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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-03 Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel MinutesPen)ajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel Wednesday, February 3, 2009 @ 4:30pm Rangeley Hall, EMCC M nuteB The Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel met at Rangeley Hall at 4:30 pm. In attendance were panel members Tom Davis, George Elliott, Bob Quirk, Joyce Hedlund (Vice -Chair), Benita Deschaine, John Cashwell (Chair), Trish Hayes, and Valerie Carter, staff members Jim Ring, Art Morgan, Wendy Warren, and Paul Nicklas, and consultants Liane Judd of Packard Judd Kaye, Stephanie Crutsirilos, Esq., and Chet Bigelow of Sewall. 1. Watershed Management Plan progress report Art Morgan gave a short presentation about the ARM stimulus projects currently being constructed or Pending in the City. These intlude stormTech systems at the Quirk Auto Park and near Kmart, Pilterra tree box filters at 753 Stillwater Avenue, porous Pavement at EMCC, stream channel restoration at the Bangor Mall, and a bypass diverting water from under the Bangor Mall to the Penjalawac. There was a question about bow to see whether these projects make a difference, and Morgan mentioned the reductions listed in the Watershed Management Plan. Responding to a question about whether there are any opportunities for other bypasslikemechanisms, Morgan noted potential at the new Lowe's site and the other two-thirds of the Bangor Mall. 2. Watershed Management Plan presentation and QaA Aker a brief refresher on the EPA -required elements Of the Watershed Management Plan, Wendy Warren presented regarding education, prevention, and housekeeping goals of the Watershed Management Plan. The possibility of a workshop for small businesses regarding hazardous materials was mentioned, as was federal money the City has reserved for posting signs. The hope is to have a citywide theme or logo for signage. Paul Nicklas then gave a brief presentation on potential funding sources for the Watershed Management Plan. Resources can include: grants, such as ARRA and 319 grants; voluntary action, such as AmeriCorps teams and business or nonprofit -funded projects; mandated action, such as those required under Chapter 500 and by the Citys stormwater maintenance ordinance, Incentives, such as requiring offsite retrofits as condition on new or redevelopment and a utility district. 3. Utility district feasibility study update Cane Judd and Stephanie Cotskgos gave a presentation on the utility district feasibility study currently underway. They outlined the scope of work and expected timeline, touched on the umbrella name for City of Bangor water quality initiatives, the Bangor Clear Streams Project, and went into further detail about the public outreach plan and governance and policy Issues. There was considerable discussion about the timeline for the study and about the CRWS tole In providing input. The need to be careful not to present the utility as done deal and to keep the Council involved (including approving the public outreach campaign) were both discussed. Stephanie mentioned the usefulness of the state model stormwater utility ordinance. After some discussion on the Issue, Nickles said that both the positive and prescriptive ("regulatory hammer') reasons for a utility district should be mentioned when doing public outreach. The question was raised as to whether voters would have an opportunity to weigh in on a utility. Alternatives to the utility were identified, including the property tax base, enforcement directly on businesses,a consent decree through a lawsuit, ora hybrid model such as exists for Wng Creek in South Portland. The suggestion was made to highlight the work Bangor has done in the past on cleaning up its waterways, and that this was the continuation of those efforts. 6. other business The suggestion was made W have an extra meeting in me near future. The next meeting will be on March 3, and a survey will be sem out for another meeting in March.