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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-14 Government Operations Committee Minutes � Government Operations Committee � December 14, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. Minutes , Councilor Attendance: Greene, D'Errico, Hawes, Farrington, Allen � Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Comeau, Heitmann Others: Wayne Rogalski (and 5 Water District Trustees), � Dawn Gagnon, Vroom, Hannington, Welch 1. Quarterly Update with Bangor Water District Trustees and Staff � Andy Sturgeon, Wayne Rogalski, Greg Reed, Dan Wellington, Robert Sypitkowski, Stan Miller and Brad Wellman were present representing the Water � Distrid. Rogalski addressed the Committee: • Comparision of water rates: This is information maintained by the Maine PUC. He presented a graph showing water rates for 2,000 cu. � feet, which is equivalent to 15,000 gallons. The average residential water bill is approximately $40/quarter. Veazie's is a little over $41. ' Portland's is about 25% higher than Bangor Water. The Augusta Water District is approximately $104/quarter. There are 160 regulated water utilities in Maine that are tracked by the PUC. Bangor's ranking ' for the average residential customer is the 12"' lowest out of the 160. Greene asked how Bangor rates in terms of sewer rates. After the City's secondary treatment plant and CSO control program, the City's � rates went up quickly. Approximately 8 years ago, Bangor was in the top third. Since then, the rates have been held steady and are somewhere close to the middle in terms of rates. � • Water rate increase planned for 2005: The District's last rate increase was in 2001. The District's goal is to have smaller increases on a more frequent basis. In 2005, there will be a 4.5% increase; no increase in � 2006; 3.5% in 2007; no increase in 2008; followed by a 2.5% in 2009. When the audit is completed, the Finance Director will be updating the sewer proforma. � � • Roofing project at Thomas Hill Standpipe: The old shingling was removed, structural modifications, covered it with a waterproof � membrane, and then re-shingled the roof. It was at a cost of approximately $62,000. • Preparing fire hydrants for winter operations: Rogalski showed � drawings of how the hydrants are winterized. Bangor Water District is one of the few DistricYs that plow around the hydrants. • Fire Service Charges-Method of Computing: IYs a PUC regulation � based upon State law with a chapter entitled Determination of Fire Protection Revenues for Water Utilities. The rule establishes a formula � � ' � for determining the percentage of the gross revenues that water utilities should derive from fire protection charges. Most utilities derive , 30% of their gross revenues from public fire protection. If the District used the PUC regulations, 17% of their gross revenues should be allocated to a public fire protection charge. The District has not used � this since 1992. The cost of service study shows that the public fire protection is 61.06% and the private side is 38.94%. A fire hydrant charge is $492.50 per hydrant per year. These costs are applied to � Bangor and the other 6 communities served by the District. Allen asked if this is an issue that is part of the City Council budget review. � Barrett said it is part of the Fire DepartmenYs budget, which includes an appropriation to pay the hydrant charges. The City does allocate charges to the Airport, Air National Guard and University College. � Allen talked about water pressure in the Silver Road area and asked if that impacts the hydrants. Rogalski said the size of the water main and the available pressure has a lot to do with how much can be � obtained from an hydrant. By insurance standards, there are limits set on the worth of the hydrant in terms of fire protection. The water pressure problems in the_Silver Road are on the low end but are not , substandard. The District has been making improvements in that area of the City. The Fire Department pumper trucks have equipment that can create high pressure and carry a 1,500-gallon reservoir. D'Errico � asked about tax exempt properties being charged for hydrants. Rogalski said there have been efforts over the years to do way with � fire protection costs. Barrett said that without the charges the District would have to raise its overall rates. If Bangor were to turn its Fire Department into a fire utility and would charge on a building square ' footage base, the hydrant charge could be built into the square footage charge, which would pick up the tax-exempt properties. In the future, it would make it easier for communities to consolidate fire � services. 12.5% of property taxes including the school department are fire related. It would require legislation to establish the utility. The Maine Service Center Coalition is looking at this issue. The largest � water and sewer users in Bangor are tax-exempt institutions. • Sturgeon offered an open invitation to all Councilors and staff to tour the District at any time. ' 2. 2005 Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby-Update � Farrar said the Derby has been in Brewer for the past several years. Bangor was approached by the Derby about the possible relocation to Bangor. ' City staff and Derby board officials have met to discuss possible locations and dates, etc. A site and dates have been identified and Derby officials should be rendering a decision within the next couple of weeks. The general consensus of � � , the staff is that resources are available to work with the Derby, if the Council � wishes. Farrar introduced Derby officials. Vroom indicated Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby is a non-profit group and the race winner will represent the area at , the Akron, Ohio National Race's 78th meet. He outlined the duties and responsibilities of the Derby. The Derby is looking for Bangor to be the host � community to closely run the race with a group of volunteers. The race is a one- day event. The test run day takes place the day prior to the race making it a Friday and Saturday event. The Derby is seeking permission to use Buck Street ' for the race. The Derby will build a course. At the bottom of Buck Street at Main Street, there is a series of traffic cones, a set of tires and some barriers to keep regular traffic from interfering with the race. Each Derby car has brakes � and the soap box speed average is 30 mph. The Derby anticipates 75 participants with the age limit of 8 to 18. The Derby would like the dates of June 3 and 4. Farrington asked for details of the City's support. Vroom said it would � entail cooperation to place signage to close the street, police staff for traffic control if necessary, bleachers. The portion of Buck Street to be closed would be from Sunnyside Florist to Main Street. Hawes asked about the farmer's market � held at Sunnyside on Saturday. Farrar has been in contact with the Bangor Daily News, the owner of the apartment building and Sunnyside all of whom voiced ' their support for the race. Sunnyside will have access from the northerly end of Buck Street. Vroom discussed the Mayor's race. Bangor has not historically won the race. In response to Greene, Vroom said that Brewer could no longer host a � Friday-Saturday event due to traffic. Greene said that he would welcome the Derby to Bangor. The Committee concurred. Farrar said that the Derby will be making its final decision among the three communities that are under , consideration. If Bangor is ultimately selected, an Order will be prepared to authorize staff to work with the Derby officials to prepare for the race. 3. Request to Establish Designated Paid On-Street Parking Spaces � on French Street At the request of the requestor, this item has been withdrawn from the � agenda. 4. Request to Transfer Funds to Undertake Skateboard Park Repairs � Approximately $40,000 was originally raised by a group of youth towards - the establishment of the skateboard park which opened in ]une of 2001 and it � has been very successful. Over $33,000 was used to purchase the parks original equipment. The balance of $6,000 was placed in a trust and agency account designated for repair materials. Last spring, new materials were purchased at � $3,000. Comeau is requesting that $2,800 to be transferred from the trust and agency account to purchase materials to make repairs during the winter months. Occasionally donations are made to the account and the youth group continues ' to fundraise. In the next couple of years, Parks and Recreation will have to budget for equipment repairs and new equipment. Barrett said that at some � � ' � point the park will need resurfacing and that will have to be included in the budget as part of the City's annual paving project. Barrett estimated it to be in � the range of $10,000. There is no charge to use the park. Allen mentioned the park sponsorship program. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff's recommendation for the transfer of funds. This item will go to the Council for its � approval. 5. Proposed Council Order Establishing a Special Committee of the , City Council Entitled ��Community Advisory Group" for the Proposed Methadone Treatment Program of Colonial Management to be Located ' in the Maine Square Mall , Barrett said the Order was modeled after the Community Advisory Group that was established for Acadia Hospital. Farrington recommended one change � composition of the group to expand the number of business representatives in the area from two members up to three. Allen expressed concern that in setting up the advisory group that it made the clinic a "done deal." Barrett said the ' Order is based on the assumption that the clinic will be in place and this group would work with Colonial prior to their opening and following their opening to address issues and concerns. In response to Allen; Barrett didn't think that � Colonial is interested in working with a committee on an alternate location. Hawes feels that something needs to be in place to work with Colonial. Farrington shared Allen's concerns about the clinic being located in the proposed 1 area but has concluded that the City has little it can do about the process of allowing the clinic to open. The licensing is controlled in Augusta. It is further � complicated by Federal laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Farrington said he understands that the City doesn't have the choice of zoning an area to keep the clinic out. Individuals who need such a clinic have a right to be treated. � Farrington agreed with Hawes to make the best out of the situation. Allen respectfully disagreed with Farrington's comment about the magnitude of the drug problem in Bangor and the area. She also expressed concern in that the �, City doesn't know much about Colonial's business practices. Colonial is a national organization that doesn't care such as Capital 7. In response to Hawes, Barrett said the City has not had a response to its recent memo to Colonial. � Greene asked City Solicitor Heitmann regarding Colonial's background information. Heitmann said that Colonial's web site provides information and a report provided by Deputy Chief Arno. Even though a bank and a restaurant � occupy part of the site, Greene said the parking areas are somewhat segregated from the Maine Square Mall. Heitmann said there is clearly not a buffer in place. Hawes suggested waiting to see what Colonial's next step as it hasn't received its � state licensing. She feels there needs to be more research. A private business owner has chosen to rent space to the clinic. In terms of zoning, Heitmann , talked about the broad area of inedical service providers. Allen talked about the medical sprawl into commercial areas. Barrett said that the Maine Square Mall would not generally be zoned as commercial. They are usually zoned shopping � �' ' and personal service. After much discussion, the Committee concluded that a , need exists for a comprehensive review of the City's land use ordinances and regulations addressing medical facilities. It was agreed that the proposed � committee should undertake a systematic review of the changing nature of medical facilities and evaluate whether our existing regulations remain � appropriate. The Committee would consist of up to two members of the Ciry Council, two representatives of the business community, two representatives of the medical community, and up to three citizens with knowledge of or interest in ' comprehensive planning and land use regulation. Members of the committee would be appointed by the Council Chair after consultation with the Government Operations Committee, and the committee would develop a report and ' recommendations for Council consideration on or before the end of March 2005. A Council Order will be prepared for the December 27th Council Agenda for their final approvaL � 6. Request to Amend Mileage Reimbursement Rate for City Employees Farrar said the staff occasionally recommends an adjustment to the mileage ' reimbursement rate. The current rate is 33.5 cents/mile. The IRS has established the new reimbursement rate as of January 1� at 40.5 cents/mile. City staff recommended adjusting the City's rates to match the IRS rates. This will require i� an amendment to the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations so that the IRS rate becomes effective each January so that staff doesn't need to return to the � Committee each time an adjustment is made. Allen asked if the rate was voluntary or mandatory. Farrar said that municipalities typically follow the IRS rates or are a few cents below it. Barrett said a lot of employees use their personal vehicles for City business which keeps the City from having to provide �' City-owned vehicles. It would not have a large impact on the budget. Allen asked if it could be a lower amount. Farrar said it would be possible. No 1 adjustment was made last year. Barrett suggested tabling the item and staff will survey other municipalities regarding their reimbursement rate. Staff will also provide the amount of money reimbursed to employees for their use of private � vehicles. A motion was made and seconded to approve Barrett's recommendation. � , � � � �