HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-07 Government Operations Committee Minutes �
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Government Operations Committee
Minutes '
August 7,2015 �
Councilors Attending: Civiello, Plourde,Sprague,Graham, Nealley, Durgin
Staff Attending:Conlow, Farrar, Heitmann, Fogler ,
Others Attending: BDN, Paul LeClair
Committee Chair Civiello called the meeting to order at 5:55pm '
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1. Amending Chapter 28,City Departments, of the Code of the City of Bangor by Eliminating
Residency Requirement. �
Farrar explained that this was similar to other recent changes made in June eliminating
residency requirements that were not permissible under state law. When making these previous ,
changes,one section was inadvertently missed, and this proposed amendment would eliminate
the final impermissible reference. It was move by Sprague,seconded by Plourde and voted to �
recommend this ordinance amendment to the Council.
2. Health Maine Partnership Sub-Recipient Agreements with: �
a. Katandin Shared Services as Fiscal Agent for Healthy Northern Penobscot
b. Mayo Regional Hospital as Fiscal Agent for Piscataquis Public Health Council
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Fogler explained that these are one year renewal contracts with the agencies listed as part of
the Healthy Maine Partnership grant program.The contract contents are similar to the previous '
year and she recommended approval. It was moved by Graham,seconded by Plourde and voted
to recommend approval to the Council.
3. Authorization to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Maine— '
Center on Aging and the Public Health and Community Services Department for evaluations ,
services.
Fogler explained that as part of the grant funding to address substance abuse issues, a third �
party must be hired to provide evaluation services.The Center on Aging has the required staff,
knowledge and expertise to carry out this function.The MOU is for a 14 month period and
provides for a$3,000 payment for services rendered. It was moved by Sprague,seconded by �
Graham and voted to recommend approval to the Council.
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, 4. Re uest to Discuss Define and Correct Premature Councilor Departures.
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, Councilor Civiello indicated that she had requested this discussion as a result of citizen concerns
she had received regarding the recent departure of a Councilor who had not formally resigned
, her seat on the City Council. It appeared to some that Councilor Blanchette has moved out of
the city, but had not formally resigned.That left a question among some of whether she was still
a member of the Council. City Solicitor Heitmann indicated that without a formal resignation,
, the Councilor had not relinquished her seat, and was still a member of the Council through the
end of her term in the fall.Several councilors spoke regarding their opinions on this matter.
' Comments ranged from suggesting that Council adopt policies/procedures concerning
resignation and extended absences from the Council,either as part of the City Code or the City
Charter,to just leaving the current policies/language in place.Council discussed at length the
1 various implications created by the recent departure and the various suggestions to correct the
situation going forward. Some Councilors indicated that they wanted to try and avoid this
problem in the future,while others expressed sentiments that this did not happen with frequent
' regularity.When asked if Councilor Blanchette was still receiving her Council related mail and
weekly packet of information and agendas, Farrar responded that it was being mailed to her in
, Florida. Heitmann outlined for the Committee his opinion on Councilor Blanchette's status and
her right to continue to receive Council related information.After further discussion and
deliberation,it was moved by Nealley,seconded by Sprague to have staff develop policies/
, procedures/language for the Committee to consider regarding resignations and extended/
planned leaves of absence.With no objections, it was so voted.Staff was asked to return to the
' next Committee meeting with information/recommendations. Nealley then moved to stop
mailing Councilor Blanchette's weekly packet of Council documents/information and the
motion was seconded by Civiello. Heitmann explained to the Committee his opinion on this
' approach,and recommended that she was entitled to continue to receive the mailings.Other
Councilors expressed their views on this motion. Following the discussion and the apparent lack
of majority committee support,Committee Chair Civiello indicated that the motion would be
, withdrawn/removed from consideration.There was no objection.
' With no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned at 6:40
pm.
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