HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-06 Government Operations Committee Minutes �
� GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITfEE
�� � Minutes
� April 6, 2015
� Councilors Attending: Civiello, Plourde, Sprague, Baldacci, Blanchette, Graham,
Durgin
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Staff Attending: Conlow, Farrar, Willette, Nicklas
� Others Attending: Media representatives, Jim Bird, Senator Gratwick, Shawn
Yardley, Pat Kimball
� Committee Chair Civiello called the meetin to Order at 5:15 m
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� 1. Proposed Ordinance, Amending Chapter 23 Boards; Committee, and
Commissions of the Code of the City of Bangor, by Clarifying the
� Notification Process for Decisions of the Board of Appeals.
� This proposed ordinance will align the City's notification process with the current
state law requirements. It was moved by Sprague and seconded by Baldacci to
� recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance Amendment, and so voted by
the Committee.
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2. Orono Bog Boardwalk Presentation
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Parks and Recreation Director Willette and Orono Bog Boardwalk Executive
; Director Jim Martin provided a brief history of the Boardwalk and the relationship
among the partners in the project, the City of Bangor, the University of Maine,
� and the Orono Land Trust. Mr. Bird explained that the Boardwalk sections are in
need of replacement and that a capital campaign is underway to raise the
� required funds. Phase One of the replacement program {104 sections) has been
completed and Phase Two fundraising has begun. Mr. Bird requested that the City
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consider a $2,000 donation, which would fund the replacement of two Boardwalk �
sections. The Committee asked several questions and indicated their general
support for both the Boardwalk and the request. The Committee asked that this �
request be brought forward for consideration as part of the fy 15/16 budget
process that will be underway shortly, when the Parks and Recreation budget is �
presented / discussed.
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3. Discussion regarding a proposal to draft a Council Resolve in Support of the �
Governor's Plan for additional funding to combat drug issues and to urge
legislative support. �
Councilors Baldacci and Civiello asked the Committee to consider their support for
the preparation of a Resolve as outlined above, as well as support for pending �
legislation that would reinstate the adult drug court. There was a lengthy
discussion concerning these issues and whether the Governor's approach was �
appropriate and encompassed all of the various approaches that could be utilized
to deal with the problem. Councilors discussed other approaches including �
education, prevention, treatment, support and recovery as key aspects
concerning the drug issue, in addition to enforcement and prosecution. Resident �
Yardley, Senator Gratwick and Wellspring Director Kimball all spoke to the
Committee. The Committee also discussed the work and recommendations of the �
Community Health Leadership Board (CHLB), and the Substance Abuse Task
Force. Following additional conversation and discussion, the City Manager �
suggested that she would work with staff to develop a draft letter taking into
account the various points raised by the committee, and the work/ �
recommendations of the CHLB. She noted that the draft would be ready for the
Committee's review at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Committee �
agreed with her suggested approach as a next step.
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With no further business, the Committee adjourned at 6:25 pm �
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