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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-18 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE April 18, 2007 Minutes Councilors in attendance: Stone, D’Errico, Hawes, Blanchette, Farrington Staff in attendance: Barrett, Cyr, Bolduc, Hupp 1. Bids/Purchasing a. 120 Venture Way Renovations – Economic Development Fund – Dunbar & Brawn - $381,900 Cyr said the City recently went out to bid for renovations at 120 Venture Way and it houses the Penquis CAP daycare center. The BED Committee has discussed the item as well. Penquis CAP obtained a $150,000 grant to apply toward the project. The City determined it could provide a Community Development loan for up to $350,000. The loan would be repaid through a rent increase from Penquis Cap. The loan would be repaid within 20 years. There is a 3% interest on the funds. 12 bids were sent out; 5 responses received. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. The vote was 5-0. The item will go to the full City Council for its final action. b. Sole Source Purchase – Aircraft Push-back Equipment – Airport – Douglas - $27,515 Cyr said this item is for parts to repair the push-back equipment. The Airport Department is asking that bid requirements be waived on this item. The original equipment was purchased in 1985 and the cost to replace it would be in the range of $250,000-$500,000. The Airport recommends going back to the original manufacturer to obtain the parts. Douglas has provided a quote of $27,155. Responding to Blanchette, Hupp said that Douglas will manufacture the part and Airport personnel will install it. Hupp said she is not aware of any warranty on the part but the Airport has been satisfied with the equipment for twenty-two years. By a 5-0 vote, a motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. 2. Ordinance 07-138, Taxicabs, Rates of Fares, to Make the March 2006 Rate Increase Permanent Ordinance 07-138 would eliminate the sunset provision that was applied to a taxicab fare increase that was originally adopted in 2005. Barrett said the City Council established a Taxicab Regulation Advisory Committee to review the City’s system of cab regulations and the rates then in effect. As a part of this effort, a temporary fare increase was enacted, primarily to offset the then rapidly escalating price of gasoline. Responding to Blanchette, he said that most use gasoline and not propane. Since then, the temporary rate increase has been extended several times. As we approach the sunset date of May 1st, the Taxicab Committee has reviewed the situation and has recommended that the temporary fare increase be made permanent by eliminating the sunset date. Hawes said the full Advisory Committee approved this recommendation. If fuel prices continue to rise, she anticipates the taxicab drivers/owners will come back to the Council in the future. By a 5-0 vote, a motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. The Ordinance rd will appear on the Council’s April 23 agenda for final approval. 3. Update on Special Elections of June 12, 2007 Dubois said there was a scheduled election on June 12 to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. The State has now decided to place two bond questions on the June ballot. Due to the short timeframe, the Secretary of State has opted to print paper hand-tallied ballots. Larger municipalities like Bangor are not accustomed to hand-tallying ballots. Dubois suggested that the municipal side of the ballot be handled similarly as well. It would be difficult for her to prepare two separate methods of closing procedures for the part-time temporary election staff. It will give the workers an opportunity to learn a new way to handle large numbers of hand- count ballots and will save the City money by not printing ballots and not having the company program the ballot machines. There will be one week of early voting set up. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. It was approved by a 6-0 vote. 4. Executive Session – 36 MRSA Section 841(2) – Hardship Abatement A motion was made and seconded to move into Executive Session. 5. Open Session – Hardship Abatement Decision A motion was made and seconded to approve the hardship abatement request. The vote was 5-1.