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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-24 Government Operations Committee MinutesGovernment Operations Committee August 24, 2010 Minutes Councilors: Gratwlck, Wheeler, Blanchette, Stone, Nealley, Hawes, Bronson, Palmer Staff: Cammack, Arno, Yardley Gratwick noted that Palmer would be filling in for Wheeler as a voting Committee member. 1. Air Refueling Wing Mobile Command Vehicle Memorandum of Agreement Cammack noted that a while back the City along with the State obtained a mobile command vehicle. It Is stored in the City and is utilized by the City, the County and the State. The 1W Air Refueling Wing is requesting a Memorandum of Agreement with the City for use of the vehicle. The Agreement defies the responsibilities, processes, documents, services ro be provided and describes the reimbursement process for use of the vehicle. The 101a will cover all costs in the event that they call for and utilize the vehicle. The Agreement has been reviewed by the Legal Department Responding W Stone, Cammack said that costs include everything from labor, fuel, any damages but does not cover depreciation costs. In response to Bronson, Cammack said that Bangor's needs come first. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation.. 2. Acceptance and Appropriation of JAG Grant Funds In June of this year, Arno said that the Committee had authorized staff to apply for 2010 Byrne Memorial Grant funding which Is a joint application with the Penobscot County Sheriffs Department and with the City being the fiscal agent. The total grant funding Is $29,997 of which Bangor's share is $15,272.97. Bangor has now been awarded the funding. All of the money would go m various training within the Police Department A motion was made and seconded W approve acceptance and appropriation of the JAG Gram funds. Gratwick noted that Wheeler joined the meeting, taking his place as a voting member. 3. Shelter Plus Care Grant Yardley stated that this is a renewal of the HUD Shelter Plus Care Grant that the City is awarded through the Greater Penobscot Continuum of Care application. This grant provides funding for several homeless programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeless Continuum of Care. The grant funding represents up to 48 single residency occupancy and 13 families for one year of housing vouchers. Responding W Wheeler and Bronson, Yardley explained the process used for general assistance and why Bangor and Portland, as service centers, draw people to the two cities. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. The motion received a 2-1 vote. The item will be referred to full Council. Blanchette opposed the motion expressing concerns with the City accepting numerous grants. She spoke about the American Folk Festival and the fact that the Council had determined that a specific amount of dollars would go to the Festival. She now understands that the Community and Health Services Department Is sponsoring the Festival with grant money to erect a smoking tent. Healthy Maine Partnership and the American Lung Association would do the same thing. Blanchette didn't feel it was the best judgment for use of grant money. The Bangor State Fair did a great job with non-smoking and it didn't cost a lot of money. Because lt is Federal Grant dollars, she feels that the City uses it to make itself look like heroes. She said she will be looking very long and very hard at any grants that the City accepts. If the grant funds cannot be used Wisely to benefit the people of Bangor, she will be voting against them. Yardley said the City Is a Healthy Maine partnership and the funding is used for health promotion. In responding to the RFP, public education was included as part of the strategy to fulfil obligations under the grant. In the work plan with the State, the State has to approve specifically this approach to get the word out about smoking. He spoke about the unhealthiness of second hand smoke. He sees it as something that everyone attending the Festival can benefit from. The grant was used In the same manner at last years Festival. The line item where the dollars are located is for print or electronic advertising. Healthy Maine Partnership funding is targeted for 12 towns that make up the health region. Additional funding went to the similar successful effort at the Bangor Fair. He apologized for not being sensitive to the discussions among Council about the Folk Festival funding. If he had to do it over again, he would come to the Council. If the Council was to ' decide not to use grant money in this manner, he will alter the work plan associated with the grant. He dil we this as supporting the Folk Festival but as using the Festival to promote a message relating to smoking. He indicated that he would take Blanchette's concerns under advisement and not make such a decision in the future. Blanchette appreciated the difficult situation in which Yardley has been placed. She mentioned the budget difficulties with the Festival and the City and the accruing debt owed to the City. She was not happy with the workout agreement. She also noted that the Airport had also been involved with the Festival in the same manner. She is equally as upset with that department as well. Whether it is federal or state money, it is Bangor's money and responsibility. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.