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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-07 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes , BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE , February 7, 2007 , Minutes Council Attendance: Farrington, Hawes, Gratwick, Palmer, Allen Staff Attendance: Barrett, McKay, Bates ' I Others: 1. Downtown Construction Projects for the 2007 Construction Season , Bates spoke of several projects that have been under consideration and discussion for sometime: 1) Regular maintenance on Pickering Square parking garage. She spoke of the joint clip issue at the garage. This year an � engineering firm of Becker Structural has been engaged to make an exhaustive evaluation of what needs to be repaired at the garage over its remaining life span. The firm's report identified repairs that should be carried out in 2007 and � an associated engineering and project management fee for those repairs and the identification of bids specs for recommended repairs for 2008-2010. The garage has at times had little problems that needed to be dealt with in an emergency � manner. The firm's report has been reviewed by Republic Parking, City staff, including the Engineering Dept. Waitlng for the regular budget process would mean missing a full construction period, staff is recommending that permission ' be granted to go ahead on the maintenance issues in 2007 for the garage. 2) The Hammond Street Parking Deck reconstruction has been under discussion for the past two years. A strudural engineering firm has considered both repairs ' and a deck replacement. Bates indicated that City Engineer Ring indicated that it made sense to replace the deck rather than repair it. 3) West Market Square and adjacent sidewalk reconstruction was discussed by Bates. It is not as necessary � a project but it gets to the issue of curb appeal. There was a plan done by Carol R Johnson and a newer plan by Ames A/E, which came before this Committee. Bates said that when the City makes a visible investment in the downtown area it ' is followed by private sedor investment. It is a matter of hitting the construction season on this one as well. Bates said that the Finance Director has looked at the incremental tax revenues coming in to determine if there is reasonable , expectation that these three projects could be funded through revenues from the downtown TIF district. Cyr said the City is proposing to fund these projects through the recently created tax increment downtown development financing , that has been previously approved by the Council. Cyr provided a spreadsheet outlining the project costs. The TIF money has been set aside through the FY07 budget process. Farrington indicated Councilor Allen has joined the meeting. ' Gratwick said the parking garage is important but he didn't realize it would be $200,000/annually for the ne� five years. He questioned the concept of clips. Responding to Gratwick, Ring said there are several options in terms of types of , construction. He reviewed them. Barrett said the original portion of the Garage is 17 years old. The lifespan of a garage is 20-40 years, depending upon the climate. $200,000 is a rough annualized effort of what the more major , maintenance items that will need attention on an ongoing basis. There is about a $10-12M replacement restructure there and $200,000 in maintenance is a relatively small and reasonable amount. For the first dozen years, the garage , ' ' ' was not heavily utilized and now it is on the brink of capacity, Bates said. She spoke of the upcoming court system building. Palmer said it looks like it will be � $30/space/month for maintaining the garage. He agreed with Bates'remarks and comments. Regarding Hammond Street, Palmer asked if it could be spruced up a bit if the deck is replaced. Gratwick acknowledged the issues with the deck. , He agrees with Palmer that the aesthetics are important. He mentioned the Lewiston parking garage. Allen asked if 35 Court Street could be considered for use as a parking structure in the long term. Barrett said that the current three ' issues under consideration are short-term projects. He referred to a full capital plan adopted by the Council that included many projects. He will provide a copy to those who wish another copy. Responding to Allen, Bates said it is a matter of � coming up with the most optimal sequencing. Regarding West Market Square and adjacent sidewalk construction, Palmer said it is the heart of the City of Bangor. He spoke about underground heat in the West Market Square and � expressed concem about too much landscaping due to the heavy traffic in the area as well as the current art piece in the location. He feels it is a worthwhile investment. Allen fully agreed with Palmer. Gratwick asked how the million 1 dollars will be expended. Bates said that Ames A�E's is the current operative plan. The design was previously endorsed by the Committee. Bates said she would be willing to explore the possibility of a naming opportuniry for the , fountain; i.e. sponsors. The fountain estimate is less than $200,000, the seatwall portion is $177,000, and other issues are placing lighting and the benches. Also maintaining mature trees is part of the concept. Responding to ' Gratwick, Barrett said skateboarding is not allowed in downtown Bangor. Hawes spoke about the cost of the underground utilities. Bates said the engineering and bid documents have not been put in place yet, therefore, she does not have ' a concrete answer. Barrett said the underground work would be done prior to the street paving project. Ring said it would probably be 10% of the cost. The investment needs to be of the highest quality. Responding to Allen, Bates said ' there is a timeframe for completing TIF projects. If this project is moved down lower on the priority list, it can be done but it could hinder the designer's current plans. Bates said delaying the project would require a reeducation process of � new Councilor members, would require public input again, etc. Allen said this has been in the works since 1999. Palmer hopes there will be opportunity for a stage area included in the overall design plan. He mentioned a very user- ' unfriendly sign currently in place and he hopes it will be taken care of. He mentioned leaving room for the annual Christmas tree. He also agreed with the current trees remaining in place. He suggested the Bangor Water District as a ' sponsor of the fountain. Allen said the Square has changed in light of the Bangor Museum now in the area. The Square dces not appear to be inviting and she hopes it will be more inviting in the future. Farrington expressed concern , about not digging up City streets after the project is completed. It needs to be coordinated. Gratwick said he strongly believes in the project. Responding to Gratwick, Cyr reviewed the bonding process. TIF state statutes stipulate that � bonded TIF projects must be completed within the first five years. Cyr recommends a bond issue of up to $2,370,000, which is about the total cost of FY 07 and 08. A bond anticipation note would be issued. It is a short term note for three years. There would be no interest. A motion was made and seconded ' , , to authorization staff to proceed with the project. The motion was doubted. The , final vote was 4-1. 2. Executive Session - Economic Development— Disposition of Airport Property — � 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) (Confidential Memo provided separately) A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session. , 3. Committee Action on Above Item A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the full Council an , amendment to the April 2005 Lease Agreement with Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems releasing them from its minimum build out development obligation on , the former Harold Slager Army Reserve Center property on Union Street provided EMHS/ Affiliated Materials Services committed to locating its planned new 50,000 plus square foot warehouse/ distribution facility in Bangor. He motion � passed unanimously. 4. Executive Session - Economic Development— Negotiations for Disposition of � Watertront Property— 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) A motion was made to go into executive session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. � 5. Committee Action on Above Item , A motion was made and seconded to invite representatives of John Sites of Somerset Homes to the February 21 Committee meeting to present its proposal , to the Committee for development of residential condominiums on the City's development site at the corner of Railroad and Summer Streets. The motion passed unanimously. � 6. Executive Session - Economic Development— Negotiations for Disposition of , Main Street Property — 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) (Confidential Memo provided separately) A motion was made to go into executive session. The motion was , seconded and passed unanimously. 7. Committee Action on Above Item ' No Committee action was taken. , � , '