HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
Minutes Monday, May 20, 2019 Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Council Members in Attendance:
Council Chair Nichols
Councilor Davitt (Chaired the meeting)
Councilor Sprague
Councilor Graham
Councilor Tremble
Staff in Attendance
City Manager Conlow
Assistant City Manager Cromwell
Tracy Willette – P & R Director
Agenda:
1) An order allowing for a grant amendment to the Supplemental Nutrition Education
Program (SNAP ED) for the acceptance of an additional $9,960 from the University of
New England. These additional funds will support program education for six
additional towns (Carmel, Corinna, Dixmont, Etna, Newport, and Plymouth) in
Penobscot County.
This was moved by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Council Chair Nichols
2) Currently the City of Bangor has a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Air National Guard
located at the Bangor International Airport. Leadership at the Air National Guard has
changed and it is time to update the Agreement. This Agreement would provide
additional staffing and fire truck to the City of Bangor when needed. Conversely the
city would provide the same level of support to the Air National Guard if needed.
This item was moved by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Councilor Tremble
3) City Staff was approached by the School Department and the Fairmont Parent
Teachers Organization regarding a memorial bench, commemorating former
Fairmont Student, Marissa Kennedy. These two groups have purchased a bench and
have asked for location and permission for placement of the bench. Based on the
nature of the memorial bench and the regional impact that it has Staff recommends
that it be placed at Cascade Park.
This item was moved by Councilor Tremble and seconded by Council Chair Nichols.
4) Staff was approached by Bob and Jen Montgomery Rice regarding a memorial
bench, commemorating Eugene Brennan. Mr. Brennan was a resident of Bangor the
frequented the Waterfront daily, enjoying its beauty as well as the development of the
downtown area. Staff will work with the Rice’s on placement and style of the bench.
This item was moved by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Council Chair Nichols.
Councilor Tremble also asked for staff to review policy regarding memorial benches.
5) Staff was approached by Wayfair regarding the promotion of bus ridership as well as
providing a safe area for their employees to be picked up and dropped off. Staff met
with Wayfair Management to discuss the possibility of placement and found an area
of property on Godfrey Blvd. where the bus could safely stop and allow passengers to
enter and exit the bus on its way to the Airport. Staff does not believe this impede
existing service. This item was moved by Council Chair Nichols and seconded by
Councilor Sprague. This item was doubted by Councilor Graham. Graham doubted
this item as he was concerned that other bus riders would attempt to access this stop
and that there are safety concerns because there are no sidewalks in this area or
cross walk to access the shelter if a pedestrian is cutting across from the opposite
site of Godfrey. Additionally, he would prefer to wait until the bus study was
completed to see if this would be a recommended area for a shelter. All other
Council Members at the meeting were in support of this project.