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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Wednesday, February 20, 2013 6:45 p.m. MINUTES Council Members: Hawes, Civiello, Nealley, Longo, Blanchette, Sprague, Gallant and Durgin Staff: Farrar, Conlow, Wardwell, Heitmann, Lucas Others: Rachael White, Pat Kimball, Barbara Cates, Scott Thomas, Alandro Morenew 1. Referral – Council Ordinance 13-076 Amending Chapter 295, Victualers, of the Code of the City of Bangor, By Removing Outdated References to Health Inspections. This amendment will remove outdated references regarding the issuance of Victualers licenses and will clarify that the Fire Prevention Office is responsible for Victualer adherence to fire and life safety Codes. These changes will bring the Code up to date with current practice. Solicitor Heitmann, filling in for Code Enforcement Officer Jeremy Martin explained that in the past, Code Enforcement performed inspections for victualers licences. With recent changes in state statute, these health inspections are now done through the state. In addition, Bangor’s fire prevention office ensures that fire and life safety codes are adhered to. This ordinance is a housekeeping measure, clarifying that the state performs the inspections and the fire prevention office makes certain that codes are being followed. Longo Moved staff recommendation, it was seconded by Sprague. Blanchette expressed lack of confidence in State inspector’s ability to visit Bangor on a regular basis. Heitmann said that he will have Jeremy talk in further detail on his prior conversations with State officials. 2. Request to ban Parking on the Westerly side of French Street between Cumberland Street and Garland Street. A resident of the section of French Street has requested that the City consider eliminating Parking on this block due to the narrowness of the Street. Staff has received the request and concurs that parking on both sides of the street does create a difficult situation for passenger vehicles, school buses, and emergency vehicles, and concurs that posting the Westerly side of Street as no parking is a reasonable remedy. Dana Wardwell, Public Works Director said that he was approached by a resident of French Street. He said that the street is only 28 feet wide. Parking on both sides of the street makes it difficult for vehicles to pass, most particularly school buses and emergency vehicles. Wardwell feels that this is a reasonable request and he recommends that this change be made to parking on one side of French Street only. Resident Rachael White spoke to the reasons why she made this request. Another resident, Barbara Cates spoke about the safety effects of the current parking situation. Pat Kimball with the Bangor Halfway House asked only that her clients, employees and visitors continue to be allowed to park on French Street as they have done since 1965. Councilor Sprague said that Staff recommendation is to move forward with one sided parking on French Street. It was seconded and will move on to the next Council Agenda. 3. Contract for Professional Services with St. Joseph Hospital. Emergency Medical Service Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Program. Maine EMS requires that service providers engage in a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program with Registered Nurses. Bangor Fire Department, as an EMS provider, proposes to contract with St. Joseph Hospital to provide this service. The annual amount is $3500. Fire Chief Scott Lucas requested that approval be granted. Councilor Sprague moved staff recommendation, it was seconded and approved. 4. Resolve – Respecting the Second Amendment Rights to Bear Arms, for the Citizens of Bangor and throughout Maine. City Solicitor Heitmann explained that there are several concerns about concealed weapons. Current law allows anybody to obtain information on those people holding concealed weapon permits. Councilor Blanchette said that she feels posting names of permit holders will put those people in jeopardy. Heitmann agreed to have a resolve drafted for the next meeting. It will include a reference supporting LD345 which would amend the concealed weapon statute to hold confidential those names of permit holders. Sprague made a motion to move staff recommendation, it was seconded and approved. Meeting Adjourned at 7:30 p.m.