HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-13 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee
September 13, 2005
Minutes
� Councilor Attendance: Greene, D'Errico, Farrington
Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Comeau, Heitman, Cammack, Winslow
Others: Residents of Franklin Place, Matt Brann, Eileen Hodges, Jim
Lacadie, Dawn Gagnon
1. Ambulance Billing Agreement-Bangor Fire Department and the Lincoln Fire
Department
Chief Cammack indicated that the Town of Lincoln has requested that Bangor
Fire Department provide ambulance billing services for their fire department.
The agreement is similar to those the Fire Department currently has with six
other communities and service providers. It is estimated that this will generate
approximately $1,200 per year in revenue for an anticipated 100 transports
annually. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff's recommendation.
2. Memorandum of Understanding - Mutual Aid Agreement between Bangor Fire
Department and 101� Maine Air National Guard (Me ANG) Fire Department
Chief Cammack explained that this Memorandum of Understanding outlines and
• formalizes the relationship between the City and the Me ANG regarding the
provision of fire service mutual aid: The City and the Air National Guard have
had a strong working relationship, and the agreement is in keeping with the
continued cooperation between the parties. A motion was made and seconded to
approve staff's recommendation.
3. Contract for Professional Services — City of Bangor and Dr. Robert Bowie, M.D.
Cammack indicated that this agreement will provide Bangor Fire Department
with a medical director to provide oversight and guidance for the Emergency
Medical Service (EMS) program. The role of the Medical Director is to insure that
EMS operations are compliant with all State of Maine rules and regulations, and
the Director also assists with the Department's quality assurance and quality
improvement program. The contract is for three years at an annual rate of
$1,500. Dr. Bowie is an emergency room physician at St. Joseph's. Cammack
will be coming back at a future meeting to request approval for a contract with
two RN's. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff's recommendation. �
4. Swimming Pool Utilization Report and Update for 2005 Season and
Recommendation for Pancoe Pool Season Pass Rates for 2006
Parks and Recreation Director Comeau had prepared an update regarding the
recently completed swimming pool season. Information regarding both Dakin
� and Pancoe Pools was provided to the committee with their agenda packet.
Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has recommended
that the price of all season passes at Pancoe Pool be raised by five dollars for the
2006 season. Information regarding that proposal was included in the
memorandum and the Utilization Report. Comeau discussed the significant
increase in utilization of Dakin Pool over the last two summers. He praised the
• Friends of Dakin Pool for their efforts. The attendance at Dakin was 5,567 with a
daily average of 91.2. Pancoe also had a successful season with a total
attendance of 27,640 and a daily average for the afternoon of 386.6 and the
evening was 86.4. Comeau indicated that attendance was higher on the warmer
temperature days. The total for the season was approximately 220 less than last
year noting two less days in this year's season than last. The total season passes
sold was 198 compared to 248 last year. This year's revenue to date is $48,842.
Comeau noted that revenue figures are broken into two fiscal years. The
projected revenue for the fiscal year is $50,300.
Comeau discussed the increase in the season pass fees by $5.00 across the
board. This recommendation comes forth from the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee.
Farrington asked about the structure of the season passes, he asked the limit of
the pool and Comeau indicated it is 400 individuals; he asked the cost to run
Pancoe Pool and Comeau indicated approximately $75,000. Dakin Pool costs the
City approximately $24,000. He talked about fees in the future for Dakin Pool.
Greene talked about a season family pass and asked what the contributing factor
was to selling 50 less this year. With last year being the first year at Pancoe
• Pool, Barrett felt it might have generated more pass purchases and then perhaps
the individuals found they didn't use it as often. In raising the annual season
passes, Greene asked if the individual rates would increase. Comeau said there
has not been a recommendation to do so. Responding to D'Errico, Comeau said
the pool opens shortly after school closes in June and runs through the end of
August. Farrington acknowledged the success of Dakin Pool and the Friends of
Dakin Pool. Barrett said he is pleased with Pancoe's attendance. Greene
thanked the Friends of Dakin Pool group for their past and on-going efforts.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend staff's approval to increase the
season pass rates by $5.00 across the board.
5. Update — Noise Concerns at Club Gemini, 190 Harlow Street
The Government Operations Committee met with concerned citizens and club
owners on July 12"' to discuss noise issues and possible courses of action to
address the situation. Committee members requested an opportunity to revisit
the issue at a subsequent meeting after club owners had an opportunity to
address various concerns that were discussed. A memorandum from Police Chief
Winslow was provided to the committee with their agenda and residents of
Franklin Place and the club owners were invited to attend.
� Winslow spoke of two non-binding suggestions that were made to the Club
owners: hire police officers on peak nights and obtaining suggestions from an
engineering firm having expertise in the area of acoustics to make structural
recommendations. The Club owners did hire officers for August 5 and 6, 12 and
13 and 19 and 20. The first weekend was the busiest and officers were
successful in removing individuals from congregating in the parking lot. The two
• subsequent weekends were quieter. Connie Russell indicated to the Chief that
Franklin Place residents felt there was some improvement. The Club owners
have contacted an engineering firm.
Eileen Hodges of the Franklin Place indicated there has been an improvement,
less obscenities, less noise. She said she could not hear music last Saturday
night. David Case of Franklin Place also indicated there have been fewer
complaints from the residents. Hodges agreed with Winslow that individuals
congregating will increase without authoritative presence, which is costly for the
owners.
Matt Brann said he is pleased that the Franklin Place residents have seen an
improvement. He has been working with CES in Brewer and a Boston firm who
will create a solution to softening the bass. He also mentioned the problem of a
no smoking area and outdoor collection of patrons. Jim Lacadie of CES spoke to
the committee. CES does not have specific acoustic expertise but did identify the
Boston firm that will serve as a consultant to CES. He reviewed a proposed plan
with the committee. Regarding the proposed enclosed area, Barrett said there
is a grade differential between the Club area and the Franklin Place area.
Lacadie indicated it would be addressed. Responding to Greene, Brann said the
Club tried closing at 1 am on two occasions and did notice a decrease in
. business.
Farrington praised the efforts of all involved. Winslow asked Heitmann if the
recently approved license agreement includes all spaces assuming the proposed
design is put in place. Heitmann said it would require going back to the Council
for a long-term lease. Heitmann will work with engineering on the lost of the 4-5
parking spaces. Given the amount of money already spent, Brann indicated he
would like to have some sort of indicating the Council is willing to support the
Club moving ahead with the proposal. Responding to Greene, Heitmann said
there could be an agenda item for September 26�' directing staff to work out an
agreement with the Brann's regarding the City owned land adjacent to the
building (currently parking space) as soon as certain criteria were met. A
motion was made and seconded approving staff's recommendation.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
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