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Home My WebLink About2003-06-11 Government Operations Committee Minutes , � GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ' MINUTES � , )une 11, 2003 ' Councilors Present: Gerry Palmer, Anne Allen and Richard Greene StafF Present: Bob Farrar, Chief Cammack, Frank Comeau, ]ohn Hamer, Jim , � Ring Others Present: Mr. Averill, Ken Buckley, Linda Packard , ' The meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. Palmer opened the meeting by discussing the Commute Another Way to Work Day, ' noting that he took the BAT to this morning's meeting. Palmer said that transportation by bus was free to the public today in support of Commute Another Way to Work Day. � 1. Amendment to Lease — City of Bangor and American Legion Post 12 Comeau said that this amendment would reduce the current annual lease � payment to the City (Parks and Recreation Department) from the American Legion from $2,400 to $1,800. This reduction has been requested by the Legion due to less usage and lower membership. Comeau recommends approval. � Allen made a motion to a rove staff recommendation. Palmer seconded the PP � motion. Mr. Richard Averill expressed his opposition to the American Legion paying � anything for use of the Armory building. He said that all veterans' organizations are hurting right now with membership and the rental fee should be eliminated. � Comeau said that the City took over the Armory building a few years ago, and the American Legion has leased space dedicated solely for their use since 1998. The American Legion representative that Comeau is working with, Charlie Birkel, , has simply requested a reduced rental fee. Palmer said that we have a motion and a second and without further objections , the item has approval. At this point, Palmer welcomed Councilor Greene to the meeting. � , i 1 2. Council Ordinance 03-174, Amending Chapter 127 of the Code of the ' City of Bangor Fuel Gas, Section 127.8 Natural Gas Identification Sign. Cammack said that this ordinance was proposed with the intention to establish � certain required identification signs for natural gas installations. After meeting with representatives of Bangor Gas, the Fire Department is requesting that this , ordinance amendment be indefinitely postponed. Bangor Gas and Fire Department ofFicials will be meeting to determine whether there is a need to bring forward another proposal, but in the meantime, both parties have agreed ` that this proposal should not proceed as written. Cammack suggested that the Committee recommend indefinite postponement of this ordinance to the full ' Council. The Committee approved this recommendation. ' 3. Review and discussion of Section 127.7, Access to Records, Fuel Gas Ordinance. ' Cammack said that at the last Council meeting, Council Ordinance 03-143 enacted Chapter 127, Fuel Gas, as a new ordinance in our city code. After , passage, there were questions concerning subsection 127.7, Access to Records. Council had asked that this subsection be referred to Committee for further review and discussion. Cammack said that he was here to answer questions. He ' said that this mirrors what we have in the oil burner fuels section. He said that this is a fail safe in case of installation in the area. , Palmer thanked Chief Cammack for coming and providing more information to the Committee. ' The Committee voted to reaffirm the adoption of this section of the ordinance. � 4. Adopt-a-Park Program and Signage, Parks and Recreation Department. , Comeau stated that this program was approved by the City Council in December, 1993. This program allows the City Parks and Recreation Department the , opportunity to join in a partnership with the private sector to ensure that our beautiful park system is adequately maintained. ' � � ' � Comeau said that the City set aside twenty three parks with annual donations set � at $1,500, $1,000 and $700 for sponsorship. Since its inception, the Adopt-A- Park program has raised over $100,000. , Comeau said that Linda Packard of Packard Judd is prepared to discuss the redesigned sign concept. He also noted that)ohn Hamer is drafting an ordinance amendment so that the signs will be in compliance with the City's Sign ' Ordinance, should the Committee choose to continue with the program. Mr. Averill expressed his opposition to having any sign with commercialization ' posted in Davenport Park out of respect for the veterans. The Committee discussed the sponsor of the park and the possibility of the sponsor choosing ' another park or becoming a silent sponsor. Linda Packard provided samples of new signs which depict a small symbol of the � City, the sponsor's name and a line about the park. The Committee discussed possible color schemes, sign size and sign placement. Ms. Packard will finalize the redesigned sign concept and return to the Committee for review and ' approval. The Committee voted to install a sign without commercialization and asked that , staff try to obtain a silent sponsor for Davenport Park. Comeau noted that we may lose some sponsorships due to the loss of , marketing/commercial appeal of the newly designed signs. Farrar noted that the Legal department will update the sign ordinance to include necessary amendments and bring it to the Committee for consideration. , 5. Park Si na e relatin to Rules and Re ulations. 9 9 9 9 , ' Allen said that we need a uniform sign placement policy. Palmer mentioned that the animal waste signs do not necessarily be the first signs citizens see when � entering a park. Comeau said that the new signs for the playground area will be changing, because the signs are too far off the ground. Farrar said that staff has enough information to move forward and make the necessary changes as ' suggested by the Committee. 6. Increased Traffic Flow on 14th Street between Union and Hammond , Streets and its impact upon the immediate and surrounding neighborhood. , Roxanne Lee spoke about the increased traffic on 14"' Street and the excessive speed of drivers. She suggested a stop sign at the intersection of Allen and 14�' , ' ' ' to slow down traffic. She discussed the large number of children in the area and the fact that there is a school on the street. ' Jim Ring noted that 14�'�' Street functions as a connector street. He said that he is curious as to how the trafFic patterns may have changed, and suggested using ' BACTS to conduct a study. Farrar suggested using the speed trailer to note drivers' speeds. Ring cautioned that solving a traffic problem on one street may displace the problem to another street. Ms. Lee suggested a flashing light near ' the school area to remind people to go slower. StafF will follow through on these issues. The Committee thanked Ms. Lee for bringing these concerns forward. 7. U date on Re uest for Pro osal for Vacant S ace at Pickerin S uare ' P q P p 9 q Parking Garage. ' Farrar noted that he had spoken with Community and Economic Development and the RFP is due back on Wednesday, June 18"'. As of Friday, June 6�', they , had not received any responses. Allen asked what are options were if we did not receive any RFPs. Farrar said that we have a number of options for the space and will discuss the expense and possibilities after the RFP deadline. Allen ' suggested an outdoor area for bus patrons and others to use. Palmer expressed his concern with the lack of lighting and potential for crime. Palmer suggested graffiti on private businesses as a topic for the next Government ' Operations Committee Meeting. Farrar noted that it is the City's position is to remove graffiti as soon as possible on public property. Hamer suggested reviewing the graffiti � policy with the Code Enforcement Department. This topic will be scheduled for the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m. ' � ' ' ' , ' , �