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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-05 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE October 5, 2009 Councilors: Stone, Bronson, D’Errico, Palmer, Hawes, Wheeler, Blanchette, Gratwick, Nealley Staff: Cyr, Barrett, Cammack, Caruso 1. Consent Agenda a. Quitclaim Deed – 296 French Street b. Quitclaim Deed – 327 Ohio Street c. Update on Pending Bids – Aircraft Heater d. Resolve 09-301, Appropriating $70,000 in ARRA Funds Provided by Maine DEP to Fund a Stormwater Utility Feasibility & Planning Project The Consent Agenda was approved as presented. 2. Bids a. Rubber Removal – Airport – Hi Lite Markings - $48,750 (three year total) Cyr noted that by FAA regulations, the Airport is required to remove rubber from the runway surface to certain specifications. The City received two bids and the recommendation is to award the contract to the low bidder, Hi-Lite Markings. Councilor D’Errico questioned why the Airport now contracts for this service, as in the past the military had a contractor perform the service. Caruso indicated that since he has been at the Airport the work has been contracted for by the Airport. Councilor Gratwick asked if it would be possible for this service to be performed by existing service. Caruso explained that he felt the investment for equipment and training would exceed the cost to contract. Caruso indicated he would follow up on the questions posed and respond later that week. It was moved and seconded to award the contract to Hi-Light Markings. b. Uniforms – Fire – American Fire Equipment - $19,999 (Year 1 of 3) Cyr noted that every three years or so the City goes out to bid for uniforms. Thirteen bids were issued and four responses were received. The Fire Department has reviewed all submissions and the recommendation is to award to the low bidder, American Fire Equipment of South Easton, Massachusetts. Responding to Wheeler, Cyr said that the City has used Gall’s Safety Equipment in the past for a number of items. When proposals were issued in this instance, there were 13 vendors who have indicated their desire to be notified anytime uniform rental type opportunities arise. The vendors are notified by e-mail or letter. In addition, a general advertisement is published in the Bangor Daily News and is often picked up by any number of bid aggregators. It is also posted on the City’s website. Wheeler asked if the process would be compromised if the City were to seek a response from a company that has not previously responded. Cyr said it would be compromised. Responding to Gratwick, Cyr said there are women firefighters and they are outfitted as well. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. 3. Request by Council Chair Palmer – Advertising for Bangor Beats the Brady Gang Event – October 9-11, 2009 th Palmer noted that this event is part of the City’s 175 birthday celebration. A number of events have taken place through the year. He noted that in-kind and cash donations from the community have been used and t-shirts have been sold. It is important that the public understand that on Friday at 4 and 7 pm an event will be held at the Hammond Street Senior Center to do Al Brady talks and a video from the prior Al Brady Gang event. Saturday there is a “Carmel Auto Rest Park Event” at West Market Square. Posters have been displayed. On Sunday, there will be a vintage auto parade from the Pickering Square Garage to Central Street with the historical reenactment at 2:30 pm. In order for the public to understand, he felt it important that some advertising in the Bangor Daily News be purchased. Palmer requested that $437.83 be spent for two ads in the Bangor Daily News. Responding to Hawes, Palmer said that ad will be run in all editions. Nealley asked if The Weekly and the Maine Edge were used. Palmer said both have very different demographics. Gratwick recognized the heroic efforts of Council Chair Palmer in the th 175 celebration. He also spoke of tight budget times. He expressed concern about the precedent being set. Palmer stated that the upcoming event is important for the community. 25 years ago the City of Bangor spent $100,000 of taxpayer thth money for the 150 anniversary of the City. The 175 celebrations have taken place with very little revenue with some cash sponsors. Blanchette asked where the money would come from for the advertising. She did not agree with using funds within existing budgets. Palmer said that everyone is concerned about the taxpayer th but the 175 birthday events have been positive and far reaching, and the city has received a lot for very little. Responding to Stone, Cyr said the logical place would be within the Community and Economic Development’s advertising budget for Bangor. If approved, other planned advertising uses would be cut back. Nealley said that Palmer has done a good job in staying within the budget parameters and has done a significant job of celebrating Bangor’s history. He also suggested along with Blanchette that the money could be found in the private sector. Nealley commented on the success of the Paul Bunyan Citizenship Award ceremony. Hawes asked Palmer if he had checked with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Palmer said that they generally do not have much in the way of resources and he had not gone into that area as a viable option. Wheeler commented on the success of the Paul Bunyan Citizenship Award. th Responding to Wheeler, Cyr said that no funds were budgeted for the 175 birthday events. A prior request to the Committee was to authorize the expenditure for t- shirts and with the hope that they would be sold throughout the year with the monies to be recovered. The next largest expenditure was for the birthday party and bonfire at Bass Park. Magnets have been purchased, bookmarks have been printed in house, WZON has produced and aired birthday minutes, the time capsule event, the Civil War Event, the Bangor House event, the Citizenship Award event, and the Brady Gang. At this point, approximately $10,000 has been spent with approximately $4,500 being generated including t-shirt sales through the end of June. WZON donated all birthday minutes in-kind for just over $24,000. Also several other businesses have donated fireworks, beverages, food, entertainment, flowers, clothing, etc for just over $11,500. In summary, Cyr said that donated services are over $35,000, approximately $10,000 has been spent and approximately $4,500 has been taken in revenue. Wheeler noted the good work done by Palmer. Bronson noted that in the coming year he will be advocating that a ‘donations free’ year in which all entities receiving small amounts of money from the City demonstrate how much the community itself values them by going out and raising their own money for a year before coming back to the City. Bronson made a th motion to support this request and assuming that the City’s 176 anniversary will not be celebrated. It was seconded. Adjourned at 5:35 p.m.