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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-15 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES September 15, 2014 at 5:58pm Council Members: Blanchette, Graham, Durgin, Nealley, Gallant, Civiello Staff Members: Cyr, Dawes, Willette, Nicklas, Birch Others: 1. Consent Agenda a. Quitclaim Deed – 48 Vernon Street b. Report of Bids Awarded by Staff – August 2014 Councilor Durgin moved, Councilor Graham seconded, so approved. 2. Bids/Purchasing a. Multiple Trucks – Fleet Maintenance – Item #1 - #3 – Whited Ford - $50,251, $29,816 and $31,987, Item #4 – Quirk Ford - $18,055 Finance Director Deb Cyr stated we went out to bid for 4 trucks. 1 for the WWTP, 1 for Parks and Recreation and 2 for Public Works. Staff recommendation is to award the the items to the low bidders. Items 1, 2 & 3 were awarded to Whited Ford and Item 4 was awarded to Quirk Ford. All of these items were approved as a part of the FY 2015 budget process. Councilor Durgin moved, Councilor Nealley seconded, so approved. b. Playground Equipment – Broadway – Parks & Recreation – Game Time - $58,816 Director Cyr explained that this item was approved through the FY 2015 budget process to replace the aging equipment at Broadway Park. Staff recommendation is to award the contract to the low bidder, Game Time in the amount of $58,816. Councilor Durgin moved, Councilor Graham seconded, so approved. c. Request to Waive Bid Process – Plow Truck – Fleet Maintenance – Freightliner of Maine/HP Fairfield - $154,218 Director Cyr reminded the committee that they approved the replacement of one plow truck this year. It was not feasible to put the money into fixing the broken plow truck which was planned for replacement next year so Bob Dawes, Supervisor of Fleet Maintenance, looked around and found a solution by purchasing a work ready plow truck that we will have within 4-6 weeks if approved. Councilor Gallant asked where this money was coming from. Director Cyr stated that several bids came in under bid so that extra money will be used for this plow truck. Councilor Nealley moved, Councilor Durgin seconded, so approved to recommend to full Council. 3. Request for Tax Relief – 394 Birch Street Director Cyr explained that this is not the usual request for tax relief for the tax payer itself but this request is different because there are a number of heirs to this property and this specific heir is asking that the City waive the interest and fees on the outstanding taxes owed which totals almost $4,130. This will release the title and they plan to make significant improvements to make it their home. Staff recommendation is to grant this request because it would take significant City time and resources to take possession, etc. Councilors discussed the pros and cons of approving this request. The City does not normally write off interest fees and sewer fees but if it was not approved it would cost the City a large amount of money going through the act of taking possession. Council just does not want to see this become the norm. Councilor Nealley moved, Councilor Durgin seconded, so approved. 4. Assessor’s Update City Assessor Ben Birch stated he was there to give the Finance Committee an update on the Assessing Department. These updates can be found on the City of Bangor’s website at www.bangormaine.gov. Adjourned at 6:30pm.