HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-21 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes • MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 1997
Councilors Attending: Don Soucy, Mike Aube
Staff Attending: Edward Barrett, Arthur Stockus, Jim Ring, Don Winslow, Erik
Stumpfel, Gail Campbell, Dan Wellington
Meeting convened at 5:03 p.m.
1. Ordinance Amending ChapterlV of the haws and Ordinances of the City of Bangor-
BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS
There are 150 full time food service establishments in Bangor not including temporary
seasonal establishments. Fees that are paid for victualers licenses go to the clerk's office,
but also help support, through the general fund, the position of Health Inspector. 25% of
the Health Inspector's time is dedicated to food service. Total license fees for victualers
• yearly is between $20,000 - $30,000. One of the arguments is that the state is required to
do this to inspect food service establishments. Staff has tried for many years to get the
state to let the City do it, so that people do not have double inspections. The state does
not want to give it up, even though they can not do if effectively. Dan Wellington pointed
out that they have given up the privilege in Portland and they are reluctant to do it
elsewhere. Erik explained that from an enforcement prospective, one of the most effective
tools the Code Enforcement Officer has when there is a violation of City ordinances is to
pull the license. If you do not have a license requirement, you can not do this. Committee
recommends amended ordinance to Council.
2. Noise Control Ordinance (Code Enforcement)
Mr. Jones is a tenant on Garland Street who has complained about the amount of noise
from the power equipment used by Brookings-Smith Funeral Home. Gary Smith agreed
to limit all lawn care and power equipment, with the exception snowblowers, from 8-5
pm. Dan feels that the reality is that, as busy as that facility is, it is probably going to be
from 8-12 noon or 8-2 pm that they will be doing all their lawn care. According to the
maintenance man, the leaf blower is used, at most, 1-2 hours per week, maybe a little
more in the fall. Mr. Smith is very much aware of Mr. Jones' concerns and is willing to
cooperate and Dan feels that this can be worked out. Staff recommends no further action.
Committee agrees.
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• 3. Leaf Collection
There are a couple of changes to this year's collection. There are no longer rubbish
packers and, while bagged leaves seem convenient, it isn't because the composting
operation involves removing the leaves from the bags. Staff is encouraging residents to
put the leaves out loose to the curb, minus branches, and if people are putting out bagged
leaves, they are being urged to use biodegradable bags because they will decompose.
Parks have also been used in the past as drop off points for residents, but, over the last
couple of years, the leaves continually get dropped off at the parks. There will be a drop
off site at Public Works that people who don't want to wait for the leaves to be picked up
can drop them off. Also, the use of biodegradable or loose leaves may be mandatory
requirements in the future. Future Councilors may not want to take this step, but Jim Ring
feels this should be pursued diligently. Councilor Aube expressed his concern that, in
previous years, the problem most residents seemed to have was not knowing when Public
Works would be picking up their leaves. Jim Ring explained that because of all the factors
involved, it is impossible to set a schedule. Committee agreed to the changes in leaf
collection.
4. Sale of Cemetery Lots in the Pine Grove Expansion (tabled from last meeting)
Arthur Stockus put together a proposal of what the City would like to do in terms of
• charges. Staff took the average fees in the area and used these as a basis for the proposed
charges. Committee approved proposed changes.
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Committee nominated Donna Thornton.
With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
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