Office of the Council Clerk Regular Council Meeting
City of Gardiner, Maine Thursday, May 1, 2003
7:00 PM Regular Session
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ALLGIENCE TO THE FLAG
In the absence of Mayor Rines, Councilor Webster opened the meeting at 7:07 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Those present were:
Jean Dellert, At-Large Paula Thomas, At-Large
Dennis Doiron, At-Large Mike Webster, At-Large
Steve Hanley, At-Large Jeffrey Kobrock, City Manager
Phil Hart, At-Large Molly Gallant, Council Clerk
Mayor Rines and Councilors Staples 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.)
Mike Coty was present to speak to the Council about his concern as a taxpayer
about the Supervisor of Public Services position.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 Consideration of Accepting April Warrants
#41 4/10/03 025257-025378 $ 341439.14
#42 4/17/03 025379-025430 $ 319903.84
4.2 Consideration of Appointing Councilor Hanley to sign April and Councilor Hart to sign May 2003 Warrants.
Councilor Webster asked if there were any objections to adding an Addendum Item, there were none.
1.1 Consideration of Application for Special Permit for Catering Privileges off Premises, The Kennebec Wharf, 132 Water St., Hallowell. (Function at the Gardiner Sportsmen’s Club.
Motion by Councilor Doiron and seconded by Councilor Dellert and
Hanley to Accept Consent Agenda 4.1 & 4.2 and Addendum Item 1.1
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes.
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Discussion of Recreation Program Long Term Plans.
Ingrid Stanchfield spoke to the Council about the Recreation Program. The annual fundraising appeal kicked off with a goal of $137,000, approximately $52,000 has been raised to date ($42,000 in the Gardiner fundraising revenue account, $10,000 in the Gardiner Savings Institute)
The Boys and Girls Club is continuing to move onward to their own private, non-profit status with the City of Gardiner as a partner. If it all goes well, it could be July 1, 2003.
Ingrid looked for approval to approach Pray Street School for a site for the Boys and Girls Club, the Council gave their approval. The school board has already given approval to have Jack Mara talk with the Boys and Girls Club for a lease. The Council asked Ingrid to keep the City Manager informed and to keep the Boys and Girls Club minutes coming.
5.2 Consideration of Order 03-18, Authorizing Consulting Fees from Contingency.
Manager Kobrock stated that an independent facilitator was hired to work with the City of Gardiner and the Water District, and $600.00 was incurred. The cost is to be divided with the Wastewater Dept. and the General Fund.
Motion by Councilor Doiron and seconded by Councilor Dellert to accept Order 03-18, Authorizing Consulting Fees from Contingency.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
Motion by Councilor Doiron and seconded by Councilor Hart to Add Addendum
Items.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
1.2 Discussion of Consolidation of Voting Districts for June 10, 2003
Election.
Manager Kobrock stated that there has been emergency legislation relating to the June 10th election that allows consolidation of voting districts, if there is any interest in this the Council has to act this evening. City Clerk Deirdre Berglund provided numbers, it is expected to save $1100.00 if the voting takes place in City Hall. School district won’t pay for the election because there is a bond issue on the ballot, so it becomes the City of Gardiner’s election. Manager Kobrock stated if the Council is interested in consolidation, there would be a public hearing needed. The Council decided to proceed.
1.3 Public Hearing for Consolidation of Voting Districts for June 10, 2003
Election.
Public Hearing was opened at 8:03 p.m. and closed at 8:04 p.m. with no public comments.
Motion by Councilor Doiron and seconded by Councilor Hart to
Addendum Item 1.4
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion:passes
1.4 Consideration of Consolidation of Voting Districts for June 10, 2003
Election.
Motion by Councilor Doiron and seconded by Councilor Hart for Consolidation of Voting Districts for June 10, 2003 Election.
Vote: 6 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
7. CITY MANAGERS REPORT
Manager Kobrock stated that City Clerk Deirdre Berglund was key in closing a very long-term tax acquired property account which amounted to $26,000. It was a very detailed and old issue, and Deirdre was very diligent and detailed, it wouldn’t have been resolved if she hadn’t been so dedicated.
Recently quite a bit of time was spent of Pine Tree Zone legislation, and there has been press coverage. Due to a last minute amendment, there were possibly disastrous consequences for the Augusta labor market area. Chris Paszyc, Mayor Rines and Manager Kobrock have worked very closely with the legislature, and it looks like it possibly will have good results, it has not been resolved as of yet, the Council will be kept informed.
Manager Kobrock stated that the Libby Hill Cemetery is running out of lot space, if this is something the Council would like to have the City pursue. The Council asked the City Manager to check out possibilities.
Mayor Rines is present
Manager Kobrock stated that he will be distributing summary sheets for this years budget, but not giving the Council the entire budget because some of the issues discussed in this evenings budget workshop could have an impact on the budget. Manager Kobrock would also like to talk to the Council about receiving an e-budget, it could be posted on the webpage. Manager Kobrock has been recently talking with Virtual Townhall about making the e-packets easier to access for the Council. With the schedule, it looks like May 22nd will be the first time the Council will be working on the budget, so it will give plenty of time to train and get reacquainted with e-packets, everyone on the Council will be contacted about training.
Manager Kobrock stated that Councilor Doiron has approached him about alternate times for the Council to meet so he could teach a class. The Council was instructed to tell Molly about availability.
8. COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilor Thomas stated that there is a big pot hole off Lincoln Ave. around the park. Councilor Thomas was recently asked if there was a safety helmet and glasses policy for Public Works Dept., Manager Kobrock stated yes, in some circumstances.
Councilor Dellert remarked that there was also a very large pothole on Pleasant Street and also in other places around town, Manager Kobrock stated that the Public Works Dept. is waiting for the opportunity to do hot top.
Mayor Rines stated that he was late tonight because he was a presenter for the People of Kennebec County. Also stated that there has been a lot of active lobbying for the Pine Tree Zone, language is being worked on.
Councilor Doiron remarked that the Portland Telegram article points out the value of land and property in Gardiner. The revaluation in 1998 helped drop the mil rate to make the living in Gardiner so attractive.
Councilor Webster stated that an organization called Volk Sport would like to do a 10K walk in Gardiner sometime in September and would like Council approval . The organinzation asked if trails at Cobbosee trail or waterfront trail would be done at that point, Manager Kobrock stated they probably wouldn’t be until later in the Fall.
Motion by Councilor Dellert and seconded by Councilor Webster to go into Executive Session.
Vote: 7 in favor 0 – opposed.
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (A)
Personnel
The Council is empowering the City Manager to continue with current process.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (D)
Union Negotiations
About salary and benefits for non-union employees from contingency.
Motion by Councilor Webster and seconded by Councilor Hanley to accept the
Recommendation of the City Manager
Vote: 7 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (C)
Real Estate
Received a report from the City Manager.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (C)
Real Estate
Motion by Councilor Hanley and seconded by Councilor Dellert to Authorize the
City Manager to make a sealed bid regarding real estate.
Vote: 7 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rines adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Molly M. Gallant
Council Clerk
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