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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-11 08-095 RESOLVEItem No, 08 095 Data: 2-11-08 Item/Subject: RESOWE, Supporting Penobscot Comms Grant Application to the State Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Laval and Regional Services Responsible Department: Executive Commentary: For same lime, the Chamber of Commerce and its subcommittee on Regional Collaboration have been explodrg opportunities for munidpal cooperation. Waking win munidpal leaders in seven greater Bangor area communities, the subcommittee identified several areas where regional collaboration Initially appears feasible. The Chamber then approached Penobscot County to determine if they would be interested in submitting a gram proposal to the State to further explore this posslNlRy and to develop such regional services. The underlying concept is that the County would provide certain Identified services on a voluntary contract basis. The grant proposal would fund developing the model that would be used for providing the contracted services. The attached Resolve has been prepared for all seven communities to endorse, indicating their support for the grant application and willingness to continue to work together in this endeavor. The Government Operations Committee heard a detailed presentation from the Cramber at Its January 29' meeting, and voted unanimously W recommend approval of the Resolve to the City Coundl. Department Head Manaws Comments: Recommend approval. .A f �R�� Ory Manager Associated Information: Resolve, Background Memo and Information Oudget Approval: / Tl/!/ nal a Director Legal Approval CRV Sollcitar Introduced for X Passage First Reading Page _ of _ Referral W Assigned to pomcilor xneelez CITY OF BANGOR A 095 February Il. 2008 (TITLE.) RESOLVE, Supporting Penobscot Countys Grant Application to the State Fund for the Efident Delivery of Local and Regional Services WHEREAS, the City of Bangor (hereinafter "Cty") acknowledges Me benefits of collaborating with Penobscot County and other municipalities along the Penobscot Corridor W provide certain services on a regional basis; and WHEREAS, Penobscot County has agreed W submit a grant application M the State Fund for the Efficient Delivery Of Local and Regional Services to explore the feasibility of and develop such regional services, and WHEREAS, Penobscot County has agreed to manage and implement the grant; and WHEREAS, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce supports this effort and has been actively engaged in facilitating submission of this grant application; and WHEREAS, the grant presents a unique Opportunity M the Cly, other munidpalibes in the Penobscot Corti and Penobscot County to craft an effective and practical model for regional collaboration designed to reduce property taxes; and WHEREAS, won a model could be utilized throughout the State of Maine by other governmental entities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE 1T RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CCIY OF BANGOR THAT: 1. The City will support and cooperate with Penobscot Countys application to the State of Maine for Me Penobscot Corridor Grant for purposes of obtaining funds from the Elfide t Delivery of Local and Regional Services for the fiscal year 2008; 2. The City will work with the members of the Penobscot CoMdor, so H+ Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Henson, Old Town, Orono, and Veazie, in implementing the grant; 3. The City will review and consider Participating in a contract for services to be offered by Penobscot County, beginning on or around September 1 of 2008, that may include Animal Control, Assessment, General Assistance, and/or Street Painting; and 4. The City will participate in the review process of the implementation of the grant and former colWboration where evidence suggests R is in the benefit of the City to do w. IN CITY CBBBCn February 11, 2008 Motion Made and Seconded for'. Passage Deoid Cesavavt of the Beogor 4Temher of Commerce urged C Cil Support Of Chfs grower pplleation .Yes d A 011J 95 rryr�� Supporting penboscaC Cmwty's Grmx p at oe to Me ee Pnud-far Ile gfflelet Delivery of lod cal en Regional e 08 09" Memorandum To: Chair and Members of the Govemmart Operations; Committee From: Robes[ W. Farrar, Assistant City Manager Subject: Resolve, Penobscot County Granth Application Date: January 25, 2008 F some time, the Chamber of Commerce and Its subs lttee an Regbnl Collaboration have been exploring Opportunities far municipal/county, collaborator. The subcommittee, headed by David CasavaM, Associate Chief Academic Officer at Musson College, identified four potential areas (Assessing, Genal Assistance, Animal Control and Road Striping) in conjunction with local municipal leaders where regional collaboration appeared feasible. The Chamber then approached Penobscot County Officials W calamine whether the County would be willing M submit a grant to the Stam W further explore this possibility and M develop such regional services. If successful, the County would mange and Implement the grant, which Is proposed at $75,000. At the momeru4 participating communities include: Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Hemgn, OM Town, Orono, and Vile. In order to submit Me Grant, all parttlpams have been asked to support the scathed Resolve. Should Me County be successful In obtaining the Gant, participating communities would be required W participate in the on-going study to determine whether collaboration was in act feasible, and W consider participating in a contact for services from the County in those ideMlfied areas, when and M offered. David Casavant and others associated with this project will be In attendants Tuesday evening to provide additional details on this effort. If approved by the Committee, the Resolve would proceed to full Council for consideration on February le. The Gant submission deadline is February 15°. Should Mere by any question in the interim, please feel free to contact mat at your convenience. N ser 095 Penobscot River Corridor Regional Cooperation Initiative Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce What is the Chamber Initiative About? The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce is inviting participation in an effort to Promote regional cooperation of municipalities along the Penobscot River Corridor, The Chamber intends In fncilitam such corporation by providing the support necessmy, to apply for a good from the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Local and Regional Services. Because the applicmd most be a governmental or quasi govemmemol organization, the Chamber's role is that of facilimior. As such, we seek you more in helping m shape the grant and the regional cooperation effort associated with it What could the grant proposal look like? One aspect of the grant could be to obtain funding to perform a cosWengh analysis of moonahm onmtbi Penobsert River Corridorregion. Thissiadywouldbemodeledon the gaol application and content project underway in the Lewiston/Arbon mea Such study could help to resolve many questions regarding whether regurgitation annually results in cost savings. The other aspect of the gam derives from the need m demonstrate potential savings in ordermattamfimdmg. Based onmeetings at the Chamber and conversetirre with various individuals within and outside ofmunicipal government, a warrant for services model involving Penobscot County has emerged. According to this model, municipal governments could contract with Penobscut County fm a variety of services that could include the mllowing: 1) Assessment 2) Animal Control 3) Health and Welfare 4) General Assistance 5) Permitting and inspectionfor building, electrical, Plumbing, and heating (Code Enforcement) t) Vital Statistics and Passports .n Street Painting 8) Perks and Recreation 9) Regional Enterprise 10)Open Space Osage (Trust for Public Lands) t l) Ecommic Development 12) Sanitation hrspecfion 13)Libmries 14)'Im Collection Once again, the Chamber seeks you advice andperspective on this model. What would we need from you? The grant application most demonstrate cost savings associated with regional cooperation. Ofthe points awarded for the gmay X are based on property tax relief. The proposal of this stage identifies six municipalities as possible participants in the grant. l isced alphabetically, they are: Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Hermon, Old Town, Oman, and Veaae. What is needed is to be able to predict savings, indicate how the savings was calculated, to what extent the savings will reduce the overall municipal bodge[, and how much ofthe savings will be applied to lower property taxes. What benefits could be attained firm this model? 1) Cost Savings: There is the possibility that this model could provide wall savings through greeter efficiency in the delivery of services. 2) Improving Qualttyof Services: BywnsolidatmgeffmtythevariousposiGom needed to provide these services could become sufficiently substantive w that the individuals would develop the necessary level of expertise to respond to ever increasing complexities. 3) (3ecemk Employment Opportunities(Notjob loss): If the services are done well, more municipalities could seek these services creating increased demand which could guesto greater employment opportunities. - 4) Additional Servicesfor More Communities: The model couldpmvide affordable seMmsi we unitiestha &wt._ .ybave Wemresu ginabmader mage of services to Maine citizens within the region. 5) Reduced Scene on Municipalities: The services identified above oflen¢eate umecessary stress for municipal governments. The services could be provided in a costeffwtivefashion one contra basis with the County. Thiscouldalso potentially refieve Ne stress on certain service centers. 6) Proactive Effmt at Reducing Property Taxes: From TABOR,PaIwky,aadJ School AdmioistreIlve Consolidation, municipalities aro under greet stress w reduce tax burdens. This effort mould provide demomtmble efkrtsofregionalcollsbors[ion withoutbudensomecostorpofiticalrestructur & Thisisasimplecen4actfor service model using the existing s[metum of the County. We look forward to working with you to shape this undertaking. Thank you very much for your willingness to participate.