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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-21 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Minutes Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Minutes Councilors Attending: Peter D’Errico, Susan Hawes, John Cashwell, Anne Allen Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, James Ring, John Hamer Others Attending: Dawn Gagnon, Muriel Curtis, John McCormack, Chrisitina Diebold, Shep Harris Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. Request to Camp on City Property Near Confluence of Kenduskeag Stream/Penobscot River James Ring stated that John Hamer has been working with Muriel Curtis from a group called Station Maine and also stated there is a memo in the packet, along with maps and other information. And turns it over to John to summarize it. John Hamer states that Station Maine is a youth oriented organization and do a th lot of rowing. On July 4 they’re about to embark on a voyage down the Penobscot and along the coast of Maine. What they would like to do is camp the rd night of July 3 near their launch point and boat so they can get an early inexpensive start on the river. Their request is for permission to camp on City owned property for that one night. Councilor Cashwell asks when are the fireworks. rd John Hamer explains they will be on the 3 and will be down further. The camping would be down near dock #1. Councilor Cashwell asks for questions or objections. None were noted, thus entertains a motion to approve. Councilor D’Errico moves passage of motion. Councilor Hawes seconds. 1 2. Ordinance 05-203, Adopting New Article IV of Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinance – Penjajawoc Marsh/Bangor Mall Management Commission. James Ring states the Task Force has completed it’s work and the Council has accepted the recommendations. One of the recommendations was for the establishment of a Marsh/Mall Management Commission, which would be charge with a number of things, including preliminary review of development projects, working with land owners to develop access, identify land that could be acquired for conservation. Also making recommendations with respect to tax set aside. The Council Ordinance 05-203 was referred to this Committee from the last Council meeting for review and recommendation. The membership of this commission will be made up similar to the Task Force in composition of members. We have also discussed having the Task Force that the Council appointed to serve as the Commission for the first year. Ed Barrett states a copy of the draft to the Task Force to offer them a chance to comment or send something in writing if they had any issues with it. One email from Judy Markowski who had a little concern that the section 23-25D on page 42 where it says guidelines for selection of members, three members shall be members of environmental organizations. Her concern was what an environmental organization was and how that all might work. Jim has talked with her about our normal selection process, where we would solicit applications and review them. One possible change has been put together, indicate that three members shall be active members of locally or nationally recognized environmental organizations, with preference given to applicant indorsed by the local officers or boards of such organizations. That would make it clearer and believes it doesn’t change the intent. Councilor D’Errico asks when the TIF money would begin. Ed Barrett explains that the way the TIF statue is written, we would have to act and establish a tax implement-financing district at the time the development was actually underway. Councilor D’Errico asks if the current development is applicable. Ed Barrett responds with no this would be for future development. Not sure if you could legally do it for the whole district without a development project being inline. You might also have problems with length of time. You might have a TIF district for ten years and very little development in it. The idea is to do it as the projects come in. 2 Councilor D’Errico also asks all of the uses for the money but doesn’t mention uses light traffic improvements other than what applies to the recreational and ecological. Ed Barrett states that the basic intent of the Task Force, we do have sources for some other improvements. For example, the impact fees in the mall areas, which go primarily toward transportation. Also, considerable access, at some points, and depending on the project State or Federal funding for transportation improvements. Councilor D’Errico states that is a substantial money in this 25% of the new tax dollars in a ten year period. Ed Barrett states it could be, depends on the nature and intensity of development in the area and the pace of development. What is listed here in particular when you looking at things that might involves water quality improvement projects coming forward out of the joint study that is going on with Engineering and DEP. That may be a significant cost factor that also has some substantial ecological benefits, particularly downstream of the development. Councilor Cashwell states he would assume that in that sort of deliberation, there are things which may be nice to have, but if we are under some sort of dictate from State EPA or related to that report, we’re going to have to deal with it first. Ed Barrett states that would be something that the Committee would take a look at. The Committee would take a look at making a recommendation to the Council on how those funds should be allocated. By the time this Committee is established and the funding starts we should have at least a preliminary report back on water quality and the kinds of things that might need to be done on water quality. We should know our priorities on conservation lands and public access. Veazie railroad bed, some parcels that the Committee has already talked about that would give a high priority for acquisition or conservation easements. They would make recommendations that would come forward to the Council, the Committee would not have the authority to spend the money, it would still have to go through the Council, appropriation process, etc. James Ring adds that the W/S Corporation interest on the opposite side of the stream approximate to Stillwater Avenue, as we have worked with the Task Force and looked at the overall goals and needs for the watershed the protection or preservation aspect, there is plenty of opportunity there. The access is something is widely supported by our citizens and particularly Watershed Management Plan, which would be completed by the time we start to get some money in, that’s going to provide opportunity for developers to invest in some off site improvements. The City may be able to use these funds on projects that will 3 be very important to improving that stream. Aside from the aesthetic and the environmental reasons for improving that stream, if the stream is not improved it’s going to have some impact on what else we can do in the area; not just for commercial development but other things that may gone there as well. It’s all the same amount of money, if you take 25% of new taxes for ten year, but I don’t think it will be a ten year period. It will be spread out, the need will spread out and will change. Councilor D’Errico asks if the stream is identified all the way to the Penobscot River? Ed Barrett states it is impacted all the way to the river. Also the City Forest has been tremendously popular, the property that the Land Trust is acquiring right next to the City Forest will also be tremendously popular, with a different kind of use. If we can find a way to connect those areas, all the way down through the marsh and get public access and have a variety of different kinds of experiences that will be a tremendous benefit for our residence. And may attract some visitors. It will be a real amenity to the area, and people will appreciate it. This land in particular as it gets close the marsh and the forest in connecting them, is appropriate for that, because it’s not land you want to see development on. Councilor Cashwell asks other than changing the definition of environmental organization are there any other recommendations? Ed Barrett states that was the only comment received back from the Task Force. Councilor Cashwell motions to send this item back with a small definitional change. Councilor Hawes moves to send Council Order 05-203 with the environmental organizations change back to the full Council. Councilor D’Errico seconds the motion. 3. BACTS Transit Advisory Committee James Ring states on page 45 there is a memo from Don Cooper, who works very close with the BAT, Joe and many communities. There has been discussion at the BACTS Policy Committee, in fact the request was initiated by Councilor Allen, who was interested in forming a BACTS Transit Advisory Committee that would meet at least quarterly to review Ridership trends emerging issues. From time to time we do studies that made recommendations on route changes, request for extending routes. Historically what has happened these issues have gone to the BACTS Policy Committee, which meets every two months. The 4 transit functions or activities have not been tracked on a regular basis beyond what staff does. The request was to form this Committee, from the communities that are served, Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Orono, Old Town, Penobscot Indian Nation, and the University of Maine, as well as Veazie. Each committee would have a delegate and an alternate. Joe, the Manager from the BAT would serve as ex-officio member, and there has been discussion as recently as this morning at the BACTS Policy Committee, everybody seem to be supportive, and requests Bangor designate a delegate and an alternative. The full range of activity isn’t known, but there seems to be interest in doing this. Councilor Allen was interested in exploring a formation of such a committee to meet regularly and keep on tap. These would be group from the user communities. The Staff’s position on this is it would probably be very useful. Councilor Hawes asks if we’ve had any responses back from this. Ed Barrett states this was basically sent out to all the communities, so we’re bringing it here. Our suggestion would be Councilor Allen is our delegate and Bob Farrar as the alternate. Councilor Cashwell asks if the Council Chair appoint or how do you do that. Ed Barrett states there is no formal process, and nothing in anything that says it, he would suggest that either the Committee do it or a Council Order. Councilor Hawes comments that she thinks those two names are fine. It was Councilor Allen’s idea to form the Committee it would be likely she would be a candidate for that delegate, and Bob Farrar is involved to the point he would be the alternate. Councilor Cashwell updates Councilor Allen, who just arrived, about the Committee recommending her as the delegate and Bob be the alternate, and it being sent to the Council. Councilor Hawes recommends, Councilor D’Errico seconds. Councilor Cashwell refers back to item #2 and asks if Cindy has an input, and informs her they had made a recommendation for a change. There was an email that came in that mentioned item D23-25, the recommendation from the City was to identify it alittle stronger as a recognized local or national environmental organization whose active local membership will recommend of officers or guiding board to offer up someone for this Committee. Jim Ring states the concern was that this was very general and nonspecific. The language worked up by Ed would be more specific. It mirrors what was done 5 with the Task Force. The purposed change would make of legitimate concerns, the others are clearly defined in terms of property ownership or business interest, and land trust. Councilor Cashwell states that’s what they sent back to go to the full Council on Monday. st Cindy states this term ending December 31 st Councilor Cashwell states everybody ends the 31 and then the Council goes through on an annual basis a structural appointment basis. Ed Barrett states what they wanted to do is to keep as many of the current people who were on the Task Force involved in this to get it started. They would all be eligible for applying when the Council goes through their regular process of making appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees next year. That would then get into the normal process the City uses. st Cindy asks if the time between now and December 31 is it considered a term, because it says it would be limited to two terms. Ed Barrett responds no. Councilor Cahshwell states he is not sure how that will be done, then the terms will be staggered appoints and then become whether you have one or two starts next year. Councilor Cashwell moves to adjourn. Councilor Allen Seconds. 6