By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Caribou City Council hosted a public hearing and regular meeting Monday evening to consider the terms of a credit enhancement agreement with Lake Road Farms, Inc. for the extension of three-phase power within the RC-2 TIF district.
Michael Shrewsbury, director of community development for the city of Caribou, presented a draft of the document, explaining contents of the agreement. No one from the public commented.
The credit enhancement agreement between the city and Lake Road Farms, Inc. will fund the construction of improved electrical utility service infrastructure within the city’s RC-2 tax increment financing district. Councilman Philip McDonough made a motion that was seconded by Mary Kate Barbosa to approve the agreement.
Council members approved a request by Steven Wentworth, Caribou building and code enforcement officer, to proclaim the month of May as Building Safety Month. Sponsored by the International Code Council and International Code Council Foundation, the event seeks to remind the public about the critical role communities’ largely unknown guardians of public safety — local code officials — play to assure safe, efficient and livable buildings.
Wentworth also requested the council take aggressive action in regard to four properties within the city whose owners have ignored communications from code enforcement for years. It was suggested by Wentworth that councilors view these properties located on York Street, Sperry Drive and Roosevelt Avenue, two of which have violations that go back to 2006. None of the property owners have attempted to clean up or repair the problems.
The council voted to have the city manager transfer this issue to the city’s legal counsel for further action and communication with property owners.
Regarding a request from the Caribou Parks and Recreation and ATV Advisory Committee to establish ATV access along Sweden Street from County Sports to Reno’s Family Restaurant, the council voted unanimously to support the matter as it encourages residents and visitors to use the trail routes, and to patronize local businesses.
Ben Zetterman, president of the Caribou ATV Club, stated that the group had reviewed the request with the Caribou Police Department and that Chief Gahagan had indicated that the width of the roadway would allow for safe operation of ATVs.
When the city council approved the final draft of the 2012 municipal budget, a last-minute motion was made and approved that the document would include mandatory furlough days for all city employees except those in the police, fire and ambulance departments.
Although not all councilors were at the final budget meeting nor did all of those present vote in agreement to the furlough amendment, the motion passed. Since that time city department employees have notified the council that a grievance would be filed against the city.
On Monday evening, when council members were considering further actions or amendments to the 2012 budget the furlough days amendment was rescinded on a motion by David Martin, seconded by Barbosa. “Any savings to the city from creating these mandatory furlough days will be compromised by anticipated costs of arbitration and other legal fees,” said Martin. “It’s a win/lose situation — the furlough days would save the public $8,500 but the cost of a grievance filing would be much more than that,” he added.
Councilor Jon Boone stated, “I don’t oppose the furlough days in theory. My thought process on this issue was that it was a valued way to cut costs, but it is a potential expense if we consider the grievance matter.”
Councilor Gary Aiken stated, “I didn’t see these furloughs as long term — only for this year. In the long-term, we have to look where we can streamline and right now — the only place left to look is in personnel and benefits. For the next budget year the council may have to look into the level of health benefit programs, and may have to reconstruct these programs. No one is going to lose their job or their health benefits but we will have to start taking into consideration that if an employee leaves their position, do we really need to fill that slot again.”
“The Council is ready to talk with city employees at any time there are concerns or ideas that need to be addressed — regarding the grievances — there was fault throughout this whole process starting with the council,” he added.
The panel agreed that in moving forward with the next budget cycle (which according to rules of the new charter will begin immediately in June) communications must be kept open between the council and department heads/employees.
The next meeting of the Caribou City Council will be held on Tuesday May 29, beginning at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.
