HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-16 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 5:15 P.M.
Via Zoom
BED Members Present:Fournier (c), Dubay, Schaefer, Sprague
Non-BED Members Present: Tremble, Okafor
City Staff Present:Emery, Conlow, Saucier, Cromwell, Collins, Krieg
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M.
REGULAR AGENDA
1. Bangor Summer Farmers’ MarketLease, 2021 –2023 (see attached memo)
a. Action requested: approval of staff recommendation to approve lease and
forward to City Council meeting of March 22, 2021 for final approval.
Collins gave an overview of the agenda item. Councilor Schaefer moved for approval of
staff recommendation to approve lease, seconded by Councilor Dubay. Councilor
Tremble will vote until Councilor Davitt shows up.
Roll call vote:Dubay yes, Schaefer yes, Sprague yes, Tremble yes, Fournier yes, 5-0
motion has passage.
2. Public Feedbackon Short-Term Rentals (see attached memo and comments)
a. Action requested: none, informational update only.
Krieg gave an overview of process and the feedback heard so far via our survey, public
meetings, and social media/email comments. Dubay – CVB board may take a position,
suggests a meeting with CVB and possibly realtors. Fournier – have we talked to hotel
owners? Not yet. Perhaps we have a checklist for safety requirements and there are some
representations and warrantees (annually) with a fee to acknowledge that all these things
are happening. Schaefer likes registration and inspection with fee covering inspection
cost, but not a personal certification. Would also like to keep looking at the issue and take
the time to do it right and well. Emery suggests apartment inspections as a starting point
for life safety.Sprague did not see a lot of consensus, would like more consensus from
specific interest groups like hotels, realtors, etc. Schaefer asks if it is possible to do the
long-term rental registration at the same time we do short-
term, create an overall rental policy. Sprague is also
interested in this approach; also can we address this along
with the comprehensive plan update? Staff will continue
working on stakeholder outreach and coming up with more
ideas. Sprague also requests best and worst practices
from cities of similar size. Emery suggests also thinking about the broader spectrum of
housing options (apartments, short-term and long-term, hotels being converted, etc.).
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3. Consideration of One-Time Allowance to Raise Flag for Saint Patrick’s Day 2021
a. Action requested: vote to allow or disallow Irish flag to be raised on March
17, 2021.
Conlow provides context about Council Chair Tremble’s request to raise the Irish flag for
St.Patrick’s day. Schaefer is not in favor, Sprague is ok with governmental flags being
raised, Okafor is opposed after last night’s conversation at government operations.
Dubay ok with one-time event, Fournier as well. Schaefer suggests changing the policy
to state what flags we fly after flying the Irish flag tomorrow.
Councilor Schaefer moved to make a one time allowance to fly the Irish flag on 3/17/21,
but make policy in the future that we only fly government flags and Canadian flag,
seconded by Councilor Dubay.
Roll call vote:Dubay yes, Schaefer yes, Sprague yes, Tremble yes, Fournier yes, 5-0
motion has passage.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 P.M.