HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-08 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr;
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Government Operations Committee
Monday, July 8, 2024
(rescheduled from 7/1/24)
Minutes
Committee:Yacoubagha (Committee Chair), Fish, Hawes, Schaefer, and Tremble
Non-Committee: Pelletier, Leonard, Fournier
Staff: Mark Hathaway,Anja Collette, Courtney O'Donnell,Jason McAmbley
Opened at 5:45 pm.
1. Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $1,231,588 in McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD)
Assistant City Manager (ACM) O'Donnell gave an overview of this item. It funds a long-
standing program administered by the Public Health Department referred to as Shelter Plus
Care that helps homeless individuals and families find housing and supports to remain
stably housed.
A motion to recommend to full Council was made by Councilor Tremble, seconded by
Councilor Schaefer, all in favor.
2. Climate Energy Efficiency&Conservation Block Grant Funding Update
Anja Collette, Planning Officer, gave an update on this item from the last time it went
before the committee. The City has been informed that the funds can't use it on e-bikes as
originally chosen. Instead, staff is recommending a plan for EV charging, in line with a
recommendation from the climate action plan. Also, a portion could be used to purchase an
electric vehicle for staff use by various departments to attend conference and other
municipal use. Staff will still search for ways to potentially fund the e-bicycle proposal
originally brought forward. The amount of this funding is approximately 75k.
Councilor Leonard inquired as to the reasons why was bicycle funding rejected. Anja replied
that the DOE, responsible for administering the funds stated that it wouldn't result in a
direct reduction of emissions. Councilor Trembled inquired about putting an EV charging
station near City Hall for municipal use while construction was ongoing.
A motion to recommend staff recommendation to full Council was made by Councilor
Schaefer, seconded by Councilor Tremble, all in favor.
3. Proposal to Implement a Fee for EV charging
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Anja Collette provided an overview and history of this item. Back when chargers were being
installed in Abbot and Pickering Square parking lots, EVs just becoming more popular with
more access being installed around the state, so the thought was to originally keep them
free to user to see how it went and to incentive it and then to return at a later point to
transition to charging. We've seen an uptick in usage and staff is now propose to pass the
cost of the electricity onto the user through a fee that would include a 50 cent charge for
networking per charge to cover the yearly cost. Staff recommend giving a months' notice. In
response to a question, staff stated it would cost on average between $9 - $20 to fully
charge from low.
Council Tremble shared his support charging for fees and asked about charging at the
airport. It was discussed that there are currently no chargers at the airport specifically, but
there are fast chargers nearby.
There was some discussion about whether or not to charge for charging and parking,
depending on the location of the charger.
A motion to recommend staff recommendation to full Council was made by Councilor
Schaefer, seconded by Councilor Tremble, all in favor.
4. Ordinance: Penjajawoc Marsh/Bangor Mall Management Commission Quorum Update
ACM 0'Donnell reminded the committee that the related ordinance was recently updated
to reduce the total number of inembers, along with other committees as part of a review.
However, the amount for a quorum was overlooked. This update will correct that to reflect
4 out of 7 members is a quorum.
A motion to recommend to full Council was made by Councilor Hawes, seconded by Council
Schaefer, all in favor.
5. Bangor Community Action Team (BCAT) Update
Police Chief Hathaway and Sgt. McAmbley provided an overview of the BCAT program. It
was brought forward as an alternative to responding to calls better served by a non-police
response. BCAT was a new program developed to help address certain calls and alleviate
response based on a couple different models across the country. Chief Hathaway shared
that he believes it has had a positive response by having this alternative response and that
the Officers are appreciative of it. In response to a question, Chief explained that the
program transitioned from the Public Health department to PD after its first year.
Sgt. McAmbley shared that they've responded to about 866 calls in total. Calls include
welfare checks, vagrancy, etc. They've also supported returning of folks to places of
housing/support that is confirmed. They receive significant training to ensure their own
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protection and response is appropriate. Councilor Schaefer mentioned a story around the
good work that BCAT does and thinks it should be highlighted.
6. Executive Session 1 M.R.S. Sec. 405(6)(E)—consultation with attorney concerning pending
litigation
A motion was made to approve staff recommendation of settlement by Councilor Schaefer,
seconded by Councilor Tremble—all in favor.