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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-24 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee July 24, 2007 Minutes Councilor Attendance: Hawes, D’Errico, Farrington Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Hamer, Yardley, Arno CONSENT AGENDA 1. Voting Ballot for Maine Municipal Association and Executive Committee Members As a member of the Maine Municipal Association, Bangor has the opportunity annually to cast its ballot for MMA Officers and Executive Committee members. The nominating committee has proposed a slate of candidates and the Committee unanimously voted to recommend approval. REGULAR AGENDA 2. Review of General Assistance Housing Rental Rates At a recent City Council meeting, David Grant spoke to the Council regarding his concern with the City’s established rent reimbursement rates under the General Assistance Ordinance. He believes the current rates do not adequately reimburse him for the rental units he provides. He asked the city to review the situation and to consider adjustments to the Ordinance. Mr. Grant was not in attendance. Assistant Solicitor Hamer recommended that the item not be tabled or referred to another meeting but that the Committee wait and see if Mr. Grant resurfaces with this request in the future. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. Hamer was requested to notify Mr. Grant. 3. Council Resolve 07-250 Accepting and Appropriating a Grant from the DHHS Center for Disease Control in the Amount of $480,975.40 for the Purpose of Developing a Regional Public Health Infrastructure Recently, the City Council authorized staff to respond to a request for proposals issued by the State for public health infrastructure development and service provision. The City received notification that it has been awarded $480,975.40. Yardley said that the Health and Welfare has been working for some time with the State and a local health partnership toward developing the necessary public health infrastructure to effectively address a range of public health issues including tobacco, substance use, nutrition, physical activity, emergency planning and chronic disease. Efforts to date have included participation in a state established group to study appropriate ways of providing a public health network throughout Maine, assimilating the partnership group into our Health and Welfare Department, and working with public officials throughout the region on organizational and funding issues. Yardley indicated that the Advisory Board would be meeting next week. Farrington asked about School Department representation on the Board. Yardley said that the Bangor School Business Manager would be one of three members of the Healthy Maine Partnerships Board that will continue with the new Advisory Group. Responding to D’Errico, Yardley said that the source of the funds is mainly tobacco settlement dollars. D’Errico asked about the DARE program. Arno said the program is in place at some of the Bangor schools but it is currently under review for future years. D’Errico asked if this funding would help support DARE. Barrett said that at some point there will be an ordinance amendment drafted associated with the Health and Welfare Department to formalize the Advisory Board mentioned by Yardley. He anticipates the Board will also involve a member of the City Council. A motion was made and seconded to recommend passage of Resolve 07-250 to the full Council. 4. Proposed Amendment to Firearms Discharge Ordinance/Map Deputy Police Chief Arno stated that the Firearms Discharge Committee has recently completed a review of the boundary lines that distinguish between the allowable and non-allowable zones for firearms discharge. By way of background, Arno said that members of the Bangor Land Trust approached the Discharge Committee to begin discussion regarding a change to the Firearms Ordinance particularly in the area of the City Forest and the Walden Parke subdivision. For firearms discharge purposes, the City is divided into two zones: Zone 1 is the more densely populated in-town area and where firearms discharge is prohibited; Zone 2 is a less restricted zone where under certain circumstances firearms can be discharged. The new proposed area would expand Zone 1. Arno talked about the increased recreational uses in both the City Forest and the Walden Park areas. After several meetings, the Firearms Discharge Committee developed a recommendation to expand the no-discharge zone from outer Essex Street moving toward the City Forest. A map was provided to the Committee with the proposed changes. He talked about the Leo Cummings’ property and the family does not want the City to regulate the use of the property. The Bangor Land Trust feels comfortable in carving that piece of property out of the no-firearms zone. Another piece of property is owned by Bob Quinn, who is comfortable with incorporating the property into the proposed no firearms zone. Responding to Farrington, Arno said that he has requested that the Bangor Land Trust assure that the areas and boundary lines are well marked. There are also current restrictions in place dealing with required distances from residential homes and from roadways. Farrington expressed concern about safety. Barrett said in any area with a zone dividing line there is a potential problem but there is no effective way to completely solve the problem. Arno said that Bangor is not a particularly good place for hunting, with the exception of property owners who know their own property limits. Responding to Hawes, Arno said that the signage would be taken care of by the Bangor Land Trust. He referred to a letter from the Trust stating that the Trust proposed a clear boundary delineation that can be posted so that the remaining open areas for firearms discharge are clear and well marked. The power line along the western edge of Walden Park preserve and the southwestern boundary of the City Forest will mark delineation as well. Barrett asked Arno to develop a clearer map of the boundary lines. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of the Ordinance amendment to the full Council. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 5:40 p.m.