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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-24 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee February 24, 2009 MINUTES Councilor Attendance: Wheeler, D’Errico, Gratwick, Blanchette, Nealley, Hawes, Palmer Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Cammack, Gastia, Willette, Yardley Others: BDN, Kerrie Gilles-Tripp 1. Bangor Pedestrian Safety Light Program – Maureen’s Way Following recent tragic accidents involving pedestrians in Bangor and a neighboring community, interest was expressed in developing a program that would improve pedestrian safety. At the request of Council Chair Palmer, this program is being dedicated in memory of the late Maureen Waltz, who was employed by the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Palmer said that CIGNA Healthcare has provided the orange flashing lights at no cost to the City of Bangor and the intent is to make them available to Bangor residents at Central Fire Station. A card with information about the program as well as a dedication to Maureen will be distributed with each light. Tripp thanked the City for entertaining the idea especially in memory of Waltz. Cammack said he envisions the lights being distributed out of Central Fire’s business office on Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. Hawes asked if this is a one-time program. Palmer said he would like to see if a demand exists before going out into another year. Tripp talked about the possibility of the BCVB partnering with the City in purchasing additional lights if the demand warrants. Blanchette and Gratwick spoke in favor of the program. Gratwick asked for feedback on the distance at which the lights can be seen. Palmer stressed that one is not invincible because of wearing a light. Blanchette and Palmer talked about school children not having access to sidewalks. Palmer asked for the Committee’s approval to move forward with the program. Blanchette asked if the light’s batteries are replaceable. Palmer felt they could be replaced. She also asked about disposal of the light’s batteries and suggested the Recycling Committee look into it. A motion was made and seconded to recommend the program as a pilot project. Wheeler referred to the program as a sense of community. 2. Park Sponsorship Program Parks and Recreation Director Willette updated the Committee on proposed revisions to the Park Sponsorship Program and distributed copies of the proposed brochure. The update follows a meeting several months ago with the Government Operations Committee, as well as a recent meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. For the past year or so, Willette said the Adopt-a-Park program has been evaluated in an attempt to create a larger more comprehensive sponsorship program. Last fall, he presented a model program called “Creating Community” to the Government Operations Committee, received positive feedback and went back to the drawing board. Based upon input from both groups, the Department is now ready for a final presentation to the Committee and approval to proceed. Willette noted that one of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members was instrumental in creating the program, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved the proposed model. He noted that elementary school students also participated in the program and is shown by the art work used in the brochure. Students were asked to draw their favorite park. Nealley spoke about the sponsorship donation amount and wondered if it is in line with past sponsorship. Willette said that the previous model had two different values: $1,500 and $750. At the fall Government Operations Committee meeting, this was discussed and a concern of the perception of placing a higher value over a particular park than another so the $1,500 amount was applied to all parks. When the Adopt-A-Park program was first initiated, there was thought to higher visibility parks and hence the higher amount. Nealley said that due to the change of the visibility of signage that some thought that the value of the park had been diminished. Signage aside, Willette said that looking forward the program will increase some of the benefits that a particular sponsor would receive. Barrett noted that two or three years ago that the Committee had spent quite a bit of time looking at the issue of signage having heard from people that the signs were objectionable such as in Davenport Park. The Committee spent several meetings designing the current signs. Absent any desire on the Committee to change, those are the signs that will be used. Nealley said that he hopes the balance has been found. Responding to Nealley, Willette said there is space on the department’s website to accommodate three website sponsors. Sponsors can be listed separately but the website itself has space on the page for three. Blanchette said over the past few years she along with Councilors D’Errico and Gratwick have attended meetings of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and currently, there is a very active Advisory Board in place. She urged the Committee to accept what the Advisory Board has put forth noting that it is a very colorful brochure that attracts kids and parent’s eyes. Blanchette and Gratwick both praised the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Department and its Advisory Board. Nealley spoke about a revenue goal associated with the project and suggested frequent updates from Willette. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Creative Community program. Wheeler noted that the program is not advertising but it is community relations. 3. Summer Playground Program Update – Parks and Recreation The Parks and Recreation Department has been evaluating alternate approaches to the Summer Playground Program and, following a recent discussion with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Department staff wanted to update the Government Operations Committee on their preferred new approach. Willette said the Department has run a supervised summer playground program whereby two members of its seasonal staff are placed in selected City parks, most recently 5 parks with the addition of the day camp program. The evaluation has considered attendance records which hover in the six to a dozen attendees. Staff attempts to develop ideas to improve and maintain the program. Recently, a model was found that would introduce a new program for the summer and perhaps reduce staff needs and/or costs. It would create two crews in the summertime and, rather than have a crew dedicated to a specific park five days a week for eight weeks, the two crews would be used to rotate around the parks. This would be at select times on select days during the course of the week they would visit a park for a 2-3 hour time blocks. This concept would also allow adding parks; i.e. Second Street. A new play structure will be in place at this spot this summer. He also spoke of introducing a teen program this summer for middle school age children. The Advisory Board fully supports the concept. Wheeler commended Willette for initiatives he has brought before the Committee. Blanchette talked about Bangor’s changing neighborhoods. She said that the City should work with the School Department to keep track of kids and focus in on specific areas. Willette said that the new concept is portable in that it could be moved to various parks. He is looking for a positive change. Responding to D’Errico, Willette said staff members wear t-shirts and are easily identified. The Department will also have appropriate signage indicating noting hours of staff, activities, etc. Each week, there will be an updated posting of activities. Gratwick made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation. It was seconded. Wheeler asked about children outside of Bangor participating in the program. Willette does not anticipate an influx but there is non-resident of some facilities and programs i.e. Hayford Park. Wheeler stressed that he did not have concerns about non-residential use. 4. Proposed State Legislation – An Act to Amend Poverty Abatement Law Barrett talked about the current poverty/hardship abatement request process, which come before the Finance Committee for approval or disapproval. He noted that several municipal health and welfare directors, working with the Maine Municipal Association, have drafted proposed legislation to amend the current Poverty Abatement Law. The key component of the proposal would give municipal officials the option of either granting or denying the poverty abatement (current law), or allowing the applicants to remain in the home with the stipulation that the municipality would be entitled to collect the amount due (tax lien) when the property was sold or the title transferred (new proposal). This would provide an option to the current approve/deny scenario. Bangor has been asked to support this proposal. As this proposal provides an additional option for municipal officials, staff recommends Committee support of this bill. Blanchette said the poverty abatement process with the Finance Committee is uncomfortable as most are truly needy. If the law is not changed to provide some discretion to municipalities, more individuals are going to enter into reverse mortgage situation. Municipal officers need leverage to get money back without hurting individuals when they can least afford it. Yardley spoke in favor of the proposal. If passed, it would provide the City discretion to deal with both the very worthy needs of individuals. Yardley does the initial screening when abatement requests are received by the City and he then forwards it to the Finance Director. The vast majority is very needy; however, there are a significant number who do not come forth because of pride. There are many who do not take advantage of a legitimate service. Yardley has testified on behalf of the Maine Welfare Directors Association in his role with the Association and, if the Council desires, he would be willing to represent the City by submitting written testimony. Nealley said he found it difficult to think that the Legislature will support the proposal. Yardley said the good thing about the proposal is that it does not impact someone’s housing, their home. In this scenario, they would not be forced to leave their home. At the point of sale, they would realize less equity but only what was due the City in the first place. If enacted by the Legislature, Wheeler wondered if there is a strong possibility that it may encourage those for reasons of personal pride to seek abatements. Gratwick spoke in favor of the proposal, and stated that Bangor is incredibly humane in dealing with its citizens. Blanchette said that if individuals know that due to cash flow problems that their taxes could be abated and then the City would be reimbursed at the time of the individual’s passing, it would take care of potential issues with siblings. A motion was made and seconded to recommend the City’s support of the proposed legislation. Committee adjourned at 6:15 pm.