Commissioners Minutes from November 24, 2020
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes November 24, 2020 2311
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Laura Sanborn & Andre Cushing 32°
Roll call was taken at 0900 with all three Commissioners present via ZOOM.
Approval of Minutes –
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve October 20, November 3 and November 10, 2020 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Maintenance Update –
Director Brian MacDonald reported the following:
• The jail had a roof leak after heavy rains yesterday. It is where the generator is housed and the sallyport. This is a historical problem when rain comes in a certain direction. Brian will contact Roof Systems to see if this can be rectified.
• Our buildings HVAC control center has lost most of its functionality. At this time, we have only one computer that is able to access that software and this is intermittent. Brian contacted our contractor for a software upgrade to the existing system.
o Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve $10,600 to Mechanical Services to provide and install a JACE 8000 network controller to replace the existing Unitary Network Controller. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• The City of Bangor has made contact that they have a project to repair the Kenduskeag Stream wall. The City is requesting permission to use our lower parking lot for access and to house their materials and equipment during the project. There are a couple large trees that will need to be removed. Do the Commissioners want to have trees replanted in the Spring? TBD.
• Director MacDonald met with members of a second Engineering/Architect firm for their opinion on any possibilities of use of the old Y Building. Brian feels it important to have a fresh set of eyes to look at the property. Brian is requesting permission to contract CES to provide a viability report.
o Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve CES to provide a viability report on 127 Hammond Street at a not to exceed $2,000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
• Brian stated that he is still waiting for WBRC to provide a complete set of drawings he requested last week.
Finance Update –
Finance Director Judy Alexander presented the previously Approved Budget Summary from the Budget Committee hearings that were held November 10 and November 17.
• Tax Levy reflects increase in taxes to be 9.353% as opposed to our original 11.213%. The increase in taxes to be collected in 2021 if $1,563,611 more than 2020. This represents changing the following:
o 53 pay weeks reduced to 52 which reduced both wage and benefits lines by ($ 179,228 reduction)
o PRCC – reducing capital line Communications Equipment from $ 120 K to $ 115 K ($ 5,000 reduction)
o IT – reducing equipment repair line from $ 328,350 to $ 313,350 ($ 15,000 reduction)
o Building Improvement – reducing Buildings and Improvements line from $ 175,000 to $ 150,000 ($25,000 reduction)
o Loan – reducing line from $ 700 K to $ 600 K ($100,000 reduction)
o Total reduction $324,228
• Director Alexander will forward this updated approved budget on to Budget Committee members before the Public Hearing to be held in December.
Administration Update -
Administrator Collins reported the following:
• Administrator Collins states he has been working with Legal Council on a draft of the RFP and hopes that it can be finalized today.
• There is a AFSCME Supervisors negotiation this afternoon.
• FOP negotiations have been rescheduled for next week.
• Non-essential personnel will be off this Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
• Sheriff has notified us that the $600 hazard pay stipend for fulltime and $300 for part-time has been denied.
• The three year $750K mental health grant for the Sheriff’s Office has posed some difficulties in getting this finalized. Bill will try again this afternoon.
• County offices for non-essential personnel will be closed tomorrow and Friday for Thanksgiving.
• Director Honey and Bill met with AFSCME last week and will meet again this Friday.
• Payroll Change Notices signed for: Ivan Fitzwater and Michaleb Niles – Resignations; Lisa Dwinal, Zachary Rollins, Caleb Winter, Jacob Adeeko and Colby Garland - Hired
• Payroll Warrant to be approved for 11.20.2020: $282,348.28
• Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for 11.24.2020: $41,195.30
• UT Warrant to be approved for 11.24.2020: $34,145.77
• UT TIF Warrant to be approved for 11.24.2020: $7,009.04
Approval of Warrants –
Commissioner Cushing moved to approve the warrants as presented. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Public Meeting ended at 9:35 a.m.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:37 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approved passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins, Director MacDonald, Director Alexander, Treasurer Hiatt and Director Honey. Session ended at 9:49 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:50 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approved passed 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Administrator Collins and Director Honey. Session ended at 10:13 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:14 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
