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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-06 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Minutes � Transportation &Infrastructure Committee � (TIC) Tuesday, April 6, 2004 ` Minutes � Councilors Attending: Frank Farrington, Peter D'Errico, Richard Greene, Geoffrey � Gratwick, Anne Allen Staff Attending: Jim Ring, Kate Weber, )ohn Murphy, Arthur Stockus, Frank � Comeau, Norm Heitmann Others Attending: Daniel Williams, Gary Malone � Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. Councilor Gratwick is chairing in place of Councilor Nealley. � 1. Charlie Howard Memorial Daniel Williams stated that he is the founder of the organization. Gary Malone is the � chairman. They are presenting a proposal for a memorial they would like to have put up. This marks the 20`" year death of Charles O. Howard. Dan stated that how this came to be is that he is organizes the "Walk with the One You Love" every year for the � Maine Speakout Project in Bangor. Every year there has always been the question as to why there's nothing downtown to indicate anything pertaining to the event. There has been overwhelming support for this particular project not only in Bangor but also in , other communities. There are three components to the project. One is to provide scholarship funds for any student of any age entering a career or profession that promotes diversity and acceptance. Another is teaching the public in general � awareness of discrimination, not just the gay and lesbian community, through drama, culture, art, and music in that type of form. The third component is to erect a sculpture downtown as a reminder for where people can reflect and look towards the future. The � Foundation looks at it as bridging diversity. The community is full of diversity and diversity needs to be embraced. ThaYs what makes a good community. Twenty years ago, diversity was not here. There was a lot of ignorance. Now there is education that � is very helpful. Dan stated that the City does promote a lot of awareness. Dan stated that the tragedy was worldwide and if done right this can be done with worldwide attention as well. Others will benefit from the Foundation's efforts. He knows this wiil � bring out old wounds. Now people will be able to face their fears and find out that those fears were unfounded. This will help make people well aware of what is going on around us. The Foundation would like to have something up by July, even if it is , temporary. On the anniversary, Wednesday, July 7`h, peopie from all over the state will be coming to Bangor. Gary stated that he does a lot of work in the downtown area. The downtown � community has been extremely supportive of the idea. � 1 � � , Jim Ring stated that Norm Heitmann and he have met on a number of times with Dan and thought it important to bring this issue to a Council committee at this time. I � Councilor Gratwick asked if the City had a particular protocol that we follow? Jim stated that there is no actual policy. There have not been very many requests. The � last request was the Gomez Memorial off Broad Street which was a gift to the City of Bangor from the citizens of New Bedford, MA in recognition of Portuguese heritage and � their exploratory finesse. It is not something that is dealt with frequently. Councilor Farrington stated that he was surprised to find that the Ciry did not have a � policy. This should be done correctly and not for a specific purpose. He thinks we need to look at this as a city. We need to go over what is the purpose of monuments and recognition and to have a policy. It is more important to do it right than to do it hurriedly. We should have representation from as many different points of views as M possible. We need to have a lot of diverse opinions. He hopes that the City proceeds at an appropriate pace to do this and do it right. � Gary stated that this is not a project they want done tomorrow and a lot of issues need to be addressed. � Councilor Greene asked Dan and Gary if fundraising has been started in anticipation of this? He does agree with Councitor Farrington that a policy does need to be put in place. � Gary showed the Committee a drawing and summarized it. They did take into account the shock value when people see it. They know it is large and expansive. It is 3 1 dimensional but it will not be gaudy. Councilor Farrington stated that the important thing is that the citizens of Bangor have � to want it. That is one of the things that has to be accomplished. Councilor Allen asked if the infrastructure extended beyond the sidewalk or to the � sidewalk? Gary stated their original thought was that it would be attached to the retaining wall. � Councilor Gratwick stated that there are 3 different issues. One is the process of getting the City involved. Second is the choice of an appropriate monument. Third is that it � would seem appropriate that this Committee and the Council support the July events. Norm Heitmann stated that there is a provision in the Ordinance by Council Order to � establish a special committee that would name Councilors to that committee as well as who would staff that committee. Before that is done, we might want to involve Sally Bates in discussion with their recommendations. Bangor Center Corporation may want � some input. The first alternative is that staff could work on a policy and bring it to committee and invite public input by attending the committee. The second alternative is for the Council to appoint a special committee naming specific people to the committee. � 2 ' � Councilor Allen stated that it is a good idea to look at everything. We also should look , at how the Commission was set up in Washington and how they set up their parks and how they do their composition of how their memorials are done. � Norm stated that it is a good idea to check with the federal level and the state probably has a commission as well. Larger cities should be looked into as well. ' Councilor D'Errico stated that Councilor Farrington summed it up quite well. Councilor Gratwick stated that the Committee is looking at the first alternative which is � '� having staff bring it together and come back in a month to 6 weeks. Jim stated that he suggests and supports that too. � Councilor Gratwick stated in terms of the July event, the Foundation should return with specifics as to the role the City will be applying at that time. � Norm stated that that was a good idea. The Foundation should come up with some idea � of what they would want in terms of something temporary. Is it temporary until something new is built or just temporary for that time? Staff should have input and suggestions and then back to the Committee for approval to do something in time for the event. � 2. Street Ooenina/Utilitv Connection Permit &Ordinance Amendment fDiscussion) Jim explained to the Committee the background of the Street Opening/Utility Connection , Permit process. Our Ordinance and regulations have not been changed for a number of years. Over the years, issues and problems have cropped up. Staff has been working � to put together some recommendations. Generally, the problems experienced are in either notifications or quality of the backfill work. We are looking at trying to tighten up the requirements and qualifications of contractors. We are looking at changes in the � nature of the way the backfill is done. We charge on a square yard basis for how much actual payment is disturbed. That is what the permit is based on. The contractor is responsible for doing the initial temporary repairs and Public Works does the permanent � repairs, the final pavement, etc. It usually is more expensive for the homeowner because permit costs are usually passed along. It is also problematic for Public Works because it is hard to predict work loads and there may be a large number of openings in � a short period of time. It is expected that final repairs will be done in a timely manner. We do hold the fees until the final determination of how much area is repaired has been made. We are looking to change the permit process because it does put a lot of burden � on Public Work's resources. John Murphy stated that staff has been at this for awhile. John provided and expiained � to the Committee with a comparison of what we do now and what is proposed. Councilor Allen asked if the annual fee covers previous fees mentioned. � John stated that it is for the utility companies. � 3 ' t , Jim stated that we do have a long working relationship with the utilities. Therefore, we do not have the types of issues or problems with them that we do with private � contractors. John stated that the City is now facing stormwater regulations so we want to include a � storm drain connection program within the overall permit. Councilor Farrington asked who pays the weekend fee? With regard to the "after the � fact"fee, what if it is an emergency? John stated that it is the contractor that pays the fee. With emergencies, we allow it to � happen upon notification. We are concerned with,the contradors that blatantiy ignore the ordinances. ]im stated for an emergency, there is always someone at Public Works so that is � another means of notification. We currently have Ordinance language that needs to be beefed up due to the fact that we have contractor's that continue to not get permits. � For those contractor's that do substandard work, we will have provisions stating that after so many instances whereby the work is unsatisfactory work, we will not issue them permits. It is not to be hard on them but it is our infrastructure that taxpayer's pay for � and we are just trying to protect it. Councilor Greene stated that the "after the fact fee" is good. The current fee is not much of a deterrent. The only caveat he sees is if work is done in the winter, how will � the City make sure the contractor comes back to pave to our specifications once paving conditions are favorable? � John stated that we are also proposing that if not paved within a certain amount of time, the City will make the repair or maintenance and bill the contractor. The contractor will get no permits until that bill is paid. � Councilor Farrington moved staff recommendation and was seconded. � Jim stated the recommendations will be put together and bring forward an Ordinance change which will be presented to full Council and then referred back to this Committee for discussion. t3. Cemetery Fence for Oak Grove on Finson Road lDiscussion) ' Arthur Stockus stated that previously it had been discussed placing a fence around Oak Grove on the Finson Road. Currently there are granite slabs lying across the front of the cemetery. There have been problems in this cemetery with vandalism. This is the last � of the city cemeteries to be fenced. A 4-foot chain linked fence is being proposed. In order to do the road frontage which is 328 linear feet, it will cost $17,160.00 to furnish and install the fence. Originally the plan was to fence in 1600 linear feet and � $17,000.00 was budgeted to do that. But to do that, it would cost almost $48,000.00. Councilor Allen stated that she is not in favor of a chain link fence around the graveyard. � She does not feel that it is appropriate. 4 � � � Councilor Greene asked if city crews could install to save on the installation cost? � Arthur stated that it is not a fence that the City has dealt with in the past but we could � probably do it. Councilor Greene stated if it was possible for us to do, that would be a cost savings. ! Arthur stated that last winter there was an accident and the vehicle landed on the slabs. � They do present a hazard should anyone run into them. He would rather deal with replacing a section of fence than having someone hurt on the granite slabs. Arthur feels that a fence is needed due to vandalism to provide some security for the cemetery. Arthur stated that the funding for this comes out of interest reserve from the perpetual � care fund. It does not impact the operating budget. Councilor Farrington stated that we all really need to tighten our belts in all areas at this � time. Councilor Allen asked if additional funding could be obtained or accessed. She does not � want to see something that is fenced off. She would rather see it recognized within the environment that it is. Councilor Grahvick asked to be provided with the overali budget relating to the cemetery � such as expenditures per year, investments bought in, terms of investments, etc. Arthur stated that he will make sure that Councilor Gratwick gets a copy. � Councilor Gratwick stated that there seems to be a lot of unanswered questions. � Councilor Allen stated that other fencing companies should be sought out for ideas and dollar amounts. � Jim stated that as indicated by Arthur, when this presentation was started there had been interest in doing something at the cemetery in terms of fencing. There are � reasons for that but some differing opinions as to what would be appropriate. The instructions were to go forth and find out what options were available. In that regard, this is a brief update. There may still be some different ideas or views on what is ' appropriate. Questions about the perpetual care fund, at the risk of misspeaking, there is somewhere in the order of $200,000. It is a fairly substantial figure that is in the perpetual care fund and what is proposed to do is get some additional information and � give the Committee the opportunity to look at the additional information. Guidance is sought here on trying to do something at the cemetery or if the decision is made, do nothing out there. He is not currently aware of any other sources, but he has not done � a diligent search recently either. Other sources will be looked into. Even if nothing is found. If we get to a point where the project proceeds, request for bids will go out. Jim stated that he is not trying to rush this but we do need to get to a conclusion. � Councilor Allen stated that Councilor Rohman had a lot of input in previous discussions. May be he couid provide some insight or options that he may be abie to think of. � 5 � � � Councilor Gratwick stated that certain cities have extraordinary cemeteries. It is not at � all inappropriate to do our best by those that have come forth. Ed stated that he thinks that the fund has more than $300,000 in it. It is broken down , into principal and interest. We have traditionally used that account not for ongoing maintenance to the cemetery but we generally use that account for capital purchases. For budget purposes, we need to know how much to budget for the fence. � It was decided by the Committee that Staff will look into other fencing ideas and from other fencing companies and than come back to the Committee with further diredion at � that time. - 4. Staff Uqdates Proiects and Activities � Jim Ring stated that Arthur, John, and other folks have been working to finalize sidewalk and street paving lists. Lists will be provided to Council once they are finalized. Jim thanked Councilors for sitting in this afternoon. The Committee was short on regular � members. The new baler is in and Public Works' is working very hard to get it installed and ' operational. Councilor Greene asked how the waterfront was coming. � Jim stated that construction will begin very soon. There was a meeting recently regarding additional work including the removal of the gatehouse. It is a sewer � regulator station. It is in conjunction with the overall Railroad Street project. In 2 to 3 more weeks, you will notice a significant amount of progress. � Councilor Allen asked if the walkway that goes around the waterfront was going to be extended this summer? ' Jim stated that one of the next major projects that we hope to undertake down there will involve more work on the bulkhead, some permanent walkways, and fencing. This work may start toward the latter part of the summer because one of the timing of work � and how it relates to the Folk Festival. Brick pavers, when completed on Railroad Street, will have more of a scallop affect. There will be granite icons with symbols reminiscent of the waterfront and Bangor history. � � � , 6 r