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Home My WebLink About2003-07-16 Finance Committee Minutes 1 � GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES I July 16, 2003 � Councilors Present: Gerry Palmer, Richard Greene, Anne Allen , � Staff Present: Ed Barrett, John Hamer, Frank Comeau , Others Present: Linda Packard ' The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Review/approval of new Park Sponsorship signs. i Frank Comeau said that he had just received a sample of the newly designed ' park sponsorship sign, which he presented to the Committee. Linda Packard of Packard Judd Associates said that the design is representative of the ideas discussed at previous Committee meetings. She noted that the sponsor names ' are less prominently displayed. Palmer said that placement of the sign is important as well. Packard said that the signs were designed more for , pedestrian traffic than vehicular traffic. Palmer discussed graffiti on park signs. Barrett asked Comeau how much vandalism we have with current signs, to which Comeau replied very little. Greene asked the price of the sign. Comeau said ' that the signs are metal and cost approximately $360. Greene suggested placing plexiglass on the sign in case of graffiti. Barrett recommended reviewing the proposed sign redesign with current sponsors. Barrett suggested that they wait � until spring to start the new signs. Comeau noted that most sponsorships end in May, with two ending soon. Greene said that the new signs should all go up at the same time and that we should determine sign location and size at this time. , Packard said that since we have time, she could try to change the design from horizontal to vertical. The Committee voted to keep the current signs until sponsorship renewal in May, , to discuss the sign location and design and review with sponsors. , , 1 1 ' � 2. Proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance for the Adopt-a-Park ', ' program. Assistant City Solicitor Hamer presented proposed amendments to the City's Sign Ordinance relating to the Adopt-a-Park program. Barrett said that we � should have the ordinance go into effect at the same time we implement the newly designed signs. He suggested omitting the deadline of June 30 for sponsorship fees payment. , The Committee voted to accept the amendments with changes as presented by � Staff. 3. Continued discussion and proposed Ordinance related to mobile � vending vehicies (Ice Cream Truck). Hamer presented a draft of a proposed Ordinance regulating mobile vending vehicles. John Roach stated that he did sound readings on the ice cream truck. , At a distance of 50 feet, the results were as follows: '/a volume — 58.0 db, �/z volume — 61.8 db, 3/a volume — 63.1db, full volume — 65.0 db. He noted that Chapter 194 of the City Code sets a limit of 75 decibels for sound trucks at 50 , feet. Hamer concluded that at full volume, the ice cream truck is well below the limit of 75 decibels. He said that the problem is the frequency and how far the volume carries ' The Committee discussed various noises and their decibels levels, such as a � motorcycle 85-90 decibels, and standing in front of the Police Station with no traffic — 45 decibels. , Hamer said that the Ordinance for ice cream trucks requires a license, insurance, vehicle inspection, sound and operating restrictions and violations. , Mr. McGlauflin expressed concern that when he stops at a park, that he might have to tell children sorry the 10-minute time limit is up and you have to leave now. Hamer said that he could add a provision to allow this in a private property , area. Greene asked if the db limit should be dropped from 75 to 65. He asked if the I music could be stopped while the ice cream was being dispensed. Mr. McGlauflin said that his business would be affected, because the music is the cue for the children to know that he is still in the neighborhood. With the music off, children �j think that he has already left. � ' Palmer suggested that the ice cream struck stopping within 100 feet of a school is too close and that the limit should be 250 feet. He used the Doughty School as an example where the truck parks around the corner from the school. � � ' � McGlauflin said that closer to the schooi, the children have the crossing guards to help them across the street. McGiauflin said that he works with the schools in , the area as to times to visit and vend. Palmer asked for Mr. McGlauflin's comments and concerns regarding the draft � Ordinance. Mr. McGlauflin liked the aspect of control over cars speeding by the truck. He noted that $100 was a lot of money and that the Ciry of Brewer and most communities charge much less. He said that he has one truck that ' operates in Bangor, but also has six other trucks that park here. He said that he didn't think it was right that he should pay $100 per truck. � Mr. McGlauflin inquired about special one-day permits on private property. Mr. Gleason said that this does not address his original concern about the music. � He expressed his surprise that electronic music falls under the First Amendment Free Speech Protection. He said that his focus is on the electronic music only , and that he has no problem with Mr. McGlauflin's operating procedures. He said that he sides with Mr. McGlauflin's concern that he would have to "pay through the teeth" in order to vend at special events. Mr. Gleason said that he only ' wanted to get a bell to replace the music. Barrett said that there are certainly people who find the music irritating and that , there are those who simply view it as a sound of summer and support it. He said that according to Hamer's research, we can not regulate the content or the � use of the music. Mr. McGlauflin said that Don's Ice Cream of Ellsworth and another ice cream , truck in the area have no one to report to as they are in business for themselves. He said that he would follow whatever the City came up with because it is for the safety of the kids. He said that his trucks are white with Good Humor or GH on , them. He said that he appreciates the work that everyone has done. Palmer noted that the ordinance will be helpful. He suggested that Mr. ' McGlauflin and Mr. Gleason have a private conversation to work things out. Barrett said that in summary we should lower the decibel level from 75 to 65 , which would require a change in our other ordinance governing sound trucks; consensus is to keep the 100 foot limit for schools; a request has been made � that staff look at some sort of temporary permit for victualers who do not sell prepared foods for a single day or short term event; and an adjustment be made to the obligation placed on motorists. , � � � , Greene moved to move the draft forvvard with Barrett's recommendations. Allen ' seconded the motion. Mr. McGlauflin said that the decibel level is affected by cloud cover and the environment and lowering it would mean that most noises would be over the ' limit. The Committee voted to accept the draft with recommendations. , 4. Proposed adjustment to personal vehicle stipends. � Barrett said that there are some contract employees who receive vehicle stipends in lieu of reimbursement on a per mile basis. Recently we adjusted the mileage rates from 29� to 33.5� for employees that use their own vehicles, a 15% � increase. We recommend that we apply the same 15% increase to those employees on contracts effective July lst ' Greene said that he is in favor of the request. Allen made a motion that we accept the proposal, and Greene seconded it. ' The Committee approved the request to go to the Council. ' ' � ' � � , � � ,