HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-18 Finance Committee MinutesFinance Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2008
Councilors Attending: Pat Blanchette, Gerry Palmer, Joseph Baldacci, Dan
Tremble, Michael Crowley
Staff Attending: Edward Barrett, Ron Heller, Dave IJttle, Jahn Hamer,
Dave Pellegrino, Penelope Olsen, Jeffrey Cammack,
Don Winslow, Brad Moore, Joe McNeil, Jim Ring, John
Rice
Meeting convened at 5:45 P.M.
Approved recommendation from staff.
2. Consent Agenda
Quitclalm Deed - 9L Street, Birch Hill Estates
Workout Agreement - 35 Cortland Circle
Sewer Interest Abatement Request
Workout Agreement - Lot 40 Essex Street
Wells Waste Oil Reimbursement Program
Resolve, Malang an Appropriation of Federal and State Grants for
the Purpose of Designing Snow Removal Equipment Storage
Building Expansion (AIP 25)
Aircraft Mechanics Training
Resolve 00-81, Appropriating $600,000 from Airport Reserves for q
the Purpose of Constructing Additional Hangar/Warehouse Space
Approved all items except Item C.
Discussion of Item Q Mr. Friedenberg asked the City to waive the
Interest on his 1991-1992 server bills. He paid $1,408.99 in 1999 and
$3,207.10 in 1998. He owes $521.75 for principle on the 91-92 bills. The
interest is $218.15. Mr. Frledenberg continues to pay and Is trying to get
caught up, however he is frustrated due to the amount of Interest due on
the account. Staff recommends granting this waiver. Approved.
Recommendation to purchase from the sale bidder, B.E. Meyers &
Co., Inc. Approved.
One of the buss systems that feed electricity into the plant failed. This is
high voltage equipment and one of the systems supplying electricity to the
plant. General Electric manufactures the equipment and they are the only
company that can supply the repair parts. The replacement cost for the
buss is $11,000 and estimated labor costs from BHE are $1,000. Because
this was an emergency situation, the work has been completed.
Approved.
5. Bus Wa'Cno Shelters - Bus
Approved.
6. Selection of Consultant for Evaluation f Electrical Service Mad'fitatons -
WiP
This project considers two electrical modification programs to enhance the
overall operation of the plant and to increase the energy efficiency and
cost effectiveness of the plant along with consideration of emergency
standby power generation at the plant. Four firms submitted proposals as
requested by the City. Staff recommends Woodward & Curran be
awarded the project in the amount of $17,555. The City has had
successful experience with the fin and they are able to complete the
work in the CWs required time frame. Approved.
7. Cable Television Public Access Production Eadlifles
The City entered into a contract with ]-MAC Video for use of their
production facilities for public access channels. Once the Consortium
reaches an agreement with ]-MAC, the City will no longer require its own
contract. However, the Consortium negotiations are proceeding slowly and
no contract is likely in the near future. Staff is proposing to extend the
service agreement for up to one year. The term is for six months with six
one-month colors. The only other change to the contract is the addition
of a forty-eight hour deadline for notification of Intent to air a program
and for the submission to final tapes. Staff recommends approval.
Members of the Committee questioned the need for this expenditure given
the Cable Consortium and its role in this area and the current level of use
of the public access channel. The Committee recommended against this
extension pending further information.
8. Order, Authorizino Approval of Enalmaering Contract with Edwards R
Kelov for Design of Snow, Removal Equipment Storage Building Expansioa
AIR 25)
This contract is for design services for the design of the expansion of the
building where snow removal equipment is stored. The actual construction
of the expansion will be tion at a later date. The project is 95% funded
through Federal and State gents. Edward and Kelcey are the approved
engineers for the Airport for Airport Improvement Projects (AIP). This
contract has been reviewed by an outside, independent consulmm. The
initial contract proposal was $162,900. Subsequent negotiations, as
prescribed by the FAA, produced a final contract amount of $111,900.
This will be subject to final FAA approval of funding. Approved.
9. Airport Trust Services
Eight responses were received to the request for proposals for trust
services for the Airport. Investment strategies, municipal experience,
references, and financial condition of the respondents were all considered
in making the recommendation. After reviewing all the information
available, staff recommends that the trust services be awarded to Merrill
Merchants Bank. Merrill Is a local bank, received positive
recommendations, ranked highest in yields, has the second lowest
standard fee, and their yields were more steady ever the last three years
than the other respondents. Approved.
10. Probcosal to Contract ith the Greenview Corporation - Funds Recovery
The City Finance Director was approached by Greenview Company, a
record research firm, indicating they have located $2,476 due to the City
in lost property. They have offered to convey these funds to the City In
exchange for 15%. If the funds that they have located for the City does
not overlap what can be easily found, the Finance Director recommends
contracting with this Corporation. Committee approved recommendation
to proceed with this transaction, pending staff efforts to locate these
funds.
11. Request for Funding - Maine Convention Centers Co 'tree
Ron Heller, co-chair of the Maine Convention Centers Committee,
explained that the Committee is in the process of puWng out an RFP to do
a market surrey of the State of Maine to determine the optimal sire,
nature and location of meeting and convention assets throughout the
state, assess weaknesses and strengths, and come back with
recommendations. This Is a crucial first step in bringing a package to the
legislature by October to provide a funding mechanism for the
construction and/or maintenance and operation of such facilities. It is
estimated that the study will cost approximately $150,000. They currently
3
have commitments of $70,000, including Department of Economic and
Community Development, the Governor's contingency account, and the
Portland CVB and Chamber. Ron requested that, as an expression of
good faith and interest in this process, the City contribute $15,000.
Councilor Farnham commented that there seems to have been several
studies doge on conference centers, etc. is anomer study needed? Ron
answered that this is statewide and is all -Inclusive. It gives people an
opportunity to buy into it because It will take an objective look at the state
as a whole. The study will give documentation to take to the legislature
with an objective point of vier.
Councilor Tremble agreed with Councilor Farnham about the money being
spent for another study. Because it is a statewide pmject, the money
should come from the state. Councilor Blanchette commented that the
state may be more inclined to listen to a group mats composed of people
from all over the state. A study is needed to represent the voice of
everyone in the state. Ron Heller commented that it Is worth this one
effort. There has been talk for several years and unless the City is willing
to put up money toward it, they should walk away from it.
Committee approved recommendation to Council, with several members
indicating opposition.
12. purchase of Ufeoak 12 Defib/Monitor - Fire Denartnent
The current defib./monitors are outdated and are expensive to get
repaired. Funding for the new defib/monitors Is in the Fire Department
budget for capital projects. The quote from Medtronic is $30,683.34 and
Is $6,683.34 above the $24,000 budgeted. The additional amount will
come from an account established for the purpose of purchasing life
saving equipment. The current balance in that account is $22,197.30.
Staff is requesting that the bid process be waived and that Medtronlc be
authorized to supply the defib/monitors as the sole source because they
are the only area distributor of the Physio-Conbrol defib./monitor.
Committee approved.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.