HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-05 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes Municipal Operations Committee Meeting
Minutes
i October 5, 1999
Councilors Attending: Nichi Farnham, John Rohman, )oe Baldacci, Gerry
Palmer
Staff Attending: Edward Barrett, Jim Ring, John Hamer, Norm
Heitmann
Others Attending: Residents of Birch Hill Estates, Bangor Postmaster
Steven Hathaway
Meeting called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Rohman
1. Home Postal Deliver�r to Birch Hill Estates Mobile Home Park
Ed Barrett explained a letter was received from a resident of Birch Hill Estates
expressing concerns about the proposal from the Post Office to go from
individual residence delivery to group mailboxes. The Post Office has been
pursuing more of these types of mailboxes as more new development takes
place in the City. Postmaster Steven Hathaway addressed the Committee
explaining the position of the Post Office. Individuals living in Birch Hill Estates
� addressed the Committee voicing opposition to this change. Mr. Hathaway
pointed out that Mr. Grant, as the owner, has the right to decide what type of
mail delivery there will be in the park and that he approached the Post Office
about this issue. After listening to those in opposition, the Postmaster indicated
that they would revisit the issue and meet with the owner of the park, Mr. Grant,
to work out something that would benefit everyone. Councilor Rohman
commented that even though the City Council has no jurisdiction over the Post
Office, he suggests that the Council put together a letter to Mr. Grant
summarizing this meeting indicating that 65-70 people attended and spoke
against the project. Ed Barrett also suggested that the residents take the
opportunity to communicate with Mr. Grant and his assistant Mr. Longo as well.
To some extent, as the property owner, he needs to hear from the residents as
to what their opinions are.
2. Discontinuance of Emerson Street
Jim Ring explained that Emerson Street is a public street accepted in 1869 and
extends southeasterly 670 feet from Main Street running between the two
Holiday Inns. All the properties abutting are owned by Webber Energy Interests.
Ray Cota, representing these interests made the request to discontinue the
street. The City Assessor indicated if Emerson Street were discontinued, the
increased properry values would generate $2,708.91 in additional tax revenue.
� Annual maintenance costs for Emerson Street are approximately $1,100. In
1973, the City executed a 60-year lease with the Holiday Inn for overhead
encroachments over the right-of-way which they have been paying $150
annually. Staff recommends that the appropriate steps be taken to discontinue
the street. Upon discontinuance, a Public Easement would be retained for
S maintaining necessary public utilities. Approved recommendation to Council.
3. Discussion/Uqdate - City Sidewalks
At the conclusion of the last Council Meeting, Council Chair Baldacci asked that
staff review and discuss the sidewalk program. There have been 3-4 letters to
the editor regarding the sidewalk condition.
The current annual appropriation for sidewalk improvements is $50,000. In
addition to this amount, approximately $10,000 per year is spent to perform
sidewalk patching, mostly in response to specific complaints. Priorities for
selecting sidewalks to be resurfaced take into account usage, proximity to
schools, and condition. For the sidewalk sections to be done this year, the total
estimated cost exceeds the program appropriation by $9,000. A lot of the
sidewalk infrastructure will be impacted by new utility construction during the
next year primarily due to a new gas line installation. The total distance of
sidewalk to be resurfaced in conjunction with gas line construction is 84,000
lineal feet or 16 miles, representing 14% of sidewalks. This will upgrade the
condition of the sidewalks, but is a short-term benefit. In order to establish and
maintain sidewalks to the recommended level, the annual funding level is
$175,000 to $200,000. Councilor Palmer asked if there would be a benefit to
� having a partnership program with homeowners? Ed commented that there are
a number of approaches that can be taken but it is felt that this type of approach
wouldn't work in Bangor. Other communities have the capability of adding a
markup to the properly tax bill to pay for sidewalks, but it is not certain that
there is that capability in Maine. Staff can check on it, but it would be an
instance where some would be billed and some wouldn't be. Again, it is felt that
citizens would not like this option. Some individuals do their own sidewalk
maintenance. Staff could look at the possibility of an assessment by borrowing
the money to do all the sidewalks in the City and amortize it out over 20 years
and see what the efFect would be on an individual properly owner. Another
possibility is that sidewalks be eliminated and the speed limits be changed to a
lower speed. Councilor Rohman asked about the esplanade areas? Are residents
required to maintain them or the City? Ed answered that the property owner is
not responsible for them and the City does maintain them a couple of times a
year in some areas. If an individual plants anything on the esplanade, they are
responsible for making sure there are no visibility issues, etc. Staff will look at
the assessment issue and research any other options and will come back to the
Committee with suggestions.
4. Executive Session: Legal Issue - Pending Litigation
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With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.
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