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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-11 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee December 11, 2007 Minutes Councilors: Hawes, D’Errico, Wheeler Staff: Barrett, Arno, Ring, Farrar, Wardwell, Cammack, Higgins Others: Larry Willey, Steve Russell CONSENT AGENDA 1. Lease Agreement with Cingular Wireless This Agreement would allow the City to place emergency communication equipment in the building used by Cingular at the checkered water tower on Cleveland Street for one dollar per year. Placing equipment there would improve our overall communication capabilities. Higgins, Bangor Fire Department, indicated the lease agreement will allow the City to put in the final phase of the voice upgrade for emergency services and will allow connectivity for mobile data system. The lease is $1/annually. The lease has been reviewed and approved by the Legal Department. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. REGULAR AGENDA 2. Review of Parking Issues/Concerns – Otis Street and Garland Street (between Otis Street and Howard Street) Ring indicated that a resident, Larry Willey, recently requested that the City review the parking situation on Otis Street and on Garland Street (between Otis Street and Howard Street). During week days, there is considerable all day parking on both of these streets. Steve Russell representing EMMC was also in attendance. Otis Street is a fairly narrow street, which contains some multi-unit housing units and a private school. The section of Garland Street under review is that section directly across from the William S. Cohen School. Ring provided background information. Otis Street is a narrow street with two way traffic. Parking is allowed on the easterly side. Garland Street is a bit wider from Otis over toward Howard, in front of the Cohen School. The largest concern from the City’s standpoint is the parking during the winter months on Otis Street. Mr. Willey said he had called the City a couple of times because his neighbors had been concerned about this parking issue. During the winter, it is particularly dangerous. It impacts the neighborhood from a residential quality standpoint. EMMC staff has been cordial in Willey’s discussions with them. After the Howard Street debate and resolution, neighborhood residents have altered their travel routes now using Otis Street. He referred to the City’s concerns in 2005 with Otis Street parking. Willey said that many EMMC employees do not wish to use off-site parking and use Otis Street for parking. He doesn’t want Otis Street to be one-way and, if the City chooses that alternative, Willey said he would withdraw his request. Willey said that EMMC staff is sympathetic to the Otis Street parking issue but they (EMMC) have no control over their employee parking habits. Willey referred to the memo from Ring and Arno. The on-street parking on Otis Street should be eliminated but there should be some accommodation for people who work on Otis Street. On Garland Street by the school, Willey said there should be no parking particularly on the southerly side. Barrett said that 28 feet is the preferred width for a two- way street with parking on one side. Otis Street is a bit narrow. He spoke about parking issues for the Montessori School. He pointed out that on-street parking does have an impact to slow traffic speed. Arno said he observed the area last week when school was letting out. He distributed photos of Garland Street in the school area. Even with the snow build up, he said there appears to be ample street with for parking on both sides of Garland and two-way traffic. He also provided photos of Otis from Garland down towards State Street. He observed an oil truck and school bus impasse due to the narrowness of the street. Ring referred to past correspondence regarding Otis Street. A survey of Otis Street property owners was taken in 2005. Regarding Garland Street, Ring said the width is 38 ft. which appears to be adequate. Otis Street residents were notified by mail of this meeting. Voice messages were left for the Montessori School but no response received. The options are: widening Otis Street, but it is not a viable option; making Otis Street one-way, which would cause issues; prohibition of parking. Parking on Otis is not essential for EMMC employees, Ring stated. In the past, Montessori School officials had concerns. Ring mentioned perhaps providing a few limited parking spaces on Otis Street. Barrett agreed that something needs to be done but that the Montessori School needs to have input. Responding to D’Errico, Steve Russell said that the Wing parking lot on Tuesday, Weds and Thursday from September through May fills up by 8 am. Any employee arriving after that time overflows into the State Street lot, on the corner of State and Hancock and that it designated as patient/visitor parking. Russell said a number of the vehicles with EMMC stickers on Otis Street have a red permit. They are the ones that should be parking at Sylvan Road or at the Pickering Square parking garage. There is no method of enforcing employee parking off- campus. It has been a struggle for the medical center and for the City. Arno said that short of making a recommendation he feels it important to hear from Montessori in terms of their parking needs. Ring thinks there is property on Fruit Street owned by Montessori for parking. There might be one or two spaces in front of their Otis Street site. They have employee parking needs and also student drop off and pick up needs. Hawes said it would make sense to bring the item back to the next meeting. Staff will return with a plan and enforcement. Staff will also contact the Montessori School again. Barrett said that perhaps selective temporary ‘no parking’ posting on Otis Street might be appropriate for temporary relief. Arno said that could be accomplished within the next couple of days. He said his department would have to work with Public Works in terms of snow removal. Ring did suggest running this option by the Montessori School so they will know what is taking place in terms of the temporary no parking. Willey provided photos to staff. He stressed that he does not want anything to impact businesses on Otis Street. This issue will return to a future meeting. 3. Agency User Agreement – Bangor Police Department Indoor Firearms Range With the completion and opening of the new firearms range at the Police Department, Arno indicated that the Department had received inquiries about use of the range from outside law enforcement agencies. It is in the interest of the City to cooperate with these other agencies. A standardized agreement setting forth the rules and regulations for the use of the range, the rights and responsibilities of the users, insurance and indemnification provisions, and a fee schedule has been developed with the assistance of the Legal Department. The Police Department is seeking permission to allow outside agencies to use our range and approval of the Request Form and Agency User Agreement. Arno indicated that Sgt. Bishop had obtained fee schedules from other agencies around the state. The range is not to be used by private citizens. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation to the full City Council. 4. Resolve, Accepting and Appropriating $135,000 in Department of Homeland Security – Assistance to Firefighters Grant Funds On November 16, 2007, Bangor Fire Department was awarded an Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant through the Department of Homeland Security to replace 30 self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Higgins indicated that the $150,000 project has a 90% federal share of $135,000 and a 10% local match of $15,000. It will bring the Department up to date and in compliance with National Fire Protection Association 2007 standards. The new SCBAs offer several advanced safety features such as a heads up air supply display, improved face pieces with larger viewing area, next generation personal alert safety system features, and emergency air connections for injured firefighters. A motion was made and seconded to recommend staff approval to the full Council. A motion was made to adjourn at 5:40 pm.