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
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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.