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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-02 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Government Operations Committee Monday, December 2,2024 Minutes Committee Members Present: Hawes (Chair), Beck, Deane,Tremble, Mallar(joined 15 min after start) Non-Committee Councilors: Fournier, Leonard, Fish, Pelletier Staff: C. O'Donnell, D. Laurie,J. Gunderman, E. Pelletier, P. Drew, L. Goodwin, D. Szewczyk Called to order: 5:46 pm 1. Overview of Projects in Progress Assessing: City Assessor Phil Drew provided a revaluation overview and update as of 2025 and 2026.The process, including hearings and assessment timelines and applicability were discussed.The consultant doing the work, KRT, arrived today with four data collectors.Their information was included in the packet and PD has profiles of each of them.They have identification and their cars are marked. If citizens have questions, call PD dispatch. They are starting on West side with digital property sketch and will validate their accuracy to help improve efficiency. Councilor Deane requested an update in Jan on how it is going. There was further discussion about Microsoft 365 implementation,Adobe AI, concern about gentrification, school districts, demographic data, and revaluation timeline. Clerk/Treasury Office: Clerk Goodwin provided an overview of this area including a reminder that about a year ago the two areas were combined and it has been a year of learning through cross training. She mentioned the State has rolled out a new dog licensing program that everyone is now learning. She stated that bank deposits weren't being made in a timely fashion, but they changed some processes to make it a priority are now caught up and being completed within one to two business days. The other issue is processing mail. She explained between elections and other duties,they got behind, but with help from a staffing agency, they are only one day behind currently. There was further discussion about being prepared for next election season, if implementing AI would be helpful, the state's programs, as well as our system TRIO. Specifically, an upgrade was recently completed to the windows version and there are other solutions potentially to schedule with electronic processing options for tax bills and other items. Public Health: Director Jen Gunderman highlighted items they have in progress including accreditation, mosquito borne illness, student intern starting in spring to put together a toolkit that will tie into climate change plan, gaps in response for HIV testing, outreach, medical case management, and more. There was discussion on how to mitigate need for emergency services through being proactive and potential use of providing specialists. Director Gunderman shared that compared with other public health departments, we spend time in the expertise rather than admin work, definitely places we could improve. It was pointed out that most positions are covered through grant funding, so there is opportunity to create more administrative flexibility in the future. 1 ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Director Gunderman gave an update on their proposals for Opioid settlement funds. The Committee indicated they would like to see return to committee. She asked for Council consideration to approval them to request an Epidemic Investigative Officer Services (EIS).The federal CDC offer this program and people are chosen based on experience, knowledge, education and then match them across the country based on need. She advocated for the desire to utilize this service here in Bangor to help coordinate and provider leadership with expertise related to the HIV cluster to help us respond more effectively.The program is for two years and the cost is covered by the CDC, only cost to the department is the cost of managing it but believes it would be greatly beneficial given all the resources being put into it anyway. She stated more information was included in the packet. A motion to approve was made by Councilor Beck, seconded by Councilor Tremble, no objection, all in favor. Fire: Assistant City Manager O'Donnell and Deputy Fire Chief Pelletier provided a quick update based on items included in the memo and answered questions specific to morale and recruitment. Community Connector: ACM provided an update based on the memo for what is in progress at the Community Connector including: cold bus barn rehab, implementation of fixed stop system,tech roll out and more. In response to Councilor Leonard stating that doesn't want to charge fare, ACM responded that Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (BACTS) will be conducting a fare study this FY. 2. Ordinance: Amending Chapter 217, Polystyrene,Section 217-4 Exemptions, by Adding an Exemption for Delays and Unreasonable Difficulty City Solicitor Dave Szewczyk provided an overview of this ordinance amendment. It was implemented in 2020 and with emergency issue with supply chain related to the pandemic, it created an enforcement problem. One of the exceptions in the ordinance gave the City Manager the authority to allow food establishments to continue using polystyrene foam containers in an emergency.This exception expired on January 1, 2023.This proposed ordinance amendment would provide an objective test to determine whether an unreasonable difficulty exists for a food establishment to find an alternative to polystyrene food containers. Unreasonable difficulty may exist due to supply chain issues or other situations where an alternative to polystyrene containers cannot be secured by the food establishment in finding alternatives to polystyrene containers.The City Manager would be permitted to grant an exemption to compliance with the Polystyrene Ordinance for a period of not more than one year after a finding of unreasonable difficulty.There was discussion on what objective test meant. A motion to recommend approval was made by Councilor Deane,Seconded by Mallar, no objections; all in favor. It should be noted that Councilor Tremble left the meeting prior to this vote. 3. Order:Amending Liquor License Processing Policy City Clerk Lisa Goodwin provided an overview of this item and shared that the state is trying to reduce paperwork and streamline their processes which created a change to liquor licensing processing.The updated policy would grant permission to the City Clerk to sign electronically for the licenses on behalf z ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR of Council, however, should there be an issue or dept. objection to issuing a license,that would come before Council. Councilor Deane made a motion to recommend approval,seconded by Councilor Beck, no objection;all in favor. 4. Order:Amending Policy for Naming of City Owned Properties ACM O'Donnell provided a summary of the changes including a land acknowledgment, updated process for including opportunity for recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (ACREIHR) and more.The Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, Liana Fellis and Katie Brydon, were present and shared a few thoughts on their recommendation. Councilor eeck made a motion to recommend approval, Councilor Deane seconded, no objections;all in favor. 5. MRC Board Member Vote ACM O'Donnell put forth Public Works Director Aaron Huotari's name for the City's vote to serve on the Executive Board for the MRC. He has been serving since 2021 and represents Bangor's interest. Councilor Beck made a motion to approve a vote for Aaron Huotari,seconded by Councilor Deane—all in favor. 6. Cleveland Street Encampment Closure Update City Manager Debbie Laurie reviewed the memo provided in the packet regarding efforts to help facilitate the closure and those living in the encampment. She stated that some have gone to shelters, city staff is working with some landlords to help streamline housing options, others have been housed or relocated. She shared there is a struggle with new folks showing up. Shelters are willing to relook at individuals who may have been previously banned. Medical outreach is PCHC and family planning has a large van to provide a clinic setting to individuals.There is a focus to keep an eye on what research shows, increase in OD or other issues, and talking with partners on how to implemented the 19 strategies. Everyone is making sure the individuals have resources including a safe place to store their belongings, resources list, naloxone, etc. Debbie reached out to Penquis regarding an update on the Pine Tree Inn and they've stated the end of the year but that is not certain.There was discussion about number of folks cooperating, Councilor Beck expressed concern with the Dec. 31 deadline.There was more discussion on this and the work being done being positive but concern closing it could hinder that progress. Some Councilors advocated to stick with the deadline. Concern about other encampments popping up was also expressed. No action was taken. j ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR 7. Resolve:Accepting and Appropriating$350,000 Maine State Housing Authority Long-term Solutions to Assisting People Experiencing Homelessness Grant CM Laurie provided an overview of this and reminded everyone that in Sept. 2024, City Council authorized application for this.This funding would allow the City to hire two positions, a housing navigator and stabilization position. Getting folks housing isn't always great, landlords need a point of contact. Basic furnishings, etc. moving services, would be included and would allow the outreach workers to do their work rather than help with those things. Councilor Deane made a motion to recommend approval,seconded by Councilor Beck,no objections; all in favor. 8. DHHS Proposed Rule Change Emergency Shelter Maximums Last week, DHHS scheduled a public hearing to implement a rule that would create a cap in the amount of General Assistance that could be provided to a shelter, particularly impacting family shelters.They are accepting comments and City Manager Laurie wanted to see if there is approval of the committee for her to express concern and submit opposition to that one piece. Councilor eeck made a motion to approve,seconded by Councilor Deane, no objection, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:56pm. 4