HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee Meeting
MINUTES
November 20, 2017
Councilors Present: Graham, Nichols, Supica, Tremble, Sprague, Nealley and Perry.
Staff Present; City Manager Conlow, Assistant City Manager Crooker, Fire Chief
Higgins, Police Chief Hathaway, Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette, and
Jamie Comstock,
Councilor Graham opened the meeting.
1. Resolve, Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $187,260.72 in
Homeland Security Grant Funding from (MEMA).
Assistant City Manager noted that this grant money is intended to improve Police
and Fire preparedness and response capabilities. Funding will be used for enhanced
training in various disciplines for Police & Fire. Funding will also be used to purchase
equipment and maintain/upgrade current equipment.
Councilor Nichols motioned staff recommendations. Councilor Sprague seconded.
All in favor.
2. Resolve, Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $60,000 for a
Maine Health Access Foundation Healthy Communities Phase III Implementation
Grant.
Assistant City Manager Michael Crooker provided the Council with an
overview of the Healthy Community Grants program.
It was noted that this Resolve will accept and appropriate $60,000 for the
second year of Phase 3 of the Healthy Community Grants Program. The goal
is to build on the community collaboration that occurred during the first two
phases of the MEHAF Healthy Communities program.
Phase One- The community identified substance use disorder as a significant
issue.
Phase Two- The community created action steps to reduce stigma and to
identify gaps in services and supports for people affected by substance use
disorder.
The implementation plan for Phase 3 will focus on building successful,
accessible and sustainable recovery coaching in the Greater Bangor area. This
goal was identified by people living with substance use disorder and by
professionals working in the field as a best practice for recovery and as a gap
in the current array of services available. Health and Community Services, will
provide staff support, coordination and technical assistance for the
development of recovery coaching. The term of the second year is January 1,
2018 – December 31, 2018 with funding of $60,000. City Manager Conlow
asked Jamie Comstock from Public Health & Community Services to introduce
herself to the new councilors. Councilor Sprague motioned. Councilor
Tremble seconded. All in favor.
3. Order, Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Submerged Land Lease with the
State of Maine to include the City docks on the Waterfront.
Assistant City Manager, Michael Crooker noted for the Council that staff has been
working with the State of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands to comply
with the Submerged Lands Lease Program. Staff submitted application
materials to renew leases for the docks on the Waterfront.
Initially, the State responded that they wanted the City to amend a current
lease, No. 10- 19BL to include the docks.
The state’s intent was that when the No. 10-19BL lease came up for renewal in
2019 that the City would apply for one combined lease for a thirty year term.
(The premise at that time was that it would minimize the City's need to apply for
multiple leases for our Waterfront activity.)
Since then, staff with the Submerged Lands Lease program re-assessed this
approach and given the number of amendments to the City’s current lease and the
need to renew it in two years, the state determined that a more efficient approach would be
to start with a new lease.
The State utilized the City’s original application we submitted earlier in the year to
draft the language of the new draft lease. This new lease will also cancel and replace
the previously amended lease. The new lease would take effect on January 1, 2018
and expire in December of 2046. Chairperson Graham asked Parks and Recreation
Director, Tracy Willette if he had anything else to add. Councilor Sprague motioned.
Councilor Nichols seconded. All in favor.
4. Municipal Review Committee Board of Directors Voting Ballot to fill three positions
for a three-year term from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020.
Assistant City Manager, Michael Crooker noted that the City was
provided with a Municipal Review Committee Board of Directors
election ballot. Ballots cast in this election will determine the election
of three (3) Directors to serve on the MRC Board of Directors for three-
year terms from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020.
Biographical descriptions of the candidates were enclosed for
Councilors to review. There are three candidates for consideration;
o Kevin Howell -Carmel
o Ralph Saucier - Millinocket
o Sophie Wilson – Orono
Councilors are asked to vote for only one candidate. City Manager Conlow
mentioned to Councilors that Sophie Wilson from Orono had sent them a letter
requesting their vote.
Councilor Nichols motioned to vote for Sophie Wilson. Councilor Supica
seconded. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 5:42 PM.