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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-26 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee June 26, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Minutes Councilors: Baldacci, Blanchette, Gallant, Durgin and Longo Staff: Conlow, Farrar, Yardley, Goodwin and Nicklas Others: Bangor Water District Trustees & General Manager Councilor Baldacci began the meeting explaining that the Committee will be discussing items out of order from the original Agenda. 1. Proposed Ordinance Amendment – Availability of Nomination Papers City Clerk Lisa Goodwin explained that in reviewing the City’s Charter and Ordinance, there was no specified time for when nomination papers are available, only the time they must be returned. This new language would make it clear that nomination papers are available no sooner than 90 days prior to election day. Councilor Gallant moved Staff Recommendation, it was seconded and approved. 2. Referral: Council Ordinance 12-199, Amending Chapter 291 Article III of the Code of the City of Bangor, Parking Prohibited and Parking for Persons with Disabilities – York Street. Assistant City Solicitor, Paul Nicklas stated that this item was brought to the Committee’s attention from an employee or member of the Synagogue on York Street. They are requesting that a handicapped parking space be added to the front of Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue and that the signs in the area restricting Saturday parking be removed. Baldacci noted that the Saturday Parking ban was originally at the request of the Synagogue, not a choice by the City of Bangor. Gallant made a motion to move Staff Recommendation. It was seconded and approved. 3. Referral: Resolve 12-221 Accepting and Appropriating a $601,000 Healthy Maine Partnership Grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to respond to Public Health Issues. Shawn Yardley, Director of Health and Human Services said that the actual amount of this grant will be $603,000 (rather than original $601,000 quote). Yardley further explained that there have been significant funding reductions to the fund for Healthy Maine. The CDC has asked Bangor Health and Community Services to act as the lead agency for Penquis Public Health District. In this roll, Bangor will subcontract with other Penquis District Healthy Maine Partnerships. Yardley asked for Council approval to accept this grant money. Durgin made a motion to move Staff Recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved. 4. Workshop: Bangor Water District Kathy Moriarty, General Manager of the Bangor Water District summarized plans for the upcoming summer season as follows:  2012 pipe replacement plans – With aging infrastructure, old pipes (some over 100 years old) need replacing. Old pipes can result in poor water conditions, and/or breakage. There are over 180 miles of pipe in Bangor at an approximate replacement cost $1 million per mile which is not feasible at this time. The idea would be to replace those pipes in the poorest condition first. Moriarty further explained that several valves need replacing. In August, the valves on Highland Avenue and Ohio Streets will be replaced at a cost of $35,000. Another project upcoming is Fire Flows. Bangor International Airport installed a fire suppression system in 2008, but later found that it does not meet the fire code requirements. As a result, the Water District will work with B.I.A. to restore the system at a cost $111,000 to be shared between the Water District and B.I.A. Moriarty said that another project to replace high pressure piping will begin on Franklin Street in August at a cost $71,000. Fire hydrants will also be painted this summer.  UV facility update – Moriarty said that the Water District plans to start the construction of the UV Facility this summer, one side of building will be a pipe gallery with UV units, and the other, a generator and electrical room. It will be located next to the Ozone treatment facility at Floods Pond. This project is scheduled to be up and running by October, 2013 at a cost of $2.7 million.  Corrosion pilot update – Moriarty talked about the Corrosion Control Plans for lead compliance. Federal regulations require testing for lead and copper in homes. If the levels are above limits, then the Water District must implement a new type of corrosion control treatment. After an engineering study, it was found that additional chemicals were needed to improve the water quality. The Water District is conducting a pilot study between July and December to test the effectiveness before undertaking the entire project upgrade. Meeting Adjourned at 5:55 p.m.