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.
�