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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-23 Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee Minutes Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee Minutes for the Wednesday July 23, 2025 Meeting 6:OOp I Council Chambers Members Present: Councilor Susan Hawes, Chair, Scott Knowles, Shelly Yankowsky, Scott Pardy, Jayson Hunt, Alison Small, Bangor Police Chief Mark Hathaway, Bangor Prevention Program Manager Jamie Comstock Members Not Present: Lisa Williams 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 Discussion of settlement payment schedule funds already received • The City Manager navigated to the following website to discuss Bangor's schedule of payments: Office of the Maine AG: Opioids: Settlement Payments • The Committee heard that through 2024, the City of Bangor has received roughly$1M in settlement funds and that roughly$100,000 has been spent by the city to date for needle clean-up services. • The Committee heard that for the remaining payments (2025-2028) the payment schedule is relatively flat and that in total approximately $3.5M will be received. • Jennah Godo from the MOSS Center confirmed that these are estimated payment amounts for future years but there aren't expected to be large variations. She also noted that there are additional lawsuits that could result in additional payments. Review of recommendation to use funds for case management services • Committee Member Hunt introduced the draft recommendation to fund an intensive case management program for two years including the need for intensive case management due to the current Penobscot County HIV outbreak, the scope of work and outcome goals. o Committee Member Pardy asked whether after two years, funding the program would shift to property taxpayers. Committee Member Hunt confirmed that the intent would be to self-fund the program after two years by billing for services, largely through Medicaid. o Committee Member Pardy inquired of other possible funding sources and whether the estimated costs could be reduced. Committee Member Hunt clarified that intensive case management services is a space where there is a funding gap and we would be filling this need. Committee Member Comstock noted that the estimated cost produced by Bangor Public Health & Community Services is based on evidence and prior experience administering these types of programs. • Committee Member Yankowsky expressed concern that this program would assist so few people because its focus is on those impacted by the Penobscot County HIV outbreak. But the Committee also discussed collectively that the number of cases is likely higher and that the negative impact of an HIV diagnosis extends far beyond the individual that has tested positive. • Committee Member Pardy felt that if BPH&CS received this money, no additional money from the settlement should be used to fund City-led programs. o Committee Comstock expressed concern that excluding BPH&CS preemptively would be short-sighted and that other needed programming may be best offered by the City. • City Manager Lear asked the Committee to discuss the two funding options and to consider recommending one over the other. o Following Committee discussions, the Committee felt that we should set the program up for success and fund the slightly more expensive option. • Committee Member Pardy motioned to send the recommendation to Council and Committee Member Knowles seconded. The recommendation was approved unanimously (8-0, with one Member absent). • The Committee then discussed timing and the desire to have Council consider this recommendation as soon as possible due to the urgent need. Discussion of next steps • Committee Member Knowles noted another potential urgent need for funding within the Community. Member Knowles emphasized how important the Together Place was to him personally as well as the larger recovery community. • Committee Member Hunt suggested that we invite the Together Place to our next meeting and the Committee agreed to extend the invitation. • The Committee also discussed the use of an RFP process for the remainder of the funding, the need to hear from stakeholders through listening sessions and presentations from other groups. o The Committee will target public and stakeholder input sessions towards the end of August. o Jennah Godo from the MOSS Center noted that her organization provides templates for RFPs. Meeting Schedule • When the City returns to City Hall at 73 Harlow Street, our current meeting cadence will conflict with the School Board meeting. • The Committee decided to meet at our normally scheduled date and time for the next meeting and to discuss the schedule again at our next meeting. Closing • Next meeting Wednesday, August 6, at 6 p.m.