Government Operations Committee

August 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm

City Council Chambers

AGENDA

1. United We Serve Project – 9-11 @ Park Woods

The Governor’s Office has been in contact with us regarding a Service Project Scheduled for 9-11 at the City’s Park Woods Project and in conjunction with our AmeriCorps volunteers.  The project will be to clean up and restore a park area at Park Woods.  The Governor’s Office is soliciting donations of picnic tables, benches, and other materials for this project. We are asking the Committee to recommend acceptance of any donations of property/materials that will be made to the City.

2. Authorization to Apply for and Accept a Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Maine Emergency Management Agency – Stream Flow Gauges – Penobscot River and Kenduskeag Stream.

Periodically, reverse tidal flooding along the Penobscot River/Kenduskeag Stream causes flooding in our downtown area, primarily near the confluence of the river and stream. The largest recent event occurred in 1976 with lesser events in 2005 and 2007. In recent years, the Caribou office of the National Weather Service has periodically notified us of potential flooding events; however, the accuracy of these forecasts has been limited by lack of data on river and stream flows. This grant is for the installation of gauges in the River and Stream that will allow for more timely and accurate prediction of potential flood events. Each gauge will cost approximately $20,000, with a local share of $5,000. In addition, the City will be responsible for maintaining these gauges once installed. Funding for the local share is available from the downtown tax increment financing district fund.

3. John Bapst High School – Request to Delay Parking Enforcement

Mel MacKay, Head of School at John Bapst, has requested that the City delay its enhanced parking enforcement efforts in the vicinity of the school to allow time to discuss parking issues in the area and to seek solution. See attached letter.

4. Request for Designated Parking at 55 Broadway

Sgt. John Roach of the Police Department has been contacted and has spoken with a representative of Paradigm Properties, L.L.C., owner of the property at 55 Broadway. EMMC has indicated its interest in renting the top two floors of 55 Broadway to open a family practice; however, EMMC has indicated its desire for a greater number of parking spaces than can be accommodated on the property. The owners have requested that the City designate 20 spaces on Broadway as permit spaces. See attached letter.

5. Discussion with Chief Gastia – Recent Incidents