HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-12-07 Government Operations Committee MinutesGovernmental Operations co mittee
December 7, 1988 at 4:00 p.m.
Persons in attendance: Councilors Sullivan, Smd, England, Blanchette,
Sosmud. Also, Robert E. Miller, City Solicitor, John Frawley, City
Engineer. !embers of the public: Fred Vardamis, Mrs. Ashen Wells, Mr. and
Mrs. Owen Twne.
1. Parkview Avenue Right -of -Way Discontinuance. This particular item bas
previously heen before the Public Safety Cuanittee. Council Order 88-381
was tabled by the Council on Septerber 14, 1988. Te itan will again appear
on the Council Agenda of Decanter 12, 1988.
John Frawley, City Engineer, made a presentation to the Committee. He
outlined the various points made in a mem dated December 5, 1986, which had
Deep previously distributed to the Casmittee.
After Mr. Frawley's presentation, Mrs. Robert Walls, one of the affected
property owners, presented some oaments to to Cmmittee. She indicated
that there had been problem between she and her husband and Mr. are Mrs.
Twne for many years. In 1979, she applied for a driveway permit and
received a permit £rm the City Engineer's Office. (John Frawley indicated
that,he had no record of the permit being issued 1n his file). She asked at
that time that the City extend Parkview Avenue ro the-exl of the paved area.
At that time, the City Engineer Fad concluded net the paved area actually
extended onto the land of Mr. and Mrs. Towns.
She objected to the proposed discontirence of 18 feet m Parkview
Avenue. She stated that it would limit screws to her property and would
interfere win any future driveway if the lot were divided.
Mr. Frawley responded to Mrs. Walls' comments by explaining net the
property consists of two loss. Iere is are 50 x 150 ft. lot located m
Palm Street. This is the lot on which Mr. and Mrs. Wells have their hare.
In adiition, they have an L-shaped lot running from Palm Street to Parkview
Avenue. He suggested net, if the lots were divided, net now of the
possible optima would raise any access problems. There were also
discussions relative to the fact net Mr. and Mrs. Wells could rot create
additional mon-cmfonning lots.
Mrs. Townes made a presentation on behalf of herself and her husband.
She said in 1983 tey wanted to construct a fence because of problems with
their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Walls. She said net a survey disclosed that
to City had taken by eminent dmmin 18 feet off their lot adjacent to
Parkview Avenue. She claimad never to have received notice of the
discontinuance. She also indicated they had paid taxes on the property
until recently.
She stated that the only prohlem net the Walls have relates to a
driveway. The permit ed previously been issued by the City tngineer's
office but ten cancelled after she and her husband camplaiced. The
driveway was built anyway. She stated that to driveway was only used as a
place to park a trailer for storing rubbish. It is an area were there i
much amgestad parking. She offered as a solution a discontinuance of only
10 feet of the road. Mrs. Towne also informed the Cenmittee net Mr. and
Mrs. Wells have a deeded right-of-way across their property to the lot.
Iterefore, if the 18 feet is discontinued, they still will eve deeded
access to their property.
_2_
Councilor Blanchette indicated mat she did not wish to become involved
in a neighborhood fued. She stated mat she was not in favor of
discontinuance. Blanchette than moved mat the Comiittea recaimend to the
Council mat the item be indefinitely postponed. There was w second.
Councilor Saxl moved that the Committee rermmend to the Council that
the street be discontinued for a tial of 9 feet from the end. Her motion
was seconded by Councilor Smnaud and the Committee voted 3 to 1 in favor of
the motion.
2. Bull a Ari . City engineer Jahn Frawley presented Ho Committee
wpm a maro outlineig the statue of the reconstruction of the eullseye
Bridge. Robert Miller suggested that the State should be asked on pick p
all coats associated with the bridge, including the sidewalk. He also
suggested Nat any administrative decisions assigning such costs to the City
he reviewed.
Councilor Sullivan stated that at an earlier public hearing, she bad
asked MDJf officials whether the bridge was structurally Mamma. The answer
as yes. The only reason for replacing the bridge is because it i
insufficient m handle the existing level of traffic. Councilor Sasnaud
indicated that he was in favor of retaining the old bridge if possible.
John Frawley indicated mat he mould raise the issne with the DW'. Hwever,
both he and the Conmittew sweaters indicated they were not in favor of the
City becoming responsible for the maintenance of the structure. Councilor
Saxl reported Hat she had asked Joan Woodcock as to whather the bridge had
any historic significance. She bad been advised that, Mrs. Woodcock's
pinion, had had no historic value. All agreed mat it heeded a sidewalk.
Councilor Stemmed moved that the staff indicate to the DOf that a new
bridge with a sidewalk is needed with all mats m he paid by the State.
Councilor Blanchette seconded the motion and the vote was unanfmae.
3. Discharge of firearms. Robert Miller, City Solicitor, made a brief
presentation on the legislative history of the firearms; regulatiore in the
City Ordinance. Councilor Blanchette stated mat several of bar constituents
had contacted her regarding the issue and asked for an amendment which would
prohibit the discharge of firearms throughout the City. she stated mat
Bangor's rural areas have changed, and the time has now come to eliminate
any danger from the discharge of firearms to residents in rural areas.
Councilor England indicated that before he wood on the issue, he would
like to tear from the police, state wildlife officials and other affected
public officials. it wee agreed that such officials would be contacted and
asked for a response.
A discussion took place as to the reed for a public hearing. The
Committee first discussed the passibility of holding their own public
hearing. However, it was finally decided mat the Cwrcil as a whole should
hold a public hearing at a special meeting other man regular Council
meeting. Councilor Sullivan indicated that she would be glad to call a
special meeting for each purposes m be held at the Civic Center. Councilor
Blanchette elm asked if the staff could develop information relative to any
restrictions on the discharge of firearms in other mmwaities. After
discussing the issue further, Councilor Sail moved and Councilor Blachette
seconded a tattoo to recommend m the City Council that a special meeting on
the issue he called by ate Chairman. The vote was unanimous.
Committee adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m