Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-08 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � � BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMTTTEE Wednesday, August 8, 2007 � Minutes Councilor Attendance: Farrington, Palmer, D'Errico, Blanchette � Staff Attendance: Barrett, McKay, Bates � 1. Cultural Commission Grant Requests a. Downtown Countdown � � Bates indicated this request was for the City of Bangor's participation in the � second annual Downtown Countdown event on New Year's Eve. The specific request for $2,000 was to program the Council Chambers. Responding to �` Blanchette, Bates said the overall Downtown Countdown budget approximates $12,000. The funds come from a variety of sources; i.e. the Bangor Daily News � and the Bangor Metro provide in-kind advertising. Merrili Bank and Bangor Center are sponsors as well as Husson College, to mention a few. New this year, the SeaDog is a sponsor as is WKIT. WKIT is not only a media sponsor but will � also sponsor one of the venues. The Commission recommends approval of the full amount. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval. Palmer asked how the $2,000 for the Council Chambers would be used. Bates � said there would be a variety of musical acts booked for the Chambers. Not all acts have been determined at this time. Last year, for example, the John Bapst Choral Ensemble performed in the Chambers and have been invited to � participate this year and have accepted. She also noted that she plans on bluegrass music, a UM choral group and barbershop tenor planned for the Chambers this year. Each group would be paid a stipend. Responding to � Farrington, Bates said that if all of the items are approved this evening, the balance in the Commission's budget would approximate $80,000. � b. Maine Discovery Museum Bates said this request is for $10,000 to be applied to a marketing and public � awareness campaign about some significant and new exhibits at the Museum. , The Commission felt the exhibits to be outstanding and, without a serious promotional effort, the Museum would not be able to spread the word. The � Commission recommended funding for the full request for $10,000. Responding to Blanchette, Bates said she thinks WLBZ is still a sponsor of the Museum. Blanchette asked Bates to return with information as to how the Museum gets the � word out to tourists. Bates said she believes the Museum is part of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. From the BCC's side, it makes sure the Museum is on its web site and marketing materials. Blanchette and Bates discussed New � Year's Eve events at the Discovery Museum. A motion was moved and seconded to approve the Commission's recommendation. � c. Bangor Symphony Orchestra � � � Bates said the Commissian is recommending the BSO receive a grant of � $15,000 that would help tfl bring in the lighting and sound systems needed fio � transform the Bangor Auditorium into an appropriate performance venue during the months that the Symph�ny cannot use the Maine Center€or the Arts, which � wiil be four performances. The Symphany asked for $30,000 and the Cammission is recommending $15,OC}4 believing that there shauld be p�ivate s�ctor funding available for the remainder of the funds needed. In response to Blanchette, � Bates said the equipment will be set up for each perfarmance and wauld not be purchased. Blanchette wanted to place her objectian on record that she felt this is a large amount of maney that w�ll not 6enefit Bangor citizens. She did make a � moti�n, however, to approve the Commission's recommendation. Palmer seconded the motion. Palmer taiked about the lack af good sound at the Bangor � Auditorium. He spoke about the benefit of purchasing equipment that would provide better sounds for future events. d. Bangor Baak Festival, Bangor Public Library, Fiscai Agent � Bates said this is a new event. The Bangar Baok Festival is made up of a group of voiunteers that has teamed up with the Bangor Pubiic Library fio act as � their fseal agent. 4ne of the lead organizers is a City of Bangor employee, Bud Knickerbacker, who was involved with organizing literary festivals in Brattieboro, . Vermont. He has contacted laeaf writers and others active fn the writing scene � inciuding locai journaiists and they have procured a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Four�dation for$10,0U0 and they have lined up an impressEve i[st of Maine authors, best seller types, as well as (esser-known, novelist, poets, � essayists. Tl�ey had requested $5,Q00 ta get their frst festival underway. The festivai will be held in dawntown Bangor; i.e. bookstores, opera house. The � Commission recommends funding at $5,40Q witi�the proviso that the entire $5,000 be used for marketing expenses and/or expenses for author's ladging and faad. The authors are nat paid a stipend. A mation was made and seconded to � approve the Cammission's recommends. For the record, Blanchette said this is a wonderful project, e. Fenobscot Theatre Company � Bates said the Commissian recammends to fund in part the request from the Penobseot Theatre Campany. The PTC applied to the Commission fc�r $25,000 to � be used �ko restore heating capacity at a building they will be leasing from 7ahn � � Bapst for $1.00/year. It is the fc�rmer Jewish Community Center. During its � vacancy, it was stripped by vandals of all of the coaper heating pipes. The � Theatre wan�.s to mave i�s admin�strative affces, carpenfiry shop and cas�.rme shop into the new site. It will allow the opera house to be shared with other � groups for events. It will alsa allaw PTC to not heat the opera �ouse when a production is not in progress. PTC is currently renting carpentry shop space an Central Street and would be able to give up that space. T�te Commission � analyzed the request closely. PTC believes their revenue flow would increase with this facility change and alsa that what it saves in heating costs would be substantial. It will also save an other rental casts, The Commission feels it is a � bit of a cash flow issue far �"C. The Comm"rssion feels the mast to recammend is � 1 � $5,000 and that the remaining monies should come from other sources such as a loan. Blanchette asked if PTC is comfortable with securing a loan. Bates said their staff was disappointed that the whole amount was not granted and did � briefly consider withdrawing its application to the Commission. If it had withdrawn, the PTC could not appiy for another year's time period. Bates assumes other avenues were secured as the PTC did not withdraw and was happy � with the $5,000. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Commission's recommendation. � Barrett noted that all of these items would appear on the upcoming City Council agenda for final approval. Blanchette asked that the items not be placed on Consent. Palmer felt the items should be placed on the Consent agenda. � Farrington asked that the Councilors not in attendance be made aware of the above items. � � 2. Amending City Policy on "GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING AND ACCEP fING PUBLIC ART AND MONUMENTS TO BE LOCATED ON CITY � PROPERIY" Bates said the Commission for Cultural Development has two subcommittees— � one that reviews programs and grant requests and the second that reviews art in public places. The Commission has been in place for two years and has had an - opportunity to deal with small-scale public projects that include benches and a rsmall monument in a park at the corner of Buck and West Broadway. The Commission determined that the guidelines could be strengthened by addressing, what happens if a project doesn't comply with what was approved. � The amended policy is not eliminating any of the spirit of the existing policy but . merely adding a section addressing that the finished product must be what was approved by the Commission. If the end product is not what was approved, � then it must be removed. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff s recommendation. This item will appear on the upcoming Council agenda. � 3. License Agreement, Farmers Market in Pickering Square � Bates introduced the licensees— Donna and Mike Mionis, Donna is the proprietor of Donna's Daily Bread. She has been a vendor in the Bangor Center Corporation outdoor marketplace for eight weeks during the summer months. � � Donna is taking the lead to be the operator and manager of the Farmers Market beginning on August 9 and will operate each Thursday from 2-6 pm. Donna spoke of her enthusiasm for the upcoming Farmers Market and for the � opportunity provided through the summer's outdoor market on Thursday evening. Responding to Palmer, the marketplace will be in the Pickering Square � Park in good weather and in the gravel covered area of the parking garage in case of rain. Palmer asked about lighting. Bates said that lighting has been added to the graveled area to be used when events are located in that spot. � Responding to Palmer, Bates said there are no fees involved. The Mionis will be putting up major liability irisurance. Palmer asked about advertising on the BAT. � . ' Bates said she would check into it. Palmer spoke about the apportunities and � chalienges expected. Bates said that the reputation for Pickering Square is improving stating that pianned activities are part of the solution. Blanchette commended the efFort. Responding to Blanchette, Mionis said that they are able to take food vouchers and stamps. Barrett spoke about the importance of eating � local products. A motion was made and seconded to approve stafF's recommendation. � � 4. Update on Downtown Occupancy _ Bates said she eriodicall erforms a fairl detailed occu an estimate for � p Y P Y P �Y downtown. In May of 2007, downtown had an overall occupancy rate of 89% � both retail and non-retail space. In February of 2000, the overall occupancy rate was 79%. Two years later is was 82%. In )uly 2003 it was 86% and in October of 2005, it was 88%. Downtown improvements have been of a sustainable � � nature. The Dakin's building.is still notably empty. There are a couple of � buildings not yet rented due to responsible owners being cautious about whom they rent to. Responding to Blanchette, Bates said there isn't a comparable city � — Lewiston might be the closest. Barrett complimented staff as well as former Councilors who worked on turning the Freeze building around into a viable use. 5. Executive Session - Economic Development— Negotiations for Disposition of � Lot 6 in the BanAir Industrial Park— 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) A motion was made and seconded to o into exec tive sessi n. � g u o 6. Committee Action on Above Item � A motion was made and the Committee voted to recommend to the City Council � that it approve the sale of Lot 6 in the BanAir Industrial Park to Lead Mtn. � Properties, Inc. for the construction of a 10,960 sq. ft. pre-engineered, metal building under the terms and conditions recommended by staff: � a. The selling price will be $55,150. b. The Buyer shall have reviewed and be satisfied with all zoning, land use � and environmental laws, codes, ordinances and regulations affecting the property. c. The Buyer shall obtain all zoning, subdivision and environmental permits � and approvals and any other applicable permit or approval as may be necessary for the Buyer's proposed use and development of the property prior to the closing. � d. Site work and building improvements shall commence within one (1) year. Sufficient evidence of proceeding with the site work and building improvements is an approved Land Development Permit, issuance of a � � Building Construction Permit and initiation of construction of the building. e. Site work and building improvements shall be completed within two (2) years. � f. The building shall have a gross floor area of not less than 10,960 sq. ft. �