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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-24 Government Operations Committee Minutes i � Government Operations Committee �. October 24, 2006 Minutes � Councilor Attendance: Allen, Greene, D'Errico � Staff Attendance: Barrett, Farrar, Yardley, Bolduc, Comeau, Enman Others: Mike Robinson, Bill Sullivan, Alicia Nichols 1. Council Ordinance 06-327, Amending Section 134.27 of the Code of Ordinances— � General Assistance— Rental Assistance Barrett indicated that this item is returning for Committee consideration after being � tabled at the last meeting. At that meeting, there was considerable discussion regarding the establishment of and rate for a single room occupancy, among other proposed changes. Staff had proposed a rate of$325 per month, but a number of landlords � expressed their concern that this rate was too low. Staff was asked to conduct a � survey, which was done and the information was provided to the Committee with their agenda. The average for rooming house rates was $392.85 and the median was � $400.00. Based upon that survey, staff is proposed a revised rate of$400 per month. The State of Maine has also recently established the new maximum levels of assistance ,� for the various categories identified in sub-section B of the Ordinance.The scale for apartment size includes the new rate for single room in boarding houses which is $400 and there is language included in the amendment that would allow rents to be pro-rated if an apartment is being shared by more than one individual. A provision has been -� added to allow for a penalty if a landlord intentionally provides false information about the type of unit being provided. Yardley met with the landlords on October 20"'. Only two landlords attended the.meeting. Both were comfortable with the maximums and �, the financial piece but did express concern about landlords unknowingly providing false information. Responding to Allen, Yardley said that the changes are prescribed by the State of Maine guidelines and that the City has only added the single room rate, which � has never been in place. Allen asked the impact of the change on the City's budget. Yardley said this is an entitlement program. The budget is the department's anticipated need based on the formula. Barrett clarified that the total general assistance budget is ,� approximately $1.3M and approximately$1M is for rental assistance. Responding to Greene, clients can look for a unit that is below the rate or they can look to find a roommate to split the rent on a larger unit. A motion was made and seconded to � approve staff's recommendation. The item will go to Council for final action. 2. Dakin Pool Project Update � Members of the Friends of Dakin Pool Committee updated the Committee on the fundraising campaign efFort and other topics related to the proposed renovation projects � at Dakin Pool. Sullivan said the Friends has received $88,798 in contributions. Their target is $100,000 but they would like to go beyond that for further improvements. EMCC students will be constructing the building. Nichols said the campaign was � launched 18 weeks ago. Barrett said the site plan has received Planning Board approval. StafF is working with the Pool's Executive Committee to look at the construction � ,� � � � elements. The foundatian for the new poal house should be in place this falE, The City witl be doing the preparation work, providing gravel and same materials. Sullivan is working with a contractar for constrvction. AE1en asked far estimated cost for the � anticipated fall wark. Sullivan anticipates the work wili be done without charge by the contractar, The Friends wilt need �o purchase materials and have arranged for the �� concrete from anather contractor. The material for the building will need ta be purchased. Barrett spake of some City in-kind cantributions and mentiQned the Council's approval of$10,00Q toward the project. The City has been and will continue ta work with the Friends. AIlen asked for a concise�inancial breakdown. Barrett said � that until the Friends determine who is cantributing what, there isn�a way to put tagether a concise breakdawn, There is a $25,40Q grant pending from the Natianal Park Service which is a 50-50 matching grant so the City will track every cost associated with � fihe praject. Any in-kind labor provided by the City wiil be reimbursed through the grant. Responding to AElen, Sullivan said the foundation is the first priority, therefore, EMCC students want to build the walis and sections as partitions at the schaol and then move � them onto the foundation. EMCC is donating the labor but the materials will need to be purchased. Robinson said that two businesses have been identified to provide the building materials at cost, Plumbing and electrical senrices will be donated. The City � will assign an Engineering Department employee to coordinate the work. Allen asked abaut the fencing. Robinson said it will be the largest e�ense and it wi11 have to go out far bid. Sullivan expressed his gratitude for Gauncil and staff support. �` 3. Proposed Golf Course Membership and Greens Fee Rates The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has recently reviewed current and propased membership and greens fee rates at Bangor Municipal Golf Course. Staff presented severa( recommendations for consideration. Comeau said it had been two � years since the Galf Course's last rate increase. A modest increase is recommended. The debt service has also taken a significant increase due to the canstruction of the new maintenance building. Staff recommended an across the board increase ta the _ �, membership fees as we11 as some adjustments ta the greens fees. Also a corporate membership was propased. The proposal was reviewed and approved at the mast Irecent Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Enman discussed the proposed � increases. He also discussed the carporate membership. He talked about a senior greens fee rate before 12 pm an weekdays af$17. Enman had researched other golf courses to compare rates with Bangor Muni. He discussed the propased flat rate fee for greens€ees, for 9 hole fees and the after 4 pm rate. Weekday rates were � recommended ta increase. Greene agreed with the corparate membership. Responding to Alien, Enman said the memberships can be purchased by corparations for employees of that corporatian oniy. Responding ta Allen, Barrett said the monies go into the � general revenue of the Galf Course which pays for the building and other expenses. Debt service increased by$60,OOp and the praposed increases will bring in $12,000- � 15,OU0 in additiona! revenue. Enman said that Bangor Muni is very competitive with otfier area courses, A motian was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. � Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. � �