HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-02 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
City Council Chambers
Minutes
Councilors: Sprague, Durgin, Gratwick, Longo, Hawes
Staff: Bird, Wallace, Martin, Conlow, Hathaway, Heitmann
Consent Agenda
1. Community Development Residential Rehabilitation-68 Pier Street
Jeff Wallace summarized the refinance of the existing loan and the purchase of materials for needed
repairs. He stated that Staff recommends the modification. A motion was made by Councilor Longo,
which was seconded by Councilor Durgin, to recommend the loan modification and it passed
unanimously.
Regular Agenda
2. Referral-Ordinance 12-317
A motion was made by Councilor Sprague, and seconded by Council Longo, to recommend passage by
the full Council. The vote was unanimous.
3. Recommendations for 9/19/12 Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
Councilor Longo added that the Atler Lot was not on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
meeting agenda but came up as a point of discussion and was thoughtfully considered.
Councilor Durgin made a motion, which was seconded by Councilor Longo, to recommend passage by
the full Council. The vote was unanimous.
4. Discussion of Proposal for a Disruptive Property Ordinance
Solicitor Heitmann stated that through a series of public meetings and public outreach, this ordinance is
being proposed. He went on to say that people have a right to live in quiet and peaceful communities
and that their neighbors will take care of their own properties. Despite a landlord’s best efforts,
effecting change with problem tenants is sometimes beyond their control. Solicitor Heitmann stated
that this ordinance gives some leverage to the City to work with landlords and property owners to
address some of the problems. A recent addition to the language builds in remedial measures for the
City that work within the time frame for eviction and other measures under existing laws.
Code Enforcement Officer, Jeremy Martin and Lieutenant Hathaway of the Police Department agreed
with this approach and support the proposed ordinance.
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Councilor Durgin asked if tenants are engaged in something illegal, such as drug use or sale, will this
ordinance help address that issue. To which, Solicitor Heitmann said that it would and that the
examples in the ordinance are not exhaustive.
Councilor Durgin suggested that there be some type of public forum about the changes. Staff stated
that they intended to hold outreach sessions.
Councilor Sprague said that his initial thoughts were that this did not go far enough. He was happy to
see the language, but asked if this would stretch Code too thin.
When asked by Councilor Sprague if this ordinance would stretch the Code Enforcement Department
too thin, Jeremy Martin said that it wouldn’t and that the Police would be bearing the brunt of it. He
went on to say that over time, some of the issues will subside due to the positive effects and there will
be fewer of these issues.
City Manager Conlow stated that the City Code will still exist. If the Police come across illegal activity
they will address it given existing Codes. She went on to stress that this proposed ordinance does not
hold the landlord legally responsible for illegal activity of its tenants.
Public Comments
Frank Hartnett of 30 Webster Avenue North spoke before the group and stated that the issue is not just
in the Downtown area. He stated that they are in his neighborhood, too. In his meetings with landlords,
he has found some of them not that helpful in addressing the problems.
Lieutenant Hathaway stated that he fully understands the frustration that residents like Mr. Hartnett
have. He stressed the need for the public’s help in identifying issues. He stated that if the public would
like to report a non emergency situation, please call 947-7384.
Councilor Hawes stated that she would like to see the ordinance have as much teeth as possible.
Pauline Civiello of Coombs Street stated that she was happy to see that the problem is being addressed
in this ordinance. She went on to summarize the recommendations in a recent publication regarding
disorderly properties.
Manager Conlow said that the ordinance has many of the suggestions that Pauline had read off. She
went on to say that this ordinance is the start of some changes that the City will be looking at over the
next few months.
Solicitor Heitmann stated that many of the processes are outside of the purview of the City. He went
on to say that City staff has discussed an idea of having an online registration for property owners and
their contact information so that the City can connect with the owners quickly to address issues as they
may arise.
Roberta Winchell of Parkview Avenue spoke of her frustrations in dealing with City departments in the
past. She said that she hopes that the new staff will work with her to address some of the problems in
her neighborhood.
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Jeremy Martin stated that his office responds as quickly as possible to calls. He stated that his staff gets
15 to 20 calls a day so, he must prioritize them. He went on to say that this tool will help address the
problems.
Lieutenant Hathaway said that the issue they were called to address may be gone by the time the Police
respond. He said that if the problem is not there when they arrive, they are not able to address it
immediately.
Manager Conlow stated that the City is looking at implementing technology to help with communication
and interaction with the public on these issues.
Sprague stated the small staff question may have difficulty in handling additional workload. Council may
need to reconsider the priorities during the budget process in the coming year.
Charles Segal of Bangor stated that he would like the number of notices to be three instead of five
before certain additional steps are taken. He went on to say that the Landlord, and code enforcement,
should be contacted immediately.
Lisa Bollard of 44 Webster Avenue North stated that the police have been very helpful in trying to
address these issues. She stated that a neighboring apartment complex has had 39 Police calls and 6
st
residents arrested since January 1.
Councilor Longo made a motion, which was seconded by Councilor Sprague, to recommend the
ordinance, with revisions to reflect the comments heard at the meeting, to the full Council for adoption.
The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:15 pm