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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-03 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, June 3, 1992 at 5:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilor Pat Blanchette, (Chairing in the absence of W. Tom Sawyer) Councilor Don Soucy Councilor Marshall Frankel OTHERS PRESENT: Councilor Gerard Baldacci Kenneth R. Gibb, Director of Community & Economic Dev. Rod McKay, Community Development Director Edward A. Barrett, City Manager Angela Nickerson, BCMC Board Member Carol Labella, Executive Director of BCMC Frank Farrington, BCMC Board Member Jim Timmins, BCMC Board Member NEWS MEDIA: Ned Porter, BDN The meeting was called to order at 5: 10 PM. AGENDA ITEM #1 - Bangor Center Development District - Reauthorization for FY 1993 Ken Gibb explained to the Committee the four (4) components of the Bangor Center Management Corporation (BCMC) budget and work program in the Bangor Center Development District (BCDD) . They are 1) Budget & Program as proposed by BCMC; 2) Implementation Assessment for the district; 3) Assessment Rate and Overlay establishing this rate and 4) Contract between the City and BCMC for FY 93 . Info packets prepared by Rod McKay, Community Development Director, were given to the Committee. This item also went before the City Council on June 8, 1992 ; it was put before the C & E Committee so that if any one had questions, Staff could answer them at this time. Carol Labella, outgoing Executive Director of BCMC, briefly discussed the proposed budget and program for FY 93 with the intention of incorporating suggestions of the Committee and then putting it into final form. Carol stated that the proposed reduction is part of a focus change that, hopefully, will be temporary; that the Board of Directors will be retained as well as many of the activities in the downtown with the idea that, at some time in the future, will be able to expand again. An RFP has been composed for the position of Event Coordinator. A small amount of money has also been set aside for downtown beautification which will supplement many City efforts due to cutbacks in City personnel and budget. In addition, there will be visitor information and brochures printed and made available where needed. , i 2 Ken Gibb added that the C & E Department will be providing support by setting up meetings with the Board, administering contracts, etc . The staff hours will be limited; at this time it has to be worked out as to the amount of time that staff can devote to this . Committee members commented on various concerns such as the existing merchants working together to keep the downtown an attractive, welcoming environment and the need for the added police protection which the proposed budget will fund $20, 000 for this necessary service. Councilor Don Soucy motioned to forward to the City Council the BCMC proposed reduced budget and Development Program. Councilor Marshall Frankel seconded with a recommendation that when a decision has been made as to who the new Event Coordinator will be that it be emphasized to that person that the downtown merchants want to work together in every way possible so that they don't become separate in their efforts to make downtown an inviting place to be. So voted. AGENDA ITEM #2 - Burgundy Realty Trust Offer Rod McKay presented this item to the Committee. Chris Hutchins, Trustee of Burgundy Realty Trust, recently redeveloped the building at 20 South Street. He also acquired the auto paint supply store, and the Weatherbee warehouse. He has since come back to the City with an offer regarding demolition of the switching tower building located adjacent to his building. His original offer was to have the City tear down the vacant dilapidated switching tower building. In turn, he would grade, landscape and maintain the lot at his expense, which, in turn, will save the City the cost of doing the same. However, he now has offered to do the demolition himself rather than have the City take care of it. Also, in exchange for certain easements on adjacent city property, Burgundy Realty Trust will contribute $100, 000 to the City to further the development (but not necessarily) of the Bangor Waterfront surrounding their property. The easements will be used to continue landscaping through lot 32 on tax map 43 assuming this lot is available for landscaping. The first payment of $50, 000 will be made within one month of the City's commitment to proceed with the above stated arrangement. The second payment of $50, 000 will net the cost of the demolition of the switching tower on the above lot. The deciding factor in who will be responsible for demolition of the switching tower will depend on who can do it cheaper (Public Works or Burgundy Trust) . 3 Staff is proposing to use the money to construct a new building on the waterfront at a different location as the site of the switching tower is too small for the new building that is proposed. A conceptual drawing building has been drawn up; it is a train station design and would be one level, approximately 1200 sq. ft. in size. It could be leased to food vendors, and ticket sales for cruise boat rides eventually operating on the waterfront. Councilor Don Soucy motioned to approve acceptance of Chris Hutchins offer. Councilor Marshall Frankel seconded. So voted. AGENDA ITEM 3 - Council Order 92-246, Temporary Sale of Food or Merchandise This item was referred back to Committee from Council as they felt there should be a statement of purpose in respect to the Vendor Ordinance. Ed Barrett stated that as the Vendor Ordinance is going to be included in the overall Land Development Code that Staff did not think of it but, in order to make people feel more comfortable with the ordinance some "Whereas " clauses or a simple statement of purpose can be included. Erik Stumpfel stated that the Land Development Code, as it currently stands, states that unless it is a permitted use you can not do it; and there was no defining the vendor use of temporary vendors so Staff has corrected that by defining that use under the Land Development Code and to include some site requirements for such use. Councilor Don Soucy motioned to approve the addition of proper language in regard to vendors in the New Land Development Code. Councilor Marshall Frankel seconded. So voted. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6 :40 PM. rp \ft."'