HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-19 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, July 19th, 2021
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes
BED Members Present:Fournier (C), Davitt, Dubay, Schaefer, Sprague
Non-BED Members: Present: Hawes, Nichols, Okafor
City Staff Present:Emery, Bolduc, Collette, Conlow, Krieg, LaBree, O’Donnell
Guests Present:Betsy Lundy, Downtown Bangor Partnership
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M.
1. Residential Rehabilitation Loan –164 Thornton Road
Emery introduced the item. Councilor Davitt moved approval of staff recommendation to
approve loan, seconded by Councilor Schaefer. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. Economic Development Strategy Update
Emery introduced the item and gave the project update. Councilor Sprague suggested
including developers (business, land, housing), organizations (Penquis and EMDC) and
ensuring coordination and integration with existing plans, economic development factors
from existing plans (housing, airport, broadband, etc.) He asked about a database of
business owners/managers/where they live. Councilor Schaefer suggested the BETE list
as a starting place for the database. Councilor Dubay suggested state leaders in the
private sector even if they haven’t done business here. Councilor Davitt reiterated
protocol of having input on this go to the BED committee chair via email to be transmitted
to staff, and also including students. Councilor Sprague suggested including Cross
Insurance, C&L Aviation, Prentiss and Carlisle, and Bangor Savings Bank as businesses
that have started locally and have regional/national significance now.
3. Downtown Bangor Partnership Funding Request
Emery introduced the item. Need coordination between CVB/City/DBP. Lundy answered
questions about need for physical capital. Emery will set up quarterly meetings with Maine
Highlands, DBP, CVB, Airport on marketing efforts.
Councilor Schaefer moved approval to release the
additional $15,000 in marketing funds to the Downtown
Bangor Partnership, seconded by Councilor Davitt. Vote
unless doubted, no doubt.
4. Broadband Update
Emery gave project update. Council should expect to have a recommendation in late
September/early October from staff/Mission Broadband.
5. Consent to Assignment of Lease of Land at 366 Griffin Road (Map-Lot 100-006)
Councilor Schaefer moved approval of assignment of the lease, seconded by Councilor
Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
6. Consent to Assignment of Lease of Land at 1286 Union Street (Map-Lot 101-003)
Councilor Schaefer moved approval of assignment of the lease, seconded by Councilor
Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
Councilor Schaefer moved into two executive sessions under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) at
6:28 p.m., seconded by Councilor Davitt.
7. Executive Session Economic Development –Property Sale – 1 M.R.S.A.§405(6)(C)
8. Executive Session Economic Development –Property Sale – 1 M.R.S.A.§405(6)(C)
No action was taken on the two executive session items.
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Emery
Director, Community and Economic Development
7/20/2021