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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-18 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 18, 2015 5:00 PM City Council Chambers Minutes Committee Members Present: Chair Baldacci, Councilor Durgin, Councilor Nealley, Councilor Graham, Councilor Plourde, Councilor Sprague, and Councilor Civiello City Staff Present: Tanya Emery, Norman Heitmann Chair Baldacci called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Nealley moved to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and it passed as it was not doubted. The items approved are as follows: 1. Extension of Lease Agreement with Vicki L. Trundy, LCSW 2. Terms of Closing Cost and Down Payment Assistance Programs 3. Amending the Management Agreement Between the City of Bangor and Republic Parking to Include Atler Lot REGULAR AGENDA It was the consensus of the Committee to move Item No. 4 to the end of the meeting. 5. Executive Session Economic Development Property Disposition Odlin Road - 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C)) Councilor Graham moved to enter Executive Session under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C)) at 5:02 p.m. Councilor Plourde seconded the motion which passed as it was not doubted. 6. Committee Action on Above Item Councilor Graham moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Plourde seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. The motion passed as it was not doubted. 2 4. REFERRAL - ORDINANCE 15-246, Adding Chapter 179, Minimum Wage, to the Code of the City of Bangor Chair Baldacci explained that this item was referred to the Committee by the City Council for further discussion. Councilor Plourde indicated that after talking with Councilors and Staff he had drafted up a Resolve in support of a petition effort to place this item out to State voters. He made a motion to pass the Resolve for support of the petition efforts and to bring this for a vote. Councilor Durgin seconded the motion. Councilor Graham said that because he had only received this earlier in the day that he had not had an opportunity to review it. City Solicitor Heitmann explained that there are three items that the City Council wanted the Committee to discuss. First was the issue of exempting certain employers; second was a clarification on 18 year olds; and third was the deletion of tipped employees. Councilor Nealley indicated that this is a State of Maine issue and he was not convinced that this is good public policy. Councilor Durgin indicated that what the Committee is talking about is the motion on the floor whether to support the petition efforts. Councilor Sprague felt that this should be discussed by the full Council. As there were several people in the audience present wishing to speak on this item, Chair Baldacci opened the meeting up for public comments. 14 people spoke. Their comments ranged from supporting the compromise Resolve, supporting only a State initiative as they felt that it should not be done at the municipal level, and to oppose the proposal. Councilor Graham asked if the City had ever endorsed petition efforts before. City Solicitor Heitmann indicated that he did not recall one on a petition drive but that the City Council sometimes supports questions on the November ballot. Councilor Graham felt that Bangor and every municipality should support it once it is confirmed to be on the ballot. Chair Baldacci indicated that a motion was on the table and asked for a vote on the motion. Councilor Graham doubted the motion. Councilor Plourde, Councilor Baldacci and Councilor Durgin voted in favor of the motion. Councilor Nealley and Councilor Graham voted against it. Chair Baldacci indicated that the next item was consideration of an Order to have a wage increase that mirrors a State wide increase. Councilor Plourde added that it should be the same as the State language and it should indicate that it would only become effective in January 2017 if the Statewide referendum fails. 3 Councilor Plourde moved recommendation of the Order described in the document. Chair Baldacci seconded the motion. Chair Baldacci suggested that the full City Council be asked to hold a workshop to discuss all of the issues. Council Chair Durgin indicated that he would check with the Councilors to find a suitable time to hold a workshop. It was the consensus of the Committee to request that a workshop be held by the full City Council to discuss these issues. The motion recommending that the Resolve proposed by Councilor Plourde was withdrawn. The second to the motion was also withdrawn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.