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.