HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-06 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes '
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ,
May 6,2009
Minutes �
Councilors: Committee Chair Hawes, Blanchette, Bronson, D'Errico, Gratwick,
Nealley, Palmer, Stone and Wheeler �
Staff: Barrett, McKay, Bolduc, Hupp
Others: Jim Freeman, Cove Brook Watershed Council; Representatives from '
Irving Oil, Saint John,New Brunswick; Parke Clemons, Republic Pazking
CONSENT AGENDA �
Councilor Palmer requested that each of the Consent Agenda items be reviewed as there
may be questions&om those in attendance.
1. Cultural Commission—Grant Request from Bangor Public Library for$500 to �
Fund a Year of Free Daily Passes to the Maine Discovery Museum
Councilor Stone asked for further clarity on this item. Rod McKay reviewed the '
process explaining that the City Council makes an appropriation for cultural and the arts
each year and assigns the responsibility to the Cultural Commission to review grant ,
requests. The Commission then reviews grant requests and makes recommendations to
the City Council. At the recent Cultural Commission meeting(on 4/22/09) there was a
presentation by Anne Mundy of the Bangor Public Library with respect to their grant '
request. T'he Cultucal Commission recommended that the Council approve the library's
grant request to provide free passes to their patrons who might not otherwise be able to
afford admittance to the Maine Discovery Museum. '
Councilor Gratwick(City representafive to the Cultural Commission), stated that
the library has provided this opportunity for several years and it has been very successful.
The free passes to the Maine Discovery Museum are part of the overall pmcess to get '
people downtown to use the different amenities.
Councilor Blanchette added that these particulaz grant funds available through the
Cultural Commission are part of the City budget that runs out at the end of June 2009. '
However, she has concerns about what the City is funding for the Cultural Commission
to begin with because it doesdt benefit all of the taxpayers in the City of Bangor. She
feels this will be an issue during the upcoming budget process. '
Councilor Palmer made a motion to approve Item #1 of the Consent Agenda.
Councilor Nealley seconded the motion.
Councilor Stone asked Councilor Gratwick if the Bangor Public Library conducts '
a `means tesY before handing out the free passes and if they only go to citizens of
Bangor. Councilor Crratwick replied `no' to the `means tesY and `yes' to passes only go
to citizens of Bangor. '
Motion was carried to appmve Item#1 of the Consent Agenda by a vote of 4 to 1.
2. Cultural Commission—Grant Request from Cove Brook Watershed ,
Council/L.ower Penobscot Watershed Coalition for$1,000 in Support ofthe
Second Annual Penobscot River Revival
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� Councilor Gratwick stated that this is the 2"d yeaz of this event,but the first time
that this group has made a request to the Cultural Commission for a grant. Last yeaz's
Penobscot River Revival event was very successful with approximately 400 people
� attending at the Bangor Waterfront. The Cultural Commission (at its 4/22/09 meeting)
approved the grant request of$1,000 in support of the Second Annual Penobscot River
Revival.
' Jim Freeman of the Cove Brook Watershed Council(fiscal sponsor of the lower
Penobscot Water Shed Coalition and sponsor of the Penobswt River Revival event)
briefly spoke to the Committee stating that this is an educational and cultural event about
� the Penobscot River as well as making interconnections with other related groups.
Councilor Palmer made a motion to approve Item#2 of the Consent Agenda.
Seconded by Councilor Stone. So voted.
' REGULAR AGENDA
� 3. Presentation by Irving Oil
BIA Director Rebecca Hupp spoke to the Committee on the process of selecting a
' new fuel supplier for the airport. The airport's current fuel agreement with ExaconMobil
expires on July 31, 2009. There have been a number of discussions with fuel suppliers to
date and some even haue made presentarions previously to the Committee and Council
, level. Representatives from Irving Oil were present and provided an overview of the
company, its capabilities and services. This presentation is for informational purposes
only, no formal action by the Council is requested at this time. Rebecca added that it is
' her expectation that they will meet in Executive Session on Monday, before the Council
meeting, on the process as a whole and to provide some more detail.
' 4. Public Hearing—on the amount of Federal Community Development Block
Grant Funds expected to be available for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30,
2010 and the eligible uses of Community Development Funds
' Rod McKay stated that each yeaz since 1974 the City of Bangor has received a
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant. In
' 1974, Bangor received about$13 million;Uus year it will be $1,126,000. Each yeaz the
Dept. of Community Development has to submit a budgeUwork plan to the Dept. of HUD
on how the funds are intended to be used. This yeaz's proposal is very similaz to the past
' few years. Rod reviewed the proposed uses of the grant funds. The Committee's
favorable recommendation to the City Council for submission to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development(HUD) of these pmposed uses of funds is
, recommended. The application must be submitted by the deadline of May 15, 2009.
Councilor Palmer moved to open the Public Hearing to discuss Federal
� Community Development Block Grant Funds. Seconded by Councilor Nealley.
As no one from the public appmached, Councilor Palmer moved to close the
Public Hearing. Seconded by Councilor Stone.
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Councilor Palmer made a motion to refer this item on to the City Council for '
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7:30 pm. Seconded by Councilor Stone. So voted. �
5. Downtown Pazking Advisory Committee Recommendations
Rod McKay reviewed stating that the City's Pazking Advisory Committee �
recently met and have made recommendations to changes to the pazking regulations that
apply to the downtown azea. The City Council has established a standing Parking '
Advisory Committee that is chaired by Councilor Gratwick. Participants of the Parking
Advisory Committee aze staff from Economic Development,Rod McKay, Police Dept.
staff and Pazke Clemons of Republic Pazking (contract pazking manager for the ,
downtown).
Ordinance,Amending the Code of the City of Bangor, Chapter 291 -Article III - '
Pazking, Section 291-37-8 (1),Downtown Pazking Management Area- Violation Waiver
Policy
Currently the City allows 4 courtesy Uckets a yeaz for people parking in the '
downtown. The intent of the program when begun was to provide a break benefit to
those people visiting our downtown and perhaps for the first were not totally familiar '
with ow pazking regulations. The consensus of the pazking committee is to change this
to 3 courtesy tickets a year— 1 courtesy ticket allowed every 120 days.
Councilor Palmer motioned to approve this Ordinance, Amending the Code of the '
City of Bangor, Chapter 291 —Article III Parking, Section 291-37-8 (1), Downtown
Parking Management Area—Violation Waiver Policy as presented. Seconded by
Councilor Nealley. So voted. ,
Councilor Palmer added that next year he'd like to revisit this item with fwther
data provided. Rod added that as this is an Ordinance amendment, it will be on the next
Council agenda and will take 2 readings and then be referred back to this Committee, so �
if more data is needed, staff can have that for the next meeting. Councilor Palmer
reiterated that next year is fine with him.
Councilor Blanchette asked for a figure on how much money the City is losing '
on pazking Fmes. Councilor 5tone asked that Councilor Gratwick's pazking cotnmittee
come back to the City Counci] with the pricing on an updated parking ticket system and
three different approaches to help fund it over a 4-5 yeaz period of time. '
Ordinance,Amending the Code of the Ciry of Bangor, Chapter 291, Article III -
Pazking, Section 291-45, Waiving Court Hearing for Violation; Fees �
Rod McKay stated that it was also discussed to doubling the fine for the Znd
offense at the same parking space on the same day. Also discussed was to increase the �
parking fine from $10 to $12 or from $10 to $15. The Parking Advisory Committee
recommended to increase it from$10 to $15 which would also involve, if the fine were
not paid within 30 days,the offense be doubled to $30. If the$2 increase were �
implemented it would have increased the parking revenue by $50,000 and$5 increase
would increase the revenue by $67,000. As a final decision by the Parking Committee
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' they chose to recommend the increase from $10 to $15 and if unplemented, not to
' consider doubling the fine for the 2nd offense in the same location. T'his will be revisited
over time.
Councilor Stone asked if the number of uncollected tickets is}aiown and what
, it costs to enforce those fines not paid. City Manager Barrett replied that staff will gather
this data and report back. Councilor V✓heeler stated that he will not support ihe increase
from $10 to $15; however he would support the increase from $10 to $12. Councilor
, Stone inquired if pazking tickets can be paid with a credit cazd. Ed Barrett replied that he
would have to verify and report back.
Councilor Stone motioned to approve this Ordinance, Amending the Code of the
, City of Bangor, Chapter 291,Article III—Pazking, Section 291-45, Waiving Court
Hearing for Violation; Fees as presented; Seconded. So voted.
' Order,Amending Schedule of Fees, Schedules X and XVI,to Increase the Off-Street
and On-Street Pazking Permit Rates—Chapter 291 Sections 291-42 and 291-42.1
� Rod McKay stated ffiat this Order will adjust the rates for using off-street parking
spaces in the downtown azea. Pazke Clemons has prepazed an annual report that was
passed out to the Committee. In this report, Pazke has made recommendarions on
' adjusting the rates fot the various pazking lots, gazages and deck in the downtown azea
that range from $3 -$8 increase per month. Ttus is based on demand and usage.
In 2003 was the last time that such an analysis was done w/adjustments to the whole
, system,except for in 2007 there was an across-the-boazd$2 increase.
Councilor Stone mofioned to approve this Order, Amending Schedule of Fees,
Schedules X and XVI,to Increase the Off-Street and On-Street Pazking Pemut Rates—
' Chapter 291 Sections 291-42 and 291-42.1 as presented. Councilor Nealley seconded.
So voted.
, 6. Eaecutive Session—Economic Development—Disposition of Land -Maine
Business Enterprise Park— 1 M.R.S.A. § 495 (6) (C)
, A motion was made by Councilor Nealley to go into Executive Session.
7. Committee Action on Above Item
' A motion was made, seconded and passed to recommend to the City Council a
development agreement be approved authorizing a Contract For sale of Real Estate and
, any other related documents,with Bangor Gas for 2.44 acres, in the Maine Business
Enterprise Park with the following terms and conditions:
� 1) The selling price will be $219,600.
2) Bangor Gas will construct a building with a gross floor azea of at least 10,000
sq. ft.
, 3) Plans for the building and site unprovements, including pazking, screening and
vehiculaz access will require the appmval of the Business and Economic
Development Committee.
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4) Bangor Gas shall have reviewed and be satisfied with all zoning, land use and ,
environmental laws, codes, ordinances and regulations affecting the
property. �
5) Bangor Gas shall obtain all zoning, subdivision and environmental permits and
approvals and any other applicable permit or approval as may be necessary for
their pmposed use and development of the property prior to the closing. '
6) Bangor Gas will develop and occupy the premises in compliance with
municipal, state,or federal laws or regulations.
7) Site work and building improvements shall commence prior to December 31, '
2009.
8) Site work and building improvements shal] be completed by Mazch 30, 2011.
9) The property will be subject to property taaces and Bangor Gas and successors '
waive the right of exemption from municipal taxation.
10)The property will be limited to the following uses and limitations and that the
deed will reflect such limitations: ,
(a) Radio and television facilities.
(b) Information pmcessing and communicarions facilities. �
(c)Reseazch and testing facilities of a laboratory nature.
(d) Administrative offices of manufacturing, retail, banking,public utility, ,
service or reseazch corporations.
(e) Service business limited to office use.
(� Group day-care or nursery school.
(g) Day-care center. '
(h) Clinic,medical or dental.
(i)Public utility and public service uses. ,
(j)Retail sales which are incidental to a use listed above(1 through 9).
(k)Accessory uses on the same lot and customarily incidental to and
subordinate to the above uses. '
(1) Prohibited uses: Any use not specifically permitted.
(m)No auto repair shops shall be permitted.
11) The City will amend the Maine Business Enterprise Pazk Subdivision Plan. '
12) The City will amend the Site Location of Development Act(SLODA) permit.
13) Bangor Gas shall not remove any trees on the property except with the '
expressed consent of the City of Bangor.
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