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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-28 Government Operations Committee Minutes � GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES September 28, 2004 Councilors Present: Richard Greene, Peter D'Errico, Frank Farrington, Anne Allen Staff Present: Bob Farrar, Frank Comeau, )eff Cammack, Rick Chevrie, Norm Heitmann, Brian Enman, Dennis Crane Others Present: Judi Perkins, Golf Concessionaire JefF Murdy, Paul Brody, WBRC The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Council Ordinance 04-292, Amending Chapter 231, Public Parks, Sec. 231.7, Alcoholic Beverages, Fires, Use of Closed Areas to Permit Sale of Malt Liquor on the Golf Course . This amendment would allow the sale of beer on the golf Course during certain times (tournaments and weekends) and under terms and conditions established by the Parks and Recreation Director and approved by the Government Operations Committee. Councilor Cashwell has suggested that this proposed Ordinance be further amended to include holidays to the list of times when beer could be sold on the Course. Accordingly, the Ordinance has returned to the Committee for consideration/ discussion of including holidays to the list of approved items. ]efF Murdy stated that he spoke with Councilor Cashwell and said the he should have added Holidays to the list of approved times for beer sales on the Golf Course, he added that there are times throughout the year where there are long weekends for holidays. Councilor D'Errico asked to confirm that this was referring to adding long weekends and holiday weekends. JefF Murdy confirmed that. Councilor D'Errico stated that he had no problem with that. Councilor Farrington stated that he had some reservations about this, and asked for some enlightenment on reasons why this should be done. , � � Brian Enman gave Councilor Farrington an update on what had been discussed and determined at the September 14t" meeting. He addressed both positives and negatives mentioned within that meeting. Councilor D'Errico added that this had been approved for a one-year trial basis. That year should give a good indication of what problems could arise. Councilor Farrington asked about the length of a season. Enman responded that the season usually goes from early May until Mid- October. Councilor Greene asked if there have been any problems with intoxicated Golfers. Brian Enman responded that there have been minor incidences where a golfer has been asked to leave, but never with any problems that have needed to call law enforcement. Councilor Greene addressed an issue mentioned in the September 14t" meeting. This issue was regarding the way the law was written being that there would need to be a mobile cart not a stationary unit to produce these sales from. Jeff Murdy stated that it is a mobile unit cart, but that it would be more controllable if the cart was parked. Motion was made to approve and seconded. Motion is now, tournaments, � weekends, holidays, and long holiday weekends. This item will be referred to the Council. 2. Recommendation to Remove Aging Play Structure at Downeast School Playground Parks and Recreation Director Comeau has recommended removal of the aging play structure at the Downeast School playground due to its state of disrepair. Downeast School/ Bangor School Department has recently installed three new play structures in various locations around .the School so the area would continue to have available play structures. Given the condition of structure and the fact that new structures are in place, it is recommended that the Parks and Recreation structure be removed. Frank Comeau stated that there is a play structure at the Downeast School that was installed in the early to mid 80's. It is aging and cracking, there are many head entrapment areas and does not meet today's safety or ADA standards. There are exposed footings. It was made of wood and aluminum, which held up fairly well, but now is a safety hazard. � � Comeau continued that the school has added three other structures in the area and that is not necessary to replace this structure, just to remove it. Councilor Allen asked if the other three structures were accessible at the same time that this structure in discussion is. Frank Comeau responded that he believes they are. Councilor Allen asked if the other three structures ofFered the same type of play opportunities? Comeau responded that they go above and beyond this structure, and they give the kids more. Allen asked why there are three difFerent playground units. Comeau responded that this structure had been used for Parks and Rec. program and over the years the school has separated their play areas and modernized them for safety reasons. Councilor D'Errico asked if under normal circumstances this issue would go straight to Council since it is a safety issue, and would not be before the committee for discussion. In response, Comeau said that ordinarily staff would make the decision to move it. Given the interest in the Parks and Rec. department, they felt it appropriate to bring this to the committee. Since there are no plans to replace the structure Parks and Rec. wanted to make the committee aware of the plans. � Councilor Allen asked if the other playground structures are open during the summer months and available to the Parks and Rec. Department, since these structures are there on behalf of the school and the one being recommended for tear down belongs to Parks and Rec. Comeau replied, "yes". Councilor Greene asked if there has been any discussion with the school and if this is ok with them. Frank Comeau responded that there was one person that would like it to stay, but since it is a safety issue it should be removed. Councilor Greene asked if there was a way to repair damages, such as the head entrapment issue. Frank Comeau replied that it would not be cost effective because it would cost almost as much to rehab it as it would to replace it. Councilor Allen asked what the kids liked about it. Comeau answered that he was not sure. Motion to approve the recommendation for removal of playground structure and iseconded. Approval granted. • 3. Review of City of Bangor Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan The Bangor Fire Department has completed work on the Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan. The plan provides elected officials, emergency responders, outside agencies and organizations and members of the public with information and general guidance necessary during either large-scale incidents or when multiple agencies are involved. Chief Cammack began by introducing Assistant Chief Rick Chevrie who wrote and edited the document that was given to the committee prior to this meeting. This document was distributed in May, since then there have been some changes and corrections made. There is a signature sheet attached. This book is a basic guideline and resource book for the people in the City of Bangor during any emergency. Councilor D'Errico Asked if this was a requirement that was put on the Fire Department by somebody such as insurance company, etc. Asst. Chief Chevrie responded that the county is required to have a plan, and � some grants that the City has applied for require that there is an emergency document in place. He also added that there are two more additions coming from the State; weapons of mass destruction annex, which the FEMA office is doing; the other is a mitigation plan. Councilor Allen noted that some of the operations are more regional and asked if that goes into the plan. Rick Chevrie responded that, yes, part of the book lists what is available in Old � Town, for example, just to see what are out there for resources. Gives names and numbers of people that can be called to make those resources available to the City of Bangor. Councilor Greene asked if the plan is available to the general public or if it is just for staff. Chevrie answered that it will be available to the general public after it has been adapted, and that is why this issue is before the committee, to be sure that it can become available to the public. Councilor Greene asked if this is something that could be available on the website. Chevrie answered that it certainly could be put on the website. He also noted that the only things that would be modified would be eliminating staff phone • numbers and other points of contact. • Councilor D'Errico asked if there was a period of time when the book would have to reviewed. Chevrie answered that it would be annually. Councilor D'Errico asked whose requirement this is. Chevrie answered that the Federal Government is concerned with this and that it impacts the funding from them, therefore there is a big catalyst for the City to want to review it and keep it current. Councilor D'Errico asked if there could be a practice drill. Rick Chevrie answered that there has already been discussion of possibility of doing a tabletop exercise and Charlie Mitchell working on something currently. A motion was made and seconded to be moved to Council with recommendation for approval. . 4. Kenduskeag Stream Gateway Plan/ Project update- Keep Bangor Beautiful Judi Perkins, of Keep Bangor Beautiful (KBB), updated the Committee of KBB's plan to revitalize the Kenduskeag Stream Park on Kenduskeag Avenue. This project was previously discussed with the Government Operations Committee � and this follow-up will provide additional information. Judi Perkins said that she brought Paul Brody from WBRC with her to this , meeting because he volunteers to do the design work. He will speak about the plans in more detail. She also adds that Frank Comeau sits on the Communications Committee as well. She then turns the discussion over to Paul Brody. Paul Brody (displays plans and adds that the Committee members have copies of the same plans in their meeting packets) discussed the rendering and plans. He outlined some of the basic goals and objectives for updating and revising the park as it sits today. One main component is a system of park bufFers that will buffer from Harlow Street traffic while letting people see over the buffer into the park from their vehicles. A renovated parking area, which is currently oversized, can be trimmed and brought back into the park area. Upper picnic areas, which are two newer defined picnic spaces that are associated more with the vehicular use of the park. Lower sitting areas are associated more with the natural aspect of the Kenduskeag Stream. A boulder wall would be added next to Harlow Street to cut down on traffic noise in the park. Existing picnic shelter and parking shelters that would remain in place and receive some new planting to define that space. There would be kiosks set up along the path noting historic artifacts. Most of these plans have been run by Public Works, Frank Comeau and the City ti' � Engineering Dept. all of whom are in favor of these changes, and would like see this project move along. Brody added that he believes recycled asphalt that the city has could be used for the paths, along with some of the equipment and manpower to make this happen. One set of things that is outstanding is the plant species to be used, he thought that it would hinge on what kinds of prices and donations the City could get. Councilor Greene points out that on the illustration the road is labeled as Harlow Street but is actually Valley Avenue. Brody agreed and noted that he has made those changes on the actual CAD plans. Paul Brody added that the park is used quite a bit and he travels past it everyday and sees people walking dogs, etc. He thinks that this is a great opportunity to develop it into something more than it is and it's a great opportunity to provide a gateway to the downtown area. Councilor D'Errico asked if there is any lighting being considered? Brody replied that they are not proposing any lighting at this time, but that if the ' City wants to pursue it could be incorporated into the plans, however he cautioned that lighting is a significant expense. D'Errico replied that it is also a safety issue. Brody agreed. � D'Errico also asked if they think this would encourage a sponsor? Judi Perkins replied that as far as KKB sponsorship and what they intend to do for additional, beyond that; they have set aside $7500 toward plant materials. In addition they are looking to do a mailing to reach out to businesses and residents in that neighborhood and the downtown area to encourage getting together. The City of Bangor has been tremendous as far as Engineering and Parks and Rec.; have been generous in letting KKB show revitalized design . without change and finding recycled materials that have been in storage for � quite some time and allowing that to be used. D'Errico asked if this attracts kayakers. Brody replied that yes it does and he is going to research the existing paths to the water and see if they need to be updated. Councilor Allen stated that she really likes this idea and then asked if the old sawmill that was located across the way was one of the historic sites that would be represented on a kiosk in the park. Judi Perkins responded that they have talked about the mill, lovers leap, the covered bridge and they have talked about finding a grant to help with that kiosk. Perkins asked Comeau to elaborate on this. Comeau answered that the Department of Conservation has approached him, • they are interested in placing a kiosk along the Kenduskeag Stream, he has been � talking with them and has also put them in contact with Mike Fuller. He believes that they are going to donate a kiosk that will have some of their information in there, but there will be additional space for Keep bangor Beautiful Information. Councilor Allen asked if the whole area is walkable (showing concern about having to cross a road). Comeau mentioned that you would have to cross the road at one point, but then the path goes all the way. Brody added that if you go along the waterfront then it does bring you right into downtown. Also hoping to eventually tie into Husson College Park with bicycle trails, etc. Councilor Allen confirmed that this is really a key to tying all of these parks together. ]udi Perkins added that they wanted to make a difFerence as a gateway and it seemed that a lot was happening in the area with the Design Associtates building � and the fire protection company. They could see a lot of changes and beautification and thought this would enhance their efforts as well. Councilor D'Errico asked if there are streetlights on the road itself. Brody answered that there are streetlights on the utility poles along the road, but does not see any significant light, and it would not meet any current safety � standards for lighting. Councilor D'Errico mentioned that he would like to see some thought toward lighting for the future. . Brody mentioned that lighting is really a ��double-edged sword", just went through this with the Children's Park in Brewer and they ended up putting in low voltage lighting, not intending the park to be used at night. If you light it then you need light it all the way because then you are inviting people to use it at night. He added again that it would be a significant cost to light it. Councilor Allen says that she can see people wanting to use the park for evening walks and if there was any way to acknowledge the need for lighting access for recreational users, something in between, then she would be interested in seeing the costs. Brody stated that he would be more than happy to do a plan for lighting if the City were interested. Councilor Greene added that this would provide a wonderful opportunity for partnering and that there are a number of hardware stores that deal in outdoor lighting that may want to partner with the City. Judi Perkins mentioned that they are hoping to begin the project in October. ��- � � Councilor Allen asked if Bangor Beautiful persues grants, etc for projects like this. Perkins answered that they have not persued any grants yet, but they have raised money from the garden show, but as they get more involved they would be open to reaching out for a grant. Councilor D'Errico asked if they have talked to the University of Maine Agriculture Department, etc. that may be interested in participating. Perkins responded that that is a good idea. Councilor Greene asked if the road level 40 feet and stream level is at 20 and about 37 feet for the raised levels. Brody confirms this and says that the space above creates a buffer from the road from traffic noise. Councilor Greene asked if these would be handicap accessible. Brody replies that it will that the ramps both have around 5% grade, they are not proposing any rail systems. Judi Perkins thanked Frank Comeau, Paul Brody and everyone who has helped with this efFort. ' The committee urged that the efFort continue along the lines presented by � Bangor Beautiful. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. 3 �