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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-21 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 21, 2014 5:15 PM City Council Chambers MINUTES Committee Members Present: Chair Durgin, Councilor Plourde, Councilor Blanchette, Councilor Nealley, Councilor Civiello, Councilor Graham, and Councilor Baldacci City Staff Present: Cathy Conlow, Tanya Emery, Steve Bolduc, Jason Bird, Jeremy Martin, Paul Nicklas, Caitlin Brooke, Mark Hathaway and Tracy Willette Chair Durgin called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Commission on Cultural Development Grant Recommendations a. Bangor Ballet b. Downtown Bangor Partnership – Downtown Countdown A motion was made by Councilor Plourde and seconded. The motion was not doubted and therefore, passed. REGULAR AGENDA 2. Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau Update Kerrie Tripp and Lee Speronis with the GBCVB attended. Ms. Tripp discussed their quarterly report which was provided to the Committee prior to the meeting. She outlined and discussed recent events (the Bangor Car Show, the Harley Davidson Owner’s Group) memberships, and their efforts for procuring future events. Lee Speronis also spoke about the increase in activities and the fact that they are in competition with other cities such as Portsmouth and Worcester for these events. 3. Greater Bangor CVB – Can-Am Police-Fire Games Kerrie Trip discussed GBCVB’s desire to compete for rights to the Can-Am Police- Fire Games in 2020. Staff indicated that at this point, they would like to know whether or not the Committee members are interested in Staff pursuing an RFP. If so, this would 2 allow time to gather more in depth information for review as the RFP deadline is in early 2015. The Committee discussed liability issues and financial responsibilities that would be associated with this event. They also felt that because an RFP needs to be submitted in January that this item be placed back on the second meeting in November agenda for further review. It was the consensus of the Committee Members to give Staff the “go ahead” to pursue information regarding applying for an RFP and return in November for further discussion. 4. Food Trucks in Pickering Square Tanya Emery, Director of Community and Economic Development, indicated City Staff presented this to the Committee at its meeting on September 2, 2014. The Committee asked staff to review potential policies and report its findings back to them. Director Emery indicated that Staff recommended that the redesign of Pickering Square should be planned and carried out prior to changing the use of this space from public open space to a spot for vendors. While Staff wants to encourage businesses to locate in Bangor, it is felt that food truck vendors should be encouraged to locate either in private parking lots or on the Waterfront where they are already allowed. Councilor Nealley moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Baldacci seconded the motion. The motion passed. 5. Building No. 487 Parking Lot Steve Bolduc, Economic Development Officer, explained that General Electric would like to utilize the parking lot associated with Building No. 487. They are adding employees at their facility on Griffin Road. In order to accommodate the additional employees they would like to utilize this parking lot. In return for use of the parking lot GE would make improvements to the lot and repave it. Staff recommended approval. Councilor Nealley moved Staff recommendation, Councilor Baldacci seconded the motion. The motion passed. 6. REFERRAL - ORDINANCE 14-316, Amending Chapter 223, Uninhabitable Buildings, of the Code of the City of Bangor, By Allowing Service of Notice of Placarding By Mail. 3 Paul Nicklas, Assistant City Solicitor, explained that City Codes presently require service of notice of placarding buildings by registered mail. This is a very time consuming and expensive process. This ordinance change would allow for service of notice to be done by first-class mail with delivery confirmation or by certified mail. This would save money, as well as staff time. Staff asked that the Committee recommend this Ordinance amendment to the City Council. Councilor Baldacci moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Nealley seconded the motion, which passed. 7. REFERRAL – ORDINANCE 14-317, Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, of the Code of the City of Bangor, By Allowing Existing Nonconforming Mobile Home Parks to be Reconstructed Assistant City Solicitor Paul Nicklas explained that this ordinance amendment would allow mobile home parks in the Rural Residence and Agricultural District (RR & A) to be reconstructed if certain standards are met. Mobile Home Parks at one time were required to be located in the RR & A District. However, the Code no longer allows them and there are a number of nonconforming mobile homes that still exist, several of which are now falling into disrepair and cannot be replaced because existing lots are not sized for modern mobile homes. This ordinance amendment would allow existing mobile home parks that meet certain size and utility requirements to be reconstructed. Staff recommended that this amendment be recommended to the City Council. Councilor Baldacci moved Staff recommendation. Councilor Nealley seconded the meeting. The motion passed. 8. Executive Session – Economic Development – Property Disposition – 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) Councilor Plourde moved to enter executive Session at 6:26 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilor Baldacci. The vote was not doubted and therefore passed. 9. Committee Action on Above Item No action was taken on this item. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.