Office of the Council Clerk Regular Council Meeting
City of Gardiner, Maine Thursday, March 6, 2003
7:00 PM Regular Session
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ALLGIENCE TO THE FLAG
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rines at 7:10 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Those present were:
Jean Dellert, At-Large Jo-Ellen Staples, At-Large
Dennis Doiron, At-Large Jeffrey Kobrock, City Manager
Steve Hanley, At-Large Molly Gallant, Council Clerk
Phil Hart, At-Large
Councilors Staples and Thomas excused, Councilor Webster absent
3. PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS & PUBLIC HEARINGS.
3.1 Consideration of Comments from the Public on Issues that Do
Not Appear Elsewhere on the Agenda (Please limit comments to
five minutes.)
Griffin Street residents spoke to the Council about arranging a meeting to talk about the truck traffic. Mayor Rines told the residents that they would be contacted with an appointment soon.
Councilor Webster present.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 Consideration of Accepting February Warrants
#32 2/06/03 024613-024714 $ 190486.55
#33 2/14/03 024715-024784 $ 90179.85
#34 2/20/03 024785-024811 $ 272793.53
Mayor Rines asked if there were any objections to adding agenda items, there were none.
1.2 Consideration of Appointment of Ron Gay as Trustee to the Quimby Field Trust.
1.3 Consideration of Appointment of Matt Noyes to the Website Review Committee.
Motion by Councilor Dellert and seconded by Councilor Webster to accept Consent Agenda Item 1.1 and Addendum Agenda Items 1.2 and 1.3.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Discussion of City Manager’s Recommendations for Public Safety
Administrative Structure.
Council discussion about the details and formalize current interim structure for Public Safety Administrative Structure. There will be two phases, Stage One will have the job description in the Council packet, Stage Two will be to discuss the new position with the bargaining units, making sure everyone has the same ideas as to how the position should be. The Council directed the City Manager to proceed to talk with the union.
5.2 Consideration of Requesting National Guard Assistance.
Doug Crawford American Legion spoke to the Council about having a POW MIA Remembrance Park at the American Legion. Council approval is needed before the National Guard will come to assist. The City Manager was asked to write a Resolution for Council signature.
5.3 Consideration of Approving Economic Development Committee
Recommendation for Loans to Kennebec Brewing Company, & Black
Diamond Consultants.
Motion by Councilor Hanley and seconded by Councilor Dellert to approve Economic Development Committee Recommendation for a Loan to Kennebec Brewing Company.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
Motion by Councilor Hanley and seconded by Councilor Dellert to approve Economic Development Committee Recommendation for a Loan to Black Diamond Consultants.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
Mayor Rines asked if there were any objections to adding an Addendum Item, there
were none.
1.1 Consideration of Local Permitting for MDOT I 95 Project.
The Council agreed to sign the necessary documents.
7. CITY MANAGERS REPORT
Manager Kobrock stated that the Council received a Board of Trade invitation, if the Council is interested in attending let Molly know.
At the next Council meeting the Council has scheduled at Joint Meeting with the Water District at 7:00 p.m., at the Gardiner Savings Board Room, there is also Executive Session business concerning union negotiations, both will be done that evening. Mayor Rines suggested the Executive Session be at 6:30, and the Joint Meeting at 7:30 instead.
Mayor Rines stated at this time, that the School Board meeting scheduled for the 20th will be in the High School Library, and then the Council will go down the hall into the studio room.
Manager Kobrock stated that budget development has started about a month ago, the department heads have given there requests, there will be another month to put requests into the budget, with a couple of more weeks work before the Council will receive on May 1st.
Manager Kobrock has been called to Jury Duty for April 14th, so he may be out of the office more than normal for a couple of weeks.
City of Gardiner has purchased a new phone system, with many new features, Manager Kobrock stated that the bugs are being worked out. Councilor Dellert asked if there was an increased cost with the system, Manager Kobrock stated that it was paid by reconfiguring the existing service.
Pat Gilbert, Jim Toman and Mark Kimball recently went to a meeting concerning snow pack and flood conditions. Mark Kimball stated that the major concern is thickness of the ice, and the weather conditions. The ice breaker is scheduled to come up on the 10th.
The flood list has been updated, and the downtown business will be kept updated.
In December Manager Kobrock finished his last class in his master program, but has since found out that he still has one more requirement, the class in on Wednesday afternoons, during working hours, and he is using vacation time.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilor Webster stated that he attended the waterfront meeting and found it very interesting, Buddy Doyle has made a proposal for an amphitheater, a very interesting idea.
Councilor Dellert thanked Molly for the phone list. Councilor Dellert stated that the death of Tracy Coutts was a great loss to Gardiner. Also remarked that the drain on Plummer Street is sinking deeper into the road, Pat Gilbert stated that it would be fixed soon.
Councilor Doiron remarked about the letterhead and asked if there has been any progress, Manager Kobrock stated that it has been discussed. Councilor Doiron also stated that the letter in the paper about the school board from Mayor Rines was good and set the right tone. Councilor Doiron asked how Anne Davis is recovering? Manager Kobrock stated that she is recovering well and will return soon.
Councilor Hart asked if the Council packets will be available to download, Manager Kobrock stated that there were a lot of problems with other council members, but a new method is needed. Councilor Hart stated that he didn’t want it to be forgotten.
The Council asked at this point if the budget could be on the webpage or a disc.
Mayor Rines stated that he meets monthly with the chairman of the school board and he told her this week that the Council would like to see no increase from the school board this year. There was a letter circulating this evening to the Congress that is a thank you for what they have done for the City of Gardiner and please not to forget us in the future. Mayor Rines is working with Scott at the library about arranging a couple of evening meetings on Tuesdays to talk about world or city events.
There was discussion about meeting with Griffin Street residents to discuss truck traffic after the March 20th meeting at 8:45 p.m.
9. RECESSED TO WORKSHOP – E911 Implementation
Recessed to workshop at 8:30 p.m.
Motion by Councilor Hanley and seconded by Councilor Webster to go into Executive Session at 9:15
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
1.4 EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (C)
Economic Development
Out of session at 9:30
The City manager and the Economic Development Director were directed to proceed as instructed.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rines adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.
Respectfullly submitted,
Molly M. Gallant
Council Clerk
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