Government operations committee ratifies staff applications for CARES and Homeland Security grants

Bangor City’s Government Operations Committee on Monday, Aug. 4, ratified staff actions to apply for several grant opportunities, including a CARES grant intended to fund staff for a one-stop public health model, a Homeland Security application to support fire and police training and equipment, and a separate Homeland Security application to purchase IT security keys.

The CARES grant application — described by Jen Guderman, director of public health — would pay personnel costs that a previously discussed Gilead grant cannot cover. “Gilead is a drug manufacturer, and it’s part of their requirements that they can’t pay for staff time,” Guderman said. The CARES grant “allows for that,” she said, and would be used to support the one-stop shop model she has presented to the committee.

Committee members asked about amounts and sequencing. Councilor Malley asked whether the new CARES application was for $75,000 and how it related to the earlier $75,000 Gilead application; Guderman said the amounts were similar and that if CARES funds were awarded and covered staff time, the Gilead award could be adjusted accordingly. “If we don’t get this CARES one, then I will go forward with the Gilead one, and it doesn't include staff time,” she said.

Two Homeland Security applications administered through the Maine Emergency Management Agency were also ratified. Courtney O’Donnell, assistant city manager, said one application — previously submitted in past cycles — sought approximately $103,000 to support fire and police with training and equipment; the committee record includes a short remark of “25” during that item, but the application amount discussed by staff was $103,000. O’Donnell said short application windows sometimes require staff to apply quickly; Chief Lowe confirmed a tight turnaround and staff’s ability to submit during brief notice. For the IT-focused application, staff said the request is for $29,250 to purchase hardware for security keys to improve secure device login.

Several councilors expressed concern about being notified only after applications were filed because some grants require very short turnaround times. Councilor Malley said councilors should be informed even if staff must apply before formal council approval; O’Donnell agreed staff could send email notifications to councilors when rapid opportunities arise. Councilor Trappell suggested councilors can still vote against accepting funds if an award is later offered.

All three applications were moved, seconded and ratified by the committee with no objections recorded in the transcript. Committee members and staff repeatedly distinguished the act of applying (which was being ratified) from accepting and appropriating funds, which would return to the council for formal acceptance if awarded.

The committee did not record roll-call tallies in the transcript for these motions. The actions on Monday were procedural approvals to apply for the grants; final acceptance and appropriation decisions would follow if the city is awarded funds.

Notes on amounts and next steps: CARES application for staff time — $75,000 discussed by staff; prior Gilead application also $75,000 but cannot cover personnel costs; Homeland Security public safety application discussed at about $103,000; Homeland Security IT security keys application $29,250. If any awards are made, staff said they would return to the council to accept and appropriate funds.