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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-25 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee November 25, 2008 Minutes Councilors: Wheeler, Gratwick, D’Errico Staff: Barrett, Farrar, Yardley Others: 1 Member of the Public Prior to considering the agenda, Wheeler described the role of the Government Operations Committee. 1. Council Order 09-013, Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Accept a Grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse, to Implement Strategies to Decrease Underage Drinking. Yardley noted that the Health & Community Services Department currently has a $1,073,976 contract with the Maine Department of Health & Human Services to implement a public health initiative in Bangor and eleven surrounding communities. Substance abuse prevention is included in this public health effort, and OSA grant funds in the amount of $56,159 will be used to target underage drinking. Specifically, the grant will provide the seven law enforcement organizations in Bangor’s service area with funding to conduct underage drinking patrols. Yardley also stated that there will be a media campaign aimed at parents during the Maine Principal’s Association Basketball, Cheerleading, and Wrestling Tournaments at the Bangor Auditorium in 2009 and 2010. Gratwick said that a good deal of the problem comes from parents, and asked about the possibility of working with the School Superintendent. Yardley said that interest has been expressed on how to look at working together with the area school departments. Bangor Superintendent Webb is very supportive and she is supportive of Yardley convening the area superintendents to look at a regional substance abuse policy for all the schools. It doesn’t specifically get the information to parents but part of the strategy in delivering a regional substance abuse policy would be with the communications that go on as part of that adoption process. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval to the full Council at their upcoming meeting. 2. Council Order 09-014, Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Accept a Grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control, to Implement Capacity Building Strategies for Public Health Initiatives. Yardley said that the Health & Community Services Department currently has a $1,073,976 contract with the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, Center for Disease Control, to implement a public health initiative in Bangor and eleven surrounding communities. These funds are to be used to increase capacity to implement the project’s work plan more efficiently and effectively. Specifically, grant funds in the amount of $24,900 will be used to purchase technical support and training on the application of electronic technologies that will increase the Department’s ability to develop and share resources with our community partners, increase community involvement, and decrease travel time, expense, and time commitment related to meeting and resource sharing. Responding to D’Errico, Yardley said that his staff is very competent and has a grant manager who actually writes all of the grants and works very well with the program people in a meaningful way. The grant manager also works closely with the staff member dealing with healthy promotions and with the Director of Public Health and their staff. Responding to Gratwick, Yardley said another piece to the funding involves the work of a consultant in the Augusta area dealing with computer, web casts, etc. which goes beyond the traditional video conferencing. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval to full Council. 3. Program Update – Oral Health Prevention Clinic Yardley provided an overview and update regarding the Oral Health Prevention Clinic previously known as the Children’s Dental Clinic. Funding issues and challenges for this program were discussed with the Council during the FY09 budget review process, and Yardley updated the Committee. Two years ago, Dr. Frachella left the Dental Clinic. In looking at options at that time, Yardley recommended and the Council approved an oral prevention health program with a dental hygienist and assistant. It was a good decision in terms of filling a need in the community. There have been a number of obstacles. There is a trust fund for the dental clinic and he asked for two years to use the funds and switch to the new model. There have been a number of barriers, the state has pulled out of support for the program, MaineCare reimbursements are a challenge. There is a grant from the Harriet and Sally Davis foundation looking at trying to use the WIC program to offer these services in conjunction with WIC. This update is to let the Committee know that the program has some real and continuing challenges and Shawn will be reviewing all of the options and reporting back in the near future. The Committee thanked Shawn for the information and looks forward to further discussions. 4. Annual Election Ballot for the Municipal Review Committee Board of Directors Farrar said that this item deals with the annual election of members to the MRC Board of Directors, which oversees the operations of Penobscot Energy Recovery Company. The Board has 9 sitting members, three of whose terms expire annually. This year, the terms of David Chittam, Sophia Wilson and Elery Keene expire. Chittam is not running again. In addition to Ms. Wilson and Mr. Keene, Phil McCarthy and Robert Peabody have been nominated for consideration. Farrar noted that the MRC meets on a quarterly basis with one annual meeting and other special meetings are needed. There are nearly 180 member communities. The Board oversees approximately $35M in assets that collectively belong to the 180 communities with $21M in a tipping fee stabilization fund and the second piece is a $13M stake in the plant. Farrar is the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee of the MRC. Farrar recommended the City’s support of Ms. Wilson. A motion was made and seconded to support staff’s recommendation and to cast Bangor’s ballot for Ms. Wilson. Responding to Gratwick, Farrar said one of the items on each quarterly MRC agenda is ‘post 2018 planning efforts’ looking into the future. Gratwick asked about single stream recycling at PERC in the future as well as EcoMaine. Farrar noted it would need to be decided upon by privately-owned PERC, its member communities, and market support. He thought it would be worth exploration. EcoMaine has talked to the MRC Board. Committee adjourned at 5:55 pm.