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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-11 Government Operations Committee Minutes � GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES December 11, 2002 Councilors Present: Gerry Palmer, Anne Allen, Richard Greene Staff Present: Bob Farrar, Chief Winslow Other Present: Wayne Rogalski, Dan Wellington, Stan Miller Chair Palmer convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. 1. Bangor Water District Workshop/Update ♦ Introduction of Bangor Water District Trustees and StafF ♦ No water rate increases in 2003 S ♦ Potential impact of recent sustainable water use legislation ♦ Completion of railings restoration on Thomas Hill Standpipe ♦ Invitation to Council Members to tour Bangor Water District facilities ♦ Questions/comments from Committee Members The following members of the Bangor Water District Trustees and Staff introduced themselves, Wayne Rogalski, General Manager, Dan Wellington, Trustee and Stan Miller, Trustee. Rogalski indicated that the Water District has no planned water rate increase for 2003. The Committee commended Rogalski and his stafF for maintaining the water rates. Rogalski discussed the potential impact of recent sustainable water use legislation. This bill, introduced and passed in the last legislature, was brought forward out of concern for the increased irrigation demands downeast and up in the County which were perceived as potentially having a negative impact on certain lakes, ponds and streams. Initially, because water withdrawals by water utilities are already regularly reported to DEP, water utilities were to be exempted from the reporting requirements proposed in the law. At the very end of discussion of the bill a series of amendments were attached to the bill that greatly expanded the scope of the � legislation and mandated DEP to review all bodies of water, including groundwater � aquifers, that are tapped for supplying water, whether agricultural or for human/ fire protection uses, and for DEP to establish through its rulemaking authority regulations governing monitoring and safe yield. The concern, from the perspective of water purveyors, is that the studies done to date on safe water yield and sustainability may be invalidated as DEP moves through the rulemaking process depending upon the criteria and parameters they use. For our Water District, the sustainable yield from Floods Pond has been determined to be 8.2 MGD (million gallons per day). We currently pump, on average 4.5MGD and therefore know that we can support economic and community growth in the amount of a demand of 3.7 MGD without having to develop another water source which could require the construction of a filtration plant which carries a price tag of $20M. At this point in time the legislation poses more questions than answers and all water providers will be watching and trying to work with the DEP as it goes through the rulemaking process in response to this new law. Final rulemaking and implementation is not scheduled to be complete until 2005 so there will be ample time for a considered, consensus process in which all of the stakeholders can be heard. Rogalski discussed the completed railings restoration project on Thomas Hill Standpipe. He presented before and after photos of the restoration for comparison. Palmer and Allen asked about the lighting, and Rogalski replied that it is the original lighting from the 1920's. Palmer asked when the last restoration was. Rogalski said • that approximately 20 years ago, the railings were updated from treated lumber to a combination of wood products. Rogalski extended an invitation to Council Members to tour the Bangor Water District facilities. He noted that he had met with some Councilors last May, and that it was very beneficial, especially to new members. Palmer asked about the security of the drinking water. Rogalski said that he could not be too specific, but the Water District does have a lot of security and utilizes a computer system to monitor security that has been in place since 1988. The Water District conducts business with the public's welfare in mind. He stated that they would be conducting a vulnerability assessment as required by federal law. When the requirement was enacted funds were available to conduct the assessment, and since then funds for medium size facilities were cut. Portland Water District, a large size facility, received $118,000 for their assessment, and Bangor's needs are just as important. With an expected compliance date of summer 2004, we will be discussing restoring the funding, cost estimated at $70,000, with State and area delegation. Wellington noted that as a board member, he was happy to see how much security � the Bangor Water District already had in place after 9-il. He was impressed that � the Water District only had to tweak a few areas, and that Rogalski and Assistant Manager Greg Reed deserve a lot of credit. 2. Council Ordinance 03-27, Amending Schedule I of Chapter 291, Article III, Sec. 38 (A4) of the Code of the City of Bangor — Parking Prohibited at All Times — State Street Chief Winslow presented a proposed amendment that would establish two eighteen foot no parking zones on each side of the Philips Strickland House driveway, which enters State Street between Adams and Boyd Streets. Winslow stated that the City had a received a letter from the Philips Strickland House noting the problems with visibility trying to exit this entrance. When vehicles are parked immediately adjacent to the driveway, the view is at least partially obstructed. Although there are striped areas painted on the roadway, perhaps by the building contractor, that are intended to restrict parking for approximately 18 feet on each side of the � driveway, the City does not have an ordinance to support enforcement of no parking. The Police Department recommends that parking on State Street be restricted for a distance of 18 feet on either side of the driveway. Palmer asked if this proposed ordinance would affect the business of the Coffee Pot. � Winslow replied that this should not impact any existing parking in the area. The Committee recommended approval of the ordinance to full council for consideration. The meeting adjourned at 5:25. �