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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-03 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Minutes Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, January 3, 2006 Minutes Councilors Attending: Peter D’Errico, Geoffrey Gratwick, Susan Hawes, Richard Stone Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Don Winslow, Tony Caruso, Sally Bates, Sally Bates, Dana Wardwell, Dan Wellington Others Attending: Highland Court residents Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Discussion: Consider Directional Change of the One-Way Traffic on Highland Court Jim Ring references a map and the memo from the Police Chief regarding a survey performed, which have been reviewed by Dana Wardwell, Ron Gastia, and himself. Highland Court runs between Union Street and Highland Avenue, describing it as being narrow and one-way. Enter onto Highland Court from Highland Avenue travel toward Union Street to exit. There was an inquiry and request to change the direction to enter from Union Street onto Highland Court and exit onto Highland Avenue, because of a very steep hill at the lower end toward Highland Avenue, being 8% grade. There were approximately five responses to the survey; one raised concern about plowed snow filling the driveways. This would not be an issue because of the use of a small truck with a quick switch plow which would allow the snow to be moved to the other side. The other item of concern was entering to turn onto Highland from Union Street, it would be better to enter there because of the lower traffic volume. Staff would support. Councilor Stones would like to move the Staff’s recommendation, but holds until citizen comments are made. Keith Young lives at 2 Highland Court, house on the corner. States already having to assist motorists that become stuck near his residence and the difficulty vehicles have in going up the incline in the winter. Councilor Stone moves to staff recommendation, Councilor D’Errico seconds. 1 2. Referral: Ordinance 06-041 – Add Two Additional Parking Spaces on the North Side of Lower York Street Sally Bates explains the section on York Street between Exchange Street and Kenduskeag Plaza does not currently have on street parking. A couple of businesses have asked if there could be some on street parking. Lt. Gastia performed various measurements, and concluded there could be two on street parking spaces added, one near Exchange Street and the other near Kenduskeag Plaza on the north side. Dana Wardwell with Public Works was consulting to make sure there weren’t any maintenance issues, none noted. Councilor Stone moves, Councilor D’Errico seconds. 3. Guidance for Cleanup of Illegal Drug Labs Dan Wellington states this is something that came to their attention as a matter of an emergency. City uncovered its first drug lab operation last year. There was concern about turning the land back over to the landlord for re-rental. He explains when a drug lab is discovered the Police Department goes in to do removal, DEP, if there is any sign of contamination will remove what’s left. That is removing stuff down to the level of commercial, industrial cleaning levels, which is not advisable to put a child into or a female of reproductive age, or carrying child. The goal is, with additional staff training, and the guidance from a document used widely in other areas, especially in Colorado, for the Code office and the public health authorities in those communities after the Police and DEP have finished with the removals when it’s no longer a crime scene and before it’s turned back over to the landlord. The Code Department is enabled under the property maintenance code to require additional cleaning to be done before placing people back into the dwelling. The commercial industrial standards for chemical exposures are designed for a 160 lb. male for a forty hour week exposure. He explained they were unprepared when previous incident occurred and wanted to assure City Staff they have documents to work with landlords in the future. Also if the landlords have any concerns about the inability of cleaning the apartments to requirements, they have a right to appeal to the Board of Appeals. No action required, informational purposes only. 4. Agreement with Sargent Corporation for Lease of Hangar Building #123 at Bangor International Airport Tony Caruso states the Airport was contacted recently by Herb Sargent who is on of the principal owners of the newly formed Sargent Corporation. Mr. Sargent is 2 interested in leasing heated, corporate style hangar space. The issue has been discussed with Mr. Sargent, which led to a tentative agreement for payment terms of a little over $1,300.00 per month for a five year term. There is usually some concern over the utilities and hazardous waste. The tenant has total responsibility of the utilities, and hazardous waste cleanup, removal, disposal. There will be no major maintenance activity to be conducted in that hangar. The tenant is allowed limited ramp access, after passing the required FAA background check and flight-line driving test, then they will have access to drive into the gate to their area. Airport recommends approval of the agreement. Councilor Stone states his concern regarding the expectation of 4% being a good number, also the twenty year payback. Being after the fact for this agreement, how can a standard be set from this point on to potentially negotiate changes in terms in the future. Ed Barrett states these rates were initiated established for the facility after it was constructed. There has not been a demand for this space for a period of time, thus there hasn’t been a need to look at an increase in those rates. Staff will take a look at that and come back with a recommendation to use in the future. Tony Caruso states they try to keep the rates particularly for this facility attractive, due to the lack of demand in this region for this style (heated, upscale, corporate) hangar. These hangar bays have not been leased for six to eight months. It is hard to find long term tenants for this hangar. Ed Barrett states this hangar’s percentage is different from the 8% of market value per year charged elsewhere at the airport. Tony Caruso states in response to Councilor D’Errico’s question that the airport does provide moving the aircraft to and from the hangar. And usually tenants are not charged land fees. Councilor Gratwick questions whether war and terrorism is covered under the liability coverage. Ed Barrett states normally those are not covered under any kind of commercial insurance. Tony Caruso states this could be something added to agreements in the future. Councilor Stone moves for acceptance of this lease arrangement, Councilor D’Errico seconds. Motion to adjourned and seconded. 3