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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.