HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-02 Finance Committee Minutes
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 2, 2017
Councilors in Attendance: Weston, Tremble, Sprague, Nichols, Nealley, Faircloth,
Perry, Graham
Staff in Attendance: Cyr, Conlow, Caruso, Linscott, Willett, Caruso, Higgins,
Pelletier, Drew
1. Consent Agenda
a. Report of Contracts Awarded by Staff – September 2017
b. Resolve, Accepting and Appropriating $1,441,600 in FTA FAST ACT Grant Funds for
the Purchase of Five Buses
Motion made and seconded to accept consent agenda, motion passed unanimously.
2. Bids/Purchasing
a. Partial Roof Replacement – Parks & Rec – Finally Fix It - $59,500
Motion made and seconded to award bid to Finally Fix It, motion passed
unanimously.
b. Portable 4 Post Truck Lift – Fleet Maintenance – Power Washer Sales - $38,595
Motion made and seconded to award bid to Power Washer Sales, motion passed
unanimously.
c. Multiple Trucks – Darling’s Automall and O’Connor Auto Park - $215,751 and
$68,061
Motion made and seconded to award bids to Darling’s Automall and O’Connor Auto
Park as recommended, motion passed unanimously.
d. Sidewalk Tractor – Public Works – HP Fairfield - $170,590
Motion made and seconded to recommend bid award to HP Fairfield to City Council,
motion passed unanimously.
e. Small Front End Loader – Public Works – Jordan Equipment - $79,754
Motion made and seconded to award bid to Jordan Equipment, motion passed
unanimously.
f. Roof Replacement – Airport – Roof Systems of Maine - $166,980
Motion made and seconded to recommend bid award to Roof Systems of Maine to
City Council, motion passed unanimously.
3. Taxpayer Request to Refund Taxes Paid
A representative of Anah Shrine requested the Finance Committee to consider refunding
a portion of FY 16 real estate taxes. The Shrine acquired property on Broadway from a
member who provided financial assistance to complete the sale through a foreclosure in
2015. The Shrine did not file a request for abatement of value during the statutory
period, so the Assessor was not able to consider any reduction. The Assessor did
review the property with representatives and noted that an addition had been
constructed that was not reflected. As of April 1, 2015, the property was taxable as the
mortgage holder had foreclosed. Therefore there were taxes owed on the property, this
issue came to light to the representative present, as they were required to pay the taxes
in order to obtain a license for the Circus.
While all Councilors indicated their support of the philanthropic mission of the Shrine,
this situation is not unusual, and they were unable to support a refund.
4. Amending Chapter 28, City Departments, by Changing Name of the Workers’
Compensation Division to Safety an Environmental Management Division
Staff presented that this amendment was to more clearly reflect the current
responsibilities of this division. To include work place safety, training and environmental
compliance.
Motion was made and seconded to recommend Amendment to the City Council, motion
passed unanimously.
5. Assessor’s Update
The Assessor provided the summary of the recently completed FY 18 tax commitment.
He also reviewed assessing trends over the last five years highlighting changes in;
taxable values, exempt values, homestead exemptions, BETE program, veterans
exemptions, new homes and construction totals. The Assessor also discussed the
distribution of the top taxpayers, the TIF values, state valuation and residential market
trends.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:08 pm