HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-26 Government Operations Committee Minutes GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
� MINUTES
September 26, 2001
Councilors Present: Nichi Farnham, Pat Blanchette, Joe Baidacci
StafF Present: Bob Farrar, Chief Winslow, Joe McNeil, Bob Dawes
Other Present: Don Cooper, BACTS, Mike Pullen, WBRC Architects
With a quorum present, the Meeting was called to Order by Committee Chair Farnham
at 5:05 p.m.
1. Building Needs Assessment— Police Department, 35 Court Street
Chief Winslow and Mike Pullen updated the Committee on the current process of
evaluating space needs of Bangor Police Department. WBRC Architects has been
engaged to conduct a program/predesign needs assessment. In summary form,
� the space needs of the Department total approximately 55,000 square feet. The
entire current facility, although not used exclusively by the Police Department,
encompasses approximately the same square footage. The initial work
performed by WBRC indicates that utilization of the entire building by the Police
Department would meet their space needs. (The School Department currently
uses space on a lower floor of the building for Maintenance/Carpentry.)
The estimated price to renovate the existing structure is in the range of $4.3 to
$5.3 million. The estimated price to build a new facility, including land is in the
range of $7.7 to $8.5 million. WBRC and Police Department staff believe that the
current facility can meet their future space needs and is ideally situated in a
favorable downtown location adjacent to the Court and Jail facilities. There was
also discussion concerning the possibility of constructing a parking deck/garage
to assist with parking issues. Committee members favored this concept as well
as possibly acquiring adjacent properry as it became available.
The Chief and Mr. Pullen recommended that the Committee authorize the next
phase of this project, which includes an Existing Facilities Survey (EFS),
estimated cost - $15,000 to $18,000, and an Environmental Site Assessment
(ESA), estimated to cost $5,000. Both of these surveys are necessary to
determine whether the existing site and building are conducive for a building
� renovation project. Of particular concern are any environmental factors/issues,
which may be present on the site, as well as the condition of the front building
� foundation, which serves as a retaining wall for Court Street. By unanimous
vote, the Committee authorized the work on the two studies to proceed. Once
completed, the results will be presented to either the Government Operations
Committee or a general update/workshop with the entire Council.
2. Transit System Study— Review of Major RFP Components
Don Cooper, BACTS Transportation Planner briefed the Committee on the
upcoming transit system study which will be commencing later this fall. This
study of"The Bus", will include Bangor and other participating entities, as
required or requested and will include the following components: Examination of
Existing Routes; Examination of Future Transit Opportunities; Impacts of Whole
System Changes upon Individual Communities; Farebox Recovery; Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance; Bus Hub Location; Marketing and Sta�ng
Issues. Each of the above areas were discussed in some detail, with the
understanding that final decisions with respect to the RFP would be determined
by the BACTS Technical Committee. The Committee was satisfied with and
endorsed the proposed scope of services and was pleased that the study was
moving forward. As this was an update and discussion item, there was no
formal action taken by the Committee.
� 3. Maine Municipal Association — Ballot for Officers and Voting
Representative
It was moved, seconded, and unanimously voted to approve the State of MMA
Officers for 2002 as presented, and to select Edward A. Barrett as voting
representative at the MMA Annual Business Meeting.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at
6:05 p.m.
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