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.