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Home My WebLink About2025-03-03 Government Operations Committee Minutes ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR Government Operations Committee Monday, March 3, 2025 Minutes Committee Members Present: S. Hawes (Committee Chair), M. Beck, D.Tremble, W. Mallar, S. Deane Non-Committee Members Present: C. Pelletier, C. Fish,J. Leonard (remote) Staff Present: C. O'Donnell, D. Laurie, G. Low,J. Gunderman 1. Bangor Wildfire Risk& Preparedness Discussion Fire Chief Geoffrey Low gave an oral presentation providing a summary of the memo that was provided in the packet. He touched on Fire Dept.training, apparatus and tools, our standard response, and information regarding Maine wildfires specifically, as well as what citizens could do to protect themselves. He was thanked for the information and Councilor Leonard requested more information specific to floods and wind in the future. 2. Order:Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with Wabanaki Public Health &Wellness for Syringe Waste Disposal Program Public Health & Community Services (P&CS) Director Jen Gunderman provided an overview of this MOU and the history. In summary, HEAL used to perform services related to community syringe waste on behalf of the City. Since they've been unable to continue that work, P&CS worked to identify a community partner with the ability and related services capable of continuing it.That partner is Wabanaki Public Health &Wellness.The period for the MOU is one year. There was discussion about this topic about the funding sources which is opioid funding. Councilor Mallar asked if HEAL had paid back the ARPA funding ($138k)they owed back to the City. City Manager Debbie Laurie replied they had not. Councilor Beck clarified that there would not be any funding returned to the City from HEAL from the MOU they had previously held for syringe waste,to which the answer was no there would not be. It was noted that it was a pilot program with HEAL and we learned a lot and believe this opportunity with Wabanaki is a positive one.This program will be advertised and reporting for syringe waste will remain similar. Councilor Tremble made a motion to recommend the Order to full Council, Councilor eeck seconded;no objections. 3. Public Health Update Director Gunderman provided a comprehensive update on the Public Health &Community Services department and answered questions.Topics included the HIV cluster, Public Health nursing, accreditation,federal policy, MeHAF grant application, infrastructure funding, letters of support, opioid settlement funds, and state working group for harm reduction health centers. Director Gunderman also provided an update on an opportunity to apply for John T. Gorman foundation grant funding. ep.csi`��yF:;r�rr; � c "` CITY oF BANGOR 4. Order:Authorizing an Amendment to the Remote Meeting Policy Assistant City Manager(ACM) Courtney O'Donnell provided an overview of this item. It was recently reviewed and determined to need housekeeping updates such as updating from Facebook Live to YouTube Live and removing the Airport Committee from a list under section A, as the committee was absorbed into the Business& Economic Development Committee. Councilor Leonard advocated for bringing back the Airport Committee and for live streaming on as many platforms as possible. Councilor eeck made a motion to recommend the staff changes to full Council,seconded by Councilor Tremble;no objections. 5. Committee Chair Hawes recognized that ACM O'Donnell had two additional items of business to go before the committee. a. Testimony in Support of LD 487, "Resolve, Directing the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to Apply for Federal Funding for the Purpose of Identifying the Rail Corridor Connector Portland to Orono as an Intercity Passenger Rail Corridor" In the past,the City Council has been in support of supporting studies to expand rail service to our area. Councilor Leonard had previously brought it forward for consideration.There were no objections to Councilor Leonard submitting the testimony on behalf of the City. b. Resolve for the Community Connector and Federal Transit Administration AMC 0'Donnell shared that the FTA is requesting the City Council approve a resolve that authorizes the City Manager(CM)to execute and file applications for federal assistance including foreman program assistance, and to also authorize the CM to execute and file the annual certifications and assurances, and to execute grant and cooperative agreements.This is a similar ask we saw recently for the Community Development Block Grant program. If the committee has no objection, a Resolve will go on the next Council agenda. No objection was raised.