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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-06 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, January 6, 2015 5:00 PM City Council Chambers Minutes Committee Members Present: Chair Baldacci, Councilor Plourde, Councilor Graham, Councilor Nealley, Councilor Faircloth and Councilor Durgin. City Staff Present: Tanya Emery, Steve Bolduc, Cathy Conlow, Caitlin Brooke and Jason Bird. Chair Baldacci called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. 1. Amendment to a Lease Agreement with Ntension Corporation. Steve Bolduc, Economic Development Officer, indicated that Staff has been working with Ntension Corporation to extend their lease until March, 2015 for space at 110 Hildreth Street. The building is fully occupied. The other tenant, JSI Store Fixtures, is proposing to expand its operations at 110 Hildreth Street after March. Staff recommended approval of this lease amendment. Councilor Nealley moved staff recommended. Councilor Graham seconded the motion. The vote was not doubted and passed. 2. Commission on Cultural Development: a. Signage for “Continuity of Community” Sculpture on Bangor Waterfront Caitlin Brooke, Business Development Specialist and Downtown Coordinator explained that the Commission on Cultural Development is requesting to spend $614.80 on signage to identify the “Continuity of Community” sculpture that was relocated to the Bangor Waterfront. Presently there is no identifying marker for the sculpture. The Commission voted to approve this expenditure at its meeting on December 11, 2014. Staff recommended approval. The Committee discussed the source of funding and the Commission’s charter. Chair Baldacci suggested that markers be installed along the waterfront noting the history that has taken place such as the Civil War battle, etc. Councilor Nealley moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Plourde seconded the motion. The motion was not doubted and, therefore, passed. 2 b. Individual Artist Grant Recommendation Caitlin Brooke indicated that this application is the first received by the Cultural Commission for an Individual Artist Grant. This an incredible opportunity for the City of Bangor as Anna Hepler, a Maine artist whose work is displayed nationally, as well as worldwide, is seeking funds to support the construction of a public art installation in the Kenduskeag Stream outside of the University of Maine Art Museum. The piece will be on display from June 2015 until late September 2015 and will coincide with the University of Maine Art Museum’s exhibition featuring Ms. Helper’s work. The proposed sculpture is an abstract buoy made from fiberglass and will be anchored in the Kenduskeag Stream. The sculpture will not be identified as the artist would like the viewer to make their own interpretation or go inside to the Museum to ask questions. Staff recommended that this grant be awarded. Councilor Plourde moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Faircloth seconded the motion. The motion was not doubted and passed. 3. Ernst Manor Development Agreement Amendment Jason Bird, Community and Economic Development Officer, explained that this is a request to amend a previously approved development agreement with Ernst Manor Housing Associates LP (a subsidiary of Penquis). The original agreement (in September of 2013) was to renovate the 27-unit housing development (located off Broadway) which is reserved for low-income handicapped and elderly persons. Because of a series of delays outside of their control, Ernst Manor Housing Associates was unable to finalize the financing agreements necessary to complete the project on schedule. Mr. Bird indicated that Staff supports the development of a new agreement with the same provisions as previously approved but with a new starting date of May 1, 2015 and a completion date of April 30, 2016. The City Solicitor is in talks with their attorney as to the final form of the agreement amendment. Staff recommended authorizing the City Manager to execute the amended development agreement in a final form approved by the City Solicitor. Councilor Plourde moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Nealley seconded the motion. The motion passed as it was not doubted. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.