HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-04 Government Operations Committee Minutes 4 +
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Government Operations Committee
Monday, December 4, 2023 C� 5:52 PM
Councilors in Attendance: Yacoubagha (Chair), Fish, Hawes,Tremble
Non-Committee Member Councilors: Leonard, Pelletier
Staff in Attendance: D. Little, D. Laurie, R. Fogler,T. Higgins, E. Pelletier, J. Ogden
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Yacoubagha at 5:52 pm.
MINUTES
1. Government Operations Overview
Staff provided an overview of the Government Operations Committee including normal meeting times,
number of inembers,typical agenda items and duties and responsibilities of the Committee. The
overview is normally presented on the first meeting after an election to give newly elected Council
members or Council members newly assigned to the Committee an idea of what the Committee may
address over the coming year.
No action was needed by the Committee.
2. General Assistance Overview
Rindy Fogler provided an overview of the City's General Assistance Program. Including that all
municipalities in the State are required to have a General Assistance program and that aid must
be given, even if the estimated General Assistance budget has been exceeded. Failure to
provide assistance is considered a violation of the law. Councilor Tremble questioned
enforcement and staff responded that although considered a violation, it is not enforced by the
State. Councilor Leonard expressed a desire for the City to reach out to other communities to
work together or provide training on administering assistance or create a liaison program in
which a Councilor is each assigned a community. Staff indicated that outreach has occurred in
the past with little or no interest from other communities but would look into it again. The
Committee also expressed a desire to work with the Legislature or to propose legislative
changes to have General Assistance be handled at a County or State level to ensure compliance
as opposed to the burden being placed on municipalities leading some to not comply but with
no penalty. City Manager Laurie indicated that staff will have more information next weeks as
legislative carryover bills are bring discussed.
No action was needed by the Committee.
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3. Fire Department Licensing
Chief Higgins, Assistant Chief Pelletier and EMA Division Chief Ogden provided a request for the
City Fire Department to change the license level to the EMT level versus the current Paramedic
level. The change would allow more flexibility to respond to calls and in the hiring process. The
current Paramedic level requires a Paramedic on board the ambulance for each call and if one is
not available, the ambulance cannot respond to a call. By licensing at the EMT level, every call
can be responded to. Paramedic level employees would still be available to respond to more
serious calls as needed. The change requires a public comment period to address any concerns
of the public.
A motion to approve the recommendation was made and seconded, all in favor.
4. Eastern Maine Community College Partnership for EMT-B Certifications
Chief Higgins, Assistant Chief Pelletier and EMA Division Chief Ogden provided information that
recruitment has been more difficult due to EMT classes at Eastern Maine Community College
(EMCC) being significantly reduced.The reduction is the result of a shortage of instructors. The
Fire Department would like to partner with EMCC to hold classes in which City Fire personnel
would be the instructor. EMCC would cover all costs associated with the classes and the City
could reserve class spots for newly hired employees who require training. That process would
work similar to the Commercial Driver(CDL) program currently utilized by Public Works and the
Community Connector. This would allow the City to hire people who would like to become
EMT's but may not have the financial capability to do so.
A motion to approve the recommendation was made and seconded, all in favor.
5. Assistant City Manager Updates
Finance Director Little informed that Committee that the Housing Officer position has been
posted and that to date, six applications have been received. City Manager Laurie informed the
Committee that the Homelessness position will also be posted shortly.
City Manager Laurie mentioned offsite marijuana sales would be coming back to the Committee
for clarity of the Committee's position;that a final Climate Action Plan should be presented to
the Committee in January or February, and that additional items will come from the Council's
Priority Setting meeting being held on December 12, 2023.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:45pm.