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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-16 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Monday, December 16, 2013 5:45PM City Council Chambers MINUTES Council Members: Civiello, Blanchette, Plourde, Graham, Gallant, Durgin Staff Members: Conlow, Farrar, Goodwin, Linscott, Morgan, Wardwell Others: Dan Cooper, Tom Crikelair, Media, John York, Carol Epstein CONSENT AGENDA 1. Acceptance of Two Pipeline Spur Easements at Bangor International Airport from the Air National Guard. 2. Acceptance of Three Easements and a small parcel of land at Bangor International Airport from the Air National Guard previously used for a Ceilometer measuring device. 3. Order, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Mayo Regional Hospital as Fiscal Agent for Piscataquis Public Health Council. Councilor Sprague moved, Councilor Plourde seconded, so approved. REGULAR AGENDA 4. Preliminary Discussion – Voting Location City Clerk Goodwin explained the issues with the venue for voting in regards to the Cross Insurance Center. There were issues with the distance some voters had to walk. Goodwin has been researching other venues in the City. Due to the large venue needed for voting, we are limited to the Cross Insurance Center. Hollywood Casino is willing to let us use the parking garage on days that there are smaller votes if we use the Ballroom. For the larger votes, we can use the Arena and use the back parking lot which would shorten the distance. Councilor Durgin suggested that we set up handicap/disabled polling stations on the main floor where voters enter. This will give them an easier walk from the lots. We can have that set up for people who have trouble walking but still have the normal set up on the Arena floor for all others. It is also a possibility that we use the loading dock for handicap parking which would allow a shorter walking distance. Councilor Plourde and Sprague agreed with Councilor Durgin about using the Main floor for handicap polls. Councilor Blanchette stated that if we don’t designate the handicap booths, then we will have others who are just in a hurry pop in there instead of its intended use. Goodwin did explain that the set up of the voting booths, all things need to be viewable to the public at one time. Councilors discussed different set up possibilities at the Cross Insurance Center, including the use of the Concourse space. The Clerk will explore that possibility further and check with the Secretary of State regarding feasibility. There is a need to be sure that we don’t cause any loss of money in regards to paying acts/events, etc. 5. Revised and Updated agreement between the University of Maine and City of Bangor – Community Connector, Free Fare Program This agreement increased the amount paid by the University of Maine from $18,500 annually to $25,500 annually effective 7-1-14, based upon passenger use. Asst. City Manager Bob Farrar explained what the agreement would mean financially to the City. Councilor Gallant moved staff recommendation, Councilor Sprague seconded, so approved. 6. Update – MaineCare Program Changes and Impacts on Community Connector Revenue Projections. Staff presented updated projections concerning the loss of bus pass revenue due to changes in eligibility for the MaineCare Program. Asst. City Manager Bob Farrar stated that there was a lot of revenue lost due to the MaineCare program changes leading to a significant drop of MaineCare bus pass purchases. The ridership is actually up from what had been projected and we have identified some grant funds that can hopefully be used to make up for the shortfall that was caused by lost bus pass purchases by MaineCare. By the end of the year we hope to be fairly close to the revenue number that we have projected. Many of the citizens we serve are transit dependent. They need the ability to have public transportation to get around. Meaning they will find a way to use this system even with the loss of a number of bus passes. Councilor Gallant asked if we have looked into possibly switching our fleet over to compressed gas which could in turn save money that could be shifted to our downfall of this revenue that will not be coming in due to the decrease in MaineCare passes. Is it feasible? Asst. City Manager Farrar said they have started looking into that but what goes along with it, is the ability for our maintenance facility to work on these converted buses. It seems we would be better off financially buying new buses instead of converting our current fleet. Farrar also stated that the fare structure needed to be looked at for possible fare increase. There is a timely process to go through due to Federal guidelines and staff proposed to the committee that they begin this process. Currently looking to raise the fare by a quarter ($.25). Councilor Gallant moved to allow staff to begin the initial process of a fare increase, Councilor Sprague seconded, so approved. 7. Community Connector Hub Alternative Study Transit Consultant Tom Crikelair presented a review of the options under consideration. The Government Operations Committee had previously selected several sites for additional analysis, which has now been completed. Mr. Crikelair stated that at the last meeting there were some suggested alternatives for the bus hub. Options were discussed in regards to pros and cons. Crikelair stated that the problem he sees at Pickering Square is due to the design of it. It can be redesigned and the usage would be greatly improved. The basic idea on what he recommends is moving the area where the buses will pull up to the hub to pick up and drop off riders is to move this from in front of Pickering Square Garage to Water Street where it should resolve some of the issues. Crikelair explained the options they have come up with, the different traffic routes buses would travel, etc. He explained timing on the comings and goings of buses. Talked about funding an extra bus during busy seasons. Reducing transfer time for riders was a goal from the beginning of this job and reconfiguring routes, # of buses, etc., should help with continued reduction in transfer time. Councilor Sprague summarized the discussion stating that with all the different options that have been brought forth, there is not a complete unity within the Council to support one idea specifically. Business owner Carol Epstein spoke about her concerns with the proposed Water Street location. The Consultant will take all of this information under consideration as he prepares the final report which will be finalized and presented in late winter/early spring. Motion to adjourn at 7:45 pm.