HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-07 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes
Monday, June 7, 2021
Councilors in Attendance: Nichols (Chair), Dubay, Schaefer, Hawes, Okafor
Non-Committee Member Councilors: Fournier, Sprague, Davitt
Staff in Attendance: O'Donnell, Hamilton, Conlow, Carr, Huotari
The meeting was held both in-person and remotely via ZOOM and was called to order by Chair
Sarah Nichols.
1) Council Order—Accepting a donation of two maple trees from Don Sawyer
Public Works Director Aaron Huotari gave an overview of the request and recommended
approval.
A motion to approve was made by Councilor Dubay, seconded by Councilor Schaefer, all in favor.
2) Council Resolve—To accept and appropriate $830,163 from DHHS for Overdose Prevention
and Naloxone Distribution Program
Public Health Director Patty Hamilton spoke to this routine item with no questions from the
Councilors.
A motion to approve and move to full Council was made by Councilor Schaefer, seconded by
Councilor Dubay, all in favor.
3) Council Resolve— Ratifying staff action, applying for grant opportunity for technical
assistance through National Center for Applied Transit Technology for the Community
Connector for applying new technologies to help address operational challenges
Assistant City Manager Courtney O'Donnell gave a brief overview of the grant including its
potential usefulness to provide technical support for free in our efforts to integrate
technology for multiple purposes at the Community Connector. No dollars would be
received, only in-kind services through the grant program.
A motion to approve and move to full Council was made by Councilor Schaefer, seconded by
Councilor Hawes, all in favor.
4) Discussion: COVID restrictions for public meetings
City Manager Cathy Conlow spoke to a potentially hybrid model, concerns around policing
vaccinations, pointed out that the participation by Council through remote participation was
apart of the Governor's Emergency Orders. There was significant discussion by the Councilors
regarding whether or not it was time to open up, potential to open chambers to the public but
require masking, questions around the State's state of emergency and how that might impact
things, and also continued participation by the public through remote means. It was ultimately
decided to ask staff, in particular Assistant City Solicitor Josh Saucier, to develop a policy and
present to the Committee at the next meeting. Resident Stephen Brough did provide public
comment stating he believed it was time to open back up but supported the hybrid model.
Meeting was adjourned.