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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-05 Government Operations Committee Minutes Gov Ops Government Operations Committee Minutes Monday, May 5,2025 Committee Members Present: S. Hawes,S. Deane,W. Mallar, M. Beck Absent: D.Tremble Non-Committee Councilors Present: R. Fournier, C. Pelletier, C. Fish,J. Leonard Staff: C. O'Donnell,T. Willette,J. Gunderman, D. Laurie, D. Szewczyk.A. Collette Opened at 5:15 pm. Meeting adjourned at 6:02 pm 1. Referral:Accepting and Appropriating$75,000 in Funds from the Maine Community Resilience Partnership Program for Municipal Building Energy Audits and Bicycle Infrastructure Staff reviewed purpose of the grant to include energy audit of 5 city buildings, balance would be utilized for bicycle parking and storage. Item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council. 2. Order:Accepting a Bench Donation for Bangor Municipal Golf Course from the Family of Bill Masters Staff reviewed a request from the family of Bill Masters to accept a bench donation for placement on the Golf Course. This item was reviewed and recommended for consideration by the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee. Question was raised do families choose bench type, staff confirmed that the bench is selected to blend with other amenities based on where the bench will be placed. Item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council. 3. Order:Accepting a Bench Donation for the Bangor Waterfront from the Family of Elliana Campbell Staff reviewed a request from the family of Elliana Campbell to accept a bench donation for placement on the Waterfront. This item was reviewed and recommended for consideration by the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee. Item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council. 4. Order: Naming the Section of Trail from Sylvan Road to Stillwater Avenue Talbot Trail Staff reviewed the Order to authorize the naming of a section of trail currently known as Trail 5, in honor of Gerald Talbot. This item was reviewed and recommended for consideration by the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee. The item will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Human Rights and Inclusion as required by the City Owned Property Naming Policy, barring any objections,the item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council. 5. Order:Authorizing the Creation of a Dedicated Fund for Mansfield Stadium Staff reviewed the previous arrangement with Bangor West Little League,whereby the group operated the stadium and collected fees and concessions to be utilized for improvements at the facility. This Order would establish a dedicated account to accumulate said funds moving forward and it would accept a donation of the existing balance of funds. Item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council. 6. Proposed Legislative Testimony: LD 104& LD 1847 Staff reviewed cannabis policy protection related to those that use for medical purposes and youth. We are one of only states without certain testing, public education and to clarify packaging for safety of households. No objections were noted, staff will submit testimony that was included as part of the Committee packet. 7. Public Health Update Staff provided updates: • Influenza is waning,which is a good sign. • HIV Cluster, as of last Thursday we are at 24 cases. Working with community partners trying to address all levels of treatment,testing and support services. Challenge being those must impacted have multiple barriers. With the relocation of Wabanaki,folks will have increased access to safe supplies, providing incentives to treatment, looking to minimize barriers to treatment, all with a goal of viral suppression. Within the community now providing injectable medications. Further housing,stability and building relationships and reduce stigma. Look to others for best practice and we continue to evolve. • Wabanaki relocation allows for an opportunity to consider a one-stop shop, based on best practices to provide additional services. City is looking to partner with Wabanaki and others to provide services at the new location. • Based on Councilor question,staff spoke to emerging health issues such as avian flu, measles etc. With our Infrastructure grant look for potential to hire infectious disease specialist that will allow us to be more proactive. Councilor raised concerns regarding tick season,staff shared we have existing resources and have applied for additional funds. There are other tick bourne diseases beyond the most commonly known which is Lyme disease. • Vector bourne disease intern who developed educational materials developed for the coming season. • Impacted by federal funding cuts in the amount of$16,000,we were able to adapt. We continue to monitor federal and state activities. • Appreciate feedback on survey and will be back to share information and next steps as we move through the accreditation process. 8. Ordinance:Authorizing Revisions Chapter 99 Disruptive Property In an effort to address resident and Council concerns,the existing Ordinance was reviewed to determine what if any changes should be considered. The current policy applies to residential properties only and identifies 5 specific activities that would meet the criteria as well as timeline. The proposed revisions for the Committee to consider are adding two items to list of disruptive activities, and include additional property types (commercial or unbuilt lots). The additional activities include Police responding to the property where an arrest is made for an infraction and intoxication on public ways within 300' of building. Activities are tied to the property. Police Department finds the existing Ordinance helpful in gaining compliance from property owners,and adds additional specific activities that would allow for enforcement. Item was moved and seconded to recommend passage to City Council.