HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-15 Finance Committee Minutes • Finance Comrriittee Meeting Minutes September 15, 1997 Councilors Attending: Pat Blanchette, Jim Tyler, Joe Baldacci, Mike Aube Staff Attending: Robert Farrar, Ron Heller, Brian Enman, Dave Pellegrino, Arthur Stockus, Jim Ring,Erik Stumpfel,Mary-Anne Chalila, Cla.ire Bolduc, Randy Mace, Mike Dyer,Ben Birch Others Attending: Meeting convened at 5:25 pm 1. Executive Session-Poverty Abatement Wilbur and Jane Watson, 438 Finson Road,RE#59618 -Abate 1998 real estate taxes. 2. Executive Session-Review of Status of Collection Account � • New Franklin Laundry 3. Bids: a. Top Soil Dresser(Parks and Recreation Department/Golf Course) Turf Products Corp. of Enfield, CT($6,495.00) Recommend purchasing from Turf Products, the low bidder. Approved b. Triplex Mower(Parks and recreation Department/Golf Course) Haxnmond& Tilton ofFairfield($13,798.00) Recommend purchasing from Hammond& Tilton, the low bidder. Approved c. Union Street Resurfacing(Engineering Department) Lane Construction Company of Bangor($223,930.00) This two part project is part of the BACTS Road Program by the Maine Department of Transportation and it requires local matching funds of 10% and 15%. As has been done in the past, the City Engineering Department assumed design and project management responsibility of the project. By performing the work in house, the project will be completed sooner and the project cost will be reduced. Recommended to City Council for � approval. • d. Post&Joint Restoration, Kenduskeag Stream Walkbridge (Public Services Department Stetson&Watson of E. Holden($17,500.00) Recommend award to low bidder, Steson&Watson of E. Holden. Approved. e. Recycling Trailer(Motor Pool Department) Cor-Tech, Inc. of Luverne, MN ($14,999.00) The sole bid for a recycling trailer came in over budget. The bid was for$20,000 and only $15,000 had been budgeted for this purchase. The recommendation is to reject the bid. Cor-Tech has informed the City that they have a 1 year old trailer that they will retrofit to meet our specifications and sell to us for$14,999 FOB Bangor. This falls within our budget for this project. Stafffeels that this unit will meet the needs. The fact that it is 1 year old will not affect the life or the operation of the unit. Approved. f. Boiler Repairs(Bass Park Department) Reeds Welding&Boiler Repairs of Newburgh($6,100.00) There are only two competitive boiler welders in this area who are capable of retubing a • steel boiler: Doug Reed of Newburgh and Gordon McRa.e of Brewer. Both were contacted and only Mr. Reed was available to perform the work in a timely manner. Since this work has to be completed by September 17, 1997,Mr. Reed has been instructed to start work. This boiler was retubed two years ago for$6,700.00 by the same individual working as a subcontractor. An automated chemical treatment program for the boiler will be initiated to prevent tube failures in the future. Approved. 4. Discharge of Sewer Liens ' Daniel Clifford- Outstanding sewer charges were paid earlier this year for property located at 78 Seventh Street. The lien was recorded in May 1995. Because this lien has matured, a Municipal Quitclaim Deed is necessary to release the City's interest. Real estate tax account is current. John and Kimberly Veilleux- Outstanding sewer charges were paid in August for property located at 24 Hewey Street. The four liens were recorded in June, 1994. Because these liens have matured, a Municipal Quitcla.im Deed is necessary to release the City's interest. Real estate tax account is current. Arthur Thompson- Sewer cha.rges were paid in full on July 30th by Mr. Thompson for property located at 124 Birch Street. The three liens were recorded in June, 1994. Because these liens have matured, a Municipal Quitclaim Deed is necessary to release the City's interest. It is not certain as to the status of the first half of the 1998 assessment, however, real estate t�es • for 1996 and 1997 remain outstanding. All three lien discharges were approved by the Committee. • 5. Assessing Department-Update Ben Birch, Assessor, reviewed with the Committee recent accomplishments and highlights including the recent completion of the Personal Property Audit by G&K Associates,the review by the State of Maine Property Tax Division and the A.ssessing soflware programming(TRIO) conversion. The Committee commended Ben and his staff on the fine work and the information presented in the update. 6. Council Order Abating FY98 Personal Property Taxes Assessed Against T�Account Number PP 53649 In 1992, personal property located at 38 Blue Hill East (#53649)was incorrectly assessed for fiscal year 1993 to the prior owner, 7onathan Price. The property has been correctly assessed for FY 1994 and subsequent years. The Order would abate the FY 1993 assessment against Mr. Price. Recommended approval. 7. Establishment of Trust Fund at Park Woods The Trust Fund would collect, manage and disburse monies for the benefits of the children from the Park Woods neighborhood. In no instance would the Trust Fund replace sources of income, • but it would provide funds for programmatic activities which are not currently available(i.e. fees to join sports teams, transportation to athletic or artistic events). The Case Manager and Police Officer assigned to the neighborhood have significant contact with the community, and a willingness to contribute for this purpose has been identified. The Committee recommended striking the language in the Trust Account By-Laws addressing the solicitation of funds by City employees. With this one change, the Committee recommended approval. . �