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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-19 Municipal Operations Committee MinutesMunicipal Operations Committee May 19, 1998 Minutes City Council Attendees: Councilors Crowley, Tyler, Fembam, Palmer Staff Armadas: FA Barren, Don Gross, Erik Stumpfel, Sim Ring 1. City Nursing Facility- Room Rune Increase Don Gross, City Nursing Facility Administrator, anted that as discussed with the Municipal Operations Committee a few months ago, it is time to increase the room rates at the City Nursing Facility. The proposed increase amounts to an average of 5.2% and will bring the rates up to the level which was used to develop next years budget The increase is to become effective onJuly 1, 1998. As State regulations require a 30 day notice of rate changes to residents, it is necessary for you to take action in May. The total additional revenue from this increase in FY99 is estimatedmbe$16,425.00. The Committee recommended full Council approval. 2. Request for Use of City Property -189 Third Street Kathy, and Brad Boylan, 189 Third Street, requested permission to erect a fence on a City right of way that shows on the City tax maps that it is dedicated bat unaceep[ed as a City street. The City bas also had requests from other property ovmers abutting further up to purchase portions Of fire City owned property and the recommendation an far his generally been trot to sell. Mr. Scott, property manager of the rental property a[159 Third Street, owned by Michael Rudnick, was also present The portion in question is the line naming between the two properties. Erik Shsmpfel stated that there is an obvious neighborhood dispute and that some private easement rights may or may not be involved. As far as the right of way goes, it is the City's right to accept to the dedication of the surface for travel by motor vehicles and public. It has not bear exercise! a this point. The property or the centerline belongs to these people here. If the Committee authorizes a fence, Stumpfel suggested it be on the center tine or on their awn Property. The Committee agreed that the Engineering Department should survey the area placing stakes Mon the property lines and that the City should wmact property owners in this area. If no objections are raised by property owuers, the City will send all involved a letter indicating the City has no problems if anyone wants to put a fence on their side of the center line. The City Manager did point out that a permit will be required to erect a fence. 3. Gas Main Installation on Broadway - Engineering The City Engineer updated the Committee on the Bmadway widening project indicating that Bangor Gas has requested permission to install a gas main along this area while the street is under reconstruction. This will avoid the subsequent necessity of disturbing the new pavement in the future. The Municipel Operations Committee recommended approval to the fun Council for the necessary permit. It was also noted that the City anticipates additional persona will be coming forward to allow for the extension of this gas live further out Broadway as its reconstruction continues. 4. FronfierVision Easement R¢quest - Engineering Tim Ring explained that Frontier Vision bas been working aggressively to lay out the new system in Bangor. One of the things required is a spoblwatton where an above ground cabinet can be installed for the company to use for splicing,connecting and intenconowting all the cables. An ideal location would be in the Naval Reserve Center area on Essex Strut The cabinet is ametal enclosure approximately 4' wide, T' deep and 5' high- Staff looked at a small comer at the center. With regard to charging a fu, Erik commented that the City currently receives spproxirostely $5,000 per month in frnncbise revenues, staff facts that given that they pay a franchise fee, there should not be a charge The lot would only be 20 square feet The Committee recommends gsvfing the easement for the fmncldse period. 5. Discussion of Cable Public Access Shaun - Legal The City Solicitor asked for the Committee to recommend for full Counted approval authorization of an Interlocal Agreement to create a Regional Cable Television Franchising Authority, City Solicitor Stumpfel has worked for a another of a years with a consortium of communities toward developing a new cable television fioachise. This approach was eventually successful and has resulted in the City accepting a new fremhiw agreement. Similar agreemend are now being negotiated or have already been approved by a number of other members; of the consortium. This agreement would formalin a regional franchising authority to continue the work of the conwnisu and, or particular, to work on various issues associated with public access to this system. Under the agreement, the City would set aside t% of the fianchise few which it receives re fund this effort. The Municipal Operations Committee recommended approval. In addition, Erik briefed the Committee on the need to establish a local wantonly ==a studio. The estimate is that this will cou ru 1,200 N. R of studio Two as well a several hundred square ft. mea for editing and storage. South Pardand new their Council Chamber for this purpose. Lams have been not to local television stations seeking in detemJne if they would have an interest The Committee suggested that staff evaluate Bass Park and the Armory as personal Iwafions.