[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",7312586,"mediaKeyId","3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966","parentId",3847227,"title","Committee refers $27,801 WIC grant appropriation to full council","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",22000,"endMs",64000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=22&end=64","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/7312586/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-refers-27801-WIC-grant-appropriation-to-full-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312586-e699ed35036156d3f22a7911c75fe658/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=ZYMeLHBgrWZ2KOpqTWddyx~~hwqY7yn27dPQPk~SsQVhESt~nQIorRGDXiMEXyvdokoucZyAuu6DYC22Ienezzy15R0-QXvi96Rs1e5stUKK~Oyynq7557HRke77ixozUSOYsQOWqp1o3kifq4GSuLI0Fu2TpYB7tm0fnIZc5vmDBjQ1wBM46L8giYA-UswPjVXTPNXuyIGCutU3qQfWWdfLBcR6AC~EMqS8DTCnsG-s24SuX6HmFxB3ZSmJxkw-KWerJF7wxoPOO~9s5SR0FgwXNgCILJfOAJuaHH3PC7ciuM43ozV7nZYDW7VTDN5ELoqF4B~ZOcB6sejs~9xkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bangor Maine","date","2025-06-16T23:53:00.64Z","article","The Bangor City Government Operations Committee on Monday referred to the full City Council a staff request to accept and appropriate $27,801 in grant funds from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the Bangor Public Health and Community Services Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

The referral occurred during a special meeting called by Councilor Haas. Councilor Haas said the item \"has received first reading\" and that, \"if approved tonight, we'll be, have second reading at the next council meeting.\" The committee did not record objections and moved the item forward for the council's second reading.

The WIC program was described as an ongoing service within public health; the staff presentation did not include additional budget detail beyond the dollar amount or specify a funding period. No formal vote tally was recorded in the committee minutes; the action recorded was a referral to the next council meeting for second reading.

If the council approves appropriation at the next meeting, staff implied the funds will be added to the city's public health budget for WIC program operations, but the committee did not detail implementation steps during the discussion.

The item will appear on the City Council agenda for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Government Operations Committee 6.16.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Government Operations Committee voted to refer to the full Bangor City Council a request to accept and appropriate $27,801 in CDC grant funds for the city's WIC program; the item had received first reading.","taxTitle","Bangor City, Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",2586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},7312583,"Committee forwards $1.5 million rental assistance appropriation to council",46,84000,130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=84&end=130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/7312583/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-forwards-15-million-rental-assistance-appropriation-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312583-eec11eb1b8e22a0d808b953a3428be2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=LGaXAIJp4OUs-hjK8hlyEnSy1Jyk33hsWhaWJoDWAzLSbuhyq2ogGBJULuO-KynegtgUQgkb9~wDOO2RqBW7j1BhRig4t23xDsgfJ7drEgIxchZ7h2ME-7NT9CmNQQ6~GHS-KfyGfDBtw3TyvcGfCSSdaZ2-kDmOkRbzR9ko~X2~qsetKsFDFEDEtPjlSQvfkYl1LOwGvyAjwGzJ4xDjtQxqRU26yZKRHn33Sz-VghZlvMlUj-zDJzvMiS5N6oXj8IIdnf0GmMa2o~CjxyKmNuaDRlBcPCRRKuc0bU2nWLxMPfDdtKL-oUDrkNagTok6shHKQSNhYWCnFnczZqoYcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bangor City Government Operations Committee on Monday voted to forward to the full City Council a staff request to accept and appropriate $1,500,000 for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program, previously referred to as Shelter Plus Care.

Laura Lee Chingold, a staff member presenting the item, described the request as \"similar to the WIC program, only this is for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program, previously referred to as Shelter Plus Care. And so these would allow us to accept and appropriate, dollars 1,500,000.0, for that purpose.\" Committee members moved and seconded the referral with no objections and agreed the matter should be placed on the next City Council agenda for second reading.

The presentation did not include a funding breakdown or a stated source for the $1.5 million; staff did not specify whether the funds are a grant, reallocation, or other funding mechanism during the committee discussion. The item will appear on the council agenda for further review and possible appropriation.","The Government Operations Committee referred a staff recommendation to accept and appropriate $1,500,000 for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program (formerly Shelter Plus Care) to the full council for second reading.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},7312580,"Fire chief proposes $550 no-transport ambulance fee for health-care facilities; committee forwards fee schedule",171,147000,318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=147&end=318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/7312580/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Fire-chief-proposes-550-no-transport-ambulance-fee-for-health-care-facilities-committee-forwards-fee-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312580-726ead1305ee40f77e9a75b020646271/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=SXRRoyhTLFwYHfCfz2MZ5AXY-JXWJRbKjFroT3ZdVzsFNbYa6ZM~9NoXmbWZTzEqb2-5Enbkt~p~RwQ0QN~Bb6KcX1t25BkZcLLINXrQswiQQ0ZBsxe4WbXiNNDHlj85LvrPko73yP8HfeWhCGqPf9HyiyJTd11Ai~2XuP8gELXbvXnqvoczE6eg4L-i7weVsEIO7JoGuxRWhg~pTft6rJgsK4SIPAZ9bEJTnUs0kjYTmd3iAsEveCfMahAYxbkYRQng~RWh1l4aBOs~Knn6mP8ogYgNe9lS3MwmK-DaOqzq4G988mobFs1zyVT9u2AJpuVmKIb-9ObbbA9QxuIMMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeff Lowe, Bangor's fire chief, proposed that the city begin billing health-care and assisted-living facilities a $550 base ambulance fee for calls where the facility requests a city response but the facility has the capacity to assist the person on site.

\"We started tracking calls, late last year...2 75 is what we did last year for runs to those types of facilities,\" Chief Lowe said, describing the volume as taxing on the system. He added that \"this year so far...we're already up to 225 calls,\" and that \"if you look at 225 calls and you figure, half an hour for each call, that comes out to about...hours that we spend providing services to those...facilities.\" Lowe said the department's proposal is to \"apply the base ambulance fee that we do for, medical calls when we transport somebody, and that is...$550.\" He said the intent is to recoup some operational cost and address what he described as a system loophole.

Committee members asked about who the city would bill and enforcement. Councilor Ish asked whether the facility or a resident's insurance would be billed; Chief Lowe said, \"that is who we'll be billing is the facility.\" Council members raised concerns about collection: one member observed that if a facility received multiple bills it could owe thousands and asked, \"What if they don't pay? But we can't lien their property. So are we is there any teeth to this at all?\" Chief Lowe replied the city would consult the city manager and legal counsel and indicated an ordinance change might be required to pursue collection.

Council members asked whether the fee would deter facilities from calling emergency services. Lowe said he did not believe the fee would deter appropriate calls because failing to assist a patient posed liability for the facility. Committee members ultimately moved and seconded approval of the updated fee structure and recorded no objections; the order will appear on the City Council agenda for consideration.

The committee discussion did not include a final enforcement mechanism, a written collection policy, or a detailed estimate of revenue; Chief Lowe said staff would consult legal counsel about next steps.","Fire Chief Jeff Lowe proposed applying the $550 base ambulance fee to calls to health-care and assisted-living facilities that request city response but can be served by facility staff; the committee moved the updated EMS no-transport fee schedule to the City Council for adoption and discussed enforcement and collection challenges.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},7312576,"Committee forwards draft memorial policy to standardize benches and park memorials",133,586000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=586&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_586000.jpg","/articles/7312576/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-forwards-draft-memorial-policy-to-standardize-benches-and-park-memorials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312576-2031456449d7e4b46fe8d465e0344fd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=Ny645FNN7zOUReH0lja3eG8acPPb3GKSgyNqJrqRV1GQ6TSz1euU15rb3sTxJLHiFsf2Io5JUWIlqNcQEuqhEYR6ybc-DtHmDrX0T8BK2RhvVP7D98XRTV63NEfp7ksQeTE5wqot-rKW8M9rl6odF3sQNM9yEOSNGocBARuIBbDUtxFvKgWZW5oXeV5MPY-60LM61i4hjlmLOpikT30UagMR~WqePHLSN-QH~eaTbC8OFK7SYXPG6bM~cephanqFo~kptad~I8un-mclqFKN2I4qRSK6k9mG4szPZdI7DP7pNXVmRmEDDJR4EeiXw67wPtowHYKJ9j5e2QyaDt616w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee forwarded a draft memorial policy that would standardize requests for memorials in city-owned parks and open space and authorize the parks and recreation director to approve routine items such as standard benches.

A staff presenter described the policy as a way to outline \"the process and procedure, when it'll be evaluated, how long will it last sort of a thing, and other expectations around that,\" and said approval would reduce the need for formal council action on routine requests. The policy includes an appeals process if someone disagrees with Director Willett's determination and language about maintenance and decommissioning timelines.

Committee members discussed standard bench styles for different parks (for example, black iron benches at Fairmount Park and a combination of black iron benches and granite monuments on the waterfront) and noted the policy would help standardize amenities. A committee member referenced a recent example at the golf course and asked whether that approach would continue; staff said standardization would guide future decisions.

The committee moved and seconded the order to forward the policy to the City Council with no recorded objections. If the council approves the policy, staff said it will allow the parks and recreation director to authorize routine memorials and apply maintenance and decommissioning standards.","The committee forwarded a draft memorial policy that would let the parks and recreation director authorize certain memorials (benches, monuments), set durations and maintenance expectations, and include an appeals process; it will go to the full council for approval.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},7312572,"Committee endorses application for funding to replace one bus and two ADA vans",118,742000,860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=742&end=860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/7312572/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-endorses-application-for-funding-to-replace-one-bus-and-two-ADA-vans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312572-fa2bee48e605dda993ee1f58af6a4b1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=RGfhPyj9aRx8MloyCibrBjn69i5XyEhxNPtivaGQYVCIjat-q2TlFjpo4OPEXW6hN3CZN3QXQkuKkp11SlBkEtFuVuwDn~V97TDrkK-P1WeRUr4YGVXPDZdp9h~JQIhNXg-buzMoSyzEubIzUqJ~p-J~qJ9tBjrcdPFa-Us-awPgQORaktZeLBartWnZrZw1JEQOERHN6T~CreZD2lRjCm0hNMdz4V6qsRzA0TG~Pc~uaCQYbogb3qQU6E35KpXeWKrCjZ96mfpDjm040z3hdoDnIQdPh9q~pmGaT348iolOwKZtwMN2VoPbhI8TuIzzhpfpV4xoROn5yXQM1KNaMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff recommended that Bangor apply for a grant that would fund 80% of the cost to replace one Community Connector bus and two ADA paratransit vans, with the Maine Department of Transportation agreeing to split the remaining 20% local share so the city's net share would be approximately 10%.

Lori Lindspa, identified in committee remarks as affiliated with Community Connector, was thanked by committee members for past success applying for bus grants. A staff presenter said the grant would help the city procure hybrid or electric vehicles consistent with the regional climate action plan. The vehicles under consideration are one replacement bus and two ADA paratransit vans; the vans would be hybrid or electric if available.

Committee members expressed support and moved and seconded the recommendation to pursue the grant; there were no objections. The application and associated local match will be placed on the full council agenda for consideration. Staff did not provide a dollar estimate for the total vehicle cost during the committee discussion, but noted that vehicle prices are high and that the grant would reduce the city's outlay.","Staff recommended pursuing a grant that would cover 80% of the cost to replace one Community Connector bus and two ADA paratransit vans; Maine DOT would split the local 20% share so the city's contribution would effectively be about 10%; the committee moved the application to the council agenda.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},7312569,"Committee approves staff recommendation to change City Hall parking limits and reallocate spaces",179,870000,1049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966&start=870&end=1049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847227-e666d1adc397ce425da121829d96d966/thumbnail_870000.jpg","/articles/7312569/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-approves-staff-recommendation-to-change-City-Hall-parking-limits-and-reallocate-spaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7312569-9e50f361575654222449ca6205060b5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776064758&Signature=ipX5gVynfFMexdb1MPzr8dh~WyByodwgYOvDRKzP2G~JjcxVXMfK1PC9ZzOJEVZC4UuOQVLOSDiEHXLmLeUInz4j5p9IxAtWH-UYLiFi7akI0w12zGbAU1fnEBGsMYsyUX5clxOdiaT60PkiPrMxqTOnycf-cphpXIuH4fLBKJ8DC30m7ooDPt2ReAnN0zwI8kDXwtDHTF5DIzwkFK3mnVdmQbjLGfJBEG85WuVhA9iYY35dderyQeTEkHtJkkJoIIrbekORPT2yjgqpp4Rm8YoWpoTlvIRWRI81r0e3bIUc-T4LmEMXBCsoH09yj1Br3af1TVg50lO02sx79q7A7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee on Monday voted to forward to the full City Council a staff recommendation to reconfigure parking at and near City Hall to improve visitor access and turnover.

Staff described the proposal as freeing several spaces next to City Hall for visitors, moving some staff parking to permitted spaces higher on Center Street, and reducing the time limit on five spaces in front of City Hall from 90 minutes to 60 minutes to boost turnover. A staff presenter said the 60-minute limit allows parking enforcement to act; \"they can't enforce those those spaces\" under the current configuration, the presenter said.

Staff said freeing the lower lot would \"free up, 6 additional spaces there, and those would just be general parking,\" and that there would be \"6 additional spaces up along there for visitors\" in addition to a few at the top of the lot. The plan would leave roughly six designated staff spaces near the retaining wall for department heads and school staff, and could add an additional accessible parking spot. Councilor Palos confirmed the on-street time limit would remain 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Council members expressed appreciation for the effort and asked staff to confirm the number of accessible spaces; staff said there are currently one accessible spot and one mobility-challenged spot and that they would seek to add at least one more for a total of two accessible spots plus a mobility-challenged spot if the plan proceeds.

The committee moved and seconded the recommendation and recorded no objections; the proposal will be on the City Council agenda for final consideration ahead of the city's planned move back into City Hall.","The committee voted to forward to the City Council a staff recommendation to free up visitor parking near City Hall by converting some adjacent staff spaces, reduce time limits from 90 to 60 minutes on certain on-street spaces, and reassign staff parking to other spots; the measure aims to increase turnover and accessibility for visitors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee refers $27,801 WIC grant appropriation to full council

Committee forwards $1.5 million rental assistance appropriation to council

Fire chief proposes $550 no-transport ambulance fee for health-care facilities; committee forwards fee schedule

Committee forwards draft memorial policy to standardize benches and park memorials

Committee endorses application for funding to replace one bus and two ADA vans

Committee approves staff recommendation to change City Hall parking limits and reallocate spaces