HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-20 Finance Committee MinutesCouncilors in Attendance: Durgin, Sprague, Nealley, Perry, Graham,
Nichols, Baldacci
Staff in Attendance: ConlowCyrRudzinski, Collins, Webb, Little,
LinscottCourtney, Kochis
Motion made and seconded to accept consent agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
2. Bids/Purchasing
a. Transit Bus Advertising — Community Connector - ATA Outdoor
Currently the bus advertising work is performed by the Bus Superintendent.
In most systems, this type of work is performed by a third party contractor.
Questions were raised as to whether or not this would be financial beneficia
for the transit system or increase advertising rates too much. Comments
were made in support of this concept to allow the bus superintendent to
focus on broader system issues. It was noted that most City contracts
Motion made and seconded to award the contract to ATA Outdoors. Motion
passed unanimously.
110 1 1, 110MMIRM
Staff reviewed the concept of providing wireless internet access via school
issued devices in the area of Downeast School. The provision of internet
was a priority previously identified by the Council. City and School staff
have been reviewing the options and have developed a plan for a network
to develop the internet access. Therefore, staff wanted to update the
Council at this point.
The network can be established and funded with CDBG funding due to the
population being served. There are many details to work out such as;
internet provider, access, times of operation; infrastructure, etc.
Many noted the need to have internet access and the skills that can be
ieveloped through access.
,#,,uestions and comments regarding the plan were; why not available to all
in the area, why limited to school issued devices, why access is monitored,
could this be expanded beyond one neighborhood?
The overall goal of the project is to have a system up and running in time
for the start of school this fall. The system needs to be appropriately sized
and operational, this was viewed as a first step that can be reevaluated and
tweaked in the future.
Motion made and seconded to recommend an Order to the full City Council that
would allow the City Manager to execute annual agreements with the vendors
that sell bus tickets and passes. There are no fees associated with these
contracts.
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Staff reviewed the proposal from the School Committee to issue bonds to
replace the roof at 14 th Street School and fund improvements at Cameron
Stadium. In 2013, the Council authorized $1.2 million in bonds for
improvements 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. At that time it was
anticipated that a portion of the work would be funded with bond proceeds and
the balance would be paid for by fundraising efforts. The replacement of the
bleachers and lighting were due to life safety code concerns and therefore were
a priority.
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 1ne of the allowable exceptions. At the time of
the issuance 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.
To date, the fundraising efforts have not produced the anticipated results,
therefore the School Committee determined it would be necessary to fund the
addon to the restrooms previously constructed for locker room facilities and
equipment storage.
A concern was raised that this additional funding is in violation of the Charter
provisions. Staff reviewed the situation with the City's Bond Counsel, who
provided the direction that the 2013 bond order would need to be amended to
clarify the emergency nature of the bleacher and lighting improvements. Based
on the costs incurred for the restrooms in 2013 and the proposed financing
under discussion, the project would not exceed the dollar threshold as defined
in the City Charter. However, if additional projects came forward, it would
likely require voter approval.
Many staff, School Committee members and Councilors spoke in favor of this
investment. Many residents spoke in opposition and/or raised questions about
the need for this project. Those concerns included whether or not a need truly
existed — could the current arrangement remain in place, are there other areas
where this funds could be invested that would serve a great population, how
will the debt b^. for, etc.
Motion was made and seconded to recommend the issuance of bonds to the full
City Council. Motion passed unanimously. Staff noted this action would be on
the Council agenda for first reading the second Council meeting in July and —
scheduled for final action at the first Council meeting in August.
Staff reviewed a recommendation to take possession of 73 Central Street, a
long vacant building within downtown. Until this past year, someone has
consistently paid the tax liens just prior to maturing. There are other interested
parties that have been notified of the City's intent. Once the City takes
possession, staff would look to develop an RFP to have the building
redeveloped. Anticipated time line would be to have a redevelopment plan in
place for the 2017 construction season.
Motion made and seconded to recommend to the full City Council to take
possession of this property. Motion passed unanimously.
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