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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-03 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Government Operations Committee Wednesday, January 3, 2024 @ 5:15 PM Meeting Minutes Called to Order: 6:03 p.m. Present: Yacoubagha (Chair), Fish, Hawes, Schaefer, Tremble Nonvoting Members: Fournier, Pelletier, Leonard, Deane Staff Present: D. Laurie,T. Willette, A. Krieg, D. Szewczyk 1. Public Bathroom Discussion Parks & Recreation Director Tracy Willette provided an overview of this item. This has been an ongoing issue, we've tried various locations with varying degrees of success. Staff has researched alternatives and different approaches. Specifically, the City of Portland had success with a local fabricated, steel without utilities and has seen success. Opportunity to try this approach with recommendation for a few different locations including a few parks of Broad street. Director Willette mentioned the parks master plan calls for added amenities. There was discussion about cost, placement, lighting, and more. City Manager Laurie stated that the bathrooms could be a public art opportunity and recommended referring it to the Cultural commission. Staff will put forward a resolve up to 250k next council meeting that will include public art piece based on committee vote. A motion was made by Council Schaefer to move staff recommendation to full Council using ARPA dollars to supplement, Council Tremble seconded, all in favor. 2. Follow Up of LD202—Sale of Cannabis at Off-site Events City Attorney Dave Szewczyk provided an overview of this item. D. Yacoubagha also had materials she wished to share via email. Attorney Szewczyk reminded Council they had previous voted on this matter and reviewed the state law. The Legal dept. recommends ordinance be updated and provided an overview of the options based on his memo. He referenced an inquiry wishing to permit sales at certain events received by the Cross- Insurance Center. He also mentioned other potential requests related to events at other locations both public and private,for example, waterfront concerts,festivals, etc. Requests could come from stores outside of the city and if allowed,the city may need to ensure that city services are added to ensure compliance. He reviewed the restrictions in state law including no consumption on premises in which it sold, store not allowed to sell beyond the event time, must be in tent or similar structure with single point of entry,verify age, etc. ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Schaefer is not in favor of restrictions and should be similar to alcohol and doesn't believe its likely that it would be purchased but not consumed. If the state changed its rules, she would be in favor of allowing it. Other Councilors agreed with this assessment. Councilor Leonard asked about a potential amendment allowing non-inhaling version of cannabis be sold and therefore only impacting the user. Other Councilors responded that the issue is not with type but logistics and indicated that if the state statute changed, there would be interest in relooking at the matter. Councilor Tremble made a motion to recommend to full Council not allow off-site sales, Hawes seconded, all in favor. 3. Parking Change Request: 411 Main Street Development Director Anne Krieg provided an overview of the request to change the parking in front of the business to 30 min slots. Most of their customers are in and out and so they would like slots that turn over and currently folks park there all day. Tremble moved approval. Schaefer seconded. This motion was later withdrawn in favor of gather more information about the opinions of the abutters. The Committee adjourned at 6:37pm.