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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-27 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee May 27, 2008 Minutes Councilors: Hawes, D’Errico, Wheeler, Gratwick, Palmer Staff: Barrett, Farrar, Cammack, Dawes, Willette, Gastia Others: One Media Representative 1. Council Resolve 08-172, Appropriating $18,819 in Unanticipated Ambulance Revenue for Purposes of Purchasing a Combined Pumper and Aerial Unit for the Fire Department Fire Chief Cammack explained that passage of this Resolve will appropriate the remaining balance required to fund the purchase of the Quint for the Fire Department. Responding to Wheeler, Cammack said there is no room for negotiation to cover the additional $18,819, which covers the added safety equipment. A motion was made and seconded to move staff recommendation to full Council for its final action. 2. Letter of Intent to Support the Northeast Hybrid Truck Consortium Fleet Maintenance Director Dawes indicated that the City has been asked to submit a Non-Binding Letter of Intent in support of establishing the Consortium. The goal of the Consortium is to financially assist diesel truck fleet operators in purchasing medium and heavy duty hybrid trucks as replacements for older, less fuel efficient fleet vehicles. If the Consortium is successful in securing federal grant funds under the Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program, the funding can be used to partially offset the cost differential between a new diesel hybrid truck and conventional diesel truck. The non-binding letter also expresses the City’s intent to purchase a hybrid vehicle, if it is advantageous to do so. Gratwick expressed reservation about bio-diesel. Dawes said this is a larger program for diesel electric hybrid. For example, it could not be used for dump trucks with snowplows. They could be used for the electrical bucket trucks and the recycling truck. Gratwick talked about reduction in idling. Dawes said the City currently has an anti-idling policy for any vehicle that is non-emergency related. Gratwick asked how it is monitored and asked about school bus policies. Barrett said that monitoring is the responsibility of the individual department heads and that he periodically reviews it at staff meetings with department heads. The School Department has worked with their contract provider about idling in front of the schools. Dawes said driver habits are a difficult problem. Responding to Palmer, the non-binding letter of support provides a financial incentive. It will provide an opportunity and an option when dollars become available. Lewiston, Portland, and Scarborough are involved. Gratwick pointed out that this is a $1 billion program over a five-year period. Dawes stressed the importance of applying for the program. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. 3. Parks and Recreation Update: Golf Course, Pools and Summer Programs Parks and Recreation Director Willette presented a brief update on various Department programs. He distributed copies of the summer program guide. On the back of the guide, there is a survey form for participants to complete. Thus far, the response has been surprisingly good. One change this year has been to add younger children to the day camp program. There has been a good response to the point where the program is near capacity. He applauded the School Department for their assistance in making space th available for the program at the 14 Street and the Fairmount Schools. strd Pancoe Aquatic Center will upon June 21 and Dakin Pool on the 23 of June. The pool house at the Dakin Pool has been removed. Public Works is completing preliminary paving around the building so that the final phase of fencing can be put in place. Public Works will then complete paving the parking area. The Golf Course had a very good month in April, and May is a bit behind thus far. The Department is dealing with grub worms at the various parks and addressing the problem with different options. With the high cost of energy, Wheeler said he feels there will be a highly increased usage of City parks and recreation facility. He asked about staffing. Willette said his department anticipates and prepares for heavy summer usage, and he welcomes the challenge. th Willette said he has hired Debbie Gendreau, who will start on June 9, as the Superintendent of Recreation. There were forty applicants. She brings experience in the parks and recreation field as well as in marketing. Responding to Palmer, Willette said the survey is mainly program related. It includes a question relating to additional recreation facilities. Palmer asked if it included the park’s infrastructure. He suggested that a future survey might include facilities and program feedback for the parks, the pools and the golf course. He asked about extending the pool season dates. Gratwick indicated the number of programs offered by the City’s Parks and Recreation program is truly remarkable. Responding to Wheeler, Willette said the predominant age group of users varies. Registrations returned thus far are in the day camp and pool lesson programs. Wheeler spoke of the importance of qualifying the survey and not just quantifying it. Willette said that at the end of the summer he would analyze and assess the surveys by demographics. 4. Traffic Calming and Enforcement Program Update – Bangor Police Department Approximately one month ago, Police Chief Gastia said that the Police Department implemented a plan to address a number of traffic safety related issues and updated the Committee on their efforts. He is pleased with the th results but indicated there is much more work to be done. Since April 15 when the Chief unveiled the program to this Committee, his department has stopped over 1,800 vehicles. The efforts are continuing and increasing. The State’s publicity for some of their programs has also helped Bangor’s. Nearly 1,000 warnings and tickets have been issued. Members of the public have contacted him by phone or e-mail applauding the department’s efforts and to indicate that they have seen positive results in terms of speed and stopping at stop signs. Directed patrols on traffic enforcement have been increased. As an example, the prior weekend there were 20 individuals stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. Speed details will be increased during the summer months as well as OUI roadblocks. He noted that these would be paid for by the most part through the Highway Safety Grants. Gratwick asked if performance standards exist. Gastia said it is a bit difficult without using subjective opinions because the number of traffic stops has increased significantly and there is no way to accurately compare it to last year. A year from now, a measurement would be available. One of things he would like to do is to use cameras at intersections. Gastia said it would be a good use of resources; however, in Maine it is not allowed for those purposes. Until the Legislature allows it, the Department’s hands are tied. The summer bike patrol officers stop vehicles in the downtown area. He wants his officers to be seen rather than in hidden areas monitoring traffic. Wheeler asked about adding motorcycles to the fleet. Gastia said they are fuel efficient and the department has one unit. There are limited months during the year that the motorcycle can be used and that is a drawback when considering the investment. Wheeler asked if the media has cooperated to the extent that the Chief had hoped. Gastia said the media has been very receptive and responsive to the point that the Department has asked them. He doesn’t want the public to become immune to news coverage. Wheeler spoke about radio coverage. In the advertising industry, consistent repetition is important. He asked about cell phone use in heavy traffic areas. Gastia said there is no law that prohibits it. Wheeler asked if a law could be enacted. Gastia said it would be up to the City Council and the City Legal Department. Wheeler asked if citizens have taken responsibility and have reported a license plate number as well as the location of a violation. Gastia said he will address this question at an upcoming staff meeting. He noted that the public’s response has been very positive. The Department thus far has received no increase in the number of complaints from the public. Responding to Gratwick, Gastia said he believes the way to effectively deal with traffic calming need to be multi-faceted. Law enforcement is not the answer to everything but it is there to create a deterrent. Deterrents encourage voluntary compliance. The public needs to be educated. Barrett said that engineered solutions are more effective because they are a constant. Streets that are very wide and very long are conducive to speeding. Palmer spoke about encouraging citizens to use the BAT. 5. Request to Support Nomination of Ryan Pelletier, St. Agatha Town Manager to the Maine Municipal Association Executive Committee Mr. Pelletier asked Council Chair Hawes to support his nomination to the MMA Executive Committee. Hawes asked for the Committee’s review/endorsement prior to her signing the support statement. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval. Wheeler asked Hawes to suggest to Mr. Pelletier that he supposed a local option sales tax. Hawes said she has already spoken with Pelletier, who would be willing to do so but realizes it is an uphill battle. Committee adjourned at 5:55 pm.