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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-18 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes � MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 18, 1996 Councilors in attendance: Timothy Woodcock, Patricia Blanchette, David Leen, Gerard Baldacci Staff in attendance: Edward Barrett, Erik Stumpfel, Mary-Anne Chalila Others in attendance: Mr. Collins, Fransway Realty Committee Chair opened the meeting at 1. Executive Session. 2 . Council Resolve 96-265 "Authorizing Execution of Recreational Trail Use Permit Agreement Erik Stumpfel discussed liability issues and stated that- the property owner, Mr. LaGrange, would have to purchase $300,000 • worth of liability insurance if the City or another party, such as the snowmobile club, did not cover the trail. Councilor Blanchette asked that the issue be postponed until Mr. LaGrange could speak with the snowmobile club. 3. Council Ordinance 96-253 "Amending Chapter 1, Article 3, Section 6 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bangor-- Sewer Committee" Approved. Councilor Blanchette recommended that new Council members be appointed to the major committees the first year they are elected in order to assist in their learning and training. 4 . Council Ordinance 96-266 "Amending Cha�ter V, Article 1 of the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Banc�,or� Section 20, Recyclina" Erik Stumpfel recommended a restructuring of the committee so that the issues of construction/demolition debris, special wastes, PERC and recycling. Item postponed. 5 . Council Ordinance 96-267 "Amending Chapter 1, Article 3� • �ection 6 of the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Bangor-- �ecial Committees . Councilor Baldacci requested the amendment to clarify procedures to follow when establishing a "special committee. " Forwarded to full Council, recommending approval. 6 . Cable TV Service at Park Woods Mary-Anne Chalila stated that there were residents of Park Woods who were behind in their rent, yet were paying for cable television service, including many premium channels. She said she understands that it's not good policy to make decisions for people--that they should learn to make proper decisions for themselves . Councilor Blanchette pointed out that the $70 per month that some people pay for cable is not equivalent to the delinquent amount owed on rent, and said that other public housing programs do not restrict cable tv usage; therefore, she could not vote to remove the cable from Park Woods as it would be discrimination of "certain clientele. " Councilor Woodcock said he thought they did have some obligation to the taxpayers to put their money to the best use. Councilor Baldacci felt that the City's role did include helping people to develop skills to live on a budget, acquire education and training, and become independent. Mary-Anne said that most people in the program have become homeless because they chose to spend their money on consumer products, not rent. Councilor Blanchette pointed out that many poverty abatements had been granted without • consideration to the applicant's other expenditures . Mary-Anne said that general assistance applicants have to show receipts for income and expenses, and that non-essential items are deducted from any assistance a person is eligible for. Councilor Blanchette felt that controlling the tenants' cable is one more instance of government interference. She thinks that people should make their own choices and that the City should not control a specific segment of the population. There was discussion on making a condition of the leases be that any check received under AFDC be forwarded directly to the Park Woods Project for rent payments. Mary-Anne was asked to look into that possibility. The item was tabled. 7 . Request to Occu�v a Portion of Harlow Street Right-of-Way: Fransway Realty Approved. Fee waived. .