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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-21 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes Municipal Operations Ccarmittee ' February 21, 1994 ' I . Minutes Councilors in Attendan�ce: Cohen, Blanclvette, Sullivan, Poppex, Tyler, and Soucy (for final ite�r►) 1. Golf Cart Policy. Dale Theriault presented this it�n. Ztao requests were made by golf cart users at a recent Parks arbd Recreation Advisory Board meeting. T'he first was for consideration for handicapped golfers who are unable to walk the course. The Miuiicipal Op�xations Cc�nmitt:ee recently adopted a policy regarding golf carts which would grandfather the curr�ntly existing ni�+eteen pern�ittees but ' whiCh would el�mina� privately cxnmed Carts avnx time as their golf carts were no longer usable. Scgr�e concern was expressed that this would mak,e it very difficult for certain individuals to golf since they would have a hard time ccening up with the daily golf cart fee. Z'he second issue was the extent of the increase in the seasonal rates for golf cart usac�e. The Cc�mittee had approved an in�creas in seasonal rates frc8n $125 per y+ear to $150 per year for five day cart usage and $200 pPx day for seven day usage. Con�cern was expressed as to the extent of this increase. After discussion, the Carmittee appraved the follawing changes: li 1. Seasonal rates for golf cart use shall be in,creased frcan $125 to $150 for sev+exi day cart usage only. T'he fee shall rEsnain $125 for 5 day perniits. 2. If an individual can qualify for handicapped plates f�can the State � of Maine, they can hav+e a pennit for a private cart. This will allaw currently handicapped cart aHmQxs to replace their carts when II necessary and provide an alternativ+e to individuals who becca� handicapped in th�e future. The Ccenmittee also requested that an O�r be prepared outlining our policy on the use of private carts for full Counci.l action. , � 2. Discussion of Public Fire Alann Bo�es. I �"Y�e City Manager presented thi.s iteqn to the Co�rmittee with th,e assistan�ce of Arthur Stockus, the Director of Operations and Maintenance. The City Manager i n�i cated that the City naw operates a fire alann systeqn which serves both , individual builclings and provides for public boxes. There are currently 300 � total ala�n locations in the City. Of these, 154 are services to buildings ' and 146 are public pull boxes. Private services pay the City $280 per year for fire alann sezvices. � The City Manager reccam�ended that th+e current public pull boxes be �ra�ved. These boxes do not serve the entire ccamnuiity, are v�ry infr+r��Pr,tly used to report actual fires, and must be lawered to m�et the requi�nts of the I Americans with Disabilities Act. This will put the boxes at an even greater risk for false alann.s since smaller childr�n will be able to reach th,�sn. In 'I general, the public pull box syst�rt is a hold aver frcgn the days wh�n • telephone service was not univ+�xsal and 911 service was rwt available frcan public pay phones. �I _ ____ ___--- - __ I There was significant discussion airong the Ccarmittee m�nbers not only � rega�cling the public pull boxes l�t also the appropriateness of the City being in the fire alaYm b�usiness. Z�r� was soarie sentim�.nt e�ressed that I � perhaps we should consider stopping the entire progra4n rather than just el�m�n�ting the public pull boxes. The City Manager indicated that private fire alann fees currentl ate about $42,000 in revenue for th�e Y � electrical division. Eliminating this revenue while reallocating the I� personnel of the electrical divi.sion to other work such as mai.ntenance and ' impmv+�nent of our traffic signal and stre�t lighting sy5te�n.s would hav�e an � effect on the cceming year's budget. He reccer�r�nd�d that this issue be mr�re fully explored as an elFsrent of the City's progr�n review in the upcceni.ng budget process. Councilor Cohen also requested that we specifically check on whethex I gliminatirig th� publiC pull box systc-sn would have arYy impact on insurance , rates within th�e coHrcminity prior to taking any final action on the ite�m. With this caveat, the Ccarmittee voted to recc�r�nd to the full Council that vue p�rooeed wi.th el�mina�on of th+e public pull box systFsn. Please also see the additional infozmation pravidsd at the meeting by Arthur Stockus head,ed I ��fire alazm box facts.�� 3. Federal Grant for Police Officers -- Update and discussion. I� Police Chief Randy Harrimari presented this itc-�n to the Ccarmittee. At the present t.ime th,e City has been awarrl�d a project grant to hir� two police officers for a ccermunity policing program. Th�e airaunt of the grant award is approximately $150,000. The total cost to hir� �two officers for three y��.rs is approxima.tely $223,000. The reqnaining $74,000 iraist be funded by the �I City. In addition, it shauld be noted that the accepta.nce would prohibit the , • Police Departarent f�can cutting personnel for the next three years. At the present time, th,e Chief has not received the final pape.�rk on the I grant. As a result, it is not necessary to m�ke a final decision at this i point. He anticipates that a deaision wi.l.l have to be made within the next 60 days which will allaw this itc-sn to be consic�ered at least during the early stages of the annual budg+et process. The Chief will provide the Cca�mittee with more inforniation as it becceries available. i 4. Scsraer Abate�nt Request. I The City has received a sewer abateznent request frcen Mrs. Ruth F. Epstein of !, 31 Parkview Avenue. Mrs. Epstein received a slightly higher bill in October I of 1994 due to a leaking pipe. T�ve Bangor Water District di.scov+ered th+e leak wh�en they came to check her meter. Mrs. Epstein imr�diately took the I necessary steps to have the leak corrected. Brad Moore, S�perintendent of our treatiru�nt Plant, rec�nded an abatenent of her bill fro�n $55.84 to I, $44.04. This represents an estimated 4 consumptions in leakage which wauld be charged at the City's actual p�mrping costs. Sirvice Mrs. Epstein took , correctiv+e action as soon as she became aware of th,e probleqn, the Coa�mittee approved the abate�nent as recc�miexbded. I • li I — _ _-- -- _ _ __ ._- -_ __ __ __ -- -- I __