HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-19 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
September 19 , 1995
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Councilors in attendance: William Cohen, Patricia Blanchette,
James Tyler
Staff in attendance: R. Farrar, R. Harriman, J. Ring, D.
Theriault, E. Stumpfel
Others in attendance: A. Tripp, S . Dennison, A. Tilley,
Bangor Daily News
Committee Chair opened the meeting at 5: 00 p.m.
Item 1 . Acceptance of Tripp Drive as a Public Way.
Jim Ring explained that the subdivision where Tripp Drive is located
has been completed and that it is customary to name the street per
the original subdivision plan; however, Sheila Dennison, a resident
of the subdivision, requested another name. She presented a petition
signed by 100 people who desired another name and she stated that she
thought it inappropriate for Mr. Tripp to receive the honor of having
the road named after him because of problems she has had with him as
the developer of the subdivision. Jim said that Mr. Tripp had done a
fine job with the development, met requirements, etc .
Councilor Cohen stated that the policy of naming the street shouldn't
be changed for the reasons brought forth by Mrs . Dennison, which are,
in essence, personal disputes between persons in business
relationships .
Mrs . Dennison wanted to know if the subdivision ordinance in which
reference is made to naming streets . Jim Ring was directed to provide
Mrs . Dennison and the Council with a copy.
It was directed to forward an Order to full Council, under new
business, with the recommendation to name the road Tripp Drive; and
Mrs . Dennison was advised that she should attend the meeting if she
wished to testify.
Item 2 . Council Ordinance 95-397 Amending Chapter v, Article 1 of
the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Bangor--General
Health Regulations
Bob Farrar asked that majority of items be tabled or referred back to
Recycling Committee. He asked that only articles 20 .5 and 21 .4 be
addressed tonight.
Arthur Tilley mentioned there can be problems with rats, raccoons,
etc . in the compost pile .
Re Property Rights 20 . 5: Pat Blanchette stated that she has a problem
with telling people they can't earn a living by going around and
taking recyclables .
Jim Ring said City has problem now with people taking newspapers,
etc . -- items that are to be recycled. One-half to one full ton per
day = $126 lost. Arthur Stockus saw some people ripping open bags to
get bottles and cans . Erik Stumpfel mentioned the legal issue: The
City must define whose property it is before we can prosecute.
Moved and seconded to go forward with Amendments 20 . 5 and 21 . 4 only
and the remainder of the proposed amendments will be referred to the
Recycling Committee for further review/discussion.
Item 3 . Election of County Representative - Eastern Maine
Development Corporation Board of Directors
Ken Gibb from Bangor has been nominated as penobscot County' s
representative. R. Farrar noted that due to the ballot return date,
the Committee's action would be final . The Committee approved the
submission of Bangor' s ballot for Ken Gibb.
Item 4 . Offer to Donate Land - 86 Blue Hill West - Laurence K.
Paine and Land Investment, Inc .
Erik Stumpfel was contacted by Mr. Paine with an offer to donate to
City a small undeveloped residential lot. Bill Cohen asked if we own
it, what would we do with it, and Bob Farrar indicated that was the
City Manager's concern as well. Jim Tyler mentioned we could then,
in turn, offer it for sale to abutting owners . Pat Blanchette wanted
to postpone receipt until City could speak with abutting owners . Jim
Tyler asked if it could be built on. Erik stated that, legally, yes,
it could be built on (because grand fathered) , but it wouldn't be
practical . A question was raised inquiring if the property could be
used by Habitat for Humanity and Erik said it would be inconsistent
with zoning policy since it is now not in conformance with lot sizes
for that area. The Committee decided that Erik will contact the two
abutters and the matter was tabled for two weeks .
Item 5 . Discussion of Options for Repair/Replacement of Dakin Pool
Dale Theriault gave background and discussed the options of repair or
replacement, either of which would cost $132 ,000 . Pat Blanchette
pointed out that attendance had been down, compared to the Westside
pool . She thought a smaller pool would work out well . Someone asked
the life expectancy on a refurbished pool and Dale said it is
unknown--could go one year or ten. It was pointed out that the
drainage problems would not be addressed with this refurbishing. Pat
Blanchette asked that attendance figures for both pools for past
three years be forwarded to Council and expressed concern over doing
just a refurbishing. In response to someone mentioning a new,
smaller pool might not meet population needs in years to come, Pat
said that we would have a larger tax base and could build another
pool . Mike Young, engineer from Carpenter Associates, stated that
his belief was that replacing the pool is the best way to go. It was
then moved and seconded to proceed with engineering portion of Option
2 (replacing the pool) project, but to also forward issue to full
Council for their review and approval .
Item 6 . Maine Municipal Association - Ballot for 1995-96 Slate of
Officers and Voting Delegates
410 Moved and seconded to authorize the acting City Manager to cast the
ballot for the proposed slate of officers . Bob Farrar said a voting
representative and an alternate needed to be appointed also for
annual business meeting. The Committee designated Charles Sullivan
as voting delegate and Chris Popper as alternate voting delegate.
Item 7 . Additional Federal Funds to Hire Police Officers
Randy Harriman said federal government has additional money, mainly
because communities can't afford to provide the matching funds . It
was pointed out that when funds expire in three years, we would have
to employ the officers at full City cost or lay off the officers (if
no place is found on force due to attrition, retirement, etc . ) after
having paid a considerable sum to train them. Randy said that,
traditionally, at least half of those eligible to retire have gone,
but that economic conditions are different today. He did indicate,
however, that several people who are in the group for retirement
eligibility, have said they will certainly leave. Someone asked if
the officers who are being hired under this program have been made
aware that they may not have a job in three years . Pat Blanchette
said we should be optimistic about the future growth of Bangor and
that this is a good chance to bring in three officers . Jim Tyler
pointed out that what could happen if we couldn't keep the officers,
would be that we might receive abstract benefits through the fact
these officers might end up working in Brewer, or for the County
IMO Sheriff . Bob Farrar pointed out the costs involved in the project,
both from the previous Council action to have two officers under this
program and potential increased costs with hiring three more
officers . Moved and seconded to send to Council with recommendation
to authorize the Police Chief to submit the application.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 6 : 05 p.m.
R. Farrar, Secretary