins presented an overview of the condition of the Fire Department Training facility located off the Odlin Road near BIA. The Chief recommended a series of actions to begin the process to rehabilitate the facility, with an estimated cost of $82,500. Included are soliciting commitments and financial support from a variety of sources and fire service partners in order to share in the cost of renovating the facility and providing for on-going maintenance and upkeep. The facility has been deemed unsafe for live fire training. It was moved by Councilor Plourde and seconded by Councilor Baldacci to recommend to the full Council the action steps outlined by the Chief and approval to move forward with the project. A Council Order will be prepared outlining the details and the various action steps, including permission to solicit funds, goods and services by the Chief and his designees. 7. Consideration of alternate recommendation in lieu of proposed Neighborhood Advisory Committee. Councilor Civiello explained her original concept of establishing a Neighborhood Advisory Committee. After meeting with staff, she has revised her initial approach and is willing to support the concept of a series of Neighborhood listening meetings. City Manger Conlow and Councilor Civiello explained the concept. There will be four meetings in different sections of the city, probably in school facilities. While originally suggested for September through December, after discussion, it was decided that two meetings in each of September and October would be better. The City Manager will check with the School Department on available dates, and report back to the Committee at the next meeting. 8. Proposed Minimum Wage Ordinance Discussion- Council Ordinance 15-246 Committee members present had considerable discussion about the proposed Ordinance. The Committee discussed a variety of possible amendments including tipped employees, the effective date, whether the ordinance should apply to all employers, or just those with 4 or more employees, and whether it should apply to all employees, or just those 18 years old and older. The Committee also discussed the impact of the wage increase on employers, including the city, the impact/cost of enforcement, whether this should be handled locally or on a state wide basis, whether Councilors had sufficient information to make a decision, and the possibility/impact of an upcoming statewide referendum, among other topics. Following the discussion, Councilor Civiello made motion, and Councilor Nealley seconded to table the item for two weeks. The vote failed 2 in favor (Civiello, Nealley), and 3 opposed (Baldacci, Blanchette, th Plourde). Accordingly, the item will be returning to the full Council on July 27 for consideration. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20.