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Home My WebLink About2001-07-25 Government Operations Committee Minutes GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE � MINUTES July 25, 2001 Councilors Present: Nichi Farnham, Pat Bianchette, Gerry Paimer, Joe Baldacci Staff Present: Ed Barrett, Bob Farrar, Frank Comeau, Brian Enman, Chief Cammack, Joe Wellman, and Phil Hilt Other Present: None With a quorum present, the Meeting was called to Order by Committee Chair Farnham at 5:00 p.m. 1. Update/Discussion — Bangor Municipal Golf Course � Brian Enman discussed complaints that were made in early ]une to Counciiors Baldacci and Farnham. He states that most major work is usually done by then, but the staff is mostly comprised of high school and college students. But by � mid-June the Golf Course stafF is up and running. By the time of Bunyan tournament, sixty to seventy yards of sand was put in all the sand traps that needed to be done and cleaned out. Ed asked about the greens at the new 9. It was stated to have a fungus on it. Brian informs the committee that it is not a fungus. The problem at the new 9 was due to the fact that the greens were so dry and watering had to be done, the staff had to Airify this spring. It is not popular to Airify in the spring because it makes the greens bumpy, but it did have to be done this year. Brian states that the greens are coming back well, but they still need to do a little work on the new 9. The eighteen hole course is - very good. The new 9 course is not bad, but can be better and the staff is working on that. There were concerns about dirty tee towels. Each day the staff is responsible for putting out drinking water for everyone. They go back to the � shop where they are responsible for buckets of clean water, soap for ball washing, and tee towels. This is something that is checked every day. Councilor Baldacci's major concern is whether this is a budget issue on maintaining the greens or a personnel issue (availability). Councilor Baldacci _ interprets this to be an issue of having the availability of personnel to work. Brian tells the committee core samples were taken on the entire 18 hole golf course. A lime and magnesium base substance was placed last week because the pH and magnesium levels were low. Without a good magnesium level, se�d � that is applied will not seep in like it should. A few more days need to go by • before the first cutting and reseeding can be done. Brian says the greens shoufd be great within 2 or 3 weeks. Frank tells the group that probably in late August a survey will be put together for the piayers. Frank wants to know what is being done right, but also where improvements need to be made. Tee markers have just been finished for the 27 holes. There is a lot of vandalism at the golf course. Tee markers end up ponds or disappear. Regular Tee markers cost on the average $9 to $10. Other golf courses have Tee markers made out of 4 x 4's and are very attractive. These can be made for $2 or $2.50. This is being done in spare time. Brian thinks this looks better. Everything will now be uniform. Brian is very happy a few Councilors visited the course. He states to the Committee that the Councilors have always been attentive to the needs of the golf course. He would rather have the council see what is going on rather than going on what is being said. Councilor Blanchette received some of the concerns Councilor Baldacci had received, so she decided to see it for herself. Otherwise, you only get one side • of the story that can sometimes be very lopsided. In her perspective, she thinks the golf course look great. She went on to state that this is a municipal golf � course, not a country club. They may not have the same amenities. Brian tells the Committee it is hard to grow grass when you have a couple hundred people every day on the same foot route. Therefore, some portions will grow and some portions will not. Councilor Blanchette asks if there is anything in this or next year's plan for the - parking lot such as resurfacing or for reslicing. Also, the stop sign is very faded and difficult to see. Frank tells Councilor Blanchette that the parking lot is in the capital plan. One of the Councilors suggests a 30 minute video that could be run on the access channel to show the golf course in full swing. It would be helpful to let the public know how close they really are to the municipal golf course. � The Committee thanks Brian and Frank for the update. 2. Presentation by Bangor Fire Department/EMS Bicycle Response Team • Paramedic Wellman handed out information about the bicycle team. He explained that the maneuvers and training is the same as the police bicycle • team. The exception is the weight, which will be the weight of the EMS equipment. The Fire Department would like to use the bicycles in events with large crowds of people such as the Air Show, the Bangor State Fair, areas where you have crowds of people moving in a slow manner (road races, walks, etc.). These are events that may incfude people who are not in perfect health. The bicycle will allow them to move slowly, carry a good amount of equipment, and have an EMS team readily available all the time. The bicycles are a good answer to solving the problem of getting through congested crowds in a safe and efficient manner than what an ambulance may be able to do. The bicycles can carry forty to fifty pounds of equipment and decrease the amount of fatigue that an individual would have to go through if one tried to carry that much equipment. The bicycles would also have a quicker response than a person on foot. Portland Fire has a team of 13. Bangor has a team of 9. Of the Bangor team, 7 are paramedics, the other 2 are a firefighter and an EMT. Portland has 4 bicycles. Each of the bicycles is equipped with 2 saddlebags and one larger bag. They put their bicycles into teams and two bicycles make up one team. One bicycle carries all cardiac equipment and the other bicycle carries all the medication and oxygen. This is essentially all the life saving equipment that would be pulled off an ambulance in a critical scene and put on two bicycles. • Two bicycles have been donated. The bicycles have not been set up with equipment yet, but they do already have a fair amount of equipment in supply the team could use. Paramedic Wellman states they do need some help in financing to at least purchase 2 more bicycles and the bags for them as well as a couple of defibrillators. The training course consisted of bicycle components, bicycle maintenance, minor bicycle repair, a lot of time was spent on bicycle safety (proper gear, helmets, gloves, etc.), and probably half of the class was spent on maneuvering (riding the bicycles in crowds simulated by cones, tight maneuvers, emergency braking, quick turning). Many of these maneuvers were done with weight on the bicycles. Some training was conducted at Bass Park, some at the Airport, using escalators, going up and down stairs, and up elevators. Paramedic Wellman went on to explain that the Portland team has had great success. Councilor Farnham asks if there are any additional questions or information frorra anyone. City Manager Barrett tells the Committee there is a nice little summary - on the website. There is also some information on our home page. Councilor Blanchette asks the Chief if a price tag has been worked up on what they need. Chief Cammack states they do have some equipment, but states they are still working on remaining equipment needed and pricing. Councilor Blanchette • thinks this is a wonderful thing especially on City promoted activities, and asked � what can be done to get outside money. Councilor Baldacci is all for the team. __ ___ . • He is interested in show casing the equipment so there is a message stating who this group is; that it is not the police department but is medical safety. Chief Cammack states that in next year's budget, the fire department may ask for a couple of additional bicycles. The 2 donated bicycles are from the police department. 3. Fire Department Billing Agreement with Downeast Emergency Medical Authority (Calais) The Chief explained this agreement is similar to that which the City already has with Orono and Corinth. It is motioned and seconded that this item be recommended to go before the full Council. With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjoined at 5:35 p.m. � �