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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-13 Government Operations Committee Minutes � Government Operations Committee , June 13, 2006 Minutes � Councilor Attendance: Greene, Gratwick, Hawes, Farrington Staff Attendance: Farrar, Ring, Cyr, Hupp � Others: Towne, Col. Young 1. Progress Report-Noise Concerns —Club Gemini, 190 Harlow Street � Councilor Greene indicated that this item has been postponed. ' 2. Progress Report— Proposed Multi-Purpose Athletic Field Complex Off Downing Road � As requested by the Committee at its last meeting, members of the Bangor Soccer Club and City staff were in attendance to provide a progress report � regarding the proposed complex. Farrar said the discussion would focus on issues surrounding the establishment of a new access road to the athletic facility and Air Guard base and the Club's request to acquire additional land , beyond what is owned by Bangor International Airport. Ring briefly recapped prior discussions regarding the access road outlining the City's ownership � area and Guard needs. With the proper north south orientation for the major fields, Ring said four full size fields could fit on the City owned properry. To accommodate the Club's original plan would require moving off site from � what the City owns. Since the last presentation to the Committee, Ring has met with Col. Young regarding the possible access road. Although Downing Road provides an access to the properry, it would be desirable to have a new , primary access due to the size of the proposed complex. Ring said the access could come in from Union Street. The Guard is hopeful to expand their fuei farm and other facilities. In conjunction with that, it is desirable for the � Guard to have a secondary access rather than going through the proposed complex and for security needs. The Guard might be able to assist in the construction of a grave� road that would serve as access to the complex on a , shorter timeframe. Young said there is limited equipment and it would be primitive but would provide suitable access to the complex. The Guard would ' classify it as a training exercise with the Guard's engineers. As the Guard facility develops in time, it would provide an opportunity within a few years to upgrade, pave or widen the access road which would be a separate funding , process for the Guard. One problem is right of way acquisition, which the Guard would not include with the project. It would need to be resolved by the Club. Ring talked about a safe location for the Union Street access, , which is a heavily traveled street. He pointed out areas on the map where he felt the access road would be appropriate. Wetlands and individual property � , , � ownerships need to be addressed in the future. He talked about the Searsport Limestone pipeline location. There is a site distance issue and � wetland issues making it not a practical location for the access. Responding to Gratwick, Ring said that the orientation of the fields is for � players not to be facing the sun. An additional field would displace parking. The total amount of City land available for the complex is about 37 acres. Other than City ownership is approximately 18 acres. , Farrington mentioned previously raised questions by Stone. Greene suggested waiting until the end of the presentation. � Rod Towne stressed that it is a field complex, not a soccer complex. � Responding to Towne, Young said the Guard would participate in the road construction potentiatly for next summer. Towne asked the City to move forward with its concern for negotiating the rights of way so that when the ' Guard reaches the point for the access road that the process would proceed quickly. , Responding to Greene, Ring talked about the abutting property owners and road right of way. Farrington spoke about negotiations by the City for acquisition but the dollars will come from the Club. It is his understanding � that the City will not be expending money for a right of way. He said the process of negotiation need to be discussed and it may not be appropriate at a public meeting. Greene said that the memorandum of understanding , stated that three fields would be completed before the secondary access road was needed. Both Farrington and Greene expressed appreciation for the � Guard's offered participation. Greene asked Towne for an update on the fundraising. Towne said that any major fundraising project has been put on hold until the access road has been determined. The Club needs to negotiate � with the landowners. The Club has discussed finding a way that might be beneficial to the landowner to participate in the project to minimize the cost as long as the Club found a way to physically construct the road. He talked ' about an advantage for properry owners to participate; i.e., access to the back, etc. Fundraising is in place and has started. 1 Hawes said it appears no work would start on the site until money has been raised in pledges and in cash and that the fundraising is on hold because of pending negotiations. Farrington said there are certain steps that need to be � made. He spoke about the growing interest in lacrosse. Towne said it is important to look at the entire project based on future need and not just current need. Towne said that lacrosse is being played in Augusta. In five , years, Towne said that eight fields will probably be a minimum number needed. � � 1 Cyr said the sticking point is access. The memorandum of understanding � clearly does not bind the City to provide additional access off Union Street. It � does indicate the City would work with the Club to negotiate with the property owners, if the Club so desired. The idea of the City being involved with the access came up at meeting when the Guard's future plans were � discussed. Prior to the Guard's involvement, the City was not aware of the type of Guard's expansion plans. The idea then arose that if the Guard has an expansion plan and would need secondary access that potentially the City � should look at participating in some way. She stressed that this notion was never decided upon by the Council. Before moving forward, she suggested � that perhaps the Council should decide on the access issue. If the City doesn't agree to purchase additional land or access, the Club would go forward with their plans. Once a decision is made by Council, the process � can move forward regarding secondary access. In summary, Greene said the access issue has been discussed, Ring provided � a point on Union Street for a safe access, the Guard's future concerns have been discussed and the City appreciates the Guards offer. He referenced the memorandum of understanding, bullet point 3: BSC or a new non-profit and , the City either independently or jointly will seek to obtain the right of way from Union Street to service the primary entrance to the complex. The necessary funding for access and construction of the road will be included in ' the fundraising plan. Greene said that construction has now been thrown in by the Guard. Gratwick said the item is on the agenda to share information in a public � forum. No decision will be made regarding access at this time. He talked � about the budget process and many requests before the Council and the Council's responsibility to be good stewards. He referred to needing specific dollar amounts before making decisions. Cyr said that BSC would want the , City to purchase everything but that was not the intention of the City nor part of the original memorandum of understanding. It was very clear that the City would provide the property it now owns and would do some in-kind work � once certain fundraising goals are met. The secondary access, as far as looking at the City participating or providing it, arose because the airport might want to look at providing secondary access for the Guard's purpose. ' Hupp talked about the Airport and Guard's close relationship. She said it , would be the Council's decision as to whether the City should participate in the acquisition of a right of way to benefit the Guard. It would not be as much of a benefit to the Airport as it would be to the communiry and the role , that the Guard plays in terms of being an economic generator for the region. In terms of additional Airport access, it's not really necessary. , � , ' Young agreed with Hupp in that the access road would not benefit the Airport 1 directly. In talking of the access road and finances, the Guard can construct a gravel road but cannot place capital into it. Their equipment and personnel could be used but it also might not be available at the specific time needed ' for the project. Farrington agreed that the Ciry will not be putting money into the project and 1 that the fundraising process needs to move forward. He thinks that four fields will provide a valuable facility. The BSC would like eight in total. Towne said the BSC has taken the initiative forward. This problem was , brought to the City Council ten years ago. A recreational study was completed indicating more fields were needed for various sports. No fields � were built. When the Council looks at its budget and priorities, how many years does it have to sit on the shelf that the citizens have to return. BSC has lost six additional dates for use of Bass Park due to the harness racing. ' Kids need to be a priority. If BSC provides the road, who owns it. Would the Guard use a road owned by a private citizen and pay a lease to use it. He talked of the pipeline and asked about the legal ramifications of a lien running � through the middle of the complex. BSC is looking for the City to take care of these issues so that the BSC can proceed forward. Towne asked if a decision could be made: 1) does the airport participate in the land acquisition; 2) if , that happens, the Guard would be able to use the new road to access the natural gas line they are looking to bring in. Greene said no. Young said the ' old Searsport pipeline is not part of the equation for the Guard. Towne asked if the BSC can develop on top of the pipeline. Young said the pipeline no longer belongs to the federal government and the current owners would have � to be dealt with in terms of construction. Young said the road would be to access the Guard's fuel farm. Towne said a natural gas line was mentioned two meetings ago. Hupp said it is the Hayes to Gahagan project where they � are looking to reactivate that pipeline. It is currently empty and there is an existing right of way which was transferred to a private owner. It would need to be researched. Towne said these are the types of areas the BSC is looking � to the City to take care of. The BSC can't start fundraising until it knows what is available. Ring said he has had experience over the years in dealing with this pipeline. Towne is correct in that the provisions of the easement � need to be specified. In Ring's dealings, a permanent structure could not be placed on the pipeline. The rights that go with the easement cannot be changed. He doesn't think the pipeline will be an impediment to the , proposed fields. Cyr said that Towne has two questions of the Committee: 1) can the City determine what provisions exist for that easement. Cyr thinks ' that is possible through the City Solicitor's Office; and 2) while the agreement states that the City will not participate or pay for access, Towne feels that if it will benefit the Guard, should the City participate? Cyr said that is a question ' � ' for the full Council. Responding to Farrington, Cyr said the use of the � pipeline is not acceptable as a point of access. Greene asked if most of the roads leading into and around the airport maintained by the City. Hupp said � most are City maintained. If on Guard property, they are maintained by the Guard. Hawes said the memorandum states that the City wouid either independently , or jointly seek to obtain a right of way from Union Street to serve as the primary entrance to the complex. It also states that the funding for the � access and the road's construction would have to be included in the fundraising plan. The City has already said it would research the access. It doesn't again need to go before the Council. Cyr said that Towne is asking , for the Council to reconsider that in light of the information received after this memorandum was dre�ted and that the Guard may be looking a potential � secondary access. If the Guard did not have an interest, it would not be an issue for discussion. The Club can build three fields with access off Downing Road. If they want more than three fields, there has to be a new primary ' entrance of Union Street. Greene stressed the need to get the fundraising started. Once it starts ■ happening, he feels very strongly that there will be strong participation. Cyr � will check with the City So►icitor regarding the pipeline restrictions. The Guard's interest is of extreme benefit and helpful to the fundraising process. � Gratwick is interested in specifics regarding potential amounts of dollars , needed, landowner perspective and attitudes. Cyr said the Council needs to talk about potential properry acquisition in executive session. If the Council decides not to acquire the property, the BSC can build that into their , fundraising. Hawes said there are enough questions that need to come back to a Government Operations Committee meeting first. Once answers are in place, � then an eacecutive session should be scheduled. Hawes made a motion to schedule an executive session prior to the next Council meeting to discuss the ■ City's participation in land acquisition for the multi-field athletic complex plus � Guard access. Farrington said he feels the Council will not be interested if financing is not in place. He feels there should be an indication of � fundraising, more than just a potential. His understanding was that the City did not intend to go to the taxpayer for dollars involved with this project. ' Hawes understood Farrington's concerns but feels the Ciry owes the issue the right to approach the Council. The BSC needs to know if the City is going to acquire the land or not. Gratwick seconded the motion. He talked about � airport dollars vs. tax dollars. Questions need to be answered prior to an executive session. If airport monies can be used, Gratwick said he would ' � ' ' support it. If from the general fund, he would not support it. Greene stressed that the property acquisition price needs to be specified. He would 1 like to know what type of commitment is in place for the minimum $250,000 in cash/pledges toward starting the project. Towne said BSC has $25,000 in the bank. The major campaign has not started. Greene said the Guard has � been nice enough to participate in the access road as long as someone owns the property. Responding to Towne, Young said the government has a difficult time in acquiring land and have tried to obtain permission to acquire � properties (not in this specific area) of benefit to the Guard. Hupp talked about airport monies and their designated use. Greene said there is no need to meet without answered questions. The dollar amount needs to be , specified. The BSC will contact the property owner involved. Cyr will work with the City Solicitor regarding the pipeline question. Farrar suggested that the issue come back to the Council when information is available and not to � lock into the June 26 Council meeting. Hupp and Farrington spoke about the green area on the map which is a bufFer zone that needs to be preserved. ' Ring said a number years ago when the decision to acquire that property was made it was because it was seen as necessary as a buffer for the airport operations. Hupp said it also made a cleaner boundary line for airport � properly. Ring said the question was raised a few months ago regarding the Guard's needs. At that time, the Guard had envisioned a much larger area. Through working with Col. Young, the Guard has looked at their minimum � needs and the results make a difference on whether fields can be created on the City lot only or not. Hawes said there is a motion and a second to take this item to an executive session when the answers are ready. She said she ' would like to move that question. Greene said the question has been moved. Greene stated that it was unanimous. rA motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 6:25 p.m. � ' 1 ' , ' 1