HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-23 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
October 23, 2007
Minutes
Councilors in Attendance: Hawes, D’Errico, Gratwick
Staff in Attendance: Farrar, Yardley, Hamer
1. Council Ordinance 07-319 Amending the Code of the City of Bangor to
Change the Name of the Public Health and Welfare Department, Public
Health Division, and Public Welfare Division
Yardley indicated that this proposed Ordinance would rename the Department of
Public Health and Welfare and two of its divisions (Public Health and Public
Welfare). The initial discussion at the Committee level yielded some concern
about the proposed change in the Department name to Bangor Department of
Health and Human Services. Changes to the division names did not generate
any particular concerns.
Yardley said he initiated this original request and the most pressing impetus now
is the City assumption of the official role of regional public health with the recent
contract award from the Maine CDC. This is a defining moment in terms of being
officially responsible for doing wellness, nutrition, tobacco, alcohol programming
for the twelve communities that make up the Bangor region under the Healthy
Maine Partnership. The public needs to realize the City’s role in public health.
The term welfare has connotations that keep people away from services that
they are eligible for and gives a public perception of something that is really not
an appropriate name. Thus, he made a recommendation that the Bangor Health
and Welfare be renamed to Bangor Health and Human Services. At the last
Committee meeting staff was asked to canvas clients, members of the public,
department employees, and other interested parties for other possible
Department and Division names prior to this item returning to Committee.
Yardley said this has been done. Current Health and Welfare Department staff
members felt that Bangor Health and Community Services is fitting. He checked
with the City of Portland and they are Portland Health and Human Services.
They receive many calls that need to be redirected to the State Health and
Human Services. They have a division of Portland Public Health, a division of
Portland Health and Human Services.
Palmer asked Yardley how much time was spent on the renaming possibilities.
Yardley said it was discussed at staff retreat, probably 30-45 minutes. He,
however, spent a great deal more time talking with various constituencies.
Responding to Palmer, Yardley said he spoke with the Director of Community
Health and Counseling Services as he wanted to be certain he wasn’t stepping on
anyone’s toes. Pickering, CHCS Director, was a little concerned at first but said
his agency is known as CHCS. Yardley spoke with Penobscot Community
Health, who also had no objection to name changes.
Gratwick congratulated Yardley on the process and he feels the name change is
highly appropriate.
Dennis Marble, 334 Grove Street, and co-chair of the Public Health Advisory
Board, requested that full consideration be given to the word housing in the new
title. The City has an obvious role in support of housing. He asked for
consideration of Bangor Health, Housing and Community Services.
Barrett said adding the word housing could cause confusion as there are other
parts of the City that deal with housing; i.e. Community Development Block
Grants and Code Enforcement as well as Bangor Housing Authority. He
suggested the word housing could be placed in one of the division’s titles.
Marble agreed with Barrett to add the word housing in a Division title.
A motion was made and seconded to move staff recommendation: Health and
Community Services Department and its two Divisions (1) Bangor Region Public
Health and Wellness, and (2) Housing and Community Services. Yardley
stressed that his own preference would not be Bangor Health and Community
Services but felt it appropriate to follow the Committee’s recommendation as well
as suggestions from his staff members. He feels that health and human services
clearly defines to the public what they can expect. Gratwick thanked Yardley for
his flexibility.
The Committee voted unanimously to forward the recommendation to the next
Council agenda.
Committee adjourned at 5:15 p.m.