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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-21 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee st Tuesday, February 21, 2017 MINUTES Councilor Nichols opened the meeting at 5:15 PM. Regular Agenda 1.Discussion of Public Health & Community Services Department’s proposed Procedure for Sub recipientAgreements Patty Hamilton explained that the State had taken grants and the Healthy Maine Partnerships and consolidated them into Districts. Bangor’s District is Penquis. The District has a lead fiscal agent. The City Council previously approved the City to serve, as the lead fiscal agent; therefore, the City is responsible for delivering the funds within the providers in the Penquis District. The auditor commented during a recent fiscal audit of the City that the City of Bangor should tighten up its procedures as it applies to dispersing funds. In the past, the City had just served as a pass through for the funds with little control over the results of the services provided by the sub-recipients. Now sub-recipients will be required to demonstrate that have met the goals and deliverables of the grant and provide timely reports to the City as the fiscal agent, which demonstrate that they have accomplished what they indicated would be accomplished with the funds. Councilor Sprague moved staff recommendation. Councilor Graham asked for confirmation of who is on the committee. Councilor Nichols asked Council Perry and Councilor Graham to fill in. Councilor Graham thanked staff for the update. Councilor Graham asked if this issue was brought to their attention as part of a self-audit. Patty Hamilton and Debbie Cyr noted that it was comments made by the auditor as part of the City of Bangor’s Annual Audit. Overall, this process will help tighten things up. Legislative Update from City Clerk, LisaGoodwin. 2. Lisa Goodwin, CityClerk, explained her concerns regarding proposed bill LD 440. This bill essentially would require the City Clerk to expand absentee balloting to include certain residents in Independent Living Facilities. It also indicates that the time for notification is 30 days. Concerns with LD 440 Noted; Unfunded Mandate Independent Living Facility is not defined and is not required to be licensed by the state Senior Citizen is not defined 30 days is not sufficient time for planning. Lisa indicated that the Maine Town and City Clerk’s Association is taking the position neither for nor against. Lisa is asking for direction from the Government Operations Committee on the City’s position on the bill. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2017. Councilor Sprague indicated that the City could take a neither for nor against position but still speak to the concerns and key issues associated with the bill. Councilor Graham echoed Councilor Sprague’s but also mentioned concerns about awareness of issues among those groups that would be served and helping ensure enough time for information and assistance. Councilor Perry noted that it is another unfunded mandate. Lisa Goodwin described the amount of time the Clerk’s office has to spend under current law and noted this will add to that time hence additional resources will be needed to comply with the law, if passed. Councilor Nichols agreed with Councilor Sprague and Councilor Perry that the City Clerk should speak to the parts that need to be addressed but take a neither for nor against position. Consensus of the Committee was to take a neither for nor against position but speak to the concerns raised by the City Clerk.