HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-19 Finance Committee Minutes
FINANCE COMMITTEE
August 19, 2013
5:43PM
MINUTES
Council Members: Sprague, Baldacci, Durgin, Nealley, Blanchette, Civiello, Longo
Staff: Cyr, Conlow, Caruso, Lucas, Bird
Other: Kinghorn
1. Consent Agenda
a. Resolve 13-271, Appropriating $579,000 in US EDA Grant Funds for Aircraft
Paint Facility at BIA
b. Resolve 13-273, Appropriating $91,480 in TSA Grant Funds for Pre-Project In-
line Baggage Project Costs
c. Resolve 13-274, Appropriating $3,200,000 in PFC Funds for Electrical
Upgrades and Domestic Terminal Renovations
d. Resolve 13-275, Appropriating $1,689,163 in FAA and $93,843 in MDOT AIP
Grant Funds – Canal Fill Wildlife Abatement Project
e. Resolve 13-276, Appropriating $,672,307 in FAA and $37,350 in MDOT AIP
Grant Funds – Subsurface Drainage and Runway Guard Lights
f. Resolve 13-277, Appropriating $154,668 in FAA and $8,140 in MDOT AIP
Grant Funds – Video Inspection and Design Repairs – Airfield Drainage
g. Order, Authoring Application for a $150,000 MDEP Grant – Bio-retention Cell
in Sunny Hollow Development
h. Workout Agreement – 68 Silver Road – Bell
i. Ratification of Mobile Data Terminal Purchase
Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Longo seconded, approved and recommended to
City Council.
2. Bids/Purchasing
a. Rock Salt – Public Works – International Salt Company - $262,050
Finance Director Cyr stated that staff recommendation is to award the contract to
International Salt Company. While they were not low bidder, the City has had no
experience with the low bidder (neither has Brewer) and the salt that was shown was
not up to specifications.
Councilor Sprague moved, Councilor Baldacci seconded, recommended to City Council.
b. Energy Supply Contracts
Finance Director Cyr explained the process by which Maine Power Options (MPO)
selects a power supplier for a 3 year contract. Since deregulation the City has been
able to contract for electricity supply and has MPO for that purpose. MPO negotiates
contracts with a supplier and it is fixed pricing for the life of the agreement, which
includes all regulatory fees. The City is able to manage peak usage where possible
through a notification form MPO. Under this arrangement there are no fees if we close
an account. The City currently has 3 contracts; streetlight, medium service and large
service accounts. The current contract with MPO is set to expire, while the City could
go out to bid for our own service supplier but do not possess the necessary technology
knowledge to undertake this on our own. We would recommend hiring a highly
rd
experienced 3 party to represent us and manage the process. For those reasons, staff
recommendation is that the City continues to work with MPO for the negotiation of
electricity supply contracts.
Councilor Baldacci moved, Councilor Nealley seconded, recommended to City Council.
3. Discussion of Optional Cultural Investment Fund
Vice Chair George Kinghorn of the Commission on Cultural Development stated that this
optional investment request certificate will be accompanying the utility/sewer bill in
hopes it will help raise additional funds for marketing and other things for cultural
events, etc.
Councilor Baldacci suggested that the letter include information as to how donations will
be used.
Councilor Nealley suggested that the t levels of donations be named and to include an
anonymous option on the form such as a check box.
It was proposed that the letters be sent to anyone who receives sewer and tax bills
which is a broader list. Also Councilor Sprague suggested using Downtown Bangor’s
Facebook page to reach renters who don’t receive those bills.
Councilor Blanchette stated that at the end of the form there should be a statement
saying “this donation is tax deductable”.
Councilor Sprague moved staff recommendation, Councilor Baldacci seconded,
recommended to the City Council.
Jason Bird will update the form with the additions from this meeting’s discussions.
4. Discussion of City Hall Roof
Finance Director Cyr explained that it has been recently discovered that the roof at City
Hall needs to be replaced. The current roof was installed in 1999 and was said to
have a 10 year life. Staff recommendation is to replace the roof with a rubber
membrane that would have a 30 year life. At this time we do know that the roof needs
to be replaced, what is unknown is any other damage that may be found when it is
replaced. Based on initial estimates, the cost could range from $250,000 to $300,000.
While this was not anticipated, the recommendation would be that the project be
funded with general obligation bonds.
Councilor Longo asked if there was any other project that we could piggyback with the
roof such as windows. Councilors discussed many different options regarding windows.
More research needs to be done before we move on the windows. We need to look at
the overall building and future plans before we do anymore renovations, etc.
Recommended to the City Council.
Adjourned at 6:30PM