Commissioners Minutes from October 13, 2020
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes October 13, 2020 2305
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Andre Cushing & Laura Sanborn 36°
Public Comment – None
UT Update –
• Director Shaw Weeks reported that the last sand/salt shed has been filled and is ready for winter.
• The last paving project has not yet started. The gravel is down. The completion date is November 1.
UT Administration (Dept. 14) Budget Presentation -
Director Shaw Weeks reported UT Administration (Dept. 14) budget for the 2021 year.
• Our payroll line is down.
• Overall, the Budget is a slight decrease of 3.54% ($6,251).
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve UT Administration (Dept. 14) budget for the as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
PRCC (Dept. 4) Budget Presentation -
Director Chris Lavoie reported PRCC (Dept. 4) budget for the 2021 year.
• Director Lavoie reported that payroll is up slightly with 53 pay weeks.
• Parts/Maintenance has an added line which shows an increase. This is for maintaining the old department vehicle. After further discussion, it was determined to add a capital line for a new vehicle. Commissioner Cushing made a motion to add a capital line in the amount of $2500 for a vehicle. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• There is also an increase for software for (I AM RESPONDING and Guardian)
• There was a slight decline in revenue projected.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve PRCC (Dept. 4) budget for the 2021 year as presented with the modification of adding a capital line for a vehicle. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
IT Department (Dept. 15) Budget Presentation -
Director Cliff Warren reported IT Department (Dept. 15) budget for the 2021 year.
• Payroll has gone down slightly due to a change in insurance plans.
• After discussion, consulting fees were reduced to $1,000 from $2,000.
• Increases with telephone and internet are due to new contracts.
• Discussion ensued on the $ 50K increase for computer repair and maintenance. Director Warren stated that Spilman increased an additional $ 16K.
• We have a fire records managing system that is going away. We currently pay a little of $ 17K for this system. We are looking for an interface from Spilman that will provide updates which is better than the current system we use.
• An increase is from an initiative Bangor Police is looking for software called Watchguard used for body cameras. Spilman quote for vault storage is $26,400 to hold information from the body cameras. Commissioner Baldacci asked if this is something that our Sheriff’s department plans to use. Commissioner Sanborn stated that perhaps since the police chiefs will be coming in to present next week, that we could wait on this budget request.
• The Commissioners asked Director Warren to come back next week and present in writing his projects.
Rape Response –
• Tamar Mathieu, Executive Director thanked the Commissioners for their continued annual support.
• During the pandemic service numbers have dipped some but there is still a need. Employees have been working from home since March but continue to provide assistance.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve $2,000 for Rape Response as requested. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Bangor Shelter –
• Boyd Kronholm, BAHS Executive Director states that this year has been interesting. At the start of the pandemic, they shut down a few services and found that it is costing more to serve fewer people. We are finding creative ways to be able to serve the homeless in our community. The shelter is being redesigned in order to be able to serve additional people. We are looking at reopening the warming shelter again this yearCommissioner Sanborn moved to approve $15,000 for Bangor Area Homeless Shelter for the 2021 year as requested. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Pine Tree Hospice -
• Kristen Sutherland, Director of Pine Tree Hospice stated that her Organization fills a gap because they do not require a medical referral or a six-month life/death diagnosis in order to provide support.
• Pine Tree Hospice does not receive State, Federal or insurance monies. We rely on grants, local donations, and fund-raising.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve $1,000 for Pine Tree Hospice for the 2021 year as requested. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Program Donations (Dept. 34)
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the following program donations:
• Green Valley - $5,000
• B.I.L.L.S. - $7,300
• Orono Haz Mat Team - $24,000
• BARN - $17,500
• Hirundo Wildlife Refuge - $10,000
Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Maine Retirement System (Dept. 18)
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve $2,350 for Maine Retirement System (Dept. 18) Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Health/Safety (Dept. 19)
• Commissioner Cushing moved to approve $6,000 for Health/Safety (Dept. 19). Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Finance Update –
Director Alexander reported the following:
• The TAN is paid in full.
• Judy has coordinated with Facilities and IT to move her into her new office at the end of this week.
Finance Department (Dept. 7) Budget Presentation -
Director Judy Alexander reported:
• A slight decrease in payroll benefits expenses
• Supplies up slightly since Finance no longer shares expenses with Administration
• Discussion ensued regarding new financial software replacement. It was agreed that year end surplus could be set aside for this purchase.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Finance (Dept. 7) budget as presented.
Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Administration Update -
• Administrator Collins reminded the Commissioners that this Thursday at 5:30 they will be hosting the Budget Committee Caucus.
• Erika Honey participated in the PRCC board meeting last Thursday.
• Erika and I will be participating in FOP negotiations next Monday.
• There will be a Stetson tax abatement hearing Tuesday, October 27th.
• Our elevator stopped operating last Wednesday.
• Erika, the Sheriff and Bill participated in a zoom meeting with area City Managers and police chiefs regarding the homeless situation in Bangor.
• MCCA and Risk Pool meetings are tomorrow starting at 0900.
• The County is holding a flu clinic this Thursday.
• All local police chiefs will be in the audience at next Tuesday’s meeting discussing challenges they are currently facing.
• Sheriff provided the following update:
o Today’s population is 185 in house (155 male-30 females), 36 boarded out, 2 county swaps, 1 federal marshal, and 174 in Maine pre-trial services.
o Ten inmates are being moved to Somerset County within the next 24 hours
o Cpl. Carstensen provides updated numbers daily to DOC
• Bangor Daily News has requested to obtain copies of all our union contracts.
• Commissioners received a federal express envelope from Hong Kong.
• Payroll Change Notices signed for: Jonathan Chiasson, Laura Doak, Bradley Fitzgerald, Dorine Jandreau, Suzanne Labun, Bradley Nuding, Mary Anne (Hesseltine) O’Kelly, Sara Rogers, and John Tenney.
• Payroll Warrant to be approved for 10/09/2020: $ 250,669.61
• Accts Payable Warrant to be approved for 10/13/2020: $2,260,907.61
• UT Warrant to be approved for 10/13/2020: $59,830.69
• UT TIF Warrant to be approved 10/13/2020: $6,159.36
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:35 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approved passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins Director Honey, Director Alexander and Treasurer John Hiatt. Session ended at 10:50 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:50 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approved passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins Director Honey, Director Alexander and Treasurer John Hiatt. Session ended at 11:02 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:04 a.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0
Certified By:
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
