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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-20 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 4110 December 5 , 1995 Councilors in attendance: Tim Woodcock, Pat Blanchette, Christopher Popper Staff in attendance: Ed Barrett, Erik Stumpfel, Ron Heller, Brad Moore, Jim Ring, Scott Bostock, Arthur Stockus Others in attendance: Vaughn Smith and Wayne Rogalski, Bangor Water District; Tom Judge, Capital Ambulance Committee Chair opened the meeting at 5 : 00 pm. Item 1. Proposed Sewer Rate Increase Ed Barrett provided background. Beginning with FY 90, sewer rates have increased 10%, twice per year, until July 1994 . Since that date, the semi-annual increase has been 71 percent. Four options were presented to the committee regarding new increases . Chris Popper asked about the status of the inter-local agreement settlement and what impact that would have on rate increase if settled. Legal is continuing negotiations with Hampden and Hermon. Once payments are milot received, the City would not have to increase rates for a period of time. Ron Heller reviewed the various financial assumptions involved with the rate structures . Brad Moore discussed the new abatement program. Chris Popper mentioned that rate increases are an area of citizen concern, citing the golf course as an example. He said there should be no rate increases while other towns still owe the City money. Pat Blanchette pointed out that other parts of the country have higher water and sewer rates than Bangor and that an increase should not exceed 5% . Ron Heller pointed out that the practice of providing money from the City's general fund to help with the sewer fund shortages could hurt the City's Moody's rating. Tim Woodcock expressed support for a 5% rate increase. It was voted to present a 5% rate increase schedule to the full Council . Councilor Popper dissented. Item 2 . Bangor Water District Update Vaughn Smith discussed the status of lake levels, fish spawning and ozone treatment. The ozone treatment plant is coming on line. Hermon may be looking to Bangor for some of their water needs . Focus is now on operation, public health, insurance of health of water supply, and state of the art treatment; focus has moved away from construction activity--some is now in private sector. A separate capital budget funds equipment, etc . Floods Pond yields 8 . 2M gallons per day and S projections through the next 50 years indicates we're in good shape. Bangor's cost of water is much lower than the state average. Plant and capital costs are also lower than many other communities . Wayne Rogalski asked whet the Council would like to see done with rate structure during next review. A rate consultant is regenerating the S cost of service study since it has changed. Wayne Rogalski said, "Look at how pretty the water is now! It sparkles ! " Item 3 . Amendment - Paid Sexual Contact Ordinance Voted to forward amendment to Council. Item 4 . Discussion of Ambulance Service--Meetings with Capital Ambulance Scott Bostock, from the Fire Department, said the City met with Capital and had a very productive meeting. Tom Judge, from Capital Fire, said they are projecting $162,000 in lost revenue, and the difficulty is that they still have to provide the services . However, the two sides are still talking. Pat Blanchette stressed that it was not the Council 's intent to devastate a company; they just want to give the best possible service to the citizens of Bangor. She said she was certain there could be a reasonable conclusion that would keep Capital in business and keep the City's men and women trained. Tom Judge reminded the committee that the $3, 000 lost per week is not insignificant and that the company's costs remain the same and cannot change if they are to provide the same service. • Item 5 . Council Order - Authorization Execution of Contract Agreement for Work Services -- OHI d/b/a OHI Program/Work Services Arthur Stockus and a representative from OHI, gave background on the program. OHI will provide disabled clients to do some work, when needed, at the recycling area. These employees will not displace workfare recipients . The OHI representative pointed out the benefit, self-esteem, of being able to say, "I work at. . . " The committee voted to forward the agreement to full Council. Item 6 . (penalties cutting trees) Legal presented a proposed ordinance amendment which would increase the fines for removing trees from the City's right of way without permission. The committee recommended approval to the full Council . Also discussed: Pat Blanchette requested that meetings with the legislative delegation not include the school board. The reason is that, in the past, the school 's problems seemed to monopolize the time. She felt the school board should meet at a separate time. Also: lines of communication should be opened better--seemed to have been bogged down last few years . 111 Meeting adjourned at 6 : 30 p.m.