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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. � 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. �