HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-01 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
March 1, 2011
Minutes
Councilors: Blanchette, Palmer, Bronson, Longo, Gratwick
Staff: Farrar, Yardley, Willette
Others: Eric Russell
1. Consideration of Draft City Council Resolution Regarding Proposed Municipal
General Assistance Legislation
As the Council is aware, there have been various Legislative proposals advanced that
concern municipal general assistance. Yardley noted that the proposed Resolution,
modeled after recent action taken by the Portland City Council, would encourage the
Legislature not to pass additional General Assistance Legislation which would pass along
additional administrative burdens and program costs to Bangor without first taking
steps to ensure that administration and oversight are adequate resulting in a more
accountable system throughout the State. Both in the Governor’s budget and in the
queue from various Legislators are a number of bills both procedural and funding that
will dramatically affect Bangor. One would change the reimbursement to 75% once the
threshold for municipalities is met, which is currently 90%. If it had been effect last
year, it would have impacted Bangor and its taxpayers by a $260,000 additional
expense. Based on spending this year, Yardley projected it would be $325,000-
$350,000. Last year out of the $15M that was spent on general assistance across the
state, $9M+ came from Bangor and Portland. It’s a state-mandated program. Yardley
felt that Bangor and Portland would be punished by this proposed Legislation; Bangor
and Portland play by the rules. He noted that the proposed Legislative changes will
bring more individuals in need to Bangor and to Portland. Yardley had supported and
tried to push forward a three-prong approach: accountability for clients, accountability
for municipalities, and oversight by the state. For all intents and purposes, there is no
state oversight and municipalities can do as they wish. The proposed Legislation will be
an incredible burden on Bangor’s taxpayers.
Blanchette spoke about Sawin Millett’s knowledge and his closeness to the Governor.
She thanked Yardley for his comments and asked Rev. Carlson to address the
Committee as to how the proposed cuts would affect the Penobscot Community Health
Care client base. Carlson said that The Hope House deals with a tremendous number
of individuals who are in recovery or who are suffering from mental illness and/or
substance abuse. There are only two wet shelters in the State, one being in Bangor.
He spoke about the homeless and the need to get them housed. At Hope House, there
are transitional housing units and PCHS works very closely with Yardley and staff in
general assistance. For a large number of clients, it is not just substance abuse but
there is also active mental illness. Carlson noted that he and the Public Health Advisory
Board supports the proposed Resolution. Without a wet shelter, Blanchette said that
these clients would end up in the emergency room of hospitals which is much more
expensive. Bronson commented that this problem is throughout the entire state. He
feels that the State has dropped the ball and left its responsibilities by the wayside. He
is pleased that Yardley will be speaking before the Appropriations Committee and
expressed his support for the proposed Resolve. Gratwick said this is part of the
progressive collapse of economic and cultural centers of Maine cities. Gratwick
supported the Resolve and asked if the language needs to be restated. Yardley spoke
of the importance of being able to take the Resolve to Augusta noting that the City
Council Chair or Member of the Portland City Council plans to testify this coming
Monday. For many, the Resolve is stating the obvious. Yardley referred to a meeting
he has scheduled tomorrow with the DHHS Commissioner. Carlson spoke about Bangor
being a service center for surrounding area clients. Fiscally speaking, general
assistance and the services provided to keep people out of hospital and jails and to give
them the needed resources to turn them around doesn’t happen in 30 days or 6
months. He spoke about job training to be offered at The Hope House. Cost
effectiveness is the message. Longo would like to see more teeth in the Resolution. In
response to Longo, Yardley has spoken with Stevens and Farnham and has met with
Cain and Rosen. It costs about $550 to provide emergency shelter for an individual. It
costs $19,000 minimum in the county jail. To house someone is around $39,000. It
only costs about $6,000/yr. to provide housing through general assistance. It is the
most cost effective alternative. Palmer spoke about the resources offered by Bangor.
Blanchette suggested the Committee consider having the City Manager, the Assistant
City Manager or Yardley draft a letter stating the effect of the proposed general
assistance cuts to Bangor and the challenges that will be faced. It should be on the
City Council’s letterhead under the Mayor’s signature. It needs to be a personal letter
and delivered by postal service. Blanchette’s suggestion was approved by a 5-0 vote.
She will contact the City Manager in the morning asking her to draft a letter, which will
accompany the proposed Resolution which was endorsed by the Committee as well.
2. Skate Park Relocation Update
With the pending discussion on the proposed arena at Bass Park, Willette noted that
Parks and Recreation staff working in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board and interested skate park supporters have been reviewing and
discussing skate park relocation options. The current skate park has been in Paul
Bunyan Park since 2002 and it has done well in that location. The Advisory Committee
has reconsidered a vacant parcel behind Parks and Recreation off Farm Road. Also
added to that discussion was a parcel of property adjacent to the City’s Fleet
Maintenance Facility on Maine Avenue. This location was discussed at a January
meeting with all involved parties. As a result, the decision was made to primarily focus
on the parcel next to Fleet Maintenance as a short-term solution. He provided an aerial
view of the site. Willette noted that the skate park is a positive amenity in the
recreational offerings in Bangor. In terms of a long-term solution, skate parks have
gone to more of plaza type and more permanent design. At its last month’s meeting,
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s direction was to continue to pursue
more of a long-term location solution for the skate park. Willette has spoken with Mr.
Cormier at Bangor Radiator, which is located next door to the Fleet Maintenance area,
and they are an enthusiastic neighbor. Longo spoke about using recycled materials to
construct the skate park. Responding to Blanchette, Willette said the plan is to assess
the current equipment at the skate park, which is 8-10 years old. One of the concerns
about the proposed site is lack of a sidewalk. Palmer spoke about fencing, restroom
facilities and the close-by eateries on the same side of the road. The BAT is located in
that area. He suggested contacting Hughes Brothers about concrete barriers. They are
a community-oriented business. Bronson would like to see the location have longer
term viability and wondered if Fleet Maintenance might need the space in the future.
Bronson asked how quickly the lot can be made available for the skate park. As soon as
the snow melts, Willette said he will develop an estimate for cost for the Committee’s
consideration. Gratwick spoke about future truck access to the area with a new solid
waste system. He said that construction companies often have leftover concrete that
could be dumped the site. Gratwick asked about the site behind Parks and Recreation.
Willette said the parcel was considered in 2002 and concerns were raised about the
closeness of the residences on Dillingham Street. The Farm Road site is also identified
as a potential development piece. Palmer felt the Fleet Maintenance site is a
spectacular location, and he spoke of making a long-term commitment with the skate
park group. Bronson feels the park needs to be in a location that is open to full view.
Longo agreed with Palmer about a long-term permanent commitment. Blanchette said
that the Council needs to step up to the plate to make a commitment. She feels the
group needs to be reassured of a long-term commitment. She mentioned the presence
of police patrol vehicles in and out of the Fleet Maintenance area for fuel. Willette said
he will return with estimates as part of the budget process if not before. Bronson said
st
it needs to be done before the budget process and before July 1.
The Committee adjourned at 5:55 pm.