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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-18 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 18, 2020 –City Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES BED Members Present:Nichols (c),Fournier,Hawes,Tremble Non-BED Members:Davitt, Sprague, Okafor (joined meeting in progress), Supica (joined meeting in progress)Any non-BED members deputized to serve as committee members for this meeting?Sprague City Staff Present: Emery, Cromwell, Saucier, Willette, Bolduc Chair Nichols called the meeting to order at 5:50P.M. CONSENTAGENDA 1.Commission on Cultural Development COVID-19 Relief Grants Recommendation 2.Extension of Lease Agreement with Vicki L.Trundy, LCSW Councilor Tremblemoved approval of Consent Agenda item, seconded by Councilor Hawes.Roll call vote: Nichols yes, Fournier yes, Hawesyes,Sprague yes,Trembleyes.5 in favor, 0 opposed, motion has passage. REGULAR AGENDA 3.Broad Street Reopening Discussion Councilors heard an update from staff on the requests received and the feedback gathered by the Downtown Bangor Partnership for consideration. Councilor Tremble suggested a compromise of reopening one lane for vehicle traffic while still keeping a portion of the roadway for additional outdoor seating. Perhaps limited to passenger vehicles only. Councilor Sprague agrees with this ideaand mentioned Bangor Alley should be renamed. Councilors heard public comment from Lisa Leonard, Louis Morrison, Telford Allen, all in favor of reopening Broad Street as soon as possible. Councilors Fournier and Davitt added their support for exploring the possibility of one lane of traffic while preserving additional seating area. Councilor Tremble moved to reopen one lane witha plan approved by the City Engineer until October 13, seconded by Councilor Hawes. Roll call vote: Nichols yes, Fournier yes, Hawes yes, Sprague yes, Tremble yes. 5 in favor, 0 opposed, motion has passage. Councilor Tremble left the meeting. CouncilorOkafor and Supica joined. 4. Request from Downtown Bangor Partnership Regarding Chalk The Downtown Bangor Partnership requested Council consider an ordinance that would restrict the use of chalk downtown to events holding a permit and require a clean up plan. Josh Saucier gave an overview of some of the legal issues and perspectives to consider. Councilor Nichols asked which definition of downtown, and noted insurance requirement of permits concerns her, she would rather ban it across the board. Councilor Hawes noted doing it with a permit has its own problems, costs, and downtown is known for being pretty, why have it covered?Councilor Fournier supports doing it via permits and charge for clean up if it is not done. Councilor Sprague expressed concern about making a change based on one incident, perhaps come back in 2-4 weeks, troubling free speech concerns. Councilor Okafor was asked to vote since Councilor Tremble left the meeting. Councilor Fournier movedthe discussion should come back to the next BEDmeeting to continue to explore three options: ban chalk outright, do it as part of an event permit, or leave it alone, seconded by Councilor Sprague. Roll call vote: Nichols yes, Fournier yes, Hawes yes, Sprague yes, Okafor yes. 5 in favor, 0 opposed, motion has passage. Councilor Hawes moved to enter into Executive Sessionfor Economic Development –Request for Lease of Land –1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) at 6:40pm, seconded by Councilor Sprague. Roll call vote: Nichols yes, Fournier yes, Hawes yes, Sprague yes, Okafor yes. 5 in favor, 0 opposed, motion has passage. 4.Executive Session–Economic Development –Request for Lease of Land –1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) Councilor Hawesmoved out of Executive Session at 6:48 pm, seconded by CouncilorFournier. Councilor Hawes moved approval of staff recommendation, seconded by Councilor Fournier. Roll call vote: Nichols yes, Fournier yes, Hawes yes. 3 in favor, 0 opposed, motion has passage. Meeting adjourned at6:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tanya L. Emery, Director of Community & Economic Development.