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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-17 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, March 17, 2010,5:00 pm City Council Chambers MINUTES Councilors: Chair Weston, Blanchette, Bronson,Gratwick, Nealley, Palmer, Stone and Wheeler Staff: McKay, Bolduc, Heitmann, Ring,Willette Others: Pam Shadley of Shadley Associates; CONSET AGENDA 1. Approval of Sub-Lease with Portland Cellular Partnership No discussion. A motion was made by Councilor Gratwick and seconded by Councilor Nealley to approve this item as presented. So voted. REGULAR AGENDA 2. Further Discussion of Eastern Maine Development Corporation's Proposal to assist City in identifying Arena Funding Opportunities City Solicitor Heitmann reviewed a Council Order he has prepared in response to the proposal by Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC). This Order will authorize a contract with EMDC to seek funding for the arena project and coordinate the overall efforts to find additional funding with the City of Bangor and other entities that may be able to be of assistance in the City's efforts to find funding sources. The Contract would be for a term of 2 years with a review of the necessity of the contract at the end of one year; a fee of$10,000 per year, $2,500 payable upon execution of the contract and equal quarterly payments thereafter; out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $1,000 per month, subject to review and approval by the City; and the City will pay two percent(2%) of the value of any funding secured with the assistance of EMDC upon receipt of the funding. Discussion proceeded with the Councilors in attendance expressing their concerns. Councilor Nealley made a motion to move this Council Order as presented to the full City Council. Seconded by Councilor Gratwick provided that Councilor Wheeler's change in wording be made before it goes to the Council. City Solicitor Heitmann stated that he will be in contact with Mr. Aube of EMDC,and have a draft agreement that will address all of the concerns of this Committee for the full Council meeting on Monday, March 22, 2010 in addition to the Council Order as presented at this meeting. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Waterfront Park Update by Shadley Associates Rod McKay introduced this item to the Committee stating that the City Council, in preparing its vision statement, has expressed that they would like to complete the waterfront master plan. The City will be seeking financial assistance for future phases of projects at the waterfront, and looking to this Committee to provide guidance as to what activities they want to accomplish in moving forward. Rod added that since 2000,the City has been able to find funding provided by the federal government(for 40%);the state (30%); the City through its TIF District(about 30%). Staff is hopeful that this percentage breakdown will continue, or possibly improve, for future work. Pam Shadley of Shadley Associates (design consultant for the waterfront project), gave a presentation on both the Park Master Plan and the Waterfront District Master Plan summarizing what has been completed, what is currently under construction and what has yet to be done to complete the vision. Chair Weston asked that a copy of today's video be melded with the power point presentation to have it on the City's web site and government access channel for the public. Tracy Willette, Parks& Recreation Dept. Director, spoke on the issues of staffing and maintenance plans for the proposed waterfront amenities as they continue to develop and are constructed. Meeting adjourned.