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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-02 Government Operations Committee Minutes GovOps ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr;
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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