HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-18 Municipal Operations Committee MinutesMumcipn Operations Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 18, 1998
Councilors Attending: Jim Tyler, Michael Crowley, foe Baldscci, Gerry Palmer, Mold
Farnham, Michael Aube
Staff Amending Fd Baxrm, Ranging Rehm Farrar, ChiefCaranack, Dale Tbariault,
other members of staff
Others Attending: various nambem ofthe community
jMMMkUIIu �J hurt.' §fztrlr M
Councilor Baldacci was contacted by Mr. and Mm. Diamond regarding their common over the
munberofacatlmtsthazareocmm ggM. Hopeavd Hood. Thlsimemectiwbasbeenlooked
at on a number accessions. Reports Gom 1995 though August 5 ofdb s year were pulled wd
summarized. In that period of time, there were 19 incidwts, and of those, 13 were intersection
accidents. wrth 5 having i qunes associated with tlhem. Direction of travel was looked m of cam that
were involved in hrlersection necidws and of the 12 vehicles, it appears that 8 of them were
northbound onHoward and 4 were southbound and A was not determined which way 1 vehicle was
goirg It sues en erenma on Mt Hopu'I1ere were]eavlwund avd5 wesibountl. Genermlyitwas
assumed that most of the accidents were Goo vehicles that were eastbound on Mt. Hope because of
the open nature of the stretch of mad between the Hogan Road and Howard. There are very few
curb cuts and not much parking on the street It gives the impression of being much wider than a
standard reddentul street. It appeared that most ofthe accidents occurred after people had stopped
at the intersection. Most of the problems seem to be that people are either misjudging distance or
speed. Recemly,Turi Rivgwevlwtandreviewedthemters on withoneofthe Slate Department
of Transportation graphic engiuera Jim mplamed them su this particular engineer does is look at
high to ideat locations which by definition are higher then what would be expected for the level of
service,thevolw ofhafficaMtheconhguadonofpardwlmintersectiom. The firm things looked
at are visibility problems and site diaanu limitations. Back a number ofyems ago, m Inset in one
direction, there was potentially an issue with some vegetation which has since been trimmed back.
Ms DOT's engineer stated that the number of accidents doesn't make any sense. There wasn't
anything obvious that would be rbe came ofaccidats. Afrerlooldng m it, his feeling was that a large
part ofthe accidanswme due to mujudging appmachingvehicle's Teed, which is what him observed
befo®. Although there are alot ofanudwts there, it doesn't appear to mw signal warrants, which
is a fist of 13 items, including volume, severity ofsoddevts, &c. Fd Bartett also asked the Police
Department on look at the imenation of Mt. Hope and Fern, which is another of the obvious roads
that is used by vehicles coming Gam State Street to Stillwater. That intersection has a comparable
accidenthistory. There were 20 incidws m that iMo a ion m opposed to 19 and ofthose 12
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&18-98
Page 2
involved imasection accidents. One option would be the enhanced pavement markings to make
traffic slow down and speed becomes less a factor. Jim explained that this could be implemented
easily and Pauly economically. Staff is proposing on ether side of the intersection of Howard Stred,
along Mt F5nM to slope side lane lines down to a rarmw width, 22 fed. Jim showed a map of the
arcs that will be done. This work should be completed within a couple of days. This may or may
not have an unpad and staff will marine. Councilor Crowley asked what the affect a blinking light
may have? Ed explained that it varies. It seems to work to some places but generally when trade
engineers look d that,they find that blinking lights have a short tam affect. As people get used to
them, they start ignoring it. Councilor Baldacci asked if#1 and #2 of the alternatives wave done,
would thd help slow down the talc with erbarced markings plus the blinking light. EA commented
dust h could be tied. Han imersa[ion light is to be installed, it would require as appropriation out
of contingency for the installation and operation. Ed pointed out them it may be worth doing a this
intersection to see if it has a positive impact at Fare and All, Hope. Councilor Aube asked if this
should be looked d more comprehensively front the standpoint of Howard and all the other streets.
Should Andy begin to dent thinking about what that trade count will be when the Stillwater exchange
is put into eff ct? How does that develop the strategy of dealing with this? Staff doesn't fee the
Stillwater interchange is going to have a huge impact on this. It shouldn't add traffic on this mea.
At this time the meaning was opened up for public comment
Mrs. Diamond - Resident at the Comer of Howard and Mt. Hope, Mm. Diamond expressed her
comm about this intersection with regard to the speed of which cars travel on Mt. Hope including
during the time that children are in school. Mrs. Diamond asked if caution signs could be put up on
Mt. Hope Avenue before you gel to Howard Street.
Councilor Cowley asked if speed strips have bemused m the City? Ed explained that yes, they have
bomused,but thdewere several complaivtsregardingthenoise. Ed explained the staff has had
a lad three cowdsdiow with Howard Street residents about some of the alternatives that have
been discussed; making it none -way, putting m a ml -deme, dc, and nothing has come of it because
the people in the neighborhood can not come to any kind of an agreement about thd. Until there
is a consensus in the neighborhood, there is no sense in trying to make it change until people can gel
together and agree on a change that they would like to sea done.
Mrs.Diadondconrirwedbyasb%dthaewasthatposs*ityfordgns? Staffcommentedtbatyes,
additional signage can be put up. Staff will look into an appropriate sign for that coca.
Dorothy????Resider that lives on comer of Howard and Mt. Hope Avenue: Dorothy expressed her
cancan about her grandson walling to school and the speed of the trade going down Mt. Hope.
Staff will improve the markings and signage in this area to see what impact this may have on this
intersection.
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8-18-98
Page 3
2. Procoud Social Committee on Mental Health
Councilor Baldacci asked that staff put together a follow-up to the meeting held with the
Commissioner about the effort that they are undertaking to a look at strategic planning for both
Baagor Mental Health Institute and for community based care in the area, This is following the
staMard procedure for setting up a special Committee. The goal is for doe City to become active in
the effort that the Department is undertaking for strategic plemua& The purpose ofthe Committee
would be to gusher information on the current system to look at existing and projected need, look
at how the current systan meals or doesti t most the needs and arty other information the Committee
nmght find useful, to participate and mummer the state planning process, to develop recommendations
for the Council about actions that could be taken bosh in terms of our own operation as well ar m
terms of the state planning process and potentially IegisWive proposals that might be useful in
addressing some of the problems, and to report to the Council periodically Itwoudbecomposed
of between 10-13 member; 2 mambas from the Council, 3 representatives of City departments
(Police, Foe & HealmONelf'me), 3 representatives ofagenaes or organizations in the community
which ather provide services or advocate for those with meatal health needs, representatives of Some
Department of Memel HeaIN and Mental Retardation, up to 2 members of the state legislative
delegation and up to 3 other members representing other organizations m the community with an
interest in mental heehh services or the public at large. This would be set up for an original one year
term unless the Council takes action to emend that.
Councilor Tyler commended that he is in support ofthe City's proactive participation in this regard
and with respect to these issues. There me several Committees that exist and he would like to
explore what other sesames there are to achieve these same goals. The is hesitant to creme number
Conrad Committee. He would liken ser this explored as part of this discussion as to whether or not
Us is the right way to achieve the desired result
Councilor Beldacci commented that the problem is that there is no one Committee that brings
together differem members of the community. He feels the purpose of this Committee would be to
bring togesher people who are from avery wide, different viewpoint.
At this point the meeting was opened for public comment.
A member of the public identified hersafas Helen and commented that mentally if individuals are a
Part Ofshe cmmmmity, not apart from the co mmndty. Helm Get that ifthere is a Committee formed,
she feels that there should be done members who have personally dealt with maned dines on the
Comm t m
Katie Fulem-Harms (Department): Thanked the Committee for putting this forward. The
Commissioner, Regional Office and Katie had a series of meetings ova the last two days which
started thus process ad collected a lot of information Surveys have been seat out to the providers
and will be sent to the consume population to gather written dean on what they see as gaps inthe
system. This information will go a long way w address same of these issues. The Quality
holu(Nomerm Couoda(QICs) are a group that moves of consumers, providers, public members and
family members. There is a Northeast group that meets monthly and aim a specific QIC that
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8-18-98
Page 4
repressaw BMH[. City staff wdlremveimiutiomlomtendthewmeetivgs. Thesewuncilslook
g avmiety ofiavres irrWding We strategic plamnng process end a broads range ofissues w regard
wthehospital andcommunity. TMsismmo ing Committeethatist4sWiwiydic ted.
Alison McQuarrie spoke as a cachou of the Stan Taking Action group. A consumer forum was
held after the wnvmsntty forma because of the fact that there were an consumer representatives on
my of the pends. She would prefer to see a representation that slaa consumers, but if not, would
Re to find other ways for the consumer to be a part.
Jane Sand, Some Bepreeeggive commented that she is very much in favor adds Committee. She
fells it is wimportant time for wrmremication between the Some Department, State Representatives
as well as the City. Jane indicated that she would like to be a participant in Us process.
]w Brooks - Representative from Distrix 407 (Winterport): Mr. Brooks commented that a lot of
the residents of Winterport are very much intaxsted in the fimne of BMEB and eawumges the
Committee. Mr. Brooks was mamumwml with other members of the legislature to getting the forum
hod. One piece of the study that is missing is what is the community, where is it and how well is it
done. He feels this Committee "old help m find that answer.
Councilor Aube commented that from his perspective and from everything he has learned, the City
and the commmnty are not part of the safety not. The City needs to be a part of the wmmuoications
system and the structural system [hat provides input and output. The City does share in that
responsibility being part of the safety net through the various departments and it would be very
helpfd m have the dialogue end the variety ofplayers so the information is shared.
Councilor Crowley indicated that the breed of putting this issue on the agenda was to determine
whether m not it should move forward to the Councd. It is clear from counting that the proposal
as it stands, with oro additim ofincluding wnsumem in tins, should go to the Council and be adopted
as a Spatial Committee for the Ciry,
3. AcCbel reatioa Facilities Commi
In March of IM, the City Manager proposed a Committee consisting ofvmious staffto undertake
a complete review and analysis of all the active recreation facilities and programs in the City of
Bangor. Bob Famar Fngldighted various pans of the Mon.
The Committee broke the report roto two major areas and identified the areas where the Committee,
based on its bearjudgernam and analysis, concluded that the existing facilities and/or programs either
W the cared needs orwrthm reason would need to project fume needs. In summary terms, terns
was an area the clearly the need is being met. Cross-country and mudng trails are continuing to
improve wkh recall work being done on a city-wide basisk e hockey and ice skating facilities are
in goad shape and with other Iwai rinks the demand seems to be mar. Swimming pools was another
area the the Cmmnace felt was adequately served. In the context of the report there is clearly a lot
ofsuppormrg data for the conclusions that the Committee reached with respect to these facilities and
programs that normally meet the ousting need or projected need.
The what area the Committee focused on were those meas that perhaps needed improvements
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8-18-98
Page 5
Soccer is one arm that improvmrera is needed. It is one of the fastest growing sports
The report ares broken into two approaches. One was a shore term perspective because there was
immediatespacemmches. The Comtnit lsopmtooe along wmpmspecfive. Wrthrespect
to the short term reconwerdatiom, some temporary solutions have been worked by using fields a
Mamma and Mary Snew Schools. For the moment, the soccer concerns are mel at least in tams
oftheshortertermpersparre, The recent acquisitioaby the School Department of property mithe
Griffin Road may help in Ne long tern perspective in Us Committer feels the soccer component may
be a major part oftlut plain* effort. The softball demand is being primarily mm by the Union
Streft Athletic complex 'three fields are completed and nt use. 1'hme u mora for a fourth field in
that design. The downside to this is then with that development of that fourth field is that some
critical space is lost for soca The Committee's consensus is that the recreation side is in fairly good
shape.
On the school side, another high school size regulation softball field is needed. The cmvart field is
in need ofrepair. The Commitee also stated the need for matador beaball field. Even with Mansfield
and Cmdmd Strew fields, it was apparent that them is a tremendous pressure on Nese two fields with
three groups competing for these two fields. The Committee did make the rewnmendation that
should another field be crated, it be located on the wart side of the City to complement the Garland
going field. Another was to upgrade the aurent field at Fifth Street School. Field
Hockey was another area that tbere appears to be some need, but at the moment there is no middle
school program fending the high school program. If riddle school program should be created, N=.
there will need to be upgrade in that area The Fifth StratNme Street School area was Weighted
as being an appropriate area The feel area idmdified was the arm offirsolle . Common field is being
used by several groups and there is a need fm another field. The other facilities available, Bangor
High School, BNDU field mW Fifth Strat field me in generally poor condition.
There wig be follow up work but at Nis point the heart is to present this report to this Committee
as a start in the overall effort to address the ongoing rarmtion awards.
The Committee thmiked dare who worked on this report for then timeliness in completing the report
and for their work on putting this together.
5. Council Ordinance 98-334- Fire Disinterment Mandan Traml
Recommended to Council.
'Varsea