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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-08 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, December 8,2010, 5:00 pm City Hall Council Chambers, 3`d Floor Minutes Committee Members: Councilor Weston,Chair;Councilors Blanchette, Durgin, Longo and Nealley Staff: McKay,Wallace, Bolduc Others: City Manager Conlow and Councilor Gerry G.M. Palmer CONSENT AGENDA 1. Community Development Residential Rehabilitation Deferred Loan—81 Fern Street Councilor Durgin made a motion to adopt staff recommendation on the Community Development Residential Rehabilitation Deferred Loan for 81 Fern Street as presented. Councilor Blanchette seconded. Unanimous Committee vote. REGULAR AGENDA 2. REFERRAL—ORDINANCE 11-019,Amending Parking Schedule X, Off-Street Parking Lots, to Change Atler Lot from 30 Minute Parking to Parking by Permit and Pay for Time Used, and Parking Schedule VI, Parking for Persons with Disabilities Rod McKay reviewed this item for the Committee proposing a change in the parking regulations for the Atler Lot on Harlow Street across from the Federal Building. Since the Post Office has vacated the building,the lot is receiving less useage and 30 minutes parking now allowed does not meet the demand for longer stays at offices remaining in the building. It is the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee's recommendation that these spaces be used for parking by permit as well as pay for time used regulated by coin box. As proposed,the 12 spaces fronting on Harlow Street would be regulated by coin box and the 11 spaces on the opposite of the lot furthest away from Harlow Street would be permit spaces. The recommended coin box rates will be the same as the other coin box lots at$.50 per hour for the first four hours and $1.00 per hour thereafter; recommended monthly parking permit rate for this lot is$55.00 per month. These changes require a change in the City Ordinance. It was introduced for First Reading at the Nov. 22, 2010 City Council meeting and referred to BED Committee. If approved by the BED Committee tonight, it will be acted on at the Dec. 13, 2010 City Council meeting. Councilor Blanchette expressed that she is against the coin boxes for this lot as she feels it should be 60 minute free parking to accommodate customers of the Social Security office. Councilor Nealley made a motion that this item be defeated as it reads and to send it back to the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee for re-wording to reflect that 12 spaces will be 60 minute free parking, and 11 spaces will be sold as monthly permits as indicated by Councilor Blanchette. Unanimous Committee vote to defeat this item. Committee recommends that this item go back to the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee for re-wording. A motion was made by Councilor Blanchette to go into Executive Session—Economic Development—Purchase of Land in the Maine Business Enterprise Park—1 M.R.S.A. §405 (6) (C) 3. Executive Session— Economic Development—Purchase of Land in the Maine Business Enterprise Park—1 M.R.S.A. §405 (6) ( C ) 4. Committee Action on Above Item No Committee action was taken. 5. Downtown Vendor Policy Councilor Weston has requested a review of the City's downtown vendor policy. A downtown business person expressed concern that commercial vendors shouldn't be allowed as they unfairly compete with established merchants that have much higher overhead/operating costs. After some discussion,the BED Committee has asked that the Dowtown Bangor Partnership also review the policy, particularly the fees, and make a recommendation to the BED Committee on whether or not if vendors should be allowed downtown, and if so, under what circumstances and where, and what should the fees be. Meeting adjourned.