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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-04 Infrastructure Committee Minutes1 Infrastructure Committee Minutes October 4, 2022 ATTENDEES Councilors: Gretchen Shaefer, Dina Yacoubagha, Jonathan Sprague, Rick Fournier, Clare Davitt, Joseph Leonard Staff: John Theriault, Amanda Smith, Debbie Laurie AGENDA 1. WWTP: Department of Water Quality PFAS Update Amanda Smith outlined measures EPA and DEP were taking in advance of LD1911 for the preventing further contamination of soils and waters. And, provided an overview and details of EPA and DEP analysis of chemical samples of the outgoing treated water samples from the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The City, in preparation, will gather data and test what is going into the plant and reach out into residential areas, then move to commercial & industrial areas. There were Council and Staff questions, comments, and responses regarding PFAS, data, and requirements and public awareness. Vote: No vote, informational only. 2. Fifteenth Street/Union Street Demonstration Project Update John Theriault outlined his letter to the residents: The City of Bangor's Engineering Department conducted a demonstration project at the intersection of Union Street and Fifteenth to determine the traffic impacts associated with potential changes to access at the intersection. Beginning on August 11, 2022 through September 12, 2022, traffic barrels were placed on Union Street such that motorists could only make right turn movements from the Fifteenth Street approaches to Union Street. A conceptual plan of the permanent raised concrete island has been included with letter. The goal of the demonstration project was to gain a better understanding of future traffic patterns should a raised concrete island be installed to prohibit left-turn and through movements from Fifteenth Street onto Union Street. This turn restriction is an attempt to reduce the number of angle crashes involving left turning motorists at this location. As discussed in a previous letter, the Engineering Department reviewed the three-year crash data from the Maine Department of Transportation that showed that the intersection is classified as a high crash location with eight crashes occurring in a three- 2 year period. The majority of these crashes {5) involved motorists making a left turn in or out of Fifteenth Street. The Engineering Department conducted before and after traffic counts at the intersections of Fifteenth Street/Union Street and Beecher Park/Union Street to have actual traffic data on the impacts resulting from the change in access at the intersection. Figure 1 accompanying this letter depicts before and after traffic volumes during the weekday morning Peak Hour and Figure 2 shows the traffic volumes during the weekday evening Peak Hour. The Engineering Department also conducted a speed study on Beecher Park during the demonstration project because of concerns expressed by the residents of the neighborhood. A summary of the collected speed study has also been enclosed with this letter. The Engineering Department will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday October 5, 2022 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers to discuss the results of the demonstration project with members of the public. I encourage residents of this neighborhood to come to the meeting and provide input. Following the public meeting, the Engineering Department will summarize received residents' comments and bring this topic for discussion at a future Infrastructure Committee meeting with the Bangor City Council. At that point, the City Council will determine if and how any restriction to access at the intersection of Fifteenth Street and Union Street will be implemented. There was further discussion regarding the above letter content above and alternative measures such as right in, right out. Vote: No vote, informational only. 3. Versant Easement at Pickering Square John Theriault explained that Versant Power has been working with the City of Bangor to provide electric service to the new Transit Center at Pickering Square. The work includes sections of new underground conduits, transformer vault, and new transformer. The new infrastructure is located north of the Transit Center and south of the existing transformer vault identified as MH13. In order to maintain and the new electrical service, Versant Power is requesting a 20 wide easement from the City of Bangor along the extent of the existing primary conduit and 10 feet south of the new transformer vault. The easement language and Exhibit A were included. In addition to the easement, Versant Power is also requesting a Bill of Sale from the City for the electrical equipment. It is typical for Versant Power to take ownership of 3 electric service equipment from the City in order for them to maintain the equipment in the most efficient manner. Vote: Motion made and seconded, unanimous to move to Council. 4. Versant Easement at Public Works John Theriault explained that Versant Power has been working with the City of Bangor's Public Works Department to upgrade the electric service to their facility on Maine Avenue. Versant is rerouting the electrical service and Public Works has requested that Versant maintain the electric feed from Maine Avenue to the first utility pole on Public Work's property. In order to maintain the new electrical service, Versant Power is requesting an easement from the City of Bangor along this portion of the service line. The location of the service line to be maintained is depicted in the aerial image provided with the memo. Vote: Motion made and seconded, unanimous to move to Council. Meeting Adjourned