Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-04 Government Operations Committee Minutes 4 + � /ry 2 tl CITY oF BANG(JR 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. 4 + � /ry 2 tl CITY oF BANG(JR 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.