HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-27 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 5:00 PM
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes
Councilors: Blanchette, Longo, Baldacci, Gallant, Gratwick
Staff: Conlow, Farrar, Heitmann, Farrar
Others: Media Representatives, Mike Turcotte, Gary Watson, Steve Sleeper, Charles
Birkel, Polly Civiello
Meeting Convened: 5:00 PM
1. Discussion of a proposal to consider the creation of an elected Mayor position on the
City Council.
Due to a malfunction with the audio recording equipment, staff was not able to prepare meeting
minutes. The following is a summary of the meeting.
Councilor Longo introduced the item and indicated that it was his intent to begin a discussion on the
topic of whether Bangor could be better served by creating the position of an elected mayor. Longo
mentioned some of the benefits that he believed might be gained by establishing such a position. He
cited the recent decision by the City of Portland to create an elected mayor position, as well as other
communities who have similar positions. Other Councilors in attendance expressed their thoughts and
opinions on the elected mayor concept. City Attorney Heitmann was asked to explain the process by
which the City Charter would need to be amended if the Council was interested in moving forward with
the concept. Many councilors spoke about their concerns regarding the current process used to elect
the Council Chair, and what transpires between the day after the election and the following Monday,
when the Council Chair is elected. Councilors expressed their feelings that the current procedure to
elect the Council Chair is awkward and does not allow councilors to learn why candidates are running. It
also is difficult for new Councilors who, immediately after being elected, are subjected to pressure to
vote for a certain candidate when may not know who is running or what qualities he / she may possess
to be Council Chair. Three residents spoke regarding the issue, with two of the three indicating that an
elected mayor was not needed. City Attorney Heitmann indicated that there were other approaches
that could be considered if there was interest in exploring options to the current way the Council Chair is
elected. Councilors then summed up their individual thoughts on the matter. There were no motions
made and the Committee took no action on the issue.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:00 PM