Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-14 Bass Park Committee Minutes Stadium Committee CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP Tuesday, October 14, 1997 @5:00 PM � MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM MINUTES COUNCILORS . PRESENT: Councilor Patricia Blanchette Councilor James Tyler Councilor Joseph Baldacci Councilor David Leen Councilor Michael Aube Councilor Nichi Farnham Councilor Timothy Woodcock STAFF PRESENT: Edward A. Barrett, City Manager Rodney G. McKay, Director of Community &Economic Development Ron Heller, Finance Director Michael Dyer, Director of Bass Park Peter D'Errico, Economic Development Officer James Ring, City Engineer Erik Stumpfel, City Solicitor • Norman Heitmann, Asst. Ciiy Solicitor Dale Theriault, Director of Parks and Recreation Linda Goff, Community Development Dan Thompson STADIUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hugh Morrison Dave Clark OTHERS PRESENT: Dean Gyorgy, Blue Ox Gerry Palmer, Blue Ox Vince Burns,Blue Ox MEDIA PRESENT: Roxanne Saucier, BDN Channels 2, 5 & 7 Tom Palmer,Lafayette Hotels, Bangor Thomas Hickey, Bangor Resident Charles & Marguerite Birkel,Bangor Residents Charles & Rita Helfen,Bangor Residents Fred Vardamis, Bangor Resident Martha& Royce Day, Bangor Residents • 2/ � Councilor Blanchette opened the Council Workshop at 5:00 PM. This meeting was called in order to receive the report of the AdHoc Stadium Committee which took place over 5 meetings from September 15 to October 1. Councilor Tyler reviewed the process as well as the purpose of these meetings which was to provide the entire Council with adequate detailed estimates and factual information with respect to the potential construction of the multi-purpose facility. Basic issues covered were site location and preparation costs, construction cost of the stadium, anticipated revenues and operating costs in order to determine whether or not the City should participate and, if so, at what level. Rod McKay, Director of Community&Economic Development, gave further background on the overall process leading up to the formation of the Stadium Committee including issuing the initial RFP for a contract to do a market feasibility study for a multi- purpose stadium. This report began several months ago and the first draft was received in July of this year. From these early reports it became apparent to staff that a different local forum was needed to look at the issues which concerned Bangor-this resulted in the formation of the AdHoc Stadium Committee. Rod reviewed the Coopers &Lybrand report outlining such things as anticipated attendance, revenues and operating costs. He gave further detail of the issues � undertaken by the Adhoc Stadium Committee such as possible methods of supporting the • proposed facility with financial mechanisms such as a local options t�,private donations, federal and state grants, bonds and appropriations, and tax increment financing. The National Guard has been contacted to see if they could assist in the site work. They responded that in 1998 they are booked but would consider the project for 1999 if it is approved by the Bangor City Council. Staff has also recently met with representatives of the Blue Ox to determine what their commitment is to the construction/operation of the stadium. They have offered the City of Bangor$40,000 per year in rental payments towards operating the facility for 42 games. As another alternative they take over operation of the facility,pay all expenses except those related to concerts and other non-Blue Ox events; they would operate the concessions and the facility. This would absolve the City of any risk of operating losses of the facility. Copies of both reports were made available to those in attendance. At the City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 15,there will be a Resolve on the agenda for first reading which states that the City would agree to provide up to $2 million in matching funds for the construction of the stadium with conditions being that funding from other sources be made available; that the City have received pledges of the other funds by February 1, 1998 and that the other funds be in hand by May 1, 1998. Councilor Blanchette asked for comments from other Councilors. No comments at this time. She then asked the residents in attendance for their comments. Charles Helfen, Bangor resident, asked if the Blue Ox were sold to a private individual • who would be liable for their long-term financial contracts, long-term lease or any other financial responsibilities assumed by Mr. Vince Burns of the Blue Ox. 3/ � Councilor Tyler responded that he would not support the City entering into a commitment that would not require legal liability going with the responsible party. He then turned the issue over to City Solicitor Erik Stumpfel who stated that there are ways to secure the revenue stream even if the Blue Ox should leave. Charles Birkel, Bangor resident, stated that the Civic Center and Auditorium axe in need of major repairs and that any available revenues should be focused first on this facility. He questioned the necessity and financial feasibleness of the stadium project at this time, emphasizing to the Councilors that the associated financial costs need to be looked at very carefully. Councilor Blanchette responded to Mr. Birkel's concern with respect to repairs at the Civic Center and Auditorium stating that per recommendations from the Bass Park Adhoc Committee funds have been allocated this year to do the roof,the basketball floor, venting and the concession areas. The committee's other recommendations have been taken very seriously by the Council and they will be handled piece meal as funds allow. With no further business at hand,the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM. � � �