HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-22 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 5:15 P.M.
City Council Chambers and Via Zoom
Meeting Minutes
BED Members Present: Fournier (C), Davitt, Dubay, Schaefer, Sprague
City Staff Present: Emery, Collins, Bolduc, Saucier, Wallace
Guests Present: Barbara McDade, Commission on Cultural Development
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 5:13 P.M.
1. Commission on Cultural Development Request for Fundraising
Barbara McDade presented the request. Councilor Schaefer moved to allow the CCD to raise
funds for ARTober 2021, seconded by Councilor Dubay. Vote unless doubted, no doubt, motion
has passage.
2. Outdoor Seating on Public Property
Emery reviewed the current landscape and staff thoughts regarding permanent provisions for
parklets. Councilor Schaefer supported no more than 2 spaces per parklet, fee for parklet is in
addition to sidewalk dining, parklet or sidewalk not both, 3/15 deadline for submissions to allow
for staff review, and new standards starting 2022. Conlow mentioned having staff review and
approve any painting proposed for barricades. ADA going forward – yes. Councilor Sprague
asked staff to convey these changes in a positive way, in partnership with tightening up the
standards, but positioning it as an opportunity, and possibly having an installation event. Broad
Street should be a third option with a fee that is scaled accordingly (more than the space of
sidewalk or parklets, and cover costs). No action was taken, staff will proceed with developing
final standards and report back to the committee.
3. Review of Economic Development Plans and Strategies
Emery reviewed the plans currently used by staff and other plans being developed, and discussed
how this request first within that context. Emery will share the state’s climate action plan with the
committee as well. Councilor Fournier recommended a strategy update an outline of a plan at the
next meeting. Councilor Sprague suggested an extended committee meeting at some point in the
future (like 3-4 hours) to focus exclusively on an economic development plan for the City.
Action Requested: None, informational update only.
4. Broadband Update
Emery presented the following update from Mission Broadband,
the City’s broadband RFP consultants.
“The responses to the RFP varied greatly with some vendors
proposing a clear path to a municipal owned, open access fiber network and other vendors
referencing plans already in place to build private fiber networks throughout the City of Bangor.
Several vendors provided cost estimates to construct the fiber network along with costs for the
core and premise electronics. Only one proposal was responsive to all sections of the RFP. It
appears there are several viable options for partnerships within the responses received. Mission
Broadband continues to evaluate the responses and examine the associated costs and merits of
each proposal and is planning to meet with the City of Bangor next week to review with their
team.”
Action Requested: None, informational update only.
Meeting adjourned at 6:14 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya L. Emery
6/23/21