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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-21 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes i BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ' Od. 21,2009,5 pm � Minutes Councilors: Chair Hawes, Blanchette, Bronson, Nealley,Wheeler ' Staff: Barrett, McKay, Heitmann Others: Kerrie Tripp, Bangor CVB; James Garrity, Chair of the CVB; Ed Marsh of Littlewood Island LLC � 1. Quarterly Update from Greater Bangor CVB Kerrie Tripp of the Bangor CVB presented highlights of their quarterly update (last update was in � May 2009�. Projects that have been held this year are the Annual Car Show at the Bangor waterfront, with attendance of approximately 2,000+ people. There were over 50 volunteers; 19 sponsors and S � non-pro�t community-based vendors. Cruise ships have been a great success;the gift bags handed out to the passengers have been redesigned to say"Welcome to Bangor Maine". Other short excursions were added such as working with Hollywood Slots to get passengers into that facility and eangor Gift Emporium provided a bus for those wishing to shop for Maine Made Products at their store. The � walking tour excursion of downtown eangor(for cruise boat passengers)was conducted as usual but this year it ended at West Market Square in order for people to shop instead of leading them right back to the cruise boat; downtown merchants reported that they saw more cruise ship passengers in their ' shops as a result. With the new kiosk at the BIA Information Center,CVB has seen no less than a 30% increase in the amount of collateral material that they are refilling at this location. CVB membership is � up with 11 new members since May and zero drop-offs. CVB has had 7 RFP's accepted by local businesses-3 were declined due to 'facility not large enough as reason given. The Bangor Greeter Program is up and running with 10 volunteers trained to work at the airport kiosk and at other events such as the Folk Festival,Car Show and CVB's annual dinner. Annually,there are 4 public tours of the , Stephen King Tommy Knockers and Literary Tours one Sunday per month,July,Aug.,Sept. and Oct. Four (4) more tours were added to meet the demand. These tours have been a successful way to get the eangor region into multiple media outlets. Trede Show season isjust beginning—have been i� represented at Meeting Planner International in July and Affordables National in Washington, D.C. in � Sept. CVB will be doing the Bangor Guide for the first time—they are in charge of creation, ad sales and distribution for that publication. In years past,the Chamber of Commerce has created that guide. From , May-Sept. of this year 724 visitor packets have been distributed in response to inquiries. Councilor Wheeler requested that in the future that information materials be sent to Council and Staff , prior to meetings. 2. Easement for Little Wood Island LLC(Tim Horton's) , City Solicitor Norm Heitmann reviewed this item stating that it has been brought to the attention of the City that there is a setback violation for Tim Horton's on Main Street by approximately ' six(6) inches. The setback is measured from the property line to the nearest part of a structure. The lender is requiring that Little Wood Island LLC bring itself in compliance with City Codes. The City as well wants the property owner to be code compliant. Staff recommends approval of an easement from the � City to Little Wood Island LLC for the limited purpose of ineeting setback requirements. The easement will not give Little Wood Island LLC any other rights in the City proper[y and will not affect any development or use of the City property. , ' , � � A motion was made by Councilor Nealley to move staff recommendation on this item as presented; seconded by Councilor Wheeler to forward this item to the full City Council at their meeting on 10/26/09. So voted. � A motion was made by Councilor Bronson to go into Ezecutive Session—1 M.R.S.A.§405 (6)(C) Negotiations for Acquisition of Property under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program;seconded by � Councilor Nealley. , 3. Ezecutive Session—1 M.R.S.A. §405(6) (C) Negotiations for Acquisition of Property under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program � 4. Committee Action on Above Item A motion was made and unanimously passed to authorize staff to make offers for the � acquisition of 13 Sanford Street and 111 Parker Street up to 99%of their appraised value. ' � ' � , ' � , � i i