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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-11 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee January 11, 2011 Minutes Councilors: Blanchette, Palmer, Gratwick, Longo Staff: Hamilton, Nicklas, Conlow, Cammack 1. Immunization Clinic Outreach and Discount Patti Hamilton, the City’s Public Health Director, noted that the Immunization Clinic would like to place brochures at travel agencies, and offer a discount to clients who bring in the brochure. She spoke about the work performed by the Clinic and various fees involved. She spoke about the need to advertise the Clinic’s services to bring in additional clients and to reduce the need to increase fees. (Couldn’t hear; Patti was not speaking into the mic – something about revenue for the department) Gratwick asked about the Clinic’s contact with the military and also use of the web to promote the Clinic. Hamilton noted that the military provides its own program. Hamilton has recently updated the web with the Clinic’s information and price list. Palmer made a motion to move staff’s recommendation; it was seconded by Gratwick. Blanchette asked about placing the information at the post office. Hamilton said she would follow through on the suggestion. Longo and Hamilton talked about vaccines for overseas travel. The revenue generated goes into the Health and Community Services budget. 2. Grant for Fire Station Sprinkler Systems Cammack stated that in on June 15, 2010, the Government Operations Committee reviewed and approved a request from the Fire Department to apply for an Assistance to Firefighter Grant to install sprinkler systems at Central Fire and Station 5. At the time the facilities were constructed, they were in compliance with the NFPA codes, but the facilities no longer comply with current NFPA 13 code requirements. The City has received notification that the grant application has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $127,836. The grant provides funding for 90% of the cost or $115,053 and requires a local match of 10% or $12,783. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval to full Council of a Resolve which will appropriate the federal grant funds in the amount of $115,053 as well as the required local match of $12,783. The local share of the funding is available in the City’s Improvement Reserve, which has adequate funding available. Responding to Bronson, Cammack said that the residential sprinklers were removed from the statewide building code but it has not yet been to the Legislature. The Building Codes will be revisited. Longo made a motion to accept staff recommendation; Gratwick seconded it. Gratwick said he would like this to come to the Committee at some point in mid-spring for a serious discussion. He made this request through the Committee Chair. Gratwick asked how to have more area contractors involved in sprinkler work. Bronson agreed with the need to keep residential sprinklers and getting historic buildings and the entire downtown sprinkler protected on the front burner. Cammack said the City of Portland recently adopted a residential sprinkler ordinance. Realtors and developers will need to be engaged as Bangor moves forward. 3. Emergency Management Performance Grant Cammack noted that the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) is awarded annually to states by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support emergency management programs. EMPG requires a 50% match, which can be in- kind. For the 2010 grant, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) committed a portion of these funds to develop and enhance emergency management capacity at the local level. This includes a focus on the core functions of planning, training, exercise and public outreach. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of an Order that would allow the City to be reimbursed for up to ½ of the time and materials dedicated to the City’s municipal emergency management work plan. The cost of these activities have been included as part of the City’s General Fund operating budget, mostly within the Fire Department totaling $33,721.65. In addition, other costs would be eligible for reimbursement throughout the City (i.e., Airport). The Order will be placed on the upcoming Council’s agenda for their final action. Adjourned at 5:21 pm.