HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-03 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Government Operations Committee Minutes Monday, June 3, 2024 Committee Chair opened the meeting at 5:15 pm. Council Committee Members Present: Yacoubagha (Chair), Hawes, Leonard (Appointed at Mtg), Fournier (Appointed at Mtg) Other Council Members Present: Pelletier, Deane Absent: Fish, Tremble, and Schaefer Due to three committee members being absent, Committee Chair Yacoubagha temporarily appointed Councilors Leonard and Fournier to serve on the committee for the night. 1. Robot Demonstration by Bangor Police Department Bangor Police Sargent Shaw & Officer Rusby were in attendance to give Councilors a demonstration of a new robot purchased for the department that replaced a 20+year old robot. The primary purpose is for use by bomb squad for primary purpose but it has a lot of other capabilities including going anywhere its not safe for a human. The robot is capable of communication, recording, playing messages, flare camera (heat signatures), and has multiple other cameras. It is portable and technologically advanced. PD uses the robot in lots of demonstrations, including in schools. It is only one of three in the state (State Police, Portland PD, and Bangor) with only 15 people training in its use. The robot retrieved a container thrown on the ground as part of the demonstration. 2. Ordinance Revision: Loitering on Medians Solicitor David Szewczyk provided an overview of this item. It is a one sentence addition to an existing ordinance to address safety concerns brought forward regarding specific medians in Bangor that are owned and controlled by the City. The medians are in high traffic and speed locations, many of which have been designated as high crash locations by the Maine Dept. of Transportation. He reviewed the case in Portland, explained that their ordinance was struck down because they were allowing some first amendment activities but not all which was found to be discriminating against some forms of free speech. He stated he believes what he has drafted would withstand a legal challenge. ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR There was a lot of discussion by Councilors Hawes, Fournier, Yacoubagha, Leonard, and Deane regarding safety, the site locations, concerns heard by the public regarding those in the medians but also by the ACLU and others. They also discussed process, the data referenced in determining high crash locations, and how it would be enforced. City Engineer John Theriault spoke to the locations of the types of inedians found in the city and their uses. Police Chief Hathaway spoke to enforcement and stated that in most cases folks would be asked to find an alternative location and didn't anticipate folks would be arrested or fined, as often education is enough. Most Councilors expressed a desire for it to move forward. City resident Katie Coe asked to speak and was acknowledged by the Committee Chair. She shared her concerns that the ordinance would further criminalize those who panhandle. A motion was made bv Councilor Hawes to recommend the ordinance revision to full Council, seconded bv Councilor Leonard with all in favor. 3. Resolve: Accepting and Appropriating $38,000 in funding from Center for Tobacco Independence for In-School Tobacco Treatment Services Public Health Promotions Manager Jamie Comstock explained that this funding is for tobacco treatment (cessation) in schools, including Bangor High School, in Penobscot county. Currently, this service is being provided through a different grant and this funding would allow services to continue. Jamie—clarified tobacco cessation. Public Health (PH) has found that there are few resources in this area for youth, especially one- on-one work and yet people respond to it. PH hopes to integrate with the school-based health center. In response to a question, she stated that it is a voluntary program that students can self-identify and that they are working on a referral pathway. A motion was made by Councilor Hawes to recommend the ordinance revision to full Council, seconded by Councilor Leonard with all in favor. 4. Order: Authorizing Application for Data Innovation Project Fellowship Public Health (PH) Director Jen Gunderman explained that PH had started the process for accreditation to helps us move toward accessibility, performance and there is a challenge in progressing due to lack of resources. Similar to student internship program, if awarded, this fellowship would support those efforts at no cost to the city and the school pays for the students to do the program (stipend and scholarship). A motion was made bv Councilor Hawes to recommend the ordinance revision to full Council, seconded bv Councilor Leonard with all in favor. ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR 5. Public Health Updates A memo was provided in the packet that provides highlights. Director Gunderman shared information related to: PH workforce assessment, work with Bangor High for youth health assessment surveys, syringe needle pickup and data, HIV cluster and work with the Maine CDC 6. Maine Municipal Association's Legislative Policy Committee: Nominations Assistant City Manager Courtney O'Donnell gave an overview of this committee and the need for a Councilor to be appointed. This committee informs MMAs position on various bills before the legislature. Councilor Hawes recently served and shared information about her experience. There was discussion about the commitment and timing. Anyone interested will need to let staff know within next couple week. Meeting was adjourned at 6:12pm.