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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-07 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE � Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Minutes � Councilor Attendance:Farrington, Gratwick, D'Errico, Palmer, Blanchette � Staff Attendance: McKay, Barrett, Bilancia Others: Mike Pullen, Phil Johnston, Justice Silver, Norm Ness, Josiah Stevenson, John Rohman, James Gerity, Kelly Cotiaux, Maureen Waltr, � John Marko 1. Bangor Regional Courthouse— Review of Modifications to Design the Courthouse under �� the Architectural Standards for powntown Development Adopted by Council Order 06- 229 McKay said the City's agreement with the Court System for the new court house being built on � Exchange Street requires the courts to comply with the architectural standards for downtown development adopted by the City Council. Back in April, a presentation was made to this � Committee and this Committee found that the plans of the Court System at that time complied . . with the architectural standards. The Court System is now proposing some changes to the building design and are here to present those changes to the Committee for its review. Mike , Pullen introduced Phil Johnston, Justice Warren Silver, Norm Ness, and Josiah Stevenson. Stevenson said the proposed changes are budget driven. The site is fully under construction at this time. Courts need more space than are State of Maine funded. There are two ways to deal � with it: reduce the size of the building or build what is needed as cost efFectively as possible. The Court System has decided with the latter option which will provide one less court room . than desired. The District Attorney would have less of a presence than desired. One thing � � presented last time was a nine-foot cornice that shielded mechanical equipment on the roof. Removing this shielding is an essential change at a cost of$750,000: There will be 75 public parking spaces, on the building proper 10 spaces, and within the building 48 spaces. Stevenson � � � presented various slides outlining the renderings. There is a base of granite like cast stone which is actually concrete, a cost efFective way of granite. It is a rusticated base like other Bangor buildings. Around the windows there is a recessed detail of one inch and a brick width. � Responding to Gratwick, Stevenson said the depth of�he project as previously presented is not as appar.ent, however, it increased the amount of shadows by adding the rusticated base. Instead of seeing one deep shadow, there are many lesser ones. Stevenson said the building � has been cost effectively enhanced without adding cost. He talked about the building's entrance, which will be on the corner of Exchange and Hancock. He reviewed the building's materials and windows. Responding to Blanchette, McKay said the Committee needs to find � these plans consistent with the architectural standards adopted for the downtown area. If the � � Committee does agree, it would be appropriate to resolve that and then a letter will be sent to .the Court System indicating the compliance. The Committee is final on the review of the plans. � A motion was made and seconded to move stafF recommendation. Gratwick applauded the presentation. Gratwick asked about the building's energy efficiency and in the landscaping plans. Regarding LEED, Stevenson said the building meets BenchMark Maine, which is more � restrictive than LEEDS. BenchMark dictates the glass which is somewhat reflective. BenchMark Maine is energy and LEEDS is several things including energy. � � � � Phil �7ohnsan, the owner's representative and recent past employee af Bureau of General Services, said the building is being designed �o the intent o€I..EEDS, It was a budget decision to � not go for certification, which is a paperwork exercise which is actually $200,Oq0-$3QO,OOq. He felt the money shauid go inta the bricks and martar. Ber�chMark Maine measure buiEd�ng standards a little bit differentiy. You don't get points for doing paperwork which LEED � certificatiort dt�es provide, but the e�ciencies are in place with SenchMark. All state buifdings are required to camp(y with BenchMark Maine, Regarding the iandscaping, th�re is a 20 ft. buffer in front af the buil�ling which is planted with street trees along the sidewalk. There is a � generatar surrounded by trees. There wili be trees along Hancock Street side gaing towards the river, Gratwick asked abou� buffers in the parking lot area. Ring said that new standards have been adopted by the City in terms af parking separation but this praject preceded that in terms � af its approval. . Justice Silver said at some point the courts system wi11 came back to the City regarding pt�ssible assistance with the sidewalks in frant af the new facility. Palmer said he is cc�ncerned with t1�e main entrance in terms of energy. It will be in the north � wind. He said the praposed changes as outlined this evening will save in the area of$720,000 but he understands there is still a cost overrun. Stevenson said that the proje�t is on budget at the rnoment. Palmer spoke about a per square foot cost with the savings and was told that this �. is ane of the most cost effective buildings that his campany has dane. Blanchette talked about the large amount of green space associated with the building and for � which the court system wiN be responsible far as well as maintenance:She also pointed aut that the court house on Hammond Street is responsi6le for sidewalk snow removai around its building. Respanding to her, Silver agreed. It is accaunfied for in the caurt's budget. � Blanchette said she hopes that the court system wi(I look at a iacai provider to the landscaping maintenance and not rely on state contracts through a state pravider.. Silver agreed. Farrington indicated a motian had been made, it had been seconded withaut abjection. Ring asked about materials and the prefnished metal panels. Ne said they tend to have a �� � reflective character in a certain I`rght. He asked if it will look like an aluminum box on tap af the court house as apposed to a difFerent shade. He said his experience has been that the more � gray fihe more it laaks like the sky ar�d �he more it goes away. It will be a dull finished, not metallic. � 2. Cultural Commission Recommendation for"Acceptance of a Gift of a Memorial to Charlie Haward" McKay said that the Charlie Howard Foundation has proposed a gift to the City of Bangor in the � form of a memorial to Charlie Howard. The Cultural Commission has reviewed the proposal and has approved the design which is being presented to the Counci( with a recommendation that . � the gift be accepted by t-he City. .Cultural Commission Chair Rohman addressed the Comm�ttee. � - He introduced Deb Carney who has been active in the Charles O. Howard program for several years as well as Fred Marshall, wha performed the design work for the project. Rahman provided some backgraund from over the past four or more years. The project will � acknowledge that Charlie Haward was killed at this locatian but at the same time will recognize where Bangor has came from, a (ong ways over twenty years, as well. He feels the mament has reached both goals. Rohman reviewed an architectural rendering of the memorial and site. Gratwick asked abaut the maintenance of the floral beds and drainage issues. Bilancia referred � to a letter in which the Foundation indicates it would be responsible for the maintenance. Carney indicated that Cammon Sense Housing will be respansible for the annual plantings and the perennials, shrubs and maintenance will be done by the Foundation. Regarding the annual � � � plantings, Blanchette asked if the group would take care of placing evergreens in the bowl � during the winter months. Carney agreed. Farrington said that the Cultural Commissian is fulfilling its mission. Rohman said that the project received unanimous approval from the � Commission. A motion was made and seconded to�move this item with recommendation to the full Council. Pal�ner said he hopes adequate lighting and monitoring of this space will be provided. � 3. Cultural Commission Recommendation for City to Apply for and Commit Matching Funds for a Capacity Building Grant from the Maine Arts Commission � McKay said the Commission would like to apply to the Maine Arts Commission for a $10,000 grant which requires a local match. The Commission proposes the $10,000 local match be made up in the form of$5,000 in cash contribution and $5,000 in in-kind services provided by � City staff and Cultural Commission members. There is $125,000 in the City's budget for the Cultural Commission to make recommendations on the use. The Commission would like to use $5,000 of that amount already appropriated as matching funds for this grant. A motion was � made and seconded to approve the Commission's request. The item will be forwarded to full Council. 4. Convention &Visitors Bureau Quarterly Update � James Gerity, Secretary of the BCVB, provided an overview. The BCVB is currently without an executive director but they are in the process of a search working closely with EMDC as well as � the Executive Committee. Business continues as usual with the Executive Committee working closely with the staff providing them with direction and leadership. In September, an associate attended a Washington DC trade show and solicited 88 very solid leads for potential meetings � � to come into the Bangor region, and 3 RFP's were received on the spot. Convention attendance � is very productive, and staff will be attending several others in the coming months. Regarding cruise ships, BCVB has been very successful in providing a dock side service to the American Cruise Line. The cruise line has been very pleased with the CVB's participation. In the future, � the CVB is looking for opportunities to expand that experience and go beyond the dock side interaction that might include a tour of the Bangor area for those who cannot participate in the Bangor downtown walking tour. The CVB is looking to`man'the Airport's BCVB site and to � provide additional resources during the peak times. Their web site has been expanded to include wedding opportunities and working with convention groups as well. To date, CVB has sent out 1,100 informational/visitor packets. The cost for distribution is 55 cents/packet. The � packet is genera( information about the City of Bangor and the region. Gerity said that staff continues to work diligently and is looking for future opportunities; i.e. Bangor arena. Blanchette said she feels the City is missing a golden opportunity with the cruise ship business. � The visitors are a captive audience while on board the ship, and she suggested a DVD providing a brief history of Bangor, highlights of the area, where they can visit once here. It could be � easily updated on a regular basis to change with the seasons. Kelly Cotiaux, BCVB Board Member, said they are doing a marketing audit at this point. She agreed that the DVD is a great idea. They are also working on pod casting. It can be downloaded from the BCVB web � site onto Ipod's. It is an up and coming marketing tool in the tourism business. A DVD could also be downloaded from the website. Responding to Blanchette, Cotiaux said that when � greeting the cruise ships, BCVB provides very specific information on what is available; i.e. �� theater, shopping, etc. They also push the Folk Festival at each greeting. Blanchette asked if the passengers, while on board the ship, communicate with area restaurants to make � � � � reservations. Cotiaux said they can, but the ship needs to work on that part of the communication. She said the BCVB plans to start collecting e-mail addresses of passengers as S � a means of future communication. Palmer agreed with the DVD tool. He also mentioned including the canoe race on the DVD, as well as the troop greeters and the golf course. He said the infarmation needs to be date specific. � Farrington spoke about the greeting events and applauded those involved. He reminded Councilors that they should take the time to participate. � Blanchette said she has spoken with Jon Johnson at the Hollywood Slots indicating that their shuttle service should be made available to cruise passengers. She asked BCVB to tap into the expertise of professional promotion DVD that Hollywood Slots provides. Cotiaux said that Jon � Johnson is a new board member with the BCVB. , Gratwick spoke about the Bangor trails, City forest, and other outdoor activities that are unique in Bangor. � Gerity said that Maureen Waltz works very hard in working with American Cruise Line. They have been successful in determining the needs and wants of the passengers. Going forward, it needs to be expanded upon and the Committee's comments will be incorporated as the BCVB � moves forward. D'Errico spoke about the military personnel from the 50's and 60's who return to Bangor over the past twenty years on an annual basis. They are due again on August 28, 2008 for four � days. Gerity said the BCVB looks forward to welcoming the group. Last year, Gerity provided a welcome to this group on the Mall's billboard sign. Blanchette said Bangor is in a unique position to distinguish and separate itself from the big business of the cruise ships that are coming into Bar Harbor. Bangor needs to continue to � provide the personal, one-on-one atmosphere. Palmer spoke about locally sponsored concierge service for passengers. He felt it would be a � useful tool. From the marketing committee standpoint, Cotiaux said they are working diligently on a marketing plan as well as a strategic plan for BCVB. They want to be able to establish and measure goals. The CVB is already receiving meeting requests for 2008 to 2010. From the 1 proposed arena standpoint, she asked for any thoughts or feedback where the CVB can market . the new facility. Palmer suggested a web cam for the new arena, 24/7. John Marko,Treasurer of the BCVB, thanked the City for the.opportunity to provide the � quarterly updates. He is pleased for the ideas and input brought forth. 5. Executive Session - Economic Development— Proposal�for Development of Downtown � Commercial Space - M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) (Confidential Memo and Proposal provided separately) . � A motion was made and seconded to move into executive session. 6. Committee Action on Above Item � Following the Executive Session, the Committee resolved not to proceed with the proposal from Stephen Smith for development of the commercial space in the Pickering Square Parking Garage for use as a self storage facility. � � . � � . � 7. Executive Session - Economic Development— Negotiations for Disposition of � Waterfront Development Site - M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) (Confidential Memo, Proposal, Council Action and Council.Order provided separately) , A motion was made and seconded to move into executive session. � 8. Committee Action on Above Item The Committee took no action following the executive session. � 9. Executive Session - Economic Development— Negotiations for Disposition of Maine � Business Enterprise Park Property - M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) (Confidential Memo provided separately) A motion was made and seconded to move into executive session. � � 10. Committee Action on Above Item � The Committee took no action following the executive session. � � � � � � . . � � � � � � �