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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-03 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Monday, February 3, 2014 at 5:15pm City Council Chambers MINUTES Council Members: Civiello, Plourde, Baldacci, Gallant, Graham, Blanchette, Durgin, Sprague Staff: Farrar, Conlow, Heitmann, Nicklas, Hamilton, Hathaway, Fogler Others: Media 1. Referral, Council Ordinance 14-062, Amending the Code of the City of Bangor Chapter 215, Police Regulations. This will amend the City’s current ordinance to include additional limits on sex offender residents in the vicinity of municipal and state property leased to a non-profit organization for the purposes of a park, athletic field or recreational facility that is open to the public where children are the primary users. City Solicitor Heitmann explained that this would allow more areas that are frequented by children to have the same regulations that the current ordinance has in regards to limits on sex offender residence and their vicinity to these areas. Councilor Plourde asked if Chief Hathaway had any idea if this would reduce the occurrence of an offense and Hathaway stated that he did not have specific findings but has high hopes that it will. Councilor Civiello felt that this shows the families in our community that the neighborhood is united and we are working together to keep our communities as safe as we can. Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Gallant seconded, and so recommended for approval to full Council. 2. Proposed Order, Authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept a $2,000 grant from the United Way for Emergency Heating Assistance. The Order would allow the City to apply for and accept a grant to assist Bangor residents who come to General Assistance and have a demonstrated heating emergency, but do not qualify for other forms of assistance. These grant funds, matched by $2,061 from Bangor’s Winter Emergency Fund, would be used through the remainder of the winter season. Program Manager Fogler stated that the amount asked for has changed to $1,500 due to the reason that the Winter Emergency Fund had been dipped into due to a fire and displacements. Councilor Gallant moved, Councilor Baldacci seconded, and so recommended for approval to full Council. 3. Proposed Order, Authorizing the Acceptance and Transfer of Explosive Canine Pele from the Transportation Security Administration to Police Officer Chris Desmond. Similar to a recent similar acceptance and transfer, this Order would permit the retired Explosive Canine Pele to be transferred to his current handler, Chris Desmond. Councilor Gallant moved staff recommendation, seconded, and so recommended for approval to full Council. 4. Legislative Update  LD 1213  Recap of meeting with Senator Angus King Councilor Civiello explained that LD 1213’s intent is to provide methadone treatment as an option in smaller, rural areas to help reduce costs and transportation issues. Once the bill is either defeated or goes forward, then the analysts will write a letter to go to the Substance Abuse Service Commission. City Manager Cathy Conlow stated that she didn’t think that the fiscal note was going to be in our favor. We have not seen the language as of yet but we think it has to do with the inner workings of DHHS. Elizabeth McTaggart was appointed by Senator King’s office to deal with this issue from the federal side and is willing to sit down with and help us see this through. Councilor Civiello wanted to publically thank the 5 Bangor legislators who are helping with this issue. 5. Appointment of Bangor’s Local Health Officers Assistant City Manager Farrar apologized for adding this item late but the City just received a letter today stating that we had to appoint a local health officer. He stated that the recommendation was for Jeremy Martin, Division Director of Code Enforcement and Patty Hamilton, Interim Public Health Director to be appointed as local health officers. Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Gallant seconded, and so approved to recommend to full Council. Moved to adjourned at 5:35pm.