HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-29 Government Operations Committee Minutes • GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
August 29, 2001
Councilors Present: Pat Blanchette, ]oe Baldacci
Staff Present: Jim Ring, Chief Cammack, Chief Winslow, Frank Comeau,
Sgt. Millard
Other Present: None
With a quorum present, the Meeting was called to Order by Council Blanchette at 5:06
p.m.
1. Council Resolve 01-340 —Appropriating $13,100 from the Fire
Equipment Reserve Account for repairs to Tanker 6.
Chief Cammack stated that Tanker 6 at Station 6 is a 1970 Chevrolet gas engine,
standard shift, with mechanical brakes. The Chief asked to have $13,100
� appropriated from reserve to purchase from Webber Oil a 1987 Ford L8000
which is a diesel and automatic transmission and then update our tanker to
make it more safer and to meet the Fire Department's needs. As shown in the
packet the costs to do this are broken down. Chief Cammack stated that a new
tanker would cost between $150,000-$180,000.
Councilor Baldacci asked how much was in the fire equipment reserve. Chief
Cammack replied that Deb Cyr assured him that there was more than enough to
cover this in the reserve.
It is motioned and seconded that this item be recommended to go before the full
Council.
. 2. Discussion of Weapons for Bangor Police Department
Chief Winslow stated that the Police would like to switch over from using
shotguns to semi-automatic urban rifles. The urban rifles have a much longer
range than a shotgun and are much more accurate. Another concern stated by
Chief Winslow is that traditionally officers arriving at the scene of a shooting
secure the area and wait for a special response team to make an entry. Now the
intent is to have the initial three or four ofFicers who respond make a coordinated
entry. To help with this phitosophy, the Police Department has been forced to
� reconsider the type of weapons available to patrol officers. Chief Winslow stated
� that the Department does already have a few of the semi-automatic weapons,
but would like to start making the urban rifles available to properly trained patrol
officers.
Councilor Blanchette asked what kind of a price tag Chief Winslow was talking
about. Sgt. Millard told the committee that the rifles could be acquired through
the military at little or no cost. Chief Winslow replied that there would be some
expense with training and ammunition, but these funds would come from the
existing operating budget.
Councilor Blanchette asked where training took place. Chief Winslow stated that
most of the time it was at the Guard Base.
The Committee concurred with the Chief's recommendation and he will be
proceeding with the conversion as outlined.
3. Parks and Recreation Program Update
• Summer Program Wrap-up
Frank Comeau passed out the park attendance sheet for this past summer.
• Frank noted that there is no total for Second Street Park. Frank stated that it
was several weeks into the playground season when the remediation project was
completed. At that point, most people that play at Second Street continued to
stay at Fairmount Park so it was decided not to open Second Street for the
remaining playground season.
Frank pointed out that a seven week DayRec Program ran for the first time at
Fairmount School. The numbers seen are the daily averages for a week. For the
summer the program averaged 25 children per day. Frank stated that for the
first year that number is really good. Councilor Baldacci asked what DayRec
consisted of. Frank stated it was similar to the playgrounds, i.e., games,
activities, field trips. But the children were supervised. DayRec is like a day
care. Frank stated the charge was $5 a day per child.
Councilor Blanchette stated she was amazed at the attendance at Little City Park.
She also asked what was there for equipment. Frank replied regular playground
equipment. Councilor Blanchette stated that she has heard in Bangor Gardens
there are some older unruly characters hanging out there.
Frank stated that there were special events this year such as going to Peaks
Kinney Park, they went to see the Sea Dogs play, they went to Seacoast Fun
� Park in Trenton, as well as Fort Knox.
• Frank reviewed the pool attendance. It was noted that Union Street Pool had
almost twice the attendance that Dakin Pool had. Frank noted that a lot of
people do not even know where Dakin Pool is. But he also noted that Dakin Pool
average 61 visits per day. That figure is up from 35 to 40 last year. The pools
were closed for an unusual amount days this year. Nine days were closed for
non-weather related issues. The main problem was children vomiting in the
pool. When this happens the pool has to be cleared, chlorinate the water and
circulate through the whole system which takes approximately 4 hours, and then
the chlorine and pH levels need to return to normal. Over at Dakin this year,
someone put dog feces in a glass jar and threw it in the pool. The jar broke so
the pool had to be drained. Due to that problem, the pool was closed for 2 days.
Union Street stayed open an extra week this year.
Councilor Blanchette asked that at Union Street Pool if evening visits were
attended more by families. She asked if the swimming lessons were just basic
lessons. Frank stated the lessons are just introductory. Pat asked what the
average age of children swimming at Dakin was. Frank did not know.
Frank stated that there were a few other programs this year. Tennis lessons
- were held for the first time in a number of years for the ages of 8 and up.
Soccer camp went very well with 65 kids in the one week it was ofFered. Free
• golf lessons were ofFered. There was also a one week golf clinic offered for
$100. Fourteen children ages 8 to 16 attended. Frank stated that Tracy Willette
ran a canoe clinic at the Union Street Pool. There were 8 kids and on the last
day Tracy took the children to Kenduskeag Stream. Councilor Blanchette asked
if any thought had been given to kayaking. Another new program held this
summer was high school soccer league. There were 20 teams with a couple
hundred children. As far as the softball league goes, the fields are in excellent
condition, the whole complex looks really nice. Frank stated that softball has
changed. Years ago softball was thought to be a ��beer drinking league". There
was no drinking on the fields at all. There were 51 teams this year. Eight teams
were in the Church league. There were six girl's teams in the age range of 18
and under that was new this year. The girl's teams are going to grow. Parks
and Rec are talking about having 15-18 year old league and a 14 and under
league.
Frank stated that there were 6 concerts in the bandstand. Even with the Skate
Park near, there were no problems. Frank stated that Hannibal Hamlin was
resurfaced and described the details. The person hired to do this is coming back
in October to show Frank's staff how to clean the statues. The face of Paul
Bunyan will be restored either this fall or next spring. Frank stated that at the
Parks and Rec Center all light issues that were addressed have been taken care
. of. Hallways have been tiled. Offices have been carpeted.
� Councilor Blanchette asked how the golf course revenues looked. Frank stated
that the revenues are pretty much the same as last year. The irrigation system
was noted as being in need of repair. Pat stated that a new irrigation system
would be pricey. Frank stated that $30,000 was budgeted.
Councilor Blanchette stated that over the winter, the Harbor Committee is
putting together a 5 year comprehensive plan in relation to the infrastructure,
equipment such as the dock, and the float. Pat suggested that Parks and Rec
discuss roles between the two.
Frank stated that the Cascade Park celebration has been moved a week later
than usual. Councilor Baldacci asked why the date change. Frank stated that
Shop N Save, who is the primary sponsor, asked that the date be moved. Shop
N Save is where most of the City's revenue is generated and also they provide a
large number of workers for the day. Frank stated that something might need to
be done with the walkways to the pond at the park. On rainy days, the
walkways are very wet.
• Fall-Winter Program Offerings
Frank stated that currently soccer registrations are being taken. Also an
� afternoon program begins on September 4t" and registrations are being taken for
that. This is the third year and attendance is better each year. The grades are
fourth and fifth. Initially grades one through five were proposed. Councilor
Baldacci stated that the initial proposal of grades one through five should be
looked at again. Frank replied that Parks and Rec would be happy to. Councilor
Blanchette and Councilor Baldacci both stated that the Y is expensive for some
parents.
Councilor Blanchette asked if Parks and Rec were doing the ski program. Frank
replied yes. Some changes are going to be made. The mountain was not very
organized.
Frank stated that aerobics would be starting up soon and as well as the gym be
opened on weekends for walkers.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at
6:05 p.m.
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