HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-02 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
Monday, December 2, 2013
6:00pm
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Council Members: Civiello, Baldacci, Plourde, Blanchette, Graham
Staff: Conlow, Farrar, Comstock, Hathaway, Johnston, Dan Scripture
Others: Media, Radio
1. Health and Community Services – Council Orders and Appropriation
Resolve
Memorandum of Understanding with Sebasticook Valley Health
as Fiscal Agent
Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Hermon –
Healthy Maine Partnership Grant
Accepting and Appropriating $151,832 for Supplemental
Nutrition Education Grant Program.
Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Plourde seconded, so approved.
2. Authorizing the Police Department to Accept Canine Endumin from the
Transportation Security Administration, and then transferring Endumin
to his handler, Police Office Dan Scripture.
Dan Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Plourde seconded, so approved.
3. Referral, Council Ordinance 14-022, Extending a Moratorium on
Charter Schools.
Councilor Baldacci explained that we enacted this moratorium in June and since
there has been a lot of discussion at the state level and volatility with process,
we need to extend this moratorium. Originally we had set up a meeting with the
Commissioner that was rescheduled due to his resignation and have since
appointed a new Commissioner who we will meet with at the beginning of
January. The City would lose $9,000 for each child who leaves public school for
a charter school.
Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Graham seconded, so approved to
recommend to full Council.
4. Review and Discussion of Community Safety Recommendations
developed by the Quality of Life Committee.
Chief Hathaway stated they support the drug court as well as the expansion of
the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Deputy Chief Johnston updated the committee on a drug task force, like
Lewiston, that is made up of federal, state and local officers that aggressively
patrol targeted drug areas to combat drug issues. Lewiston received a grant for
their group to help offset the overtime costs of these officers. Johnston would
like to see this in Bangor but the difference with this area, we do not have the
same amount of federal officers but we could modify the model to fit Bangor.
The final issue was regarding the downtown foot patrol and if that could be
expanded to neighborhoods. Chief Hathaway felt it is a good idea, but the
problem with this is manpower and funding. With current staffing levels, this is
not possible but once we become fully staffed, it is something to look into.
Councilor Baldacci asked if they could come back in a few months with a plan for
a drug task force that would include costs, possible options with federal money,
staffing, etc. Chief Hathaway stated that they will work on a plan.
Councilor Baldacci suggested creating a resolve for the drug court issue, and
there was agreement by the Committee
5. Executive Session 1-MRSA sec. 405 6 E. Consultation with City
Attorney – terms and conditions of proposed Agreement between the
City of Bangor and the Bangor Band
Motion made to move into Executive Session at 6:35pm, seconded and passed
per 1 MRSA Sec. 405 6 e. The Committee reconvened at 7:00pm.
With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm.
6. Any necessary action on Agenda Item #5 above
There was no public action necessary.
Adjourned at 7:00pm