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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. �