HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-11 Government Operations Committee Minutes � '
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITI"EE
� MINUTES
July 11, 2001
Councilors Present: Nichi Farnham, Pat Blanchette, Joe Baldacci
Staff Present: Bob Farrar, John Hamer, Sargent Hodges, Chief Winslow, Gail
Campbell
Other Present: None
With a quorum present, the Meeting was called to Order by Committee Chair Farnham
at 5:05 p.m.
1. Ordinance 01-271 Amending the Code of the City of Bangor, Chapter 278
§2783C Taxicab License, §278-5 Identification of Taxicab (Legal/City Clerk).
John Hamer explained that Ordinance 01-271 is an amendment to the taxicab
ordinance which incorporates various standards to regulate the physical condition
of taxicabs, require taxicabs to have had a safety inspection during the same
month or the month immediately proceeding the inspection by the City, and to
require a City of Bangor sticker to aid and identify unlicensed taxicabs. There
� has been some ongoing discussion in recent months over the need to improve
the City's inspection and taxicab licensing requirements to both upgrade the
appearance of our taxicab fleet and to provide us with a necessary mechanisms
to insure that we can regulate non-licensed taxicabs, particularly at Bangor
International Airport. The Ordinance amendment outlines a number of
appearance standards that taxicabs must meet in order to be licensed.
Councilor Farnham and Baldacci both spoke in favor of the proposed
amendment, which they felt would be beneficial for the City, taxicab patrons,
and taxicab owners/operators.
Councilor Blanchette is not in favor stating that taxi companies are seeking an
unfair advantage. Councilor Blanchette states that the public will determine who
survives and who doesn't. She stated that as long as taxis comply with state
motor vehicle statutes and the vehicle is safe to go on the road and has
adequate insurance, that is as far as the City needs to go. She also states that
it is unfair to place restrictions on public transportation that we as a city do not
even comply with for our own fleet.
The proposed amendment passed 2-1 with Councilor Blanchette opposed.
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2. Council Ordinance 01-272 Amending the Map of the Downtown Parking
� Management District— Parking Limited to Parking for Handicapped — Franklin
Street (Parking/Police).
All agreed two parking spaces currently on Franklin Street bridge, be spread out
with one being moved towards Hammond Street and the other being moved
closer to Franklin Street. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend to
the Council.
3. Role and Duties of Municipal Board of Appeais.
Assistant City Solicitor, John Hamer stated that the route of appeals is arranged
that way because the state law requires it will be that way. Councilor Baldacci
stated a concern of having an appointed Board of Appeals over-ruling an elected
Council. He agrees with the Board's decision. However, he did have a problem
with the Board of Appeals over-ruling the City Council. Assistant City Solicitor
states that there is no other choice and the Committee accepted his report and
findings. There was no further action on this item.
4. F�cecutive Session: Consideration of Appointments to Municipal Boards and
Committees.
� Councilor Farnham motioned to move into Executive Session and was seconded
by Council Baldacci.
Councilor Blanchette motioned to move out of Executive Session and it was
seconded by Council Baldacci.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjoined at
5:35 p.m.
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