Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.
Finance Committee
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Agenda Items
A. Custodial Services for Airport, City Hall, and Public Health
- Presentation: Staff recommendation is to award a three-year custodial contract to the low bidder, Star Janitorial and Integrated Services of Danvers, MA.
- Eight bids were received, with amounts ranging from $1.9 to $2.6 million for the contract term.
- Star Janitorial has experience overseeing large municipal and airport contracts in New England.
- The vendor offered an additional task for wheelchair services, the cost of which would be a pass-through to participating air carriers.
- The Airport Director, stated that the recommendation was not based purely on finances but also on the quality of service and the ability to meet the growing needs of the airport.
- Action:
- Motion: A motion was made (and seconded) to move forward with the staff recommendation to award the contract to Star Janitorial and Integrated Services.
- Disposition: The motion passed 3-2. The recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council.
B. Request for Qualifications – Engineering Services
- Action: The Chair announced that this item was being tabled and will be brought back at the next Finance Committee meeting. No vote was taken.
C. State Contract Patrol Vehicle Purchase
- Presentation: Staff presented the police department’s request to purchase three new 2025 Ford Explorer patrol vehicles for a total of $151,527. The purchase will be made from Darlings Ford of Bangor under the State of Maine master bid agreement.
- Committee Discussion: A member asked for clarification on how the budget is affected by insurance proceeds from totaled vehicles and the use of carryover funds from previous fiscal years.
- Action:
- The committee approved the purchase.
D. Used Supervisor Vehicle Purchase
- Presentation: The committee was informed of the purchase of a used 2023 Ford Explorer to be used as a supervisor vehicle. The purchase price is $36,000.
- Action: No action required.
Business & Economic Development Committee
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21 Eaton Place – Request for a modification to a previously approved development agreement: Council agreed to the modification so the property owner could get the loan required for completing the work.
Introduction of New Director of Code Enforcement: The Committee was introduced to the new Director of Code Enforcement who brings experience and motivation to the position.
110 Hildreth Street – Committee returned from executive session and approved reassignment of the lease on this city-owned property, and also approved the potential sale of this city-owned property. These items will move on to the September 8, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting for consideration.
Government Operations Committee
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The committee addressed the following agenda items:
- Amendment to Maine Prevention Network Subcontract: The committee discussed extending a subcontract with Northern Light Mayo Hospital for prevention services in Piscataquis County. This extension aligns the subcontract with the city’s now two-year FY25 contract with the Maine CDC. The funding for this was previously appropriated, so no new funds were required. The committee voted to approve the motion and forward it to the council.
- Partnership with Bangor and Brewer Schools: The committee reviewed a proposal to authorize the city manager to execute partnership agreements with the Bangor and Brewer school departments. This fully grant-funded initiative continues work from the previous year, placing tobacco treatment specialists in Bangor High School and Brewer High School one day per week. The schools provide the space and determine the process for student access, while the city’s public health department handles record-keeping and reporting. A motion to approve was moved and seconded, and the item will move on to the council.
- Council Appointee Evaluation Process: The Assistant City Manager outlined the annual evaluation process for the four council appointees: City Solicitor, City Assessor, City Clerk, and City Manager. The process, which occurs in October, incorporates feedback from internal and external stakeholders via a Survey Monkey survey. While the City Manager’s evaluation is being held now to comply with her contract’s six-month review clause, she will have another evaluation in June to align with the others’ schedules going forward. Executive sessions for the City Council to review feedback and set goals with the appointees are tentatively scheduled for October 28th and 29th.
Following the agenda items, the Assistant City Manager provided an update on technical improvements to the meeting room, noting that more equipment, including a central table with monitors, a microphone, and an additional camera, is on the way to improve sound and visuals for the public.
