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Home My WebLink About1995-05-01 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee May 1, 1995 Minutes committee Members Present: D. Soucy, Chair, P. Blanchette, M. Frankel, C. Popper, J. Tyler Council Members Present: C. Sullivan Staff Present: E. Barrett, B. Farrar, M. Chalila, K. Gibb, A. Stockus, J. McNeil, D. Cyr Others Present Roxanne Saucier, SDN Members of Fund-raising Committee for Greater Bangor Area Canadian Appreciatioi Days Meeting was called to order at 5500 p.m. 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Hardship Abatement Request. C. Popper moved to go into Executive session to discuss ahardship abatement request. Seconded by J. Tyler. Passed. - INTO Executive Session at 5:02 p.m. OUT of executive Session at 5:20 p.m. C. Popper moved to deny hardship abatement request and establish a paymen plan of $25.00 monthly. Seconded by J. Tyler. Passed. 2. Bids: a. Tent Rentals (Bass Park) Farrar presented recommendation to award contract for rental of tents £Or the antique festival and fair to Leavitt & Paris, Inc of Portland, the 10 bidder, for $5,600.00. Popper asked whether the price included set up and delivering. Farrar responded yes. J. Tyler moved to award contract for tent rentals to Leavitt & Paris in the amount of $5,600.00. Seconded by Popper. Passed b. Heating System Modifications - Bldg No. 121 (Airport Dept) Farrar presented recommendation to award contract for heating system modifications at Building No. 121 to Carl's Heating Service Inc of Old Town, the low bidder, in the amount of $13,985.00. Mike Crowley indicated that the area Chamber was supportive of the effort being made by the committee to develop long term strategies to develop and enhance area business. Saucy noted that the upcoming planned Canadian Appreciation Program was a band aid approach due to the the high Canadian exchange rates and taxes. Expressed support for the committee's interest in developing a long tern plan. Mike Crowley noted that the long term plan was not to target New Brunswick specifically, that this would used as a pilot program to attract others to the area. The long range plan has not fully evolved yet.. Blanchette asked whether there had been any contact with the State Department of Tourism as to the amount of participation the State would undertake. Mike Crowley stated the amount of participation from the Department of Tourism is unknown at this time and that the State Department of Economic and. Community Development may also contribute at some level and that 2 other communities would also be involved. Earl Black stated that through a survey the committee has determined that not only are hotels, restaurants and retailers supportive of the idea but that-nonretailers are supportive financially. Sullivan indicated his support for the idea. Blanchette expressed concern over how to justify using tax dollars to lure Canadians to the area. Questioned self whether this was the best way to expend tax dollars. Noted understanding the need to increase area business. Frankel has noticed the decrease in Canadian tourists. Added that if nothing is done its inevitable that the business would decrease. Supported providing some contribution to the Committee. - Popper asked whether the money would come from the contingency account. Barrett responded yes and that there was approximately $30,000.00 available in the contingency account. Cibb stated that by helping the retailer, could increase the tax base which in turn helps the individual taxpayer. Soucy raised reservations as to how to justify this to Citizens. Noting that Citizens like to make own donations. Also was pleased to see amount of support for the group. Indicated unlikely as an ongoing contribution. Barrett presented three options. City could donate to the visitor Appreciation Program, the long term effort or could run longer term effort through annual appropriation to Convention and Visitors Bureau. Popper moved to contribute $5,000.00 from the contingency account to support the Canadian Appreciation Program. Seconded by Frankel. Passed. 4 - 1, Councilor Blanchette in opposition. 4. Pension Inquiry - Mary Jeanette Person Farrar recommended that this item be tabled until the individual involved would be able to attend. Tyler moved to table the Pension Inquiry discussion. Seconded by Popper. ` Passed. S. Appropriation of funds for installation of platen in the recycling F baler and replacement of the floor of the baler Stockus explained that the platen is the part of the baler that comoressest the goods. Aware when purchased that it would have to be replaced in next couple of years. The manufacturer has agreed to provide the platen under its original warranty. The appropriation would provide $800 for the installation of the platen and $2,200 to replace the floor underneath the baler. The replacement of the floor in conjunction with installing a new platen is the normal course of business with balers. Currently, the problem manifests itself in the form of uneven bales. Soucy asked how much would a new platen cost. Stockus estimated roughly $3,000. - Tyler moved to appropriate funds for the installation of a platen in the recycling baler and replacement of the floor of the baler. Seconded by Frankel. Passed. - 6. Appropriation of funds for purchase of equipment for The Bus Farrar explained that the funds were needed to replace an engine. McNeil added that currently there were monies available from the Department of Transportation to help fund such capital expenditures. Tyler moved to appropriate funds for the purchase of equipment for The Bus. Seconded by Frankel. Passed. Adjourned 6:05 p.m. Debbie Cyr 1k Recording Secretary