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.