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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-27 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee February 27, 2007 Minutes Councilors Present: Hawes, D’Errico, Allen Staff Present: Barrett, Millard, Brusko, McNeil 1. Lt. Millard spoke to the Committee along with Dr. John Brusko, EMMC, regarding a program recently started for paramedics on the Department’s Special Response Team and involving a physician on the Team. The Department has partnered with EMMC which will provide the physician team member at its expense. The program basically is that Dr. Brusko would respond to calls and oversee the Department’s tactical medical program, provide training for paramedics, and be in charge of overall team health. Dr. Brusko comes with an excellent background in this area. Millard brought a contract prepared and approved by EMMC and the City Solicitor and asked the Committee to consider approving the contract. It would then go to full City Council for final action. Dr. Brusko’s equipment has been provided through a grant secured by the Fire Department. Millard introduced Dr. Brusko, who provided details of the program. He is working with Maine EMS to develop what will be one of the most progressive tactical EMS programs in the country outside of the military. Their approach is additional training and keeping the team well and in the field. Responding to D’Errico, Brusko said the care of the team is in the hands of the medics. There are currently 6 Bangor paramedics that have gone through the program and will go through additional training. At any given time, he would like at least three on any given deployment and preferably all six. Brusko’s role is to be available by phone to the tactical team members and to follow up on all patients. Barrett said the Police and Fire Department have been working on this for some time and commended them for working closely on the program. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval to full Council at its next meeting. 2. Proposed Changes to the Mt. Hope BAT/Community Connector Route Including Service to Wal-Mart and Moving Current Service from Forest Avenue to Elm Street, Between Garland Street and Mt. Hope Avenue A transit study is currently underway which is evaluating service routes, schedules, and timetables. While the larger study is continuing, the consultant engaged by BACTS has recommended that three proposed changes be implemented in advance of study completion. Two of these changes involve the Mt. Hope Route in Bangor, while the third involves a change in a Brewer Route. Given the Consultant’s recommendation for expedited action, and a request by Councilor Allen, the two Bangor proposals were presented to the Committee for consideration. Joe McNeil, BAT Superintendent, presented handouts to the committee and discussed the proposals and their implications. Hawes noted that Councilor Allen had joined the meeting. He reviewed a map outlining the current route. The intent of the proposed change is to improve on-time performance and to reduce the stress level placed on our drivers to maintain a very tight schedule. One proposal would eliminate the Bangor WalMart stop on the out-bound segment of the run but to leave it on the inbound segment. Most passengers waiting at Wal-Mart board the bus when it first arrives, reducing the need for a second stop. This change will also allow extra time for EMCC runs when school is in session. The second proposal is to substitute Elm Street for Forest on the Mount Hope Route. Forest is a narrower street and the four way stop at Garland/Forest pose a problem for our buses as they require both lanes to make the turn and traffic stopped at the signs often defer to the bus, expecting it to proceed, when it can’t until the intersection clears. Mr. Rogerson, an Elm Street resident, is concerned about the quality of the street. It is a rough street in terms of pavement, and he questioned the problems that heavy buses would have in traveling on it and whether they would cause further deterioration to the street. He suggested using Grove Street. Responding to Allen, Rogerson said he lives in the middle portion of Elm Street. He has resided on Elm Street for 10 years. Allen agreed that Forest and Grove are about the same width. McNeil spoke about road width. Forest Avenue’s travel width is 22 ft., Elm is 26 ft. and Grove is 20 ft. McNeil works with Public Works to insure that street used by the BAT’s are given a high priority for winter plowing, addressing another concern raised by Mr. Rogerson. Due to complaints of buses speeding on Forest Avenue, McNeil has worked with the Police Department to provide radar enforcement. The drivers have been directed to travel no more than 20 mph at any given time on Forest. Residential streets under State Law are 25 mph. D’Errico asked if Elm Street is on the City’s planned list for improvements/paving. Allen said it is important for the bus to be on a regularly scheduled route. She feels that Elm is a good street for the bus route. Rogerson asked if Maple Street had been considered. Allen said it is too far down Mt. Hope. Due to the size of the buses, Rogerson said he still feels there is a problem for the bus to get from Elm onto Mt. Hope. McNeil said it has been tried and it is doable. Allen talked about the route back in the 70’s. McNeil said it hasn’t varied much. Mr. Buckley, Forest Avenue, spoke in favor of the proposed change. Responding to D’Errico, McNeil said that area residents were notified of tonight’s meeting. He received a favorable response from a Forest Avenue resident. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. It does not require full Council approval. The changes will take place within the next two or three weeks. Appropriate notification needs to be in place. Allen said this is part of the BACTS Transit Advisory Committee’s report. This route change is one of three or four upcoming recommendations. Rogerson asked if there was anyway he could come before the Council to further discuss his concerns. Allen indicated he would be able to speak at an upcoming ndth meeting on the 2 and 4 Mondays of each month.