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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-08 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes , BUSINE55 AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMIfTEE � October 8, 2008, 4:30 PM � Minutes Councilors: Palmer, D'Errico, Farrington r Staff: McKay, Heitmann, Ring, Bolduc, Patterson Others: Representatives of Bangor ConvenUon and Visitors Bureau ' 1. Quarterly Update by Bangor Convention &�sitors Bureau Kerrie Tripp and James Gerery provided an update. Tripp has been in the position of � executive director for six months. She spoke about the huge success of the recent Car Show at the waterfront. September 13, 2009 has already been established for the next � show. Gerery noted representatives from car clubs in Central and Southern Maine as well as New Brunswick participated. There were 11 sponsors for the event and only 2 � were BC1/B members. Tripp introduced their new Membership and Convention Sales Director, Gibren Graham, and provided some of his background and professional career experience. The BCVB staff is doing one-on-one visits with its membership for feedback � and ideas to strengthen the organization. Gerery said the Board is also looking within its own structure and organization to find areas for improvement. He noted that a strategic planning committee was put together and that committee interviewed all of � the board members, recommendations were made and brought to the executive board and will be incorporated into a living document for short and long term planning. Tripp noted the board's enthusiasm to be engaged and involved in the planning. , The BCVB has worked with BIA, which created a new information center for the CVB. She noted that they are using about twice as many brochures than in their previous � locafion. The new location is near the baggage area. A greeter program has been established and targeting certain areas that have vital active seniors who want to ' participate in the community. Volunteers would be trained as greeters and assigned to the Airport at strategic times. The American Folk Fesaval contract was completed which dealt with housing and travel needs for artists and staff coming into Bangor. She , noted that it kept the dollars local. Packet mailings doubled over the summer months. Staff will track where the mailing requests have come from and Tripp said she would provide that information at their next update to the Committee. The Big E trade show ' in Massachusetts was successful. 600 Bangor guides were distributed as well as regional guides. A new trade show ln Halifax was also attended by CVB staff. Going forward, the CVB is looking at a website upgrade, continued formation of the � greeters program, director of sales meetings are held on a monthly basis, and two trade shows are in place--one in Augusta and one in Saint John. A Penobscot Counry � hospitality training program will take place through a grant from the Maine Highlands. A membership event is in the planning process as a thank you to the membership. � , , ' income individual, elderly, and living on a fixed income. She does not have the ability to ' make consistent payments on the loan of$13,483 at 3% with all payments deferred until the property title is transferred. Wheeler noted that his spouse is employed by Elder Independence of Maine and asked if the Committee thought it would constitute a � conflict of interest. A motion was made and seconded indicating that it was not a conflict of interest for Councilor Wheeler. Palmer asked if the individual has a support network and also asked who would be performing the required work. Nakowi¢ ' explained that the work is done by Penquis CAP, which also does the initial intake of every client that comes into the City's program. Penquis has a wealth of certified contractors and also works with the homeowner and the contrador throughout the project. Responding to Gratwick, McKay spoke about the projects, one in the past under � the program as well as one in the current planning stage — New Franklin Laundry's building on Fern Street. He also spoke about the requirement of individuals participating in the program need to be in the low to moderate income level and landlords using the � funds for low to moderate income level tenants. Funds have also been used for parks and infrastructure in designated neighborhoods. Wheeler questioned the value of the house and the realistic market value. McKay estimated it to be around $100,000 but did � not have the actual numbers. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff"s recommendation. � 4. Executive Session — Economic Development— Lease of Lot 4 - BIA Commercial / Industrial Park— M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) 1 Palmer noted that this item was taken out of order due to the nature of the itern and for discussion of item 3. A motion was made and seconded to move into executive session. , 3. Lease of Lot 4 in the BIA Commercial / Industrial Park to Bangor Hydro Electric Company ' Bolduc introduced Chris Austin, Rudman and Winchell, and Kim Wadleigh, Bangor Hydro. Bolduc noted that Gary Hagan has leased this property since 1998 and has constructed a 9,073 sq. ft. office building on it. Bangor Hydro Electric Company wishes ' to purchase the building and enter into a new lease agreement with the City. By policy, the City leases this land at a base annual rate equal to 8.5% of its market value. Staff has negodated such a lease with the following terms and conditions. The lease will run ' from 40 years beginning on approximately October 1, 2008; during the initial five-year period, Bangor Hydro will pay $11,560 annuaily to the City with this amount adjusted every five years thereafter. Adjustments would normally be based on the sum of the , five annual changes and the Consumer Price Index during the previous five years with a cap of 5% per year. For the lease period beginning in 2028 and 2038, the property would be reappraised in order to reset the value of the land. The property is to be used ' for the maintenance and operation of an offlce buildfng and for no other purposes without the expressed prior written consent of the City, and Bangor Hydro will be responsible for paying all taxes on the property and insuring the property in accordance � with the City's standard requirements. A motion was made and seconded to approve stafYs recommendation to the full Council at its September 22n° meeting. � r ' ' Palmer asked about the cruise ship welcome progrem, Ultimate Chef and Tommy � Knockers programs. Tripp said there were 16 weeks of cruise ship visitors with over 1,500 passengers. Each week, the ships were met, passengers greeted and someone to answer questions, walking tours made available, and delivering welcome bags to the � cruise ship for the next week's visit. The UPS Store meets each cruise ship and is available to ship packages for passengers. It has been successful. American Cruise Line loves Bangor as a port. Tripp noted that due to a recent hurricane one of the ' ships needed to spend a weekend in Bangor and the CVB provided the opportunity for additional activities including the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Gerety said one of the common comment received at the Bangor Mall is that visitors feel welcomed by the ' community. Tripp mentioned the cooperation of the Harbor Master and he has BCVB brochures and information on display in his office. The Ultimate Chef has completed its , second year with 60-70 diners. IYs not so much of a money maker event as it is promoting community spirit. The Tommy Knakers is a great program, and ali four public tours were sold out for this year. The CYB is also working on a Bangor historic ' tour. Responding to Farrington, Jessica Donahue said one of the common reoccurring themes � at the Saint John trade show was that people are coming through Bangor and using it as a stop over for a night as well as shopping. Saint John folks are very familiar with Bangor. Some of the trade shows people need to be informed as to where Bangor is 1 located. The CVB always has a map on display. Regarding the booth at the BIA, Tripp said she dcesn't have a true figure as to where the majority of the travelers are from. ' D'Errico asked if the cruise ship passengers patronize the Hollywood Slots. Holiywood Slots provides transportation services and coordinates schedules with CVB staff. ' Palmer thanked Tripp and staff for the update. , PUBLIC HEARING — 5:00 PM � 2. PUBLIC HEARING —Application to State for Riverfront Communiry Development Bond Program Funds � A motlon was made and seconded to open the public hearing. McKay said that last November the citizens of Maine approved a bond issue which included $5M to assist and encourege communities along Maine's rivers to revitalize their riverfronts in an ' environmentally sustainable manner and to promote community development and river enhancement projects. It fits Bangor's Waterfront development plan perfectly. The � total maximum amount of any one grent would be $750,000 and the program requires a two to one match. The City has the match due to the two federal waterfront grants already received and the appropriation made by the Council last June from the ' Downtown TIF. The area focused upon is downriver south of Railroad Street and ' ' Dutton Street between the railroad tracks and the river. The City is proposing to apply � for the Riverfront Community Development Bond Program funds to continue its � waterfront improvement master plan. Ring outlined the proposed improvements and showed the conceptual plan. Most of � the previous work has been on Railroad and Front Streets and the bulkhead. The conceptual plan was approved by Council last year. The conceptual plan shown is a bit outdated as it still shows parking areas adjacent to the amphitheater that are not being ' proposed at the present time but may be added again if a future need is demonstrated. The consultant will prepare a revised plan showing this change. It is a very ambitious project and consists of establishing parking, some of which is there in gravel form, a , children's splash type area, restroom facilities and supporting utilities, extending utilities down through the park, walking trails, amphitheater, and arboretum type treatment at , the southerly end. A couple of other considerations in the next phase include the pending coal tar remediation project. Staff proposes improvements in the next phase that would not be impacted by the remediation project. By State regulations, staff is at , the point where storm water treatrnent and mitigation is required before other projects take place. Before any additional work can be done, State permits are necessary. In looking at the use of funds, staff has identified work and elements consistent with the � Bangor Waterfront Master Plan, improvements that are not impacted by the river cleanup project, improvements that will meet requirements for storm water permitting, improvements that will add parking and public access, and access to the river. A � number of innovative storm water treatment approaches will be undertaken, parking lots will be put in place, extension of the electrical and water utilities further down into the site will be done. In addition, a formai pedestrian route will be established down ' through the site. After the remediation project is completed, the focus will be on shore line improvements. Another element would be to improve river access to canoes and ' kayaks by providing an access ramp. In conjunction, staff suggested storage racks for such vesseis. Heather McCarthy, Executive Director of the American Folk Festival, which takes place , on the site under discussion, spoke about the waterfront projects. The American Folk Festival organization, board members and stakeholders would be unanimous in their � approval to see if there are additional funds that the City can access to improve the down river portion of the Festival site. This is the first year that the Festival started to use the down river portion of the waterfront and attendees seemed to appreciate the � increased access to the riverfront but did note that more lighting could be used as well as other infrastructure. She thinks tfiat everyone is looking forward to seeing the waterfront in its final completed stage and seeing how the Festival and the site will � mesh. The bottom line is that the American Folk Festival is very excited about this project moving forward. If a letter of support or other partnership way is needed, she � offered the support of the Festival organization. � , ' ' Kelly Cotiaux, Sephone Solutions, and active communiry member, expressed support for � the kayak ramp. She likes to walk on the waterfront, which she couldn't do when she first moved to Bangor, and she has helped many people in kayaks aC the waterfront. These individuals are going to go to the Sea Dog, get out and stretch their legs, and ' she is excited about going up river, with the Penobscot River Restoration Trust and their ideas to remove some Dams will bring more people into Bangor by kayak and canoe. She felt it was wonderful news. She spoke of trying to help people out of a , moving kayak and feels that the suggestion for a ramp is wonderful. She said she also would be willing to write a letter of support if needed. ' A motion was made and seconded to close the public hearing. McKay noted that additional public comment will be solicited on October 15"' at the regularly scheduled Council meeting. ' Palmer noted that due to the demand on the Council Chambers the Committee will ' move into Executive Session and move to the City Manager's Office. He noted that the Committee would not be retuming to public session. ' 3. No motion was made to move into Executive Session — Economic Development— Lease of Lot 4— BIA Commercial / Industrial Park— M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) ' The issue was a request by Bangor Hydro Electric Company. Steve Bolduc and City Solicitor Heitmann explained that Bangor Hydro Electric Company proposes to purchase the building on Lot 4 in the Bangor International Airport Commercial / Industriai Park. � Lot 4 is owned by the City and leased to the building owner. Bangor Hydro Electric would like to add a right of first refusal to the lease of Lot 4 that was previously ' reviewed by the Committee and approved by the City Council on September 22. City staff and Bangor Hydro Electric Company representatives have reached an agreement on proposed right of first refusal language that would give the Bangor Hydro Electric � Company the right of first refusal to buy the Lot 4 land at the Ciry asking price should the City ever decide to sell it. Staff recommended that the Committee recommend that the right of first refusal language be approved by the City Council for inclusion in the � BHE lease. A motion was made and seconded and unanimously passed to accept the staff's recommendation. , 4. Agreement for Development of Bangor Waterfront Property with Little Wood Island, LLC. � Council Order 08-257 passed 7uly 28, 2008 authorized granting an easement of 0.17 � acre behind a proposed Tim Horton restaurant at 440-460 Main Street to accommodate a drive through, related parking and site improvements. As it became clear that a portion of the proposed restaurant building would be located within the proposed 0.17 ' acre easement area, City Solicitor Heitmann explained it would be more appropriate for ' ' the City to grant a deed to the 0.17 acre while retaining an easement to protect the ' City's interest in meeting setback requirements for future development should they be � required. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to recommend staff s recommendation to the Ciry Council. � A motion was made, seconded and passed to end the meeting. � ' ' � t , ' ' � � � � � , ,