HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-20 Finance Committee Minutes
FINANCE COMMITTEE
October 20, 2008
Minutes
Councilor Attendance: Palmer, Blanchette, D’Errico, Wheeler, Gratwick
Staff Attendance: Cyr, Barrett, Heitmann, Dawes, Willette, Enman,
Hupp, Farrington
Others: Mr. Tippett
1. Consent Agenda
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda.
a. Quitclaim Deed – Tippett – Former Warren Court
b. Council Resolve 08-331, Appropriating $662,000 from Airport Reserves to
Fund Energy Conservation Projects
c. Council Resolve 08-332, Appropriating Shelter Plus Care Grants Funds
2. Bids/Purchasing
a. 4 x 4 Cab & Chassis – Airport – Varney GMC - $27,114
Cyr said this truck is used to plow and sand the numerous parking lots at BIA as
well as general maintenance for the airfield. It is painted Wheatland yellow.
Nine bids were issued and staff’s recommendation is to award the bid to Varney
GMC. She pointed out that it is an alternate bid as the truck is a 2008 which is
currently on Varney’s lot. The City will have the truck painted, and will install a
plow, change radios and LED light bars. This will replace a 1994 half-ton pick-up
that has continuous maintenance problems and is not capable of carrying the
sander. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation.
b. Request to Waive Purchasing Regulations – Food & Beverage Concession
– Bangor Municipal Golf Course
Cyr noted that the Golf Course operates a concession at the Golf Course and
since the 2003 golf year has had a contract with the Murdy’s d/b/a/ JTRC. In
2003, the Murdy’s were the only bid responder to the City’s RFP for concession
services. Prior to that, the Golf Course had experienced problems with previous
operators. The Murdy’s have provided good service and quality food, and the
City has received favorable patron comments. Based on this, the City entered
into a second three-year term as was allowed under the original RFP in 2002.
The six-year period has now been reached. Staff recommended waiving the RFP
process and award the contract to the Murdy’s to continue the concession
operation for another three years with the option to renew for a second three
year period. The amount paid to the City is $2,000. Gratwick spoke about the
rental fee. Willette said at this point the amount works for both parties but both
parties are open to discussion. Gratwick felt it wouldn’t be unreasonable for an
increase due to inflation. Blanchette pointed out that the Murdy’s have already
absorbed food cost increases and are doing a great job at the concession. She
did not agree to pass along an increase in the rent fee.
Wheeler asked if the fee for Fiesta Shows at the Bangor State Fair has been
increased. Cyr said it is adjusted annually as part of the three-year contract
between the City and Fiesta. Wheeler agreed to go with staff’s judgment as to
whether an increase should be implemented.
A motion was made by Councilor Blanchette to waive the purchasing regulations
and allow the Murdy’s to continue to operate the concession at the same rental
rate of $2,000. Wheeler seconded the motion. Gratwick voted against the
motion stating that if this motion doesn’t pass, he offered a motion that would
increase the rental rate according to the best judgment of staff. Barrett
suggested that Willette speak with the Murdy’s.
Blanchette said that such concerns should have been raised prior to the meeting.
She didn’t feel it fair to go back at the last minute to ask the Murdy’s about an
increase. Blanchette said she would not amend her motion. Willette said he has
had discussions with the Murdy’s and he feels they can come up with an agreed
fee, if necessary, for an increase. Blanchette asked Willette how he would
respond if the Murdy’s indicate they cannot afford an increase. Farrington
agreed with the motion made by Blanchette.
Wheeler compared this decision to ones made by this committee on sewer
abatement requests; i.e. if you do it for one, you do it for all. Wheeler said the
same principle may apply in this situation. Wheeler moved to amend the motion
to accept staff’s recommendation subject to a negotiation between Parks and
Recreation and the Murdy’s regarding an increase in their annual franchise fee.
The motion was seconded by Gratwick with a clarification. He felt that Wheeler
was invalidating Blanchette’s motion. Wheeler stated he was amending, not
invalidating. Palmer clarified that the $2,000 is now being requested to be
negotiated as part of the amended motion. Gratwick said if it is negotiated to
the best extent of staff it would meet his concerns.
Enman spoke about the good relationship with the Murdy’s. Enman and Willette
have spoken with the Murdy’s about the rate, and there might be room for a
small adjustment.
Speaking to the amendment, Blanchette said if this was the intent then it should
not have been brought to the Committee as waiver of bid procedures. If a new
contract and fee is wanted, then it should have gone out for bid. She feels that
the City is trying to nickel and dime a business that is doing the City a favor by
operating the concession.
Wheeler took issue with Blanchette’s point. It is not a question of nickel and
diming anyone. He said it is not an issue of how well the Murdy’s operate the
concession. The question is does the City renew a contract for a third time with
no increase ever having been implemented or discussed.
Palmer clarified there were five voting members in attendance. The amendment
is to negotiate the $2,000 fee. Palmer asked for hands to be raised. The vote
was 2 in favor, 3 opposed, which brought the Committee back to the main
motion to waive the bid process and give the Murdy’s a three-year contract with
an option of a three-year renewal at $2,000. Palmer asked for a vote. The vote
is 3 in favor, 2 opposed. The motion carried.
3. Executive Session -- 1 MRSA Section 405 6 C and E – ExxonMobil
Request to Assign Agreements at Bangor International Airport
A motion was made and seconded to go into executive session. Subsequently, the
Committee returned to open session and no action was taken.