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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-06 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 5:00 pm MINUTES Councilors: Weston, Blanchette, Bronson, Durgin, Hawes, Gratwick, Longo, Nealley and Palmer Staff Conlow, McKay, Gastia, Cyr, Pereira Others: Parke Clemons of Republic Parking; Eric Russell of Bangor Daily News; John Rohman, Rick Fournier and Heather McCarthy of American Folk Festival This meeting was held in the City Manager’s office as there was work being done in the City Council Chambers. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Community Development Residential Rehabilitation Loan – 251 French Street A motion was made and Seconded by Councilor Nealley to recommend approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Unanimously approved. REGULAR AGENDA 2. American Folk Festival Update John Rohman and Heather McCarthy provided the Council members present an overview of the year’s plan for the American Folk Festival. Jim Ring will donate a week of his time to the Folk Festival. Informational packets were handed out. John and Heather went over the 3-day schedule. The Maine Discovery Museum will have activities for children. John Rohman reviewed the sponsorships. John feels good about where the Folk Festival is in the process. The suggestion this year is that people donate $10 per person for each day or $20 per family for each day. The Folk Festival has 37 sponsors in the Producers Circle at the $1,000 level. The Folk Festival needs to find 500 volunteers; interested volunteers were referred to the Folk Festival’s website. The Maine Art Commission and the Maine Tourism brochure was handed out with the materials. 3. Republic Parking Proposal Update Community & Economic Development Director Rod McKay went over the history of the proposal. Councilor Nealley mentioned the value of the on-street parking attendants as ambassadors serving visitors to the downtown by providing information and directions. He didn’t think the City should be pursuing this issue as a revenue increasing measure. Councilor Gratwick pointed out that the intent was not to increase revenue but to solve the problem of people parking on street that work downtown and shuffling to avoid citations. He stated that under the current system it was cheaper for people to pay parking tickets then to park in the parking garage. Councilor Durgin said that he had great cooperation from the police department for events; he was interested in how the enforcement system under Republic Parking would work. Police Chief Ron Gastia said that the police department will retain one employee to work on events; if they need more than one person Republic Parking would provide the other individuals required. Councilor Durgin asked Chief Gastia how people would be handled, such as Meals on Wheels volunteers parking to load and unload. The Police Department doesn’t ticket in such occurrences. Would the situation be different with Republic, would Republic be ticketing in such instances? Chief Gastia said that Republic would follow the City’s policy in such situations. Councilor Longo related an experience he had with Republic Parking at the airport - when he asked the parking attendant if they worked for the City, the Republic employee said he did not. Councilor Palmer asked what happens to the Courtesy Ticket program – thought it was an excellent program. Chief Gastia said the City Ordinance would continue the same way – there would be no change in policy unless made by the City Council. Councilor Bronson said that he has been listening to this for 40 years; people need to grow up. He related that he got tickets in Portsmouth and Boston but he would still return to those communities. He further added that we should get on with the modern world - it takes 2 hours to get a 90 minute ticket and the problem is with the scofflaws. Councilor Nealley said that he also got a ticket in Portsmouth at night. Local people should not be penalized with tickets. L.L. Bean didn’t automate; they still have people that answer the phone. Bangor doesn’t have to automate; should have an office downtown. Sometimes he needs to make sales in a limited time and need to have easy access to his vehicle. Councilor Weston asked about step increases for fees. Chief Gastia responded that would require an ordinance change, that an improved system of tracking violators would be needed. The software they are now using is DOS based and the Police Department has had issue after issue with it. The current DOS system will not handle a proposed step increase for fees. Councilor Weston asked why are we looking at Republic’s Proposal instead of updating police department software. Chief Gastia replied that the software proposed by Republic was developed and owned by Republic. The Police Department does not have the ability to customize the software for City use. Republic Parking subsequently would be more efficient, less expensive. If the current system status stays the police department Is going to need new software and equipment and it is expensive. Councilor Weston asked what is the difference. Chief Gastia responded that Republic can do it cheaper and more efficiently with fewer people. Councilor Durgin questioned the proforma provided with the agenda. Parke Clemons was asked how many employees Republic has. Parke responded they have part-time employees that equate to 7 full time equivalents. In response to a question from Councilor Weston, Parke Clemons responded that Republic would follow the City’s policies, Republic would do what they were told to do, that Republic isn’t taking over the system; that nationwide cities are turning to private operators. Parke related that he has been here since 1992, he lives here and hires people from here. Councilor Gratwick indicated that many of the jobs will go to City employees in Bangor. He also inquired if Parke could give priority to current City employees and Parke replied that he could. Councilor Weston asked for a motion recommending going ahead with Republic Parking. Motion was made by Councilor Blanchette and seconded by Councilor Durgin. In favor were Councilors Weston, Durgin and Blanchette. Opposed were Councilors Nealley and Longo. Meeting adjourned at 6 pm.