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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-13 20-129 Resolve 04/13/2020 20-129 04/13/2020 20-129 City Manager Resolve N/A Title, Resolve Seeking Federal Financial Assistance Related to the Cross Insurance Center This Council Resolve petitions Maine's Congressional delegation for financial assistance related to the Cross Insurance Center. The City of Bangor owns and operates the Cross Insurance Center as a municipal enterprise fund. The annual operations of the Cross Center account for millions of dollars of economic activity pumped into the Bangor Region and Maine economy. The Cross Center is also a significant employer in the Bangor region, employing over 20 full time professional positions and over 50 part time positions. The City of Bangor uses gaming revenues to support debt service at the Center. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood Casino has been closed since mid-March. Since its opening, the Cross Center has operated on essentially a break-even basis. Again due to the Covid-19 pandemic, business activity at the Cross Insurance Center has effectively ceased for the foreseeable future, subjecting the City of Bangor to a large and unavoidable financial burden. Any operating deficits of the Cross Insurance Center ultimately accrue as a liability for the City of Bangor’s General Fund, creating a potentially significant burden on the taxpayers of the City of Bangor. For these reasons, this Resolve asks for Maine's Congressional delegation to do all in their power to alleviate the financial emergency affecting the Cross Insurance Center brought on by COVID-19. Recommend for passage New Business CITY OF BANGOR RESOLVE 04/13/2020 20-129 04/13/2020 20-129 Hawes Seeking Federal Financial Assistance Related to the Cross Insurance Center Whereas, the City of Bangor owns and operates the Cross Insurance Center, the premier event and convention center in Maine, as a municipal enterprise fund; Whereas, the annual operations of the Cross Insurance Center account for millions of dollars of economic activity pumped into the Bangor Region and Maine economy; Whereas, the Cross Insurance Center is a significant employer in the Bangor region, employing over 20 full time professional positions and over 50 part time positions; Whereas, the City of Bangor uses gaming revenues to support debt service at the Cross Insurance Center; Whereas, Hollywood Casino has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March; Whereas, since its opening, the Cross Insurance Center has operated on essentially a break-even basis; Whereas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, business activity at the Cross Insurance Center has effectively ceased for the foreseeable future, subjecting the City of Bangor to a large and unavoidable financial burden; Whereas, any operating deficits of the Cross Insurance Center ultimately accrue as a liability for the City of Bangor’s General Fund, creating a potentially significant burden on the taxpayers of the City of Bangor, Whereas, the Cross Insurance Center does not currently qualify for federal small business emergency assistance due to its status as a subsidiary operation of municipal government. Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Bangor that, The City Council of the City of Bangor does hereby petition the four members of Maine’s congressional delegation – Senators Collins and King and Representatives Golden and Pingree – to do all in their power to help alleviate this financial emergency through whatever influence their respective positions might provide. Be It Further Resolved that the Bangor City Council hereby acknowledges and appreciates all of the ongoing efforts of the members of the Maine congressional delegation, especially during this uniquely challenging time for our state and nation. IN CITY COUNCIL APRIL 13,2020 CR 20-129 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE VOTE: 8-0 COUNCILORS VOTING YES: FOURNIER,HAWES,NICHOLS,OKAFOR, SCHAEFER, SPRAGUE, SUPICA, TREMBLE COUNCILORS VOTING NO: NONE PASSED - '-�- --�L2-,4Z,� CI CLE