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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