HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-01 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
October 1st, 2012 at 5:15pm
MINUTES
Council Members: Blanchette, Longo, Sprague, Weston and Durgin
Staff: Conlow, Willette, Yardley, Gendreau, and McNeil
Others: Don Cooper, BACTS; Brian Ames
1. Referral – Council Resolve 12-320, Accepting and Appropriating a
Maine Department of Transportation Planning Grant in the amount of
$31,250 for a Community Connector Transit System Hub Alternatives
Study
This Resolve will accept state and federal funding to conduct a study of
alternatives to the current transit system hub located at Pickering Square. The
grant period is November 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. There is no local
match required.
Chair Weston clarified that the purpose of this Resolve is to make better use of the
current hub location. It is not necessarily intended to remove the transit system
hub from the downtown area.
A motion was made by Durgin to recommend approval of resolve 12-320 to the full
Council. It was seconded and approved.
2. Review of Draft Scope of Services to be included in Request for
Proposals for the Transit System Hub Alternatives Study
Prior to finalizing and issuing the Request for Proposals for the Transit Hub
Study, staff wanted to provide an opportunity for the Committee to review the
proposed Scope of Services section to insure that the services requested meet
with the Council’s objectives. The draft scope is attached and Don Cooper,
BACTS Transportation planner and Joe McNeil, Community Connector
Superintendent will be present.
Don Cooper with BACTS and Brian Ames with the Downtown Bangor Partnership
discussed different aspects of the proposed Scope of Services for the Transit Hub
Alternatives Study.
Cooper asked for Committee comments, suggestions or recommendations in keeping
with the June, 2013 completion date.
Brian Ames, Engineering Consultant provided copies of his recommendations for the
Transit Hub location. He suggested three downtown locations as well as two
additional sites just outside of the downtown area.
Once a location is chosen, Ames said they will move on next step, which will include
a report of layout of facility, and a cost estimate to be used by Council for next
year’s budget.
Gratwick added that Bangor citizen input is important. He said that we should strive
for increased ridership, making Bangor a magnet for future transportation needs.
Longo said that the vote is unanimous in favor of moving forward with this study.
3. Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Tobacco Policy in City Parks
The Parks, Recreation, and Harbor Advisory Committee and the Public Health
Advisory Board have been discussing and reviewing a proposed Policy regarding
tobacco use in City Parks. They are at a point where they would like to review
their work and progress with the Government Operations Committee. This will
be an opportunity for Committee as well as citizen input. A background
memorandum from Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette is attached.
A Bangor resident spoke of her disagreement with banning tobacco products in
outside areas such as parks for the following reasons: smoking vs. alcohol, it’s
discriminative, it’s humiliating, level of harm to others is extremely low, park
privileges are being denied to taxpayers, let the smokers decide.
Councilor Durgin talked of scientific data and proven facts about harmful effects of
chemicals with open air smoking using both blood and urine samples.
There was discussion of possibly banning certain parts/areas of parks such as the
playground areas. There are currently no “Non-Smoking” restrictions in any park or
facility within the city. While most of the Councilors present were in favor of
restrictions in parks, most were willing to look at alternatives. Councilor Blanchette
pointed out that car or indoor smoking is a lot different than smoking outside. She
felt that smokers pay the same taxed and everyone needs to do their part to stay
away from the smoke if they find it offensive. Weston who despises smoking
expressed his hesitation when it comes to citizens rights.
After a long discussion, Tracy Willette, Parks and Recreation said that he will take
this feedback and go come back to the committee with new ideas and options for
consideration. A “thumbs up” was given by all to go back to staff and continue
looking at this before a decision is made.
4. Referral – Council Ordinance 12-316 Amending Chapter 28, City
Departments of the Code of the City of Bangor, by including Opioid
Treatment as a topic for the Public Health Advisory Board.
A motion was made by Durgin to Move that the Committee recommend approval
of the Ordinance to the full Council, it was seconded, and doubted. A vote was
taken and the referral was approved.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30p.m.