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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Monday May 20, 2013 5:15 p.m. City Council Chambers MINUTES Council Members: Blanchette, Baldacci, Civiello, Durgin, Longo, Sprague, Gallant, Nealley Staff: Farrar, Hathaway, Heitmann, Conlow, Dr. Webb, Patty Hamilton, Paul Nicklas Others: Drew Lane Residents 1. Discussion concerning Charter Schools At the request of Councilor Baldacci, Superintendent Webb met with the Committee to discuss the various aspects and implications associated with the State law provision allowing Charter Schools. Dr. Webb started by saying she is an advocate for public schools. Implications to Bangor School System will be limited with Charter Schools. Most concerns are due to money issues. Most of the Bangor students who have gone to Charter Schools were mostly homeschooled. Dr. Webb’s concern is for example an application for a Charter School stated they would offer calculus where Bangor Schools have offered calculus for years. One person Dr. Webb contacted who had written a letter in support of Charter Schools said he did not write the letter of support and would come speak of it if needed. This was very concerning. Research collected on choice and charter schools has been mixed. Bangor has been rated as an out performer of students reaching their educational goals. Some feel the best educational interest should be the parent’s choice not schools/superintendents agreement. This is concerning for example for some who make a choice due to sports teams they’d rather play for, or the dislike of a teacher in present school. Dr. Webb gave few examples of requests that are not in the best interest of the students’ education. Dr. Webb described legislation LD791 and LD530 and feels LD530 is better. Councilor Baldacci requested this meeting because Charter Schools get tax payer money so that means they are taking money from the already shrinking pool of money set aside for education. In regards to the choice issue, Bangor tax payers shouldn’t have to pick up slack for students coming from different schools because they choose to attend a Charter School. Councilor Gallant’s concern with Charter Schools makes education more about business and money. This should not be what education is about; it should be about the student and their education. Gallant suggests looking at it through zoning areas and limit where Charter Schools could be in the City’s zones. Councilor Blanchette doesn’t have a problem if there is a need for a Charter School but does have a problem if there are already public schools who meet the needs of students. Councilor Civiello brought to attention the good of Charter Schools that offer things that public schools don’t. The goal is to help as many students possible to graduate from school. She also stated that not all students are looking to go to college and prepare for that. They may do better learning “working skills” offered by Charter Schools. Dr. Webb stated that Bangor Schools do have those classes available as well. Councilor Blanchette asked if the Council should be thinking about creating an ordinance that states if someone is looking to open a Charter School, they should offer things that are not offered already in the public school system. We need to know who is coming in to the city to start Charter Schools and the people/businesses backing them and possible motives. Councilor Baldacci thinks we should have a resolve that City Council should have a say in decisions the Legislature makes concerning this subject. This is until we can vet issues that may affect the City of Bangor. Two other things to consider are the Moratorium issue and Superintendent Agreements. Councilor Sprague moved to have City Solicitor Heitmann prepare language with the 3 issues above. Councilor Longo seconded and approved for first reading. 2. Proposed Ordinance – Prohibiting the feeding of Birds and Animals so as to create a Disturbance or Unsanitary Condition. This proposed Ordinance would prohibit the feeding of birds or animals in situations where it creates a disturbance or unsanitary condition. This request comes forward due to concerns expressed in a neighborhood where a resident is feeding/attracting large numbers of birds. Assistant City Solicitor Paul Nicklas stated that some residents on Drew Lane have concerns of the attraction of animals/birds by putting lots of grains and food on the ground. This has caused lots of animal waste in the neighborhood. The proposed Ordinance is an adaptation from other cities ordinances. It states that you cannot feed animals in a way that creates an unsafe condition, or attracts large amounts of animals to cause a nuisance. Steve Colman, Drew Lane resident, expressed concerns with this matter explaining what their neighbor has been doing to create a nuisance and unsanitary conditions. This neighbor has been approached over the years in a nice neighborly way, but refused to stop. Than a neighbor went to Code Enforcement who sent him a letter with all the negative effects it’s causing for his neighbors. Nothing has changed and it’s very frustrating. It’s an unsanitary health issue and hopes this Ordinance will help. The penalty for violating the Ordinance is a Civil Fine. Councilors thank citizens for coming and bringing this to the Councils attention. This is a quite reasonable request. Councilor Gallant asked if there were any possible loop holes; Civil Liberties, etc. Asst. City Solicitor Nicklas states the cities ordinances that he used have not had any issues as of yet so he hopes Bangor will not either. Councilor Blanchette and citizens agree in the fact that the fine needs to be large and attention getting. Nothing else will work unless they are hit in the wallet. Councilor Sprague moved to bring forward the proposed Ordinance to Council and Councilor Longo seconded. So approved. 3. Proposed Solicitation Ordinances a. Amending Chapter 291 Vehicles and Traffic, Section II, Pedestrians – Vehicle Solicitation b. Amending Chapter 257 Sidewalks – Unreasonable Solicitation These proposed Ordinances would place certain limits on solicitation activities associated with vehicles and pedestrians. They have been developed and are presented as part of the ongoing discussion concerning solicitation in Pickering Square and other parts of the community. City Solicitor Norm Heitmann briefly tells what these Ordinances are intended to prohibit; to prevent safety hazards both for pedestrian and vehicles and conduct of pedestrians soliciting. Councilors discuss how fines/penalties should be imposed for first and reoccurring offences. Community service could go along with fines. Councilor Sprague moved and Councilor Longo seconded to recommend to the Council. 4. Proposed amendments to the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations From time to time, it is necessary to update the Personnel Rules and Regulations handbook to conform with state or federal law changes, and make needed revisions and/or housekeeping changes. There are six proposed amendments which are outlined in the attached Council Action Page and Council Order. Councilor Sprague moved and Councilor Longo seconded the proposed amendments and they were recommended to the Council for appeal. Adjourned at 6:35 p.m.