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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-15 Strategic Issues Committee MinutesSTRATEGIC ISSUES COMMITTEE MINUTES September 15, 7003 Councilors Present: Nichi Farnham, Gerry Palmer, John Rohman, Richard Greene, David Nealley, Dan Tremble, Anne Allen, Gerry Palmer, Michael Crowley Staff Present: Ed Barrett, Jonathan Daniels Other Present: Bob Baldaod, Les Stevens, Craig Nelson, John Cashwell The meeting convened at 5:03 p.m. 1. Discussion of Regional Economic Development Initiatives Bob Badacci said that an emerging trend is regional economic development and there is clearly a need for communities to work together to promote a region. He mid that as long as we have property taxes as a driving force, that Is the motivating factor. Baldacci said that he represents the town of Orono as well as other towns and they want to develop 200 acres Into a regional park. The focus would be on technology Finns and it would be great to have Bangor as a Partner along with UMaine, the Penobscot Nation and the region. He introduced Craig Nelson an attorney with Doyle and Nelson of Augusta, Chair of First Park which involved the partcipabon of over 20 central Maine communities. He also introduced Les Stevens of Bangor Region Development Alliance.. Nelson discussed the materials that the Committee should have already received. He said that in the mid 1990's, Kennebec County was faced with a situation where the north did not communicate well with the south. The Kennebec Valley Chamber Of Commerce and Mid -Maine Chamber of Commerce started a process in 1996 by convening a forum/summit of business and community leaders and educators, which had a goal of Identifying one or more means of creating a large number of high- quality, goad -paying jobs in the region. The People of the Kennebec eventually was formed as a regional economic development/markebng entity. He discussed the procedure of how they established a regional park. He presented an informational video on First Park. In 1998, they drafted legislation to allow to allow for inter-local revenue sharing. In 1999, municipalities with at least $3 billion in current state valuation voted to become "members" of Kennebec Regional Development Authority, so that the Authority could become fully operational and authorized to raise funds and accept state and federal grants to be used to develop the business park. Rohman wanted to knew If there was room In the legislation for changes to support future opportunities such as the Pine Tree Zone. Nelson mid that there should be opportunities, because they all benefit economic development. He discussed options that would provide Incentives for the host community. Nelson presented a marketing video of the park. Stevens discussed an Arizona model that successfully combined a partnership with the federal and state governments and the University of Arizona. He discussed the social and political benefits of including various groups and organizations. He mid that in the Bangor area we could inicude the University of Maine, the Penobscots and the Passamaquoddies and work together W create jobs and benefit the region. He discussed the need for resources, such as federal grants, special appropriations, etc. He said that we shouldnt assume that the funds need to come from local sources. He noted that in Arizona, they received $Z million in federal funds. The Committee agreed that the University of Maine is an incredible asset to the region and we need to make better use of their resources. 2. Scheduling Neighborhood Meetings Barrett said that the Council has expressed an Interest in scheduling neighborhood meetings in the near future on both regional dispatch and other items of general interest. He said that the Council needs to determine whether neighborhood meetings should be scheduled before or after the November election. He said that we should be able to report to the Council on our efforts to clarify Regional Dispatch issues at the Strategic Issues Committee meeting to be held on September 29n. He said that neighborhood meeting dates before the election would be Tuesday, October 19th and Thursday, October 16". After the election the best dates would be Monday, December 1° and Thursday, December e. He mid that the meetings would probably be held at a school, one on the east side and one on the west side. Rohman said that his major concern is that the Council would not have enough information to have the meetings before the November election. Barrett said that if mere was a vote before the election, it may be a conditional vote, that would require the new Council's efforts to implement it Allen said that she agreed with Nealley as to debating the issue of whether to regionalize, and saitl that we should have more informed councilors before the election than after. Palmer said that it would be important to not lose the three councilors who are leaving, but to maximize their wisdom. He said that a public forum is an excellent opportunity to hear from citizens and not special interest groups. Farrington said that fact finding is an important piece of the decision making process. He said that we certainly do not want to waste the wisdom of the three councilors who are leaving; however, he does not feel that we will have the facts beforethe election. He said that It was Important to involve the citizens so that they are aware of the facts that we will be deliberating. Crowley said that he was passionate about having the meetings sooner rather than later to share the vision, not necessarily the details. He saitl that he is comfortable having the meeting before the current Council breaks up. He said that H is not appropriate to make decisions that bind another Council. - Tremble saitl that he could go either way, just that we have a meeting. Crowley Said that as a Council we have been talking about regional issues with one vision, however when one-third of the Council leaves, then the vision may change. He said that it is important to get out of this building and meet with people. Tremble said that Regional Dispatch may be top on our list of concerns, but when we get to the neighborhood meetings, people may have a lot more on their minds than this. Barrett said that Regional Dispatch and the position that the Gly Council may want to take on the school funding referendum are the two major issues coming right up that we could do at the next Strategic Issues Committee meeting on September 29°. Palmer recommended taping the neighborhood meeting for future viewing. The Committee decided to hold neighborhood meetings on Monday, December 11 and Thursday, December 4°.