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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-26 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee February 26, 2008 Minutes Councilors: Hawes, Gratwick, Wheeler Staff: Farrar, Yardley, Hamilton, Willette Others: Gagnon, Quimby 1. Review of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program and Statistics At a recent City Council meeting, Councilor Gratwick inquired about the work of the STD Clinic, area STD trends, and numbers of clients served. With the Committee’s agenda, Yardley had supplied statistical data. Hamilton entertained questions regarding the material. Given economic hard times both in terms of individual spending money and the City’s dollars to spend on preventative healthcare, Gratwick said his major concern is a potential major upswing in the reportable infectious diseases. Hamilton said it possibly could be but she thinks the disease investigation services at Health and Community Services are very preventative focused. Their goal is to follow up on any questionable areas. She indicated that the State has provided extra vaccine to focus on Hepatitis B. She spoke about recent clinics at the Bangor Shelter, Acadia Recovery and possible linking with the Eastern Maine AIDS Network. Hamilton said she would not anticipate a rise in cases due to the economy. In terms of Hepatitis B, Gratwick said he was amazed to learn of 8 cases in Penobscot County. It is a small number, which is good. Yardley pointed out that the service area for this program goes far beyond Penobscot County. With the move toward a regional public health system, the public health district created by the state includes 12 towns. Yardley has reached out to those 12 asking them to consider some financial support. Replying to Wheeler, Yardley said the appeal to the surrounding communities was a very respectful but direct letter with the data, the number of individuals from their community served and what Bangor does provide to them in terms of service. Wheeler asked if it was strong enough. Yardley agreed but felt it was at least as starting point. The letter is one piece of a multiple prong strategy. He referred to other programs such as oral health care for the 0-3 year old population which could be marketed as a benefit with reaching out to the region. Wheeler wanted to be assured that the effort did not start and stop with the letter. Responding to Gratwick, Yardley said it is a strategic time with state and local budget issues. He would expect the Council to be asking more detailed questions. He is planning to hold a meeting with all local health officers. Hawes commended Yardley and his staff at Health and Community Services for being very proactive. 2. City Trail Use and Signage With the increasing popularity and use of City trails and the City Forest, there has been a certain amount of conflict between users with and without pets. The two most significant complaints are dogs not on leashes and owners who do not clean up after their pets. New signage has been developed and Willette led the informational discussion on the issues that are facing the Department. Recently he said there have been discussions among a variety of users essentially talking about the need to be respectful of other users. Rather than patrolling and dedicating manpower to the areas to enforce ordinances in place, Willette felt it more prudent to be more proactive and to create signage. He presented a model, which he would like to post at each trail head. He felt the sign language was more proactive and encourages respectfulness of others, the current ordinances and the resources. He had researched other communities to create the proposed language. Wheeler questioned the sign’s verbiage emphasizing that brevity is always better than lengthiness. Specifically, for the first bulleted point, he suggested that “All City trails and open spaces are considered City parks” could be deleted and remain with the main point “pet owners are required to follow City ordinances regarding pet waste and control of your pet.” It addresses one of the greatest concerns regarding City parks. For the seconded bulleted point he suggested “no motorized vehicles are permitted on these trails.” For the third bulleted point, he suggested “please stay on marked or designated trails.” He suggested no changes to the final two points. Willette will attempt to incorporate the recommended changes. Gratwick asked if there is a dog park in Bangor. Willette said no. Gratwick said this is an unacceptable status with dogs without leashes and owners not cleaning up after their dogs. The real question is can owner’s habits be changed. He feels that a dog park is needed. He also talked about dog waste collection stations. He wondered if it should be an extra fee added on to dog licenses. Responding, Willette said he does not have comprehensive information about a leash law. He has seen some communities trying to designate specific trails for dog and their owners. Perhaps it is something that could be discussed. His thought was to try signage first. Gratwick said that the sign is a reasonable start but he thinks it will fail. He thinks that the Council, staff and citizens are responsible to come up with a solution. He would like to see the dog owners involved; i.e. a special interest group. Gratwick said he would like this to be a non-problem two years from now. Willette agreed but feels it is important to move forward as positively as possible at this point. If the signage concept fails, he agreed that the next step might be to designate some trails for dogs and their owners. He suggested a Trail Advisory Committee. Willette currently serves on a Statewide Trails Advisory Committee. He stressed that he is open to ideas and concepts and that the issues need to be put to rest. Gratwick said he would like the signage to go into effect reasonably soon and come back to the Committee in four months for another review. Gratwick asked if it might be appropriate to list a phone number on the signage for individuals to leave questions and receive a return phone call. Wheeler said the first pooper-scooper ordinance was introduced to the City back in 1984. The unenforceability aspect of it seems to remain. Wheeler agreed with Gratwick that it is the ultimate responsibility of the dog owner. An ordinance and signs are not going to take care of it. He suggested a good way to start and to keep the issue in front of the dog-owning public is to host a summit meeting with the managers or public service directors of every radio station in Bangor. Regular PSA on an on-going annual basis would be effective. Willette said he could pursue the concept. Lucy Quimby, 1230 Kenduskeag Avenue, said the Bangor Land Trust had a program that ran for a year that hosted walks. One of the walks was along the Kenduskeag trail. She spoke of the need to have collection dispensers/ containers for animal waste bags. It needs to be made easy for dog owners. Farrar said a series of waste stations have been placed in some City parks and at the entrance at the City Forest. He stated that the purpose of tonight’s discussion was to let the Council know that staff is working proactively on the issue. Gratwick commended Willette for bringing this to the Committee’s attention. He did ask about other community dog license fees. He also agreed with summit meetings. Hawes indicated that at some point staff would be back to this Committee. Gratwick suggested it be in four months. The Committee adjourned at 5:40 pm.