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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-13 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee September 13, 2011 Minutes Councilors: Blanchette, Bronson, Gratwick, Longo, Palmer Staff: Farrar, Yardley, Cammack, Nicklas, Dubois Others: Hermon Fire Chief Pipes 1. Extension of Lease with Community Health and Counseling Services for Four Units at Park Woods Nicklas noted that the proposed lease extension with Community Health and Counseling Services would increase the monthly rent amount for each unit from $300 to $550 for a term through December 31, 2011. At that time, the parties will re-evaluate the lease to determine if it will continue and under what terms and conditions. The lease itself refers to a one-time payment to be made to the City. Because the lease not in place by July of this year, a lump sum of $3,000 will be paid by CHCS to the City for the months of July, August and September. Responding to Longo, Yardley explained that the City sublets to CHCS and the clientele served is through CHCS. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. In response to Gratwick, Yardley said that the apartments would be repainted every five years by the City. Yardley said that in between time CHCS will be responsible for the maintenance of the property. Gratwick spoke about the need of good tenant standards. The Committee vote was unanimous. 2. Discussion of Recently Enacted Election Law Impact on the City’s Early Voting Process The passage of LD 1376 made certain changes to the State’s Election Law. This Legislation will have an impact on the City’s early voting program. Dubois reviewed the impact and discussed options for consideration. There is now a three-day cut off for requesting absentee ballots, which falls on the Thursday preceding each election. Ballots can continue to be submitted up until the close of business on Election Day as always but requests will not be honored after the close of business on Thursday. Other pieces of the Legislation were a two business day cut off for voter registration activities including Election Day. Coupled with that were provisional ballots which are necessary if there is no Election Day registration. Because of the successful People’s Veto effort, it will be on the November ballot so that piece of the Legislation is suspended from going into effect. Also the provisional ballot piece is suspended because it is only necessary with no Election Day registration. This affects the long-established schedule for early voting which, more recently, has been one week prior to each election including the day before election. With the provision for a two business day cut off, that would mean that in-person absentee voting needs to cease at the close of business on Thursday prior to the Election. For the upcoming Election, Dubois suggested that significant staffing and hours be available for early voting on Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm. She suggested that this standard schedule continue from here on out. For the 2013 Presidential Election, it could be extended to 7 or 8 pm. Responding to Palmer, Dubois said she has been with the City for almost 7 years and there has been no voter fraud of which she is aware. Palmer asked about Saturday voting. Dubois said that typically Saturday is the slowest day. Longo asked about extending the Thursday hours until 8 pm. Dubois said it is a possibility but it doesn’t necessarily increase voter turnout. It only allows more convenience for voters. Ballots can be requested 45 days prior to each election. She spoke of the need for a consistent schedule from year to year. Bronson spoke of the need of informed voters. In response to Bronson, Dubois said she is looking for the Committee’s decision on the Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 6 pm, early voting schedule prior to the Election. Responding to Gratwick, Dubois said the City of Bangor is unique and is the only municipality that staffs a separate polling place a week prior to the Election and offers in person absentee voting. Gratwick asked about provisional ballots. Dubois said that provisional ballots are coupled with same day registration. It is for the individual who shows up to vote, finds they are not on the voting list, and they are allowed to vote a provisional ballot. A form is required. The ballot is sealed in an envelope and held until the Clerk determines whether or not that ballot should be cast. A motion was made and seconded to continue with early voting as requested by the City Clerk. Palmer spoke of making the voting process easy. Palmer applauded the efforts of the City Clerk’s Office. Longo noted that Bangor’s process should become a model for the state. Blanchette asked how the City will inform the electorate of the changes, and suggested PSA announcements on the government channel and with the local media. She mentioned the lack of voting on the Friday before the Election Day. Blanchette asked if an absentee ballot received on Friday would be processed. Dubois said that the law requires that no requests for absentee ballots be received after the close of business on Thursdays. Absentee ballots can continue be accepted in person or by mail. There are some emergency provisions; i.e. if an individual is suddenly incapacitated and hospitalized, a family member can come to City Hall, swear under oath and receive a ballot for the incapacitated family member or if an individual is called out of down at the last minute for work related purposes. Blanchette again stated that this needs to be made known to the citizenry. The vote was unanimous. Palmer noted that candidates and petitioners should understand the voting process and the public relations process. 3. Request to Donate Surplus Fire Department Ambulance to the Town of Hermon Cammack introduced Hermon’s Fire Chief Ray Pipes. Cammack said that the Town of Hermon has inquired whether the City of Bangor would consider donating its 2003 surplus ambulance to their Fire Department. With the recent acquisition of a replacement ambulance, Bangor Fire no longer has a need for this older ambulance. In the recent past, the City donated a surplus ambulance to Eastern Maine Community College for their use in a program at the College, and we have donated both an ambulance and fire engine to United Technology Center so this is not a unique request. Responding to Palmer, Cammack estimated that the auction price for this piece of equipment would range between $1,000 and $3,000. Responding to Gratwick, the Fire Chief said the last rescue unit was purchased for $119,000. The 119,000 miles is actual road mileage but that equipment idles a lot. He estimated another 35,000 to 40,000 could be added on top of the mileage for idling only. Pipes said that Hermon’s use would be far less than Bangor’s. Longo spoke of communities working together and asked if Bangor and Hermon have worked together in the past. Cammack noted that Bangor has a great relationship with all of its mutual aid partners. Hermon is mainly utilized for tanker shuttles. Bronson talked of a nominal price of a few hundred dollars for the unit. A motion was made and seconded to move staff’s recommendation. The item will be placed on the upcoming City Council agenda. Hermon does not have a rescue unit and the service is provided by a private corporation. The subject unit would be provided as a backup. Blanchette noted that if area municipalities were able to have their own rescue vehicles that it would pay for itself in the long run, and Bangor would not be required to provide as much service to the surrounding communities. Gratwick spoke of the City’s anti-idling policy. Farrar said there is a general anti-idling policy but it deals with non-emergency vehicles. Cammack noted that the mobile data and defibrillator units inside the units need to draw power at all times. If the vehicles are turned off, these units are not likely to restart. The vote was unanimous. Committee adjourned at 5:10 pm.