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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-16 Municipal Operations Committee Minutes Municipal Operations Committee Meeting Minutes • November 16, 1999 Councilors Attending: Michael Crowley, Joseph Baldacci, Gerry Palmer, John Rohman, Nichi Farnham StafF Attending: Edward Barrett, Norm Heitmann, Bob Farrar, Mary- Anne Chalila, John Roach, Jim Ring CONSENT � 1. City Nursing Facility Consultant Contract 2. Council Ordinance 00-13 Amending General Assistance Ordinance Consent Agenda approved. REGULAR 3. Munici�al Review Committee - Votina Ballot � Bob Farrar explained that there are three director positions that become available annually and all charter communities have an opportunity to vote for new directors. There are four that have expressed interest; three incumbents and one new individual. In a memo to the Committee, Bob suggested that the City of Bangor cast the ballot for Larry Folsom of Brownville because he is the only board member who comes from the non-municipal sector and he is the only individual who represents the Piscataquis County section of the state. Approved recommendation to Council. 4. Taxicab Driver's Petition Staff received a petition from various taxicab operators asking for changes in the taxicab ordinance, primarily in fares. The request covers: an increase in fares (first 1/6t" of a mile from $0.95 to $1.30; each additional 1/6th of a mile from $0.20 to $0.30; and waiting time from $0.20 to $0.30), elimination of the current provision which establishes a flat $10 per hour charge for sightseeing, and stricter regulation of out of town taxicabs which operate in Bangor. A separate petition requests that the City re-instate the limitations as to • the number of taxicabs which may be licensed in the City. At this point, it is up to the Committee to determine whether they want to � visit this issue formally with consideration of any amendment to the ordinance. Norm explained that his office did a comparison of other cities similar to Bangor. The last time rates were increased were 1988. Several drivers attended this meeting to speak about the requested changes. Main concerns were increasing the rates, sightseeing, and the out-of-town taxis operating in the area. Councilor Farnham asked how these changes would help response times and reliability, which have been an issue for her. It was explained that at times, taxis wait at the airport for three to five hours without a fare and it is not worth it to some drivers to work at the airport. Paul Baron (Town Taxi): Mr. Baron explained that this is a driver- sponsored request for increase. Part of the problem is that drivers can not make a living wage. The ambition of some of the drivers is relatively low. The number of taxi-cabs in the City of Bangor has increased tremendously; however Bangor's population hasn't increased as much. Councilor Farnham asked which of the requests would help the most? Mr. Baron answered that the rate increase is needed. Sightseeing should be � eliminated and also the adjustment of wait time charges. Committee instructed staff to prepare an amendment to the current ordinance regarding the increase in fares and elimination of the sightseeing for the next Council Agenda. 5. Utility Location Permit - Mid-Maine Telcom - )im Ring Locations: Hammond Street, Husson Avenue, Kenduskeag Avenue These are routine applications from local utility companies. The proposed construction dates will be from November 10, 1999 to November 10, 2000. Approved. With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned. � 2