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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-02 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes Monday, March 2, 2020 Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Council Members in Attendance: Committee Chair Supica Council Chair Davitt Committee Member Sprague Councilor Hawes Committee Member Okafor Councilor Fournier Committee Member Nichols Committee Member Schaefer Staff in Attendance City Manager Conlow Assistant City Manager Cromwell Parks & Recreation Director Willette Agenda: 1) Discussion Regarding Access to Essex Woods This item was a follow up to a discussion during a government operations committee meeting in October 2019. The item was regarding the use of a trail connection from Molly Lane to Essex Woods. Currently, there is an easement for a walking path between 62 and 68 Molly Lane. Neighboring residents would like to access Essex Woods via this easement. Residents of 62 and 68 Molly Lane are opposed this as an access point based on the trespassing that has occurred on their properties, altercations, and debris left behind. Committee unanimously agreed to create trail access utilizing this easement but want a barrier, such as a fence, erected in order to keep the pedestrian foot traffic on the proper path. Staff is to work with property owners regarding the style of fence as well. Staff is also to continue to work on the creation of a trail connection with Essex Woods at the southern end of Molly Lane. The motion to take these actions was made by Councilor Schaefer and seconded by Councilor Nichols. 2) Order Appointing a Local Health Officer The Center for Disease Control requires municipalities to appoint a person(s) to the role of Local Health Officer. This order would authorize the appointment of Patty Hamilton, Director of Public Health and Community Services as the Local Health Officer. The original order as written for the meeting included Jeff Wallace, Code Inspector. Staff recommended that the role of the Local Health Officer be one person in order to reduce potential confusion and provide one direction when necessary. The motion to take this action was made by Councilor Nichols and seconded by Councilor Schaefer. 3) Order – Authorizing a Grant Application in the Amount of $7,500 for Forest Management Services of the City Forest. Currently, the City utilizes a forestry management plan developed in 1999 to maintain proper forest management, wildlife preservation, and fire safety. This plan is in need of updating and this grant would allow for the application to achieve this. This grant does require 100% match. The motion to take this action was made by Councilor Nichols and seconded by Councilor Schaefer. 4) Resolve – Accepting and Appropriating $42,596 in Grant Funds for Community Health Nursing Maternal and Child Health Nursing Services. The Public Health and Community Services Department has been the recipient of these funds for over the past 20 years. These funds are used to support prenatal and postpartum women, infants and children within Bangor. The motion to take this action was made by Councilor Nichols and seconded by Councilor Schaefer. 5) Resolve – Accepting and Appropriating $6,700 in Grant Funds for the Let’s Go Healthy Eating and Active Living Program. These funds are part of a larger grant that was applied for and approved. These funds will be used to purchase two water bottle filling stations to be placed at the Bangor Schools to promote healthy and active living choices. The motion to take this action was made by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Councilor Nichols 6) Discussion Regarding the usage of the Kenduskeag Plaza – West Parking Spaces. Staff was asked to review the usage of permitted parking spaces behind the Parking Garage (Kenduskeag Plaza West) to better understand if this is the proper use of these spaces. Staff found that of the 69 spaces available that 17 were permitted. Staff provided the following as potential options for the under utilized spaces: 1) Keep as is 2) Create timed spaces 3) Implement a pay for parking ticket machine. Council decided to maintain approximately 20 spaces for permit and change the remaining spaces to 90 minute timed spaces. Additionally, if these spaces were needed to convert back to permitted they could be converted. The motion to take this action was made by Councilor Sprague and seconded by Councilor Nichols