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.
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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
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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.
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