HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-06 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 5:15 P.M. (following Infrastructure)
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes
BED Members Present: Fournier (C), Davitt, Dubay, Sprague
Non-BED Members Present: Hawes, Nichols, Okafor
City Staff Present: Emery, Collins, Krieg, O’Donnell, Saucier
Guests Present: John Dougherty, Mission Broadband
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 5:25 P.M.
1. Mobile Home Park Ordinance
Action Requested: Committee direction on whether or not to proceed with an
ordinance similar to what is drafted, with specific questions regarding enforcement
mechanisms and other provisions.
Saucier gave an overview of LD1580 and the proposed ordinance. Nichols provided
an update on why LD1580 failed. Can we address paving? Dubay and Davitt support.
Sprague – where does this fit with our future development? Parks of tiny homes or
mobile homes. Parallel with landlords. Look into brush disposal for Holiday Park.
Councilors support further drafting work on an ordinance similar to LD1580.
2. Brownfields Funding
Collins gave an overview of the item. Councilors support redeploying the Brownfields
funding in the region, with preference being a project that fits with the City’s strategic
priorities.
3. Broadband Update
Emery introduced the item and John Dougherty from Mission Broadband to talk
generally about the responses received and the general philosophical priorities of the
group. Davitt supports keeping an open/municipal network as top priority, as do
Hawes and Dubay. Sprague asks to keep a future orientation. Stephen Brough,
Bangor resident, asked about if residents have been asked
about price points. Emery clarifies that they were during
the broadband strategic plan survey. Dougherty recaps
next steps –staff/consultant will clarify questions and
eliminate proposers who cannot or will not meet or address
the priority of a municipal/open network.
4. Process for Economic Development Strategy
Emery introduced the item and Kreig discussed in detail the plan to modify the
comprehensive plan timeline and incorporate an economic development strategy
process as well. Key question for both processes: “what makes a successful city?”
Sprague asked how the various plans fit in with the comprehensive plan, and wants
to use them as chapters with their extensive data and public input. Dubay agrees with
the approach and asks about how staff plan to include businesses in the economic
development strategy. Outreach is not planned in detail yet and staff welcome input.
Councilors support proceeding with the process outlined by staff including soliciting
quotes from facilitators to lead the economic development strategy sessions (in
addition to the comp plan consultant RFP already authorized and underway). As
Councilors have ideas, they will email them to Councilor Fournier for distribution to the
staff.
5. Façade Grant Update
City staff will be opening a façade grant round ASAP – we have received many
inquiries about this program, which we had put on hiatus, and we have available funds,
so we will open a round using the existing program rules.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.