HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-29 Government Operations Committee Minutes . Government Operations Committee
March 29, 2005 @ 5:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Minutes
Councilor Attendance: Allen, D'Errico, Greene, Hawes
Staff Attendance: Farrar, Winslow, Comeau, Bates, Willette
Others: Parke Clemons, Brad Ryder
Meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Proposed Swimming Fee Structure for 2005 Season — Dakin Pool
The issue of establishing a fee structure at Dakin Pool was recently raised
and discussed at both the Council and Committee level as part of a larger
discussion regarding the future of Dakin Pool. Parks and Recreation staff
have developed a proposal for the Committee's consideration outlined by
Director Frank Comeau. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
� endorsed the fee structure at a recent meeting. Approximately $1,400 in
revenue is estimated based on the 2003 attendance level, which was
approximately 35 per day for a period of 7 days per week for nine weeks.
Additionally, the cost of the attendant would be $2,300 in wages and
benefits. Staff and Parks and Recreation Advisory recommends the
adoption of this fee structure. There was discussion of a fee structure
versus issuing a season pass, in addition to stafFing at the Dakin Pool.
Mike Robinson, representing Friends of Dakin Pool, presented an overview
of the Friends fundraising activities to date. There was broad discussion
on attendance, headcount accuracy, and fee structure. It was moved and
voted to recommend the proposed fee structure to the council.
2. Report from Bangor Center Corporation — Downtown After Dark
Several months ago members of the Dynamic Performance Car Club met
with the Committee to discuss the City's downtown cruising ordinance and
other related concerns. Bangor Center Corporation (BCC) volunteered to
coordinate a series of ineetings with stakeholders to discuss cruising and
the broader topic of the environment of downtown in the evening. Three
successful meetings were held and the report of BCC and various
recommendations was presented by Parke Clemons and Sally Bates. The
• number one concern downtown is noise. Key recommendations of the
report included: the cruising ordinance is a fair and effecti�e tool in its
� present form and BCC recammends no changes at this time; BCC supporks
a visible downtown police patral and encourage patrol o�cers to issue
citations or warnings to activities that would warrant such action in any
ather neighborhood; and BCC encauraged the City to become more
proactive in soliciting comments from neighbors of businesses seeking
new or renewal liquar iicenses. Sally Bates alsa reviewed a number af
new programs/initiatives for the downtown thraugh BCC.
Chief Winslow cammented on �he cruising ordinance in place,
distinguishing the difference between organized cruise-ins, which are
separate events. The Committee thanked BCC for the report and their
efforts and the report was accepted.
3. Request�o Waive Ci�ty Nepotism Policy— Parks and Recreation
Department
The Parks and Recreation Department is requesting a waiver of the City's
Nepotism Policy regarding the concurrent employment of a full-time
employee and a seasonal employee at Union Street Athletic Complex who
are related, The Policy requires specific Council approval when a fulf-time
position is involved, The waiver would permit the seasonal employee
� (Jesse Tyler) to be hired for this spring/summer season only. Frank
Comeau provided an averview and background. Mike Lucasj the full-time
employee, is Jesse Tyler's father-in-law. Mr. Lucas will be on extended
leave through the spring due to a health matter. Mr. Ty1er has previously
worked at the complex and is familiar with its operations. Given that the
eomplex is scheduled to open shartly, it is critical that the Department has
a staff person who can capably fill in for Mr. Lucas. It was maved and
voted ta recommend approval to cauncil.
The meeting adjaurned at 6 p.m.
�