HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-26 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee
� October 26, 2004
Minutes
Councilor Attendance: Greene, D'Errico, Allen
Staff Attendance: Farrar, Winslow, Millard, Comeau, Enman, Barrett
Others: Dawn Gagnon
1. Police Department Request to Consider Regionalization of Special
Response Team (SRT).
For a period of time, the Police Department has been considering the
possibility of regionalizing the Special Response Team. It is a 10-member
team that was established in 1990. Historically, the team has responded
to calls in Bangor and Brewer. Brewer reimburses the City for overtime
created. The team averages 5 calls per year. There appears to be
interest in regionalization from the County and other local Police
Departments. Before proceeding further, Chief Winslow and Lt. Jeff �
Millard, Commander of the Unit, wanted to discuss this concept with the
Committee and receive approval to begin formal discussions with
interested parties. The Chief would like to develop two 8-member teams.
� He would approach the other interested agencies to see if they would be
willing to contribute either an officer or funding to support the team. In
return, Bangor would respond to critical incidents in their community. He
anticipates an additional 2-3 call outs annually. Participating agencies
would have to agree to provide necessary equipment and weapons to
their ofFcers, allow the officer to train one day per month, make the
officer available for call outs and provide the officer with a 24-hour pager,
each agency would be responsible for their officer's workers compensation
and liability. For Bangor, it would provide additional resources from other
agencies. D'Errico asked if this team would respond to air rage incidents
at BIA. Winslow said it would be possible if it involved a passenger not
voluntarily deplaning or threatening to take hostages. If Bangor
responded to another community, that community would be responsible
for the overtime created by any of the agencies. In response to Allen,
Winslow said the Sheriff is very interested in participating. The response
limit would be within a 30-mile radius of Bangor, excluding Waldo County.
Greene asked about the specialized training process and how long would
it take to bring other communities up to Bangor's current level of training.
= Millard said the sniper team is sent away for training. Bangor does in-
house training for entries. The Committee recommended that staff move
forward with the regionalization process. StafF will come back to the
i
• Committee with an agreement for final consideration by the Committee
and Council.
2. Proposed 2005 Golf Course Rates, Greens Fees and Memberships
Parks and Recreation Director Comeau and Bangor Muni Golf Professional
Brian Enman discussed proposed 2005 golf course rates, greens fees and
memberships with the Committee. As membership rates haven't changed
in four years, staff proposed a small increase for next year. Additionally,
greens fees and golf cart rates have not increased for two years and a
small increase was proposed as well. StafF also proposed an increase in
the number of inemberships available and a change in the timing of when
memberships may be acquired. Approximately $80,000-$100,000 is spent
annually for capital improvements. Staff also recommended that residents
would be given through March 31�to solely purchase memberships. Non-
residents members would be given from April 1�to April 7th to rejoin. The
remaining memberships would be open on April 8t". In response to Allen,
Comeau said that a weekday, 18-hole fee is going from $21 to $22. The
cart rate would go from $22 to $24 for 18 holes, $11 to $12 for 9 holes.
Single, non-resident would increase $40 to $815 per year. Allen asked the
number of non-resident memberships. When memberships were offered
to Bangor residents only, Enman said there were some grandfathered
� non-residents. A few years ago, it was opened to non-residents. This
year, there is a waiting list of players who want to join. A motion was
made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. Greene asked
about the five-year beautification plans for the Course. Comeau indicated
it is on his list to contact a landscape/architect. Allen asked about using
Bangor Beautiful. Comeau said he would check into it.
3. Review of Free-play Policy for Golf Course Employees
Last spring, a question arose concerning the practice of the Golf Course of
allowing employees to play for free. Upon further review, it was
determined that this practice was not in conformance with the City's Event
or Activity Entrance Fee Policy. The Government Operations Committee
and City Council approved temporarily waiving the policy for the 2004
- year and allowed the practice of free-play to continue. However, stafF
was requested to prepare a recommendation clarifying the issue for future
seasons. Upon review, staff concluded that allowing free play with
conditions would be in the best interest of the Golf Course. StafF based
their recommendations on benefits to the Course including creating an
incentive to hire employees; employees playing the course on a regular
basis would become more familiar with it for maintenance activities and
• would be more invested in its upkeep; and of 43 golf courses in the state,
40 allowed free play for employees. In order to be eligible, employees
� need to work a minimum of 16 hours/week. Employees working less than
that minimum would pay half price to play. It was moved, seconded and
voted to recommend approval of this amendment to the City Council.
Barrett said he will make an amendment to the City Event/Activity Policy
which will authorize this exception and that will go before the full Council
for final approval.
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:30 pm.
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