Commissioners Minutes from September 22, 2020
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes September 22, 2020 2302
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Andre Cushing and Laura Sanborn 49°
Approval of Minutes –
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve September 8 and September 15, 2020 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Public Comment – None
UT Update –
• Director Shaw Weeks reported the Sheriff’s department currently is working on a draft agreement for the UT Patrol Deputies.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approved increasing the stipend from $50 to $100 for ACO Jay Crocker. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• Shaw recommended we wait on the Argyle salt/sand roof until spring before we bid. George Buswell noted that the shingles were repaired this spring and the roof should be okay for another winter. The Town will pay 1/3 the cost for the metal roof.
• George reported that communities are starting to put up their sand.
• Director Weeks will be attending the Chester Town Meeting next Monday.
• Shaw has communicated with the new UT fiscal administrator, Nancy Bodine. Our UT budget is due by November 1.
• Administrator Collins reported that Director Weeks has communicated with Maine Revenue Services. The State is using a new formula for valuing UT property. Multiple residents have shared they are unhappy with the increase in their taxes. George commented he is getting stopped on the roads asking him why the increases in taxes; Commissioner Sanborn stated she is receiving at least 4-5 calls a day from residents with the same question.
Commissioner Baldacci requested Director Weeks invite representatives from Maine Revenue Service to come in and explain the new valuation formula of property in the UT.
PRCC Update –
• Director Chris Lavoie reported the desk project is being finished with the contractors here yesterday and today. The steel will be sold and monies placed in the Sunshine fund.
• One person has dropped out of the hiring process; two candidates are moving forward and two are starting Monday. There is still one position to fill.
NWDB Update –
Executive Director Joanna Russell reported the following:
• During the September 10th workforce board meeting, it was decided to delay the procurement process of the WIOA Title 1B services. The NWDB will discuss again at their quarterly meeting 12/10/20.
• The Career Centers are still closed due to COVID 19. EMDC currently rents space from MDOL/DAFS at two career centers. (Bangor and Machias) MDOL-DAFS have been invoicing EMDC the full rent price since March 2020. ($66,000 annually) There is no formal MOU, lease agreement or contract; used a “gentleman’s agreement” for decades. At this time, MDOL has no plan to open the centers. NWDB discussed this challenge and agreed that we need a lease agreement. Communication is in process between Jon Farley-EMDC and MDOL-DAFS.
• NWDB has discussed and approved a one-year extension of the One Stop Operator (OSO) contract from 7/1/20-6/30/21. OSO consortium is made up of three providers: EMDC, ACAP and RSU 39 Adult Education. The entity is responsible for assuring that services follow WIOA regulations and strive towards integration of all One Stop Partners and Resources. The OSO consortium will assist with the One Stop Partners MOU which is currently being updated.
• NWDB voted to approve no more than 10% funding on Incumbent Worker Training which allows to increase skill sets in existing workforce in PY20. Two items noteworthy on Incumbent Worker Training is: Under WIOA incumbent worker training can only be allocated to save jobs and/or increase wages for the underearner.
• Director James “Jim” Carroll, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will be in Bangor Friday, October 2nd. Joanna is coordinating a stakeholder meeting for Director Carroll with Betty-Ann Bryce scheduled to take place at the Bangor Area Recovery Network center, 142 Center Street, Brewer, ME.
• Joanna is working with a team of people on developing a five-part video series for WABI to show success stories in workforce and recovery.
EMA Update –
Director Michelle LaBree reported the following:
• A drought declaration was made for Aroostook and adjoining counties for economic injury. The Small Business Association offers loans for farmers and small business owners in Agriculture. Director LaBree sends out the information to Towns in our
County as well as the Farm Agencies that work with the local farms/agriculture businesses.
• The Homeland Security Grant was approved by the State. She will be getting letters out to all the sub-applicants.
• Michelle has been working on the Public Assistance Grant, which is under the COVID disaster declaration. A challenge has been that FEMA keeps changing what is eligible. Michelle is unsure of how much federal funding, if any, we will be receive.
DA Requests –
District Attorney Marianne Lynch and Office Manager Kristine Higgins requested funding for the following:
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve an allocation up to $4,000 for implicit bias series training for the attorneys and support staff. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve nine (9) laptops and one (1) desktop not to exceed $14,000 to replace outdated computers in the office. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
2021 Probate (Dept. 11) Budget Presentation –
• Renee Stupak, Register of Probate presented her department’s budget for the 2021 calendar year. Renee stated that her proposed budget is relatively unchanged; there is a slight increase with payroll and benefits due to 53-week pays.
• Renee noted the service line increase 36.70% ($20,000). This comes from the Guardian ad litem line. The number of contested cases are on the increase.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved approve Probate (Dept. 11) budget as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
2021 Registry of Deeds (Dept. 10) Budget Presentation-
• Susan Bulay, Register of Deeds, presented her department’s budget for the 2021 calendar year. The proposed budget is relatively unchanged; there is a slight increase with payroll and benefits due to a 53-week pays.
• Susan is shopping for desks for her department. She has Capital funds to pay for them. IT gifted her department two desks. Unfortunately they are too small
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to increase the revenue projection to $1,030,000 from $990,000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Registry of Deeds (Dept.10) budget as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
2021 Building and Grounds (Dept. 8) Budget Presentation-
• Director of Facilities Brian MacDonald presented his Building’s department budget for the 2021 year.
• Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve making the full-time custodian position in the Jail budget and move it into this budget; and increase the part-time custodian from $14,000 to $15,000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Move to approve passed 3-0.
• Brian noted small increases of parking lot/grounds due to the contract for snow removal; advertising is used for bids; and heating is up as well.
• Once changes noted are completed Brian will present for final approval.
2021 Building Improvement (Dept. 32) Budget Presentation-
• The Dept. 32 budget for the 2021 fiscal year is budgeting $ 100K to help defer the cost when the boilers need to be replaced in the jail.
• Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve (Dept. 32) Budget as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Administration Update -
• Payroll Change Notices signed for: Justin Angelo and Daniel Davis – Hired Full time; Devin Gantt – Discharged.
• Payroll Warrant to be approved for September 18, 2020: $ 276,214.92
• Accts Payable Warrant to be approved for September 17, 2020: $ 2,000,075.91
• Accts Payable Warrant to be approved for September 22, 2020: $ 338,836.00
• UT Warrant to be approved for: NONE
• UT TIF Warrant to be approved: NONE
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:36 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins, Director Honey, Treasurer John Hiatt, Director Judy Alexander and Dick Hansen. Session ended at 10:59 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:00 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins, Director Honey and Register Susan Bulay. Session ended at 11:05 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:06 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins, and HR Director Honey and. Session ended at 11:29 a.m.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion for Administrator Collins to sign a new contract with Cigna Health Insurance. Commissioner Cushing Seconded the Motion. Vote to approve passed 2 -0 with Commissioner Baldacci abstaining.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 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
