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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-23 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee � Meeting Minutes January 23, 2001 Councilors Present: Nichi Farnham, Joseph Baldacci, Judy Vardamis Staff Present: Bob Farrar, ]ohn Hamer, Bob Dawes, Joe McNeil Others Present: Representatives of Bangor Water District — W. Rogalski, K. Beland, D. Wellington, G. Reed The Committee Meeting was called to order by Chairman Farnham at 5:05 p.m. 1. Quarterly Workshop with Bangor Water District Board of Trustees and Staff The Committee heard an update from the Bangor Water District Board of Trustees and staff members concerning the following topics: a. Governor's Award for Environmental Protection b. Vaughn Smith — Governor's Award for Volunteerism ! c. Impact of HoltraChem Closing d. Water Rate Increase in 2001 e. Large Meter Replacement Program f. Second Billing Notice to Customers g. Deregulation of Consumer-Owned Water Utilities Of particular note, the Trustees indicated that in all probability, there would be an increase in rates of approximately 8 to_9% for the coming year. Although the Trustees were concerned about the size of the increase, this will be the first increase to consumers in a number of years. The Trustees said they would take whatever measures they could to minimize the rate increase. Council members thanked the Trustees for their commitment to Bangor Water District customers and ratepayers and their previous efforts which resulted in no water rate increases for the past several years. 2. Bus Acquisition Update City Staff Bob Farrar, Bob Dawes, and Joe McNeil updated the Committee on efforts to fund and replace City of Bangor buses. In addition to replacing 3 buses previously approved by MDOT, the City was successful in securing federal earmark funds through MDOT for an additional three buses. Thus over the next � 24-30 months, Bangor will be able to replace all six of its front line buses in the • Bus system. The local share for the most current 3 bus-award is estimated to be $108,000, or 15% of the total cost of $720,000. These funds will be raised through a future bond issue, as The Bus Capital Reserve Account will be exhausted in the procurement of the first three buses to be replaced. Given the need to replace the rapidly aging and deteriorating fleet, the Committee endorsed this funding concept. It was also noted that this was a great opportunity to replace 3 buses at a cost of only 15% to Bangor taxpayers. The Committee voted to authorize the City Manager to correspond with the State of Maine for the purpose of stating the City's commitment to fund our share of the purchase price. A brief discussion followed regarding the issues surrounding the need for additional space at the Bus storage facility on Maine Avenue as Bangor's Recycling program continues to expand. Presently both Bus storage and Recycling occur within the facility and the space needs of these two operations are rapidly outpacing the size of the building. 3. Executive Session — Discussion of Legal Issues for Ordinance Amendment The Committee voted to enter Executive Session at 5:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussing a legal issue with the Assistant City Solicitor. At 6:05 p.m. the Committee returned to public session. No formal action was taken upon the � Committee's return to public session. With no further business to come before the Committee, a motion to adjourn was approved at 6:05 p.m. �