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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-11 Government Operations Committee MinutesGovernment Opembons Committee May 11, 2010 Minutes Councilor Attendance: Gratwick, Wheeler, Nealley, Weston Staff Attendance: Nicklas, Gastla, Farrar, Cyr, Hamilton, W. Ryan Others: Peter Ramsey Committee Chair Gratwick opened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. 1. Firearms Discharge Ordinance Nickles says that he has reviewed this and to his knowledge this is just a procedural change. Currently, the Ordinance makes reference to making recommendations to the Bangor Gly Council at least 90 days prior to the start of the regular fall hunting season. This is not a very well defined tens. All that is being requested is to delete that language and instead just say "prior to lune 3e". Gratwick stated that if the Committee feels this is appropriate, the new language would be adopted. A motion was made and seconded and has passage. 2. Vaccine Distribution Memoranda of Understanding Gastia said that the Police Department has been working on this tem for about a year and a half or two years. The City has been working with the CDC to try establishing a plan in the event that there is a need to distribute large quantities of vaccines, particularly in the event of a pandemic or any other situation that they may have to get Involved with for the distibuton of medicines. There have been different sites that have been looked at called 'points of distribution' sites (PODS) so that there is a place where a large volume of the citizens can get in and out and the vaccines distributed. After struggling between different sites, the ones that were settled on, for now, are the Bangor High School and the Civic Center. These will be the staring point and were selected because of the accessibility. One is on the east side and the other on the west side of the City and both are relatively close to the interstate. They can service large volumes of people, they have multiple entrances and exits, and they have adequate parking. Hamilton said that the sites were tested. The Civic Center was tested during the NIH1 outbreak. She pointed out that the Health and Community Services enlisted the help of the Fire and Police Departments to help with that and she thinks R worked well. When these discussions were in the beginning stages, It was important to have a location on the east side of the City and another one on the west side of the City. Hamilton said that it might be Important in the future to have more sites because the goal is to distribute a vaccine or an antidote to the entire population of the City of Bangor and most likely beyond the City borders within 24 hours. Hamilton pointed out that the sites were chosen because the City owns the sites and it was better to choose the sites rather than have the State choose them. Game stated that the School Superintendent Betsy Webb, and Director of Bass Park, Mike Dyer, has been involved in the selection process. They are in agreement and understand the possible ramifications of a large volume of people and it Is believed that in the event that something like this takes place, there would be nothing happening at these sites. This is not a binding contract, but a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the CDC. R is of particular interest to the CDC because they need to have Nese sites in order to preplan for the acceptance of the vaccines and W be sure the distributors know where to go ahead of time. Nicklas added that this Understanding will require a 30 notice in advance for any termination request. Responding to Nealley, Gastia sail that with respect W this particular type of incidence, i.e. the distribution of vaccines and so forth, the County has been involved with the discussion as to where these PODS would be located. But individual communities work with the CDVC to set these up. Hamilton added that the stockpile is a federal asset and that is set up across the country. They have already made contacts with sites In and around the country. The Federal Government would ship the asset (whatever it was), for example an anthrax antidote, and it would go to an undisclosed site near here. From that point, the Federal Government would tum over the asset to the local communities for distribution. A motion was made and seconded for staffs recommendation W go to full Council. Responding to Gratwick, Gastia said that the CDVC is very receptive to changes that the City may want W make and he feels that they may want to inquire about strengthening the language from "facilitate" to something that defines the amount of help in the cleanup process. Nicklas added that In the next section of the Understanding under the Reimbursement for Use of Facilities, it does state that Maine CDVC shall assume the responsibilities for its expenses related to the use of the dispensing site. 3. Overtime Parking and Handicapped Fees Nicklas began by saying that this was actually two Ordinance changes. The first recommends increasing the fee for overtime parking broth $12 to $15. This was recommended by the Parking Advisory Committee back in April 2, 2009. At that time, R was $10 and the Council raised it to $12. The way this works is that if someone pays within 30 days the fee Is the current $12 and if they pay after the 30 days, It goes to $24. If this has passage, the fee would be $15and after 30 days it would be $30. Gastia brought the Council up to date on what happened back in November, 2009. He said that much of the parking in the downtown area went from one hour parking to 90 minute parking. He did some research today and found that during the same two month period in 2009 (March through May) compared to the same two months in 2010, and have seen a decrease in revenue on the three streets that were primarily affected. These streets Include Main, Central, and State Street. There has been a decrease of 57.6% in revenue on those streets because of this change. This is a percentage of the value of the tickets issued. The amount that has been paid is a decrease of 31.8% in that period of time. He does not suggest putting a lot of credence in that percent because last year they would have expected to be paid a lot more by now than in the last couple of months. Some of those will go to collections and some will wait and pay it. Gastia says that the clearer picture comes from the value of the tickets. He stated that they went from a value of the tickets in 2009 in those two months of $3,060 to a value of $1,296 in the same two months of 2010. That is a decrease of $1,764. When the decrease is added for a year's period based on those figures, it is estimated at around $15,000. This particular request for raising the parking fees from $12 to $15 changes that 57% decrease to about 47% decrease. As a store owner In the Downtown area, Weston is thankful that the parking times were extended and have heard marry people indicate they are pleased with the change. Responding to Weston, Gasba said there was no oared fee for those who are habitual offenders and there is a $50 boot fee over and above the fees of the past parking tickets. Weston said he would be far more supportive of an Ordinance change that actually increased the boot fee because of the effort, time and the capacity of the parking spot that is taken up for hours. The way it stands right crow, once the boot is put on; there is no hurry to pay the fee to have it removed. People just let the vehicle stay there until the end of the day or for several hours. He also feels that it is far fairer to increase penalties on habitual offender rather than increase the fees across the board. Wheeler agrees with Weston's Idea of increasing the fees. Nealley also agreed and asked if the calculations given by Gastia included all the other parking spaces In the downtown area that did not change to a 90 minute space. Responding to Nealley, Gastia said it did not include those spaces, which could supply the City with more revenue but not enough to make a difference. He pointed out that the majority of tickets are written in this specified area. Peter Ramsey, a downtown resident, spoke but the mic was not on and the audio went -- off for about 3 minutes. The next part of this Ordinance is to create a new fee for those who have handicapped parking placard but fall to display them. Gastia said that currently there are downtown parking aides and police officers who issue handicap parking tickets. There Is one parl time parking enforcement aide that issues handicap parking tickets in the major parking lots such as the malls and other parking lots, when time allows. This individual writes more handicap parking tickets than any of the others. Unfortunately, when someone does not display a placard, he has no way of knowing whether they have one or not. Approximately 80% of the handicap parking tickets that are issued by him are voided because the person has a valid placard and they choose not to display it That means that approximately 80% of his time is wasted. The State law, as well as the City Ordinance, Indicates that the person has to display the placard, which means they could be charged the waiver fee of $200 for the violation of the State statue, or the $200 parking fee in the City. However, in an effort to be good neighbors, those tickets have always been voided. Unfortunately, a large number of those are repeat offenders. The department has received a number of positive comments from violators who say they would be much happier to pay a $25 fee rather than a $200 fee, if these violations were enforced. This would allow the Police Department to recoup about 80% of the losses. There has been communication with ALPHA 1, which Is the advocacy agency for handicap people, and they are completely in favor of this. They too are very frustrated when they go to parklrig lots and see someone parking in these spots without a placard and then realize the individual does have one but chooses not to use It. Responding to Weston, Gasda said that the Police Department, the Bangor Mall, and EMMC have had an agreement for a number of years. Someone has to enforce the handicap parking violations and the mall security does not have the right to do that. Gastia also said that there is no compensation, or MOU that comes as a payment for these services from those that do not pay taxes to the City, such as EMMC. Responding to Wheeler, Gastia said he did not know what the difference was between placard and plates. The majority of permanently handicapped people use placards. He is unsure why these individuals do not have plates instead of placards. Wheeler said that he thinks one reason for this might be a car with a handicap plate may be used by some other member of the family who is not handicapped. These people can take advantage of the opportunity to park where they should not It seems to him that this Committee needs to take a look at why people are choosing not to have plates and having placards instead. He feels that this proposed fine is very appropriate. Responding to Wheeler, Gastia said that by State law, disabled veteran plates are not allowed to park in the handicap spots. One of the reasons Gastia believes this is true is because there are many disabled veterans who are disabled for one reason or another but are still completely mobile. Gastia also told the Committee that he understands that one of the questions ALPHA 1 asks handicap individuals is how many placards they— want hey want He says this is out of the City's control and Is a State issue. The placards all have time limits and do expire. A motion was moved and seconded for this Ordinance amendment Gratwick pointed out to the Committee that as a person in the medical field, the placard application is for a 6 month timeframe and can be filled in a matter of seconds, but a four year placard is an incredibly big hassle. He also reminded the Committee that there is a Parking Committee that usually meets in the spring with members such as the Director of Community & Economic Development, Rod McKay, members of the Police Department, and downtown business owners. They have not met yet this spring but deal with these types of issues. He feels that maybe that Committee should meet or have them folded into this Committee. 4. Use of Electronic Devices at Council / Committee Meetings Weston began stating that he is a fan of technology and has asked the City Manager to stop sending paper agendas, notices, budgets, etc. and he uses the PDF digital versions that are available. He feels that this saves the City money. Farrar stated that this item was requested by the Council Chair to be scheduled for the pre -meeting Council Workshop a couple of weeks ago. This request was because he had heard from at least one Councilor about two other Councilors using electronic devices during Council meetings and wondered if this was appropriate during Council meetings. That in turn, generated Council Weston's question about printing cost and copying costs, which has been provided to this Committee. The larger question becomes if two Councilors are going to be using electronic devices, should they be made available to other Councilors who might like to use them but perhaps do not have the wherewithal to purchase them; should it be mandatory that everyone use them; should it be voluntary. He also added that this might raise the question from someone at home watching the Council meetings wondering what that Councilor is doing with the handheld device. It might appear that the Council is texbng, emailing or possibly following along with a digitized copy of the agenda. Wheeler admitted that he is dependent on paper and mid that he feels it is not a sedous Issue when it comes to other Councilors using fli and other electronic devices. He understands that the first time it happened it might have appeared the Councilors were not paying attention to what was going on, but he knows that is not the case. He will not stand In the way of this transition, but would need someone to buy this equipment and teach him how to use it. Weston referred to Gratwick's list of pros and cons; he thinks one of the pros that he didnt hear Is that it states "preference". This is what he prefers to do. He would entertain and encourage the facilitation of a workshop to talk about, if this Is the preference to explore the dos and donts, the ethical uses, things that should be avoided, etc. Farrar suggested that Nickles aid in discussions with staff if a draft policy is desired by the Committee and Men realm for further consideration. This would allow the Committee to have a document to look at. Wheeler stated that with the Government Access Channel he feels Mere is a tremendous increase in awareness in what is going on in the City Council. He pointed out that the Council is facing monumental budget issues, and there is a division of opinion about what should be cut and what should not be cut. He said that the public has not been heard from, but last year discussion took place regarding the possibility of citizens being able W email the Council during Council meetings with their opinions on Issues being discussed. He pointed out that there is a public comment period before the meetings but not everyone can come to the meeting and not everyone Is comfortable doing that. He feels that a lot more people would be willing W send information/comments/opinions during a specifed period of time before each Council meeting. These comments could be available to the Council immediately, and Wheeler feels this would have a tremendous value. 5. MMA Legislative Policy Committee Representatives Nicklas gave an overview stating that MMA's Legislative Policy Committee provides policy guidance to MMA and generally there are between one and four meetings in a given year. The LPC term lasts for two years. A municipality can appoint a municipal officer either elected or appointed to the committee. The City shares a region with Hermon and Bangor gets one full seat and then a seat is shared with Hermon. The way the nomination process works is usually each of the communities gets a vote. Because there are only two communities, the City only gets one vote. What tends to happen to the second seat is each community has their own person which results in a tie. The effect of that has been Mat the Cky has worked out with Hermon that one person is the official member for the first year of the term and the other is for the other year. Whoever Is not currently an official member is an alternate both for that position and for Bangor's full position. Paul says it has worked out well in the past and the question that comes before the Committee tonight is who Bangor ought to have on the Legislative Policy Committee in each of those positions. Responding W Gratwick, Nicklas said that he is willing to serve again if that is the decision of the Committee. Nicklas pointed out that no one has been selected for the second position. Nealley said that he had spoken W Bronson before tonight's meeting and he indicated that he is willing to serve as an alternate if the Committee felt that a Councilor would make sense. -- Wheeler thought this was a good idea. Nealley made a motion to have Paul Nicklas serve as the full member and Bronson as the alternate member. Wheeler seconded that motion. A motion was made to adjourn at 6:20 p.m.