The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024-08-05 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Government Operations Committee Monday, August 5, 2024 Minutes Committee Council Members:Tremble, Hawes, Schaefer,Yacoubagha, Fish Non-Committee Councilors: Fournier, Deane Staff:Jen Jones, Debbie Laurie,Tracy Willette, Laurie Linscott, Courtney O'Donnell, David Szewczyk The meeting was opened at 5:36 pm. 1. Resolve Referral: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate Supplemental Nutrition Education Grant Funding Jamie Comstock gave an overview of this item. The City has held this grant for years. This authorizes a second extension year to our existing grant funding provided by the State. We expect the state to release a new RFP at some point. Councilor Tremble made a motion to recommend to full Council, Councilor Schaefer seconded. No objections; all in favor. 2. Introduction of Homeless Response Manager& Point in Time Count Update City Manager Debbie Laurie introduced Jen Jones, Homeless Response Manager. She spent her first six weeks learning and meeting with folks to better understand what is happening on the ground. The Point In Time (PIT) count is a yearly effort mandated by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is required by those receiving funds federal. It is an effort to count those experiencing homelessness one night of the years, last conducted on Jan. 23. It drives the data for the population but has limitations. The count consists of a series of providers and volunteers spread out to canvas the area and report. The State is broken down into HUBs, Bangor is part of HUB 7 and the Coordinator Jen Weatherbee is responsible not only for engaging providers but also volunteers. Information is gathered at the community level and then reported to the State. The data is not generally broken down by individual municipalities. She reviewed the packet information including tables with information. She noted the total amount reported in 2024 but with the caveat that it didn't necessarily mark a decrease, but instead reflects changes for supports and tools that were available during the pandemic. Homelessness definition doesn't include couch surfing. She described changes in the metrics being used and changes between HUD and MSHA. HMIS used to collect and retain the data isn't set up to facilitate coordination between providers to share information. ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Further updates will be provided. 3. Kenduskeag Stream Trail Update Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette provided an update on trail improvements, including potential lighting in areas that can get quite dark. The Friends of the Lower Kenduskeag Stream (FOLKS) have been great about helping to maintain and improve the trail. Recently, they are collaborating with P&R on a potential grant to develop an Invasive Plant Control Practice Plan. Additionally, work on the retraining wall near Franklin Street has started. 4. Charter Amendment City Solicitor David Szewczyk explained an existing provision in the City Charter that limits the amount of petitions a voter can sign. It is recommended that that provision be removed through a Charter Amendment.This would require a referendum vote. Councilor Schaefer made a motion to recommend to full Council, Councilor Tremble seconded. No objections; all in favor. 5. Resolve Referral: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate Up To $45,000 from the MDOT Carbon Reduction Strategy Plan for the Purpose of Installing New Bicycle Racks on Community Connector Buses Assistant City Manager (ACM) Courtney 0'Donnell reviewed this item. It is authorization to accept funding, that has no local match, for the purpose of outfitting transit buses with bicycle racks that can accommodate e-bikes as well as other types of bicycles. Councilor Schaefer made a motion to recommend to full Council, Councilor Tremble seconded. No objections; all in favor. 6. Community Connector Update ACM 0'Donnell provided an update on receipt of three trolleys from Southern Maine. The community has shown a lot of enthusiasm for trolleys and we have used them in the past for special events such as election day. She also provided an update on implementation of transit technology and fixed bus stops. We were close to fully staffed at the Community Connector until more recently. Between various leave time allowances, ADA demand, and call outs, we are back to needing to fill double shifts more often than we would like. We may need to reevaluate service if the trend continues but we are taking steps to hopefully avoid that. 7. Asst. City Manager Update ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR ACM O'Donnell let the Council know that Council Appointee evaluations process was kicking off with the goal to get them done a little earlier this year due to the presidential election. She reminded them that the process was revamped last year and that information would be distributed accordingly. She also touched on the website update. We are still on track for an October launch date. The meeting was adjourned.