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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-23 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes December 23, 2008 Councilor Present: Wheeler, D’Errico, Gratwick, Palmer Others Present: Barrett, Farrar, Yardley, Gastia, Cammack, Wes Smith, Galen Saucier, Eric Russell, BDN. Committee Chair Wheeler Opened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Items 1, 2 and 3 on the Consent Agenda were unanimously recommended for approval to the City Council as presented. 1. Council Resolve 09-033, Appropriating and Accepting Grant Funds from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services – STD Clinic/HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral This is the renewal for the STD Clinic/HIV Prevention Grant. This grant extension runs from January through December 2009 and is for Eighty Three Thousand Fifty Six Dollars ($83,056). The STD/HIV program provides confidential and anonymous STD/STI testing and treatment as well as disease investigation services to individuals in Northern Maine. The overall program goal is to improve the health of our region and to decrease the rates of sexually transmitted infections among our population. Services are provided by a contracted physician and a certified Disease Intervention Specialist. Additionally, the program provides educational opportunities for the Center for Family Medicine medical residency program as well as Husson, EMCC, and UM schools of nursing. 2. Application for and Acceptance of $5,419 from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in the Penquis Public Health District The Department of Health and Community Services’ Health Promotion Program will utilize these funds to provide community-based education and information on colorectal cancer prevention screening. Program staff will work with community partners to develop and disseminate messages that describe the need for and benefits of colorectal cancer screening in the Penquis Public Health District. 3. Application for and Acceptance of $8,750 from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to Provide Logistical, Administrative and Organizational Support to the Penquis Public Health Coordinating Council The Health and Community Services Department is joined with four Healthy Maine Partnerships in Penobscot and Piscataquis Country to form the Penquis District Public Health Coordinating Council (DCC). The Council is charged with coordinating the efforts of the HMPs to create local and district-wide public health infrastructure. Funds awarded through this contract will be used to provide logistical, administrative and organizational support to the DCC. The grant extends through June 30, 2009. 4. Handicap Parking Violation Initiative Police Chief Gastia presented a detailed outline of the issues relating to parking spaces for disabled citizens and the Police Department’s enforcement thereof. Recently, Alpha One volunteered to work with the Police Department to identify and educate those who are parking illegally. The Police Department welcomed this opportunity and assistance. Mr. Wes Smith of Alpha One and Galen Saucier, a user of handicapped parking spaces both addressed the Committee regarding the need for increased enforcement and their willingness to help. They described the challenges faced by those needing the spaces and the frustration in seeing able bodied citizens incorrectly using the spaces. Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Saucier were very pleased with the Department‘s response to their concerns and the proposed course of action. Alpha One will be working to develop an educational piece that can be sent to those incorrectly using spaces. Also, certain Alpha One representatives will take pictures of offending vehicles and send to the Police Department for follow up. The Committee endorsed the plan as presented and thanked the Police Department, Mr. Smith and Mr. Saucier for their work. A request was made for an update on this initiative in 90 days. 5. Progress Report – New Fire Station #6 on Griffin Road Fire Chief Cammack presented a review of the progress of Station #6 to the Committee. He outlined the status of the project in detail. To date, the project is on budget, on time, and there have been no major problems or issues encountered. The design/build process is working as envisioned and the Chief credited several members of the Department who have taken active roles in overseeing/reviewing the work as it is in progress. The Chief thanked the Council for their support of this project and indicated that the new station should last well into this century. He noted that no determination had been reached relative to the disposition of the old station. That decision will be made at a later point in time. The Committee appreciated the update and the information presented by Chief Cammack. 6. Discussion of Replacement Strategy for Tanker 6 – Fire Department Chief Cammack explained that Tanker 6 is a 2000 gallon water tank mounted on a 1987 Ford Chassis. The Department is in need of replacing this unit as it is not as safe as newer units. A grant opportunity (Assistance to Fire Fighter Grant) bas been identified, and would provide 90% funding. The City would be responsible for the remaining 10%. The new tanker is estimated to cost $205,000, with the grant paying for $184,500 and the City paying for $20,500. The Fire Department is seeking Committee approval to move forward with the grant application. Dr. Gratwick expressed concern about the source of funding for the City’s portion. The City Manager noted that sufficient funds existed in the Fire Equipment Capital Reserve Fund, and that we should not miss the opportunity to receive 90% funding on a new, needed piece of equipment. The Committee voted to recommend approval of the grant application to the Council. 7. Upcoming Legislative Session – Issues and Topic of Interest to the City of Bangor The City Manager reviewed a list of potential issues that may be of interest to Bangor in the upcoming legislative session. He also reviewed the outline of the upcoming meeting th with the local legislative delegation scheduled for Monday December 29. The Manager went though the entire list and recommended what position, if any, the City should take on the proposals, and what position should be shared with legislators. (See list attached to agenda). The Committee endorsed the list and recommendations as presented and thanked the Manager for his comprehensive review. The list of issues and accompanying explanations will be finalized and distributed to th Councilor and Legislators in advance of the 29 meeting. With no further business to come before the Committee, there was a motion and second and unanimous vote to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.