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.