Government Operations Committee

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

City Council Chambers

AGENDA

1. Quarterly Update with Bangor Water District Trustees and Staff

· Introduction of Trustees and Staff

· Thomas Hill Standpipe Designation as a State Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

· LT2 Variance

· Conceptual Study

· Forest Management Activities

· Annual Watershed Inspection

· Invitation to Tour Water Supply and Treatment Facilities

· Committee Comments/Questions

2. Citizen Request to Consider Banning Cellular Telephone Use While Driving Motor Vehicles

A Bangor resident wishes to discuss his request that the City enact an Ordinance to ban the use of cellular telephone by persons driving motor vehicles. A memorandum and related information is attached. Representatives from the Legal and Police Departments will be present to participate in the discussion.

3. Authorization to Accept Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Funding for Police Overtime Costs at Bangor International Airport

The Police Department has recently been notified that it is eligible to receive $32,838.13 from MEMA to assist with overtime costs at BIA when the threat level is at Code Orange or Red. MEMA has requested that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be signed by the City indicating our acceptance of the funds for this purpose. A copy of the document is attached and Chief Gastia will be present to answer any questions.

4. Use of Snowmobiles on Certain Trails Crossing City Parks

Annually, the Paul Bunyan Snowmobile Club requests the use of certain trails which cross City park property. When this year’s request came forward, it was determined that the current ordinance relating to the operation of vehicles in parks did not allow for this practice. In order to accommodate this longstanding practice and request, staff has developed language that would amend the current ordinance.

Please see attached memorandum from Parks and Recreation Director Willette for further detail. Tracy will be present to discuss the proposed change.

5. Agreement for Use of Private Property in Hampden for Bus Turnaround

BAT Community Connector serves a portion of Rt. 1A heading westerly out of Hampden. At the end of that route, the bus must turn around and proceed back into Hampden. While the owner of the property where the bus turns around is not opposed to BAT using her property, she did ask for a formal agreement with the City outlining the terms and conditions related to our use of it. The proposed agreement is attached and Norm Heitmann and Joe McNeil will be present to answer any questions.

6. Local and Statewide Capital Funding Needs – Public Transit Programs

Funding for public transit capital purchases (buses) continues to be a challenge for both the State and local transit providers. Recently, a coalition including public transit providers statewide and the MDOT has been formed with the goal to underscore the importance of public transit, to address the condition of transit buses and to outline the need for increased funding to replace and procure buses. The effort is being lead by the Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee, and we wanted to update the Committee on this effort and our participation, as one of the largest transit providers in the State. Joe McNeil, BAT Superintendent will be present to provide an update and answer questions. A copy of an earlier letter to DOT Commissioner Cole from City Manager Barrett outlining some of these concerns is attached for background purposes.