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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-23 Government Operations Committee MinutesGovernment Operations Committee February 23, 2010 Minutes Councilor Attendance: Wheeler, Gratwick, Blanchette Staff Attendance: Nicklas, Farrar, Willette, R. Cheverie, Yardley Others: Joe Knox, Several Citizens supporting dog park. Committee Councilor Gratwick opened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. 1. Acceptance of Cry of Bangor Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Annex Cheverie began by asking the Council for the acceptance of the re -write of the Hazardous Material Emergency Response Annex explaining that this is one component of the overall City Emergency Operations Plan. There are two annex plans, one is the weapons of mass destruction and the other the counter terrorism plan. They are designed to provide guidance W emergency responders and City planners so that there is a coordinated response effort in the event of a hazardous material incident. Blanchette asked how acceptance of the Hazardous Material Emergency Response Annex will work and If it will be done with other communities. Cheverie responded by telling more about the plan. The plan is designed to provide emergency responders and City officials a coordinated plan concept. In other words, if the City had a severe hazardous material incident, the manual would become a guide book containing resources, contacts, guidance and some assignment of responsibilities to various departments within the City. Each department has received a copy, have had a couple of weeks to review it and to make any adjustment and recommendations for modifications. Responding to Blanchette, Cheverie mid that not everyone in the Fire Department in Bangor Is qualified or has the ability to respond to such an incident. The Fire Department does not have hazardous material technicians nor do they have the response capabilities. Bangor depends heavily upon Orono, but this is specified in the Emergency Operations Plan and guides Bangor on what can be done and when to bring others into the incident. He also mid that if the situation goes into other areas, such as within a specific industry that already has an industry team, this plan will help guide the department through working with them. It will set up the unified command structure and follow the National Incidence Management System. This will help coordinate the efforts with W duplication of efforts and receive the most out of the resources that are available. Blanchette spoke of the yearly emergency training at the airport. She asked if this was part of the same training. Cheverie agreed with Blanchette that this is a very different world we live in and that is why the re -write of this plan has taken place. It was originally adopted back in 2005 by the Council and has had some revisions over the years. However, a different set of lenses are needed these days and is the reason that it has been re written. Wheeler suggested that trust be placed with the expertise of the Fire Department to go ahead with this. He feels that it is better than a Keystone Kops approach where everyone is jumping up and down and people are wondering who is supposed to do what. He feels that this should be approved as a matter of trust. Blanchette mid she would not question the expertise of the Fire Department, but there are many arms of this government. She feels that everyone should be aware of this plan and the Council has a responsibility as the policy makers in the City to look this over and question anything that is not adequate enough. Farrar responded to Blanchette and explained that there is a policy at City Hall to deal with incidences and part of that policy is to contact the Fre Department immediately. He suggested that a hard copy of this plan be provided to her. If moving this forward is an option, this will give Blanchette time to look the plan over. If tabling this dem is recommended, this manual can still be provided and this can be brought back In two weeks for further review and consideration. Gratwick suggested that this be tabled and brought back in two weeks. He feels this is the role of this committee and is hesitant of approving a summary before more review. 2. Council Resolve 10-075, Authorizing Application, Acceptance and Appropriation of a Grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to Implement the Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant Yardley spoke of this grant opportunity which the Federal Government makes available. The City has never applied for this gram in the past. It is a 5 year renewable grand and, if successful, the City would receive $125,000 per year for 5 years with an opportunity to have it continue for another 5 years. Yardley pointed out that the City is losing grant money for underage drinking and substance abuse Issues after June 3(1 The Health & Community Services Department is attempting to secure new monies to continue what Is currently being done and even enhance these efforts. He is asking the Committee for the authority to go forward and make applications to the Federal Government be be considered for this grant. He said that it is very competitive and, although he believes the City offers a strong application, funding is being reduced at the Federal level for these types of programs, which means there are no guarantees. Yardley responded to Blanchette and said that this is totally discretionary funding to do Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Activities. This means that it is entirely the City's grant and there is no pass through. He said that the budget would be submitted to the Federal Government for funding a position to direct this effort in the community. Blanchette read from the provided information that this program would cover Brewer, Hampden and Hermon. Yardley explained that one of the grant requirements that are set out by the Federal Government is that the communities that apply for this money must have their public school department participate in the Maine Youth Drug Alcohol Use Survey that is carried out in Maine. The Bangor School Department does not participate In that particular survey. Yardley mid he believes that the School Department has solid philosophical reasons for not participating but makes it more difficult for the City when applying for these grants. Brewer, Hampden, and Hermon all participate and the CiVs goal is to apply with those specific communities and Possibly expand it to all 12 communities that are part of the City's health prevention program district. He noted a recent and very positive conversation with Supenmendent Webb and he understands their reluctance to participate in that survey which was a decision made by the School Committee and has to do with the fact that the survey, although it is anonymous, ask young people in 6", 8v', W and 12v' grade students to self -disclose criminal behavior such as use of drugs, drinking and smoking. The school's concern is the emotional impact this has on young people, whether it is anonymous or not, the fear of and the admission of being engaged in illegal activities is something that the school feels strongly against. Blanchette questioned how Yardley will justify the questions regarding the choice of the Bangor School System and this grant. Yardley believes that the City has a very vibrant Parks and Rec Department and the City's young people on be reached through them. He also pointed out that the Police Department Is very engaged in the youth and resources can be pulled through the school resource officer. He admits that R will be a challenge, but he thinks that It can be overcome. He Said the City has a great partnership with the YMCA and there are other ways to reach the population. Wheeler stated that Bangor no longer has a DARE program and he feels there is a need to work regionally rather than concentrate all of the City's efforts in Bangor. If this program will enable the H&CS Department to prevent any number of students in the surrounding communities from experimerting with drugs, alcohol and tobacco, it would be a disservice not to apply for this grant. Responding to Blanchette, Yardley said he has had conversations with Superintendent Webb in the last year about her position on this survey and just recently discussed this grant. He said that he is not trying to speak for the School Commitee and it is likely that they have other reasons for not Participating. He is only speaking of some of his understandings. Responding to Wheeler, Yardley said that the application needs to be submitted by March 15'. Yardley responded to Gratvick saying that if awarded the grant it will be the goal of his -- - department to maximize the Impact that this funding from the Federal Government will have in Bangor. Gratwlck said he was unhappy and agreed with the other Councilors regarding the drug issues in the school system here In Bangor and asked Yardley to work with Superintendent Webb and arrange to become more educated with the decisions of the School Board in this area. Yardley believes Webb would welcome the opportunity to discuss this and says that his department and the School have worked very closely and have a very good relationship. A motion was made and seconded to move this to full Council. 3. Dog Park Tracy Willette spoke of a citizen's group that came before this Committee recently to discuss a concept of a dog park in Bangor. This particular group known as the Bangor Area Regional K -9's (BARK) asked the City to make the concept a reality, and they are prepared to start the fundraising process. The City has agreed to work with this group and continue to move the concept forward based on the feedback provided by the Committee and the last meeting. A draft of an Order was recommended that would authorize staff to continue to work with this group. The City's role will be to assist BARK in development and design and helping In find a location and working through the requirements that would be needed m manage this park. Willette has had the opportunity to attend one of their meetings since the last Gov Ops meeting, and It appears to be a very organized group. They have a detailed concept in mind and what their approach will be. They have a sketch of a possible location and are looking for feedback on the draft Order. Ultimately, if this committee is comfortable with the Order, it would then go to full Council for approval. Blanchette asked Farrar if the funds that are going to be raised will be funneled through the City's General Fund and through the Finance Department. Farrar mid that they would be handled within the Finance Department in a separately established and dedicated account and will be audited. In fact, Farrar mid that this would be set up in the City's Trust and Agency Accounts, which is a separately dedicated account, and although the funds would be comingled, they would be separately accounted for and auditable. Responding to Gratwick, Willette said that there has not been a timeline set for this project. Ideally It would happen as quickly as possible. A motion was made and seconded to move this to full Council 4. Trail and Park Lease Requirement Wlllette said that the Parks and Red Advisory Committee has been working for a number of months on a General Trail the Policy and have completed a process using a public survey and meeting. The Board has discussed this several times within the last few months and met to go through options. The Advisory Committee came before the Government Ops Committee to present the results of all those activities and the feedback. One of the largest discussion points was the leash polo and/or some sort of Ordinance on either selected trails or City wide trails. At that meeting there was also some options to look at and based on the direction that was given from this Committee at that time, the Advisory Committee continued to work on a possible draft of an Ordinance option for the Government Operations Committee's consideration. The Board also received feedback from the Animal Control Officer. If this Ordinance is adopted, the Animal Control Officer would he the first W be called if mere are issues. Willette presented a draft of some ordinance language for the Committee to consider. The Board attempted to balance the feedback that has been received, both from the survey and public meetings along with the calls and emails he has received. The goal was to find a logical and positive first attempt at some sort of policy change specifically on the City hails and City wide. He believes that if something is adopted it will be an educational process. Blanchette pointed out that there is a vast difference between a park and a trail and the City forest. The aggressive dog behavior seems to occur mare in a forest setting. She feels that dogs are pack animals and will run as such, given the opportunity. A motion was moved and seconded to move to the full Council. Gratwick feels that signage can go a long way M changing the pattern of behavior and the expectations. He mid that doing away with the concept that this is government telling dog owners what to do and replacing it with the idea that everyone is working together and this Is the accepted pattern of behavior will help. He believes that the signage will need to be placed in many areas helping to educate the public on the trails that require leashes and those that do not. Wlllette spoke about the attempt to create a bop. The east trail at the Rolland Perry Forest will require leashes, which is on the same side as the Orono Bog Boardwalk and does not allow dogs at any dme. Kittendge Rd. Trail Head will allow people with dogs off leash. On the Tripp Drive Trail Head, the leash will be required. Farrar pointed out that the CIN Forest is a large area and this proposal only identifies certain areas that would be leashed. Others will include Brown Woods and Cascade Park. He wanted to remind people that this is not a City wide leash Ordinance, but only for specific areas identified In the survey results. His recommendation, given that it is a new topic, is that it be referred to Council and then referred it back to this Committee once more to give the public a chance for input. Blanchette asked that Brown Woods be cleaned up and the graffiti be removed before the new signage is placed. Wheeler stated that the Bangor Police Departments Special Enforcement Division has identified several local sellers of alcohol as being in violation of State law with regard to the sale of alcohol to minors. Both the establishments and the individual servers were cited and will be fined. He commended the Police Department for this level of enforcement and he hopes that this message will be heard by all those purveyors of alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking has become an increasing problem, not only in this community, but in communities all over the state and country. It requires the strong am of the law to get this message across. He also stressed that if and when the Police Department is more available, it is important to have significant attention given to those establishments which continue to serve individuals even of legal drinking age that are visibly intoxicated. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.