HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-01 Finance Committee MinutesFINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Councilors in Attendance: Durgin, Nealley, Perry, Baldacci
Staff in Attendance: Cyr, Conlow, Hathaway, Hamilton, Willett, Caruso, Little Webb
1. Consent Agenda
a. Update on Used Vehicle Purchase
b. Council Resolve 16-288, Accepting and Appropriating a $102,627 grant from Maine
Department of Health and Human Services to Support an In-home Asthma Education
Program
Motion made and seconded to accept the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Bids/Purchasing
a. Request to Waive Bid Process — Electronic Control Devices — Police — Taser
International - $14,823
Motion made and seconded to waive bid process and execute contract. Motion passed
unanimously.
3. Authorization to Use Airport Reserve Funds to Relocate Deicing Operations
and Appropriate Proceeds from Sale of Aircraft Parts to Reimburse the
Reserve Funds
Staff reviewed a recent opportunity to relocate the deicing operations. The current
tanks are located in space that will be leased to C&L Aviation. As this was not
anticipated the initial plan was to allow tanks to remain and re -pipe for the upcoming
winter season and to permanently relocate next fiscal year. An opportunity arose to
relocate the operations now. The request is to appropriate reserve funds to fund this
work and appropriate proceeds from aircraft parts to reimburse the reserve funds.
Motion made and seconded to recommend passage to the City Council. Motion passed
unanimously.
4. Council Order 16-284, Authorizing Issuance of $1,000,000 of General
Obligation Bonds (School)
Staff reviewed the Council Order to authorize the issuance of $1,000,000 of general
obligation bonds for improvements at Cameron Stadium and 14th Street school. This
was reviewed in detail at the previous Finance Committee meeting, but will be before
the City Council on August 8th for a public hearing and approval.
In May 2013, Council Order 13-157 authorized the issuance of $1.2 million in general
obligation bonds for improvements at Cameron Stadium. At that time, the School
Department presented an initial plan to significantly improve the facilities at Cameron
Stadium. The plan included replacement of the bleachers, lighting system, new
locker rooms and restrooms and equipment storage, expansion of the track and the
installation of turf. The bond proceeds were used to replace the bleachers, lighting
and construct restroom facilities. A fundraising campaign was put in place for the
balance. The non-profit was established and worked diligently to raise the funds.
However, with the general economy and the competing projects in the community,
the full vision was not achieved. Overall there was in excess of $240,000 raised for
the improvements at the facility.
The City's Charter requires that the issuance of general obligation bonds for a single
capital improvement be approved by voters if it exceeds a certain dollar threshold
and does not meet one of the defined exceptions. Both the bleachers and lighting
portions of the project were deemed a life safety issue that needed to be addressed
as an emergency. The bleachers were unsafe and likely to be put out of service and
the lighting system was a hazard to participants and patrons alike. As there was no
plan to issue additional bonds for this project, the bond order did not include the
specific language citing the findings in support of the exception. Therefore, this Order
would also amend Council Order 13-157 to state the emergency nature of the bonds
for the bleacher and lighting upgrades.
Motion made and seconded to recommend passage to the City Council. Motion passed
unanimously.
5. Council Order 16-285, Authorizing Issuance of $7,003,000 of General
Obligation Bonds (FY 17 Budget)
Staff reviewed the list of projects that were identified and reviewed during the FY 2017
budget process where bond proceeds would be utilized for funding.
Motion made and seconded to recommend passage to the City Council. Motion passed
unanimously.
6. Recommendation to Take Possession of Property
Staff reviewed the list of 6 vacant parcels for the Council to consider taking possession
of. Most appear to be "orphan" parcels from development and or transactions. The
property on Stillwater has subsequently been determined to be assessed incorrectly, it
should have been part of an abutting parcel, so the recommendation on that parcel was
amended to write off the outstanding taxes. This parcel will now be combined with an
existing parcel for tax assessments going forward.
Motion made and seconded to recommend taking possession of five properties to the
City Council and writing off taxes on the Stillwater parcel. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned 5:37 pm
7. Order, Authorizing the City Manager to apply for funds in the amount of
$125,000 from the State of Maine Department of Public Safety to employ a
case manager to assist persons with substance use disorder
Staff reviewed the grant opportunity to obtain funding for a case manager to assist
persons with substance use disorders. As the Police Department has had excellent
experience with working with a mental health counselor, the belief is this grant would
provide similar opportunity and benefit when the Police Department is dealing with
individuals with substance abuse issues. The grant application is due August 5, 2016, if
recommended by the Committee, a Resolve will be on the next Council agenda ratifying
the grant application.