HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
February 13, 2007
Minutes
Councilor Attendance: Hawes, Gratwick, Allen
Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Heitmann, Arno, Comeau, Yardley,
Hamilton
1. Parking Lease with Elk River Development
This proposed lease, which has been requested by the Elk River
Development, involves ten parking spaces in the Police Station lot next to
the Bedworks building on the corner of Main and May Streets. Heitmann
said that City was approached by the former Bedworks owners regarding
parking. It was never finalized and the building was sold to Elk River, who
contacted the City. The City proposes to lease ten spaces at $40/space for
a five-year lease with an option to renew. The lease contains a provision
for an early termination without penalty. Representatives of Elk River are
also working with the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee requesting
that a Main Street loading zone be changed to parking as well as interest
in the circle parking area behind the Bangor House. Elk River currently
has a tenant in need of parking. Gratwick expressed concerning about
the Police Department building parking. Barrett said that the Police
Department is a downtown facility which shares the same problem that all
downtown businesses have with parking. There is parking along Summer
Street and with the realignment of Cedar Street there may be additional
parking along that area. Currently there is access to the City lot toward
Railroad Street. Longer-term parking needs will be addressed in the
future. A representative of Elk River mentioned an original agreement
with the former Bedworks owner, Merrill Bank and the City there were
developed plans to recognize the balance of competing interests and
these ten spaces were designated in that plan. Because of that,
development actually happens. A motion was made and seconded to
approve staff’s recommendation. It will be moved to full Council.
2. Designation of Certain Municipal Property as Drug-Free Safe Zones
Recent State Legislation allows municipalities to designate athletic fields,
parks, playgrounds or recreational areas as drug-free safe zones. With
this designation, any drug dealing within 1,000 feet of these safe zones
subjects the dealer to higher penalties. In order to qualify, areas must be
frequented by minors and must be clearly marked/posted. The Police and
the Parks and Recreation Departments have identified some 25 areas that
qualify, and are seeking approval to so designate. Deputy Chief Arno and
Sgt. Tom Reagen, Special Enforcement Team, addressed the Committee.
Arno said the law has been on the books in 2005 which allows for
municipalities to post athletic fields and parks and playgrounds and
recreational facilities as safe zones. It provides the police more power
when trying to enforce drug laws. Designating these areas as safe zones
will have the same power as dealing with drugs within 1,000 ft. of a
school area. The law requires two steps. The area must be frequented by
minors and the area must be conspicuously marked with wording provided
by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Arno has met with Parks and
Recreation staff, who support the issue. Staff provided a tentative list of
areas for the Committee’s consideration. He suggested that wording from
other signs in park areas could perhaps be consolidated with this new
designation. There are existing drug forfeiture funds available for the
signage. Allen asked that Davenport Park be removed because it is a
memorial. Arno said that is fine. Allen asked if some of the trails are
included such as Brown and Prentiss Woods. Prentiss is adjacent to a
school so falls within the 1,000 ft. designation. Allen liked the idea of
condensing wording on to one sign. She suggested separating the logo
from the written words. Gratwick asked the real effect of such signage.
Arno said it is a deterrent due to the penalties involved. It is a not a feel
good law; it has teeth. Allen and Gratwick asked if the City Forest should
be included. Arno said the focus was to concentrate on parks that have
motor vehicle access. The list can be built on over time. Barrett said the
immediate emphasis is on areas where there are children who are not
immediately supervised. Responding to Allen, Arno said his experience
has been that where people deal drugs is limited by the imagination but
the safe zone designation takes away some of the more obvious places
where it is currently going on. A motion was made and seconded to
approve staff recommendation.
3. Future Improvements to Davenport Park
Councilor Allen requested an update regarding the status of plans to
improve/ renovate Davenport Park on Main Street. Farrar provided a
rough sketch of the current park and a potential proposal for renovations.
The Parks and Recreation Department, as part of the budget process a
couple of years ago, had proposed funds for improvements to the Park at
approximately $40,000. That request was not approved. There is $12,000
in escrow for the maintenance of the monument itself, and these funds
were provided by a veteran’s group. Allen said the veterans have a keen
interest in this park and they would like it to be more of a memorial type
of use. She spoke about a circular brick area and less shrubbery. She
feels the Park has lost its original purpose. Comeau said the space used
now by veterans for events is not adequate. Barrett suggested that
Comeau check with the veteran organizations and work with Peter
Witham in Planning who provided the proposed plan. Allen said she has
names of veterans and phone numbers. She would like the veterans
actively involved. Comeau said he would make the contact with the
veterans and with Witham. The $12,000 can only be used for the
monument itself. Allen asked if TIF money could be used for the Park.
She asked if the work would be done by the City or by contractor. Barrett
said he would check with Public Works prior to making a recommendation.
It depends on their schedule. Responding to Allen, Barrett said the
overhead wires in that area will be placed underground this year and the
sidewalks will be replaced from Merrill Bank down to Cedar Street. Allen
asked if there is a specific date. Barrett did not but felt it would be done
this summer. Gratwick said he would like to know more about the needs
assessment of the veterans. He asked how to best aesthetically
memorialize the Park. He asked about cost. Allen reminded Gratwick that
it is not a Park, it is a memorial. Barrett said that technically it is a City
Park but the memorial is in the Park. The memorial was donated to the
City. Barrett said he would need to research it. Allen said the veterans
feel it is their Park and are against any signage in the Park. Barrett again
suggested that Parks and Recreation staff meet with the veteran
organizations regarding appropriate signage. It needs to be coordinated
with the veterans. Parks and Recreation will report back to the
Committee after meeting with interested veterans, Councilors and City
staff.
4. Update/Discussion of Bangor Region Influenza Coalition Activities
Regarding Mass Vaccination/Medical Delivery Emergency Planning
The Influenza Coalition, a wide variety of public sector and healthcare
related organizations in Greater Bangor, has been working to develop
procedures and a delivery system should a response be necessary
involving a mass vaccination situation. Members of the Coalition,
including City staff, have been asked to brief the Committee on progress
to date, and discuss the role of the City and its facilities in this effort.
Hamilton said there are several goals in the development of the Coalition
and one is to expand the operation and in so doing ended up at the Civic
Center. The Civic Center cost quite a bit and the Coalition asked that the
fee be waived. Hawes said the letter was received. The Committee
would like more information as to where the Coalition sees itself going
and is the City going to be the frontrunner. Hamilton said the City has
been the frontrunner for years and intends to do so in the future. She
anticipates it will be an annual event. Combining it with last year’s early
voting process worked out well. She does see it expanding. The Coalition
has a plan in place to handle a pandemic. Responding to Barrett, Hamilton
said it would require three full days. She would need a commitment for
the Civic Center of at least six months in advance. Barrett said the
problem is that it takes the civic center out of the market. Barrett said it
would be easier to work with a more flexible program. Hamilton talked
about necessary advance advertising. Allen asked why it could not take
place in various neighborhoods as opposed to the Civic Center. Hamilton
said that has been done in the past but using a larger place is to brand
the effort especially if it came to a pandemic. Everyone would know it
was the place to go. Allen asked if others could contribute to the cost of
the rental. Hamilton said other agencies contribute by staff and time.
Gratwick is supportive of the concept. It is an important effort. He asked
about logistics. Barrett suggested that Health and Welfare reevaluate
their actual lead-time in terms of a date certain and to meet with Mike
Dyer regarding the Civic Center’s fall schedule. Allen said an influenza
clinic is not an emergency situation. Hamilton said it is training for the
pan flu for an emergency. Yardley said this really is an opportunity to
practice as a team for an event not certain. This past year, the City used
State pan flu monies for the clinic to underwrite the cost. There are
partners and within the public health infrastructure there may be
opportunities to work through some of these issues, Yardley said. Hawes
asked if the Civic Center would be truly branded. In the event of major
medical emergency, the Civic Center would be the building due to its size,
location, and parking. Allen said the fire department also has a situation
set up with the Civic Center in case of a major crisis. Barrett said it is one
of the spots but not the only location. Responding to Allen, Barrett said
he is not suggesting that the Civic Center be tied up for a no-cost fee for
non-emergency events. Allen said it sets a precedent. Barrett said there
should be an effort to seek funding within the Coalition and for Health and
Welfare to request funding during their budget process but the Civic
Center should be paid for. Hawes emphasized that the purpose of today’s
discussion is not to determine if the fee for use of the Civic Center should
be waived but to start a conversation about the Coalition’s efforts and
future and to then refer the item to the Finance Committee. Allen said she
understood but if it isn’t discussed why should it be sent on to Finance
Committee level. Barrett said the first step is to determine if the Civic
Center is an appropriate location and the second step to determine
funding. He prefers that the Coalition find a way to pay for it which may
include City participation. A motion was made and seconded to move the
item forward to the Finance Committee.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.