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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.