HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-11 09-159 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. v 9 159
Date: 5-11-2009
Item/Subject: Order, Establishing the Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel
Responsible Department: Legal
Commentary:
Stakeholders have been working with the City on water quality issues in the Penjajawoc Stream
watershed for over a year, most notably by commenting on the Penjajawoc Watershed
Management Plan. While stakeholder meetings have proven productive, both stakeholders and
City staff believe more consistent stakeholder participation could prove valuable in implementing
the Penjajawoc Watershed Management Plan.
The Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel would be a vehicle for providing input and
feedback to the City Council and City staff regarding stormwater issues affecting the Penjajawoc
Watershed. The Panel is intended to facilitate communication among stakeholders and between
stakeholders and the City, as well as to promote public understanding of stormwater issues.
A draft charter for the Panel is attached. If approved, another Order will be necessary once the
Council has selected the members of the CRP.
The Infrastructure Committee has reviewed the charter and recommends approval.
Manager's Comments:
Associated Information: a
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
X Passage
First Reading
Referral
Department Head
ManagerWE
City
Finance Director
Page _ of _
ity Solicitor
Assigned to Councilor gLANCHETTE
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) ORDER, Establishing the Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel
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MAY 1 1 2009
WHEREAS, the Penjajawoc Stream is listed as an urban impaired stream by the Maine
Department of Environmental Protection; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor is working with stakeholders to improve the water quality within
the Penjajawoc Stream by developing a watershed management plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes it will be beneficial to have a working group of
stakeholders to provide input, facilitate communication, and promote public
understanding regarding stormwater issues in the Penjajawoc watershed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
THAT
In accordance with Chapter 9, Article I, Section 9-9 of the Code of the City of Bangor, there is
hereby established a special committee, which shall be called the Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen
Review Panel. The purpose, responsibilities, procedures, and other terms governing the
Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel shall be as set forth in the charter attached to this
Order.
IN CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2009
Motion Made and Seconded
for Y�ssage
Pasge(d
CITY CLERK
.* 09-159
ORDER
(TITLE ESTABLISHING THE PENJAJAWOC
WATERSHED CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL
Assigned to Couadlor__
PEN]AJAWOC WATERSHED CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL
April 30, 2009
Purpose
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The Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel (CRP) is intended to provide
consistent stakeholder participation into future refinements of the Penjajawoc
Stream Watershed Management Plan (hereinafter referred to as the Plan),
provide review and suggestions to the Bangor City Council and City staff on
adaptive management efforts under the Plan, review and discuss the
implementation of associated action plans, facilitate communication and
agreement, and generally to promote public understanding.
Mission
The mission of the CRP is to assist the City of Bangor in working to
implement the Plan and achieve Class B water quality standards in the
Penjajawoc Stream in a manner which balances environmental stewardship
with a healthy economy through an open process of dialogue and citizen. As
a group representing various interests in Bangor and the Penjajawoc
watershed, the CRP will allow for the presentation of a range of ideas and
perspectives while providing for an efficient consultation process.
Responsibilities
1. Review and discuss the implementation of the Plan.
2. Provide advice and comment to the City Council and City staff on the
ongoing refinement of the watershed management plan.
3. Examine data regarding the impact of Best Management Practices on
stream water quality.
4. Review and comment on proposed adaptive management changes to the
Plan.
5. Assist in efforts to educate City residents, property owners within the
watershed, and other interested parties on water quality issues and
efforts.
6. Provide support for development and adoption of means to fund the
implementation of the Plan, such as a utility district.
Membership
1. The CRP will be made up of 12 members. Members will be appointed for
three-year terms by the City Council based on nominations from the
public, interested organizations, individual Councilors and City staff.
Preference shall be given to those who reside in Bangor, those with an
economic interest in the City, and those with an interest in the Penjajawoc
watershed. Members will represent the following interests in the following
numbers:
3 — Environmental organizations.
3 — Owners or managers of commercial property within the watershed.
2 — Owners of non-commercial property within the watershed.
1— Nonprofit organizations owning property within the watershed and not
otherwise represented.
3 — At -large citizen members.
2. Replacements or openings resulting from resignations shall be filled by the
City Council.
3. A representative of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
and a member of the Mall Marsh Commission will be invited to attend
each meeting. The CRP may also invite people with strong scientific
backgrounds in relevant fields and the ability to effectively communicate
scientific and technical data to attend meetings and provide technical
support.
Procedures
1. The CRP shall meet at least quarterly. Regular meetings shall be
scheduled for the year at the beginning of each calendar year. Special
meetings may be called by the Chair.
2. Prior to December 31 of each calendar year beginning in 2009, the CRP
shall prepare an annual report outlining its activities during the preceding
twelve-month period (or fraction thereof for calendar year 2009) and the
efforts made towards implementing the Plan and the results of those
efforts. This report shall be provided to the Bangor City Council, the
Maine Department of Environmental Protection, citizens who have
expressed an interest in receiving such information, and the general public
through posting on the City's web site. The CRP shall also meet jointly
with the Infrastructure Committee of the City Council at least three times
in 2010 and at least two times every other calendar year, including 2009,
in order to provide an update to that Committee.
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3. The City Council shall select a chair and vice -chair from among the
members of the CRP.
4. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the CRP.
5. Meeting notices and agendas shall be publicly posted and distributed in
accordance with the public meeting procedures of the City of Bangor.
6. An opportunity for public comment will be provided at each meeting.
7. If a member is unable to attend a meeting, the member shall, whenever
possible, notify the Chair and City Staff assigned to the CRP. If any
member misses three consecutive meetings, the Chair will notify the
Chairperson of the City Council and the member will be replaced by the
City Council.
8. A member will notify the Chair if he/she must vacate his/her position.
Where a vacancy occurs, the position will be filled by the City Council.
9. Feedback, comments, and any recommendations by the CRP shall be
noted in meeting minutes, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the City
Manager. If the CRP does not reach consensus, the minutes shall reflect
the opinion of the majority (if any) and the opinion of each minority.
10. The CRP shall remain in existence for a term of three years, ending
January 1, 2012. At that time, the CRP shall make a recommendation as
to the need for its continued existence to the City Council.
Staff Support
Staff support shall be provided by the City of Bangor as assigned by its City
Manager. Assigned City staff shall:
1. Provide technical support and information to the CRP.
2. Prepare agendas in coordination with the Chair and ensure that they are
posted and distributed in accordance with normal City procedures.
3. Ensure that minutes are taken and distributed to the members.
4. Place on the agenda for the next meeting any item requested at least 1
week in advance, space permitting.
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5. Provide other administrative support as needed.
Communications & Transfer of Information
1. Minutes, status updates, and important project information will be posted
to the City's website to a special section reserved for such information.
The website shall also include a section in which the public may post
comments.
2. CRP members shall notify City staff of any agencies, organizations,
interest groups, or individuals who have expressed an interest in receiving
notices and minutes of CRP meetings. City staff shall provide such notices
and minutes to those interested.
3. City staff shall keep the Department of Environmental Protection informed
by forwarding them agendas and minutes and by providing them with
opportunities to comment.