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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-08 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes Municipal Operations Committee Meeting Minutes July 8, 1997 • Councilors Attending: Don Soucy, Jim Tyler, Mike Aube Staff Attending: Bob Farrar, Stan Moses, Steve Bolduc, Others Attending: Arvilla Vercelles, Various Members of Economic Development Advisory Commission 1. Council Ordinance.97-292 Amending Administrative Code-Chapter II, Article 11,Section of the Laws and Ordinances of the_City of Bangor Economic Development Advisory Commission Councilor Soucy asked that this be put on the agenda for discussion. He feels that this Commission is not as productive as it may once have been and has become a sounding board. Many of the people on the Committee are on other Committees and have heard the same information. Staff spends a lot of time putting together information, which in most cases is repetitive. There are 21 different Committees and organizations that the Economic Development Department has to be concerned with. These Committees are all interrelated. During the budget session, a suggestion was made by Councilor Aube that the Council sit down as a whole and take a look at economic development and set goals • and plans to enhance the Economic Development Department. Councilor Tyler feels that the Economic Development Advisory Commission does provide one form of participation. Councilor Tyler feels that members of the Commission should be kept involved in the process, although a whole structure may not be needed to accomplish this. There are a lot of good, qualified people on this Commission that could be used on other Committees. Steve Bolduc feels that should the Council decide to dissolve this Commission, there are many ways that staff can use their time. Staff has used this Commission in the past in various ways but not necessarily to advise the Council, which is their primary function. This Commission has been around 20 or more years and over the years the structure has changed. Councilor Aube asked if the Commission provides any statutory responsibility with respect to some of the national programs. Stan Moses explained that at one time there was a Community Development Committee, but this Committee was dissolved. Staff has since gone to a system of working groups. When there is a situation that needs citizen input, staff puts together a community organization to address a particular situation. • The Committee recommended the order for passage. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.