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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-28 Government Operations Committee Minutes 1 Government Operations Committee ' June 28, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. City Council Chambers , Councilors in Attendance: D'Errico, Farrington, Greene, Hawes ' Staff in Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Winslow, Arno, Bates, Yardley, Heitmann , Others in Attendance: Rogalski, Miller, Hwalek?, Reed, two residents � The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. � 1. Quarterly Update - Bangor Water District • Grant request status for electric power generation project—The , districts pumps on average 5 million gallons / day at a pressure of 140 psi — much too high for the internal system; the water is sent through ' a control system (a throttle-valve system) to drop the pressure to 80 psi, which essentially wastes that 60 psi energy into the environment. , The district has embarked upon a program to install a micro turbine — a turbine that will forward water through the system, obtain the pressure drop needed, and at the same time generate electric power ' and sell that power to the local grid. It is very environmentally-friendly power and doesn't invoive burning the fossil fuels and it is around the clak 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The district can generate � approximately $20-25,000/year in revenues from the sale of that power, which will help offset operating costs that will not have to be passed on to our water customers. We have completed engineering � and feasibility studies and most of the design work and are essentially ready to go. What remains is $63,000 to support capital costs and installation. A grant has been submitted to Federal EPA for this amount , and has received notification that they cannot fund the project due to the large number of requests. There are a few other sources for financial support and are hoping to make headway. If funding cannot � be obtained, the project will be incorporated into next year's annual capital program. The total cost is approximately $100,000 and we have , committed about $33,000/year. Total cost is � $100,000; annual revenues � $25,000, which would be � a 4-5 year payback period; thereafter revenues would go into the general fund and help offset costs. ' , ' , The question was raised as to whether the District could become self- sufficient. Unfortunately, the treatment plant is 18 miles away. The , control valve site in Veazie uses very little power so the bulk of the power would be sold. There is a demand for green power, so there is potential for earning more revenues. The amount of power generation ' per day could likely supply 70-80 homes. , • Pursuing Forestry Management Certification: a very e�ensive watershed program is in place with a professional forestry management program with #1 priority of ensuring the protection of ' the water quality at Flood's Pond. No pesticides or herbicides are used on the property and the annual timber harvest takes into account the requirements for long-range forest sustainability. The certification is � underway through the American Tree Farm system, a nationally recognized green certification program in the U.S. When requirements are met, recognition will be made towards managing the forest. ' • Five years without a lost time accident: to-date over 311,000 hours are ' without lost time. There has been one lost-time accident since 1996, with a very extensive safety program. ' • Flushing the distribution system is in progress: 175 miles of underground piping is directionally flushed every other year, to increase velocity to eliminate sediment, buildup and corrosion. It takes � a crew many months to complete this extensive yet very important process. Notifications are distributed in each area prior to flushing. ! • An invitation to Council Members/staff extended to tour the water supply and treatment facilities one-on-one or in a group. ' 2. Council Order 05-205 Amending Parking Schedules X and XVI to Prohibit Loitering in Abbott Square Lot, Atler Lot and Haynes Court Parking Lot ' This Order was tabled at the last Government Operations Committee meeting in order to allow staff to obtain further information in response to ' Committee questions. Suggestions were presented on timeframes and loitering and lingering and an area for the smoking public. Council Hawes indicated that these suggestions addressed the concerns from the last , meeting in a positive manner. There was discussion. Chief Winslow noted that this format helps address the issues in a proactive manner. There � was discussion on the `intent of the property' and park vs street use. Sally Bates noted that an event permit would be required for a crowd of any ' 2 , ' magnitude. It was moved and seconded to forward Order 05-205 to ' Council, as presented and amended at this meeting. 3. Request to Submit an Application to Recognize Bangor as One of the"100 , Best Communities for Young People": Health and Weifare Director Shawn ' Yardley is seeking the Committee's approval to coordinate an application process to submit Bangor for consideration as one of the 100 best communities for young people. This is a national initiative by America's � Promise to bring positive attention to those communities who are providing successful programs and opportunities for our youth. Director Yardley presented details on this initiative and the application process. He � indicated that this would likely proceed in partnership with the United Way of Eastern Maine, the Y's in addition to various City departments. It was noted that the Fusion group ought to be considered in this process. � Councilor Hawes asked the determinant of the"Young People" in this category. Director Yardley responded that the intent is under 21 but the ' � Fusion group could be involved in a mentoring process, along with the Chamber of Commerce. There was further discussion on obtaining the data and working in a collaborative manner in completing the application. , It was moved, seconded and voted to authorize Director Yardley to pursue , the application process. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. � � , , , � � ' 3 '