Penobscot County Commissioner Minutes from June 9, 2020
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes June 9, 2020 2287
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Andre Cushing & Laura Sanborn 57°
Roll call via team viewer was taken at 0900 with all three Commissioners present.
Approval of Minutes –
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve June 2, 2020 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
EMA Update –
EMA Deputy Director Bradley Nuding reported the following:
Department of Justice Corona Supplemental grant was approved and submitted to the Commissioners for their approval. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the grant as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
As soon as the grant is submitted and Finance Director Judy Alexander establishes an interest baring account for this grant money, then an announcement will be made to all the municipalities that we are ready to start receiving invoices and receipts to reimburse those communities.
COVID Update – there are currently five (5) active cases in Penobscot County with 18 people hospitalized. Currently, regional partners are on-hold with states loosening some of the executive orders on travel and public gatherings to see if there are any developments related to increased COVID cases as a result.
Hospitals have begun elective surgeries and available bed space is filling-up as a result, which may have an impact on bed availability if there is a spike in COVID cases in the future.
Sheriff’s Update –
Sheriff Morton reported that today’s jail population is 130 in house (108 males, 22 females); 30 boarded out; no US Marshalls; and 109 in Pre-trial services.
Sheriff has communicated with Elizabeth Simoni, Executive Director of Pre-Trial Services regarding our contract that is set to expire June 30th. Ms. Simoni presented a proposal for services to keep the cost the same for the next year.Commissioner Cushing moved to approve a one year flat funded contract. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Regarding the Commissary vendor contract that was discussed at last week’s meeting our current vendor, Casco Bay, looked into applying more technologies to their service, and appears would take too much time. Sheriff recommends going with a new established service (Keefe Group) that services the larger jails in Maine.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Keefe Group to provide Commissary services to our jail. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion.Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Calls for service on the law enforcement side are continuing to rise.We have been asked to provide assistance with the protests that have been taking place.
Sheriff is working with the other supplemental law enforcement contracts which expire June 30th/July 1st. There have been a number of verbal agreements made to continue servicing the towns. Unfortunately, due to COVID, town meetings are not being held.
The Carmel deputy position has been filled and will start in a couple weeks. Detective Jordan Norton from Old Town Police Department, will be filling that roll. He comes to us with ten years’ experience and has ties with the Town of Carmel. We are extremely fortunate to have his experience and excited to welcome him to our agency.
Sheriff reported that his Office is in full support of the Radio Communications bond that will be voted on next month.This bond is critically important not for just the Sheriff’s office, but for all of Penobscot County agencies to protect our citizens.
UT Update –
UT Director Shaw Weeks reported the following:
The collective salt bid opening will be held at next Tuesday’s Commissioner Meeting.
The UT Truck Bid has gone out to vendors and will be advertised in the Bangor Daily News this week. The bid opening will be at the June 30th Commissioners Meeting.
There is a little progress with the Argyle Broadband expansion.The attorneys are looking over the contract.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the Gardiner Farms Septage Disposal Contract as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
The UT Administration is working with facilities and the County Administrator to determine what will happen with the old UT truck.
A quote was provided from Belinda Raymond of the Prentiss Cemetery Association for “Welcome to Kingman” signs. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve $345 for this sign as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
PRCC Update –
PRCC Director, Chris Lavoie reported the following:
Director Lavoie discussed two problematic desks.The company was here Friday evaluating the problem and will be provide an estimate of the cost to repair. Further discussion will follow on how best to move forward.
Last week Director Lavoie reported that Central Maine and Quebec Railway purchased the Patten Tower Site. Chris was in error and it was actually Canadian Pacific who purchased this site.
July 14th Bond discussion:
We need to promote the bond.
The Commissioners need to coordinate their Virtual Budget Committee meeting with members of their Budget Committee. These notices can be placed on the website. Director Lavoie will present a PowerPoint of the Radio Project and will be available to answer questions. The following dates have been recommended, June 18th, 22nd and 25th.
We should also have a meeting in the Commissioners Chambers.
Administration Update –
Administrator Bill Collins reported the following:
Administrator Collins participated in the virtual MCCA legislative policy meeting yesterday. The topic of conversation was a proposal Charlie Pray presented to stay on as a Lobbyist until the Legislative Session is completed. The Committee is supportive in continuing with Mr. Pray.There will be more discussion at tomorrow’s MCCA meeting.
MCCA and the Risk Pool are holding their meetings tomorrow.
Maine State Claims hearings set for July 8th has been cancelled.
Discussion ensued on where the next Commissioners meeting will be held. The Commissioners Chambers is set up to allow for social distancing. After a department presents their update, they will leave the room. Masks must be worn inside the building. We will maintain a sign-up sheet and it will be mandatory to sign in and provide a contact number. The meeting will continue to be lived streamed. It was decided to hold the June 16th meeting in Chambers. Commissioner Cushing will participate remotely since he will have traveled out of state, unless he is able to be tested prior to the meeting.
Negotiation sessions with FOP have been set up for both Supervisor’s and Line Units.
The communication that was sent to the Commissioners from a citizen from Edna was discussed. Administrator Collins will send her a letter acknowledging receipt, but unfortunately it is not within jurisdiction for the Commissioners to do anything.
Permission is requested to re-open the Wellness Center on Monday, June 15th.It would open to employees only with a limit of five at this time and follow social distancing rules. All Commissioners are supportive of the reopening.Commissioner Cushing stated that today would have been Commissioner Tom Davis’ birthday.
Payroll Change Notices signed for:Donna Fish, Ryan Auffant, Jennifer Jalbert, and Kristen Roemmich – Payroll Changes
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the payroll and accounts payable warrants as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for June 5, 2020: $ 259,568.66
Accts Payable Warrant to be approved for June 9. 2020:$ 259,596.86
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for June 9, 2020:$43,383.13
Unorganized Territory TIF Warrant to be approved: NONE
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting for public session at 9:57 a.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanford made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:00 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Bill Collins, Human Relations Director Erika Honey and Register Susan Bulay. Session ended at 10:17 a.m. No votes taken. Meeting ended.
Certified By:
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
