HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-20 City Council Minutes Special MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING BANGOR CITY COUNCIL—DECEMBER 20,2010
Called to Order at6:00 p.m.
Chaired by Council Chair Hawes
Councilors Present: All
Adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS ASSIGNED TO
ITEM NO. COUNCILOR
11-036 ORDER Authorizing Execution of Contract for Architectural/Engineering PALMER
Services—Design Development Services New Arena/Meeting
Complex
ACTION Motion Made and Seconded for Passage
Shelby Thomas of Bangor questioned why the council was
moving forward with this project despite the petition efforts.
Gary Watson questioned the process for hiring the architect
and pointed out that they were not licensed in the State of Maine.
Steve Rich of WBRC said that they will have the licensing procedures
in place by the start of the project.
John Parcak, 37 Leighton Street, urged the council to allow the
citizens to vote on this project.
Steve Ribble, 17 James Street, thanked the council for moving
forward because this action guarantees a maximum cost if
it does get built.
Tom Palmer of the Fireside Inn thanked the council for the
hours or work put into this project and said that if we don't
build it, our taxes will go up.
Ken Wicks, Lincoln Street,proposed that we build a convention
Center with private funds and questioned the funding figures.
John Porter of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce stated that
no private funds have built an arena or convention center
anywhere in the U.S., but said that some private funds could
possibly build ancillary structures like the foot bridge.
George Burgoyne, 228 Center Street, stated tha the economic
base in this area has changed and said that not building this
now will result in more money in interest later.
John Barrins of the Griffin Road urged the council to scale
Back this project because taxpayers can't afford a tax increase and
to send this to the voters.
John Hanson of Bangor praised the council and urged them to
be bold so that we can create jobs and leave a legacy in our name
to future generations.
Finance Director Deb Cyr gave a detailed explanation of the
Downtown TIF and the city's current debt service.
Al Dravideus said that if the citizens were going to be asked
for input it should have been on the forefront.
Steve Sleeper of Bangor asked the council for transparency
in its decision making.
Mrs. Glenn Porter thanked the council for its work and expressed
concern about the delay a referendum would cause and how
that might increase the cost.
Passed
10-037 ORDER Authorizing Staff to Seek Changes to State Laws Regarding Tax BRONSON
Increment Financing and Municipal Debt Associated with a
New Arena/Meeting Complex in Bangor
ACTION Motion Made and Seconded for Passage
Passed