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Home My WebLink About2002-10-30 Government Operations Committee Minutes , � GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES � October 30, 2002 , Councilors Present: Anne Allen, Nichi Farnham , Staff Present: Bob Farrar, Chief Winslow, Sgt. Roach, Frank Comeau, Brian Enman � Other Present: Dr. Gratwick, Rob Reeves, Linda Clyve, Kathy Perry, Chatham St. residents, Tim Chandler, Robin Ward ' The meeting convened at 5:05 p.m. � ConsentAgenda � 1. Council Ordinance 02-374, Amending Section 134-27 of the Code of the City of Bangor — General Assistance. , This proposed Ordinance is the annual update for maximum levels of assistance under current state General Assistance law. This is a routine update based upon ' HUD Fair Market rents and the Thrifty Food plan. 2. Council Ordinance 02-375, Amending Chapter 291, Article VI of the � Code of the City of Bangor— Human Propelled Conveyances. This proposed Ordinance will allow police and fire department employees to use ■ their bicycles on City sidewalks and Parks in the Downtown Development District. ■ The current Ordinance prohibits the use of bicycles on sidewalks and parks in ' this area, and this proposal will exempt police and fire employees specifically. The committee approved the consent agenda. � Regular Agenda 3. Council Ordinance 02-359, Amending Schedule I Chapter 291, Article t III Section 38 (A4) of the Code of the City of Bangor — Chatham St. Farrar said that this item was originally discussed at the Government Operations ' Committee meeting on October 2"d. At that time several residents attended, but � � � , no one from the doctor's office attended. The committee requested that the , doctor's office be notified of the proposed parking changes. Dr. Gratwick had contacted Councilor Farrington stating that he had reached an agreement with the residents of Chatham Street. Given this new information, the item was ' rescheduled for further Committee review, and all interested parties were invited to attend. ' Chatham Street is a very narrow residential street connecting Union and Ohio Streets. Increased parking needs, generally attributable to a Doctor's Office ' located on Union Street, have created a situation whereby vehicles are parking on both sides of Chatham Street. When this occurs, it is very difficult for traffic to use the street and emergency vehicle access is nearly impossible. ! With input from Chatham Street residents, neighbors, the doctor's o�ce and Police Department staff, all parties agreed that prohibiting parking on the entire , length of the northerly side of Chatham Street is an acceptable and workable solution. The Committee thanked those in attendance for working together to resolve this neighborhood issue. ' The committee recommended an Ordinance amendment that would prohibit parking on the northerly side of Chatham Street. This will proceed to Council for ' approval. ' 4. Proposal from YWCA/YMCA to provide an After-School program to Grade 4 and 5 students. � The YW/YMCA's are proposing an After-School Program to replace the current After-Rec program offered through the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department, as discussed during the FY03 budget review process. Comeau � explained that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has voted to recommend that the YMCA and YWCA assume the role as the provider of services for the afterschool program for grades 4 and 5 at the Mary Snow and Fairmount � schools. Rob Reeves, YMCA Director, presented the proposal, which noted that, the 1 YWCA and YMCA served 59 children from these two schools in the 2001-2002 school year. This proposal will reduce costs for transportation of the children to the YW/YMCA, and will be less expensive for parents. He presented a letter from ' Dr. Ervin expressing his concerns, and that Dr. Ervin noted that this may be a unique situation for Bangor, however it is not a unique situation for many , schools around the country. ' � � , Farrar noted Dr. Ervin's letter states that the school has a $50 per day charge for a facility use fee. Authorization for long term use of the school would require ' final approval by the Bangor School Committee. Gail Malone spoke in favor of the proposal by the Y's. , Kathy Perry of the YWCA said that the $50 per day fee is a barrier for them, and ' she would like to see this fee waived. Farnham said that there was money set-aside in the budget for this year that ' could cover these costs. Farrar stated that Dr. Ervin's letter notes that the fee can not be waived, although the custodial fee has been waived. Allen asked about the undesignated fund balance as a means of paying this fee. ' Barrett said that there might be some funding left if the program is transitioned from the Parks program, and may cover this year. t Reeves said that Wahlstrom is committed to this program and that there may be , some United Way funding available for scholarships for children to participate, and that the $50 per day is above and beyond this expense. Barrett said that if the Y's took over this program, any funding that the City ' provided would be for scholarships. We should have an effort to provide a service for the entire community, not just those who can afFord it. ' Farnham said that she is a proponent of keeping this program at the schools, in an environment that kids and parents are familiar with. She made a motion to � request that (1.) the $50 per day facility use fee be reconsidered; and (2) that authorization for long term use of the schools for this program, be requested of the Bangor School Committee. Staff was asked to communicate this request , with the Superintendent of Schools. Allen seconded the motion. The motion passed as presented. , 5. Proposed Bangor Municipal Golf Course Rates — 2003 � Comeau said that he an Enman discussed that due to recent competition and rising costs, they propose not to increase membership fees through April 30, , 2003. They recommended increasing greens fees for non-residents, and golf cart rental fees for residents and non-residents. This recommendation has been approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Barrett wanted to ' know what other area golf courses have set for rates. Enman stated that other golf courses wait until Bangor sets their rates, and then they adjust their rates. , � ' � Barrett asked about the decline in play last year, or at least a decline in revenue. , Enman said that we had a decline in play, 3% in May of this year and half of June. This fiscal year has been comparable to last year. Enman said that they lost a number of inembers due to non-residents paying a different rate than in ' the past. He said that golf cart rates have not increased for at least 10-12 years. Barrett asked if the increased fees will have an impact on play, and should we � reconsider our marketing effort. Enman said that their advertising is pushed toward off peak time, with a coupon out right now. They used to have a lot of ' Canadian players that has dropped off due to the Canadian dollar, and they used to do advertising in that area. Enman said that they offer a good product for the price, and $2 should not force people somewhere else. Allen asked about ' marketing the golf course with hotels and campgrounds. Enman provided a copy of a brochure that they distribute at local hotels, and at � welcoming centers in the state. Farnham said that she likes the distinction between Bangor residents and non- � residents. Farnham moved the recommendation for the rate changes. Allen seconded the ' motion, and it passed. The new fees and rates will be effective for play starting in the spring of 2003; as the Committee has authority to establish fees. ' The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. � , � , ' ' ' �