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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-25 Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee Minutes Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee Minutes for the Wednesday June 25, 2025 Meeting 6:OOp I Council Chambers Members Present: Councilor Susan Hawes, Chair, Scott Knowles, Lisa Williams, Shelly Yankowsky, Scott Pardy,Jayson Hunt, Bangor Police Chief Mark Hathaway, Bangor Prevention Program Manager Jamie Comstock Members Not Present: Alison Small City of Bangor staff and guests present: Carollynn Lear, City Manager; Jennah Godo, Maine Opioid Settlement Support Center Call to Order Call to order at 6:OOpm Introduction of advisory committee members, city staff, and guest presenters Overview of the Purpose and Scope of the Committee (CO 25-147) • The Committee is directed to advise the Council on the best use of settlement money through a process that is: (1) transparent, (2)fair, and (3) equitable. • The Committee should wrap up its work by 12/31/2025. • Agreement was reached to meet every other week. • Each member shared their ideas as a starting point for discussion: o Member Pardy discussed safe injection sites. o Member Yankowsky noted Narcan to save lives. o Member Hunt emphasized the importance of intensive case management and also raised the connection to the current HIV crisis. o Member Comstock highlighted that the committee should weigh a smaller number of high impact projects instead of spreading the money too thinly. o Member Williams recommended leveraging existing strengths in the community to expedite the impact of this funding. o Chief Hathaway raised that this is one time money that might be best used to benefit those in the community who are already doing good work but struggling with funding. o Various members of the committee also raised and discussed a Bangor-owned shelter system, evaluating what other cities are doing, the importance of having treatment services close to home to maintain family connections, and the possibility of mirroring existing grant processes. Presentation and Q&A— Maine Opioid Settlement Support (MOSS Center)—Jennah Godo • The Committee heard a presentation from Jennah Godo from the Maine Opioid Settlement Support (MOSS) Center. o As a result of that conversation, the MOSS Center will send a number of follow- up materials to the Committee to assist with their work including more information about how much money the City will receive and the timing of receipt. o City Manager Carollynn Lear will come to the next meeting prepared to discuss the City's ARPA process and a high-level discussion of the parameters for using opioid settlement funds. Closing • Next meeting Wednesday, July 9, at 6 p.m.