HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-01 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
Minutes Monday, July 1, 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
Lisa Goodwin – City Clerk
Patty Hamilton – PHCS Director
Paul Nicklas – Assistant Solicitor
Agenda:
1) Update from the City Clerk on Records Management (Laserfiche)
Currently City Council actions, minutes of the City Council and committees as well as
certain financial records are being indexed and made available to the public on a monthly
basis. While we had anticipated a faster implementation, as with any technology the end
result is easy to see, but slower to achieve. Due to turnover, the pace of the back file and
indexing of older records, in addition to working with other departments so that they are
utilizing Laserfiche, has slowed. The new employee has received training and has started
to work with the departments to reinforce and correct the current documents being filed,
finalize outstanding projects such as contracts/purchasing/etc, and has begun work with
one specific department. Overall the plan is to address the broader subjects that all
departments will benefit from (i.e. purchasing, property records, grants, etc) thereby
building buy-in, which in turn we believe will accelerate interest in this process.
In the Clerk’s Department, City Council records back to 1990 are now available to the
public. The records for the 1980’s should be completed within the next six months.
There are approximately 12 more boxes of older records back into the 1800’s
containing City Council actions that will need to be scanned and indexed. At present
we have completed the scan of documents back to 1923. These records are in the
queue waiting to be indexed. It is a tedious and time consuming project that is worked
on as time allows.
2) Resolve to accept additional grant funds for the Overdose Prevention Program.
Additional state funding has been made available to support the Overdose Prevention
Program in the amount of $270,000. These funds would be used to purchase
$240,000 worth of Narcan Kits to service the Penobscot, Washington, and Handcock
Counties. The remaining funds will be used to provide staffing to order, distribute,
and track these kits as well as provide educational materials.
This resolve was moved by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Councilor Graham.
3) Ordinance Amendment allowing for a licensing process for retail marijuana
establishments and an update to the fee structure for licensing.
This ordinance amendment will provide a licensing process for retail marijuana
establishments, in keeping with state law.
The State of Maine recently passed rules implementing the Marijuana Legalization
Act, the recreational marijuana law passed in November 2016 and amended since
then. Title 28-B, Section 402 of the Marijuana Legalization Act requires retail or “adult
use” marijuana establishments to obtain local authorization before being granted a
license through the state.
The local authorization process allows for licensing requirements, which are set forth
in this ordinance amendment. Particular requirements include submitting an
application, paying a fee, meeting state criteria, meeting City zoning, security, and
oversight requirements, and being current on all taxes owed to the City.
A separate Council Order has been introduced to create specific business licensing
fees for retail marijuana establishments.
This item was moved by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Council Chair Nichols.
It was doubted by Councilor Graham. The following Councilors were in favor:
Nichols, Davitt, Sprague, Tremble. The following Councilor was against: Graham