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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-05 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes . � • COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1994 @5:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilor Gerard Baldacci, Chair Councilor James Tyler Councilor Chris Popper OTHERS PRESENT: Councilor Pat Blanchette Renneth R. Gibb, Director of Community & Economic Dev. Edward A. Barrett, .City Manager John Lord, Planning Officer Steve �Bolduc, Economic Development Officer Jim Ring, City Engineer Mary-Anne Chalila, Executive Director, Health & Welfare Gary Jewe11, Parking Supervisor John Foley, Bangor Fire Chief , John Ripley, Bangor Daily News Jon Dawson, Dawson-Bradford Real Estate The meeting was called to order by Councilor Gerard Baldacci • at approximately 5:03 PM. AGENDA ITEM #1 - Bangor Waterworks Ren Gibb introduced this item to the Co�arnittee. The Council, at its December 13, 1993 meeting, had requested that the C&ED Committee examine options for the Bangor Waterworks property with the consideration that if all else fails the facility will have to be demolished. Councilor Baldacci requested that the Committee members make a final determination with respect to whether or not he is in a position of havi3�g a conflict of interest since his brother, Robert Baldacci, Jr. , , was the developer of the potential time-share condominium complex at the waterworks site. Ken Gibb explained the background on Robert Baldacci's involvement in the waterworks under the name of Bangor Waterworks Associates. Their option expire.d in the summer of 1993;, conversations have since. been held with respect to continuing interest in the property but Bangor Waterworks Associates has no legal standing in terms of a development option. Committee members agreed that since there is no legal option under contract currently with Bangor Waterworks Associates, a/k/a Robert Baldacci, Jr. , that Councilor Gerard Baldacci is not seen as having a conflict of interest at this point in time. � r , 2 • Background information was presented; issues and options were discussed also. Ken stated that there are 3 significant issues why the development of the waterworks site has not been able to move forward. They are: 1) the cost of rehabilitation (most recent estimate totalled $3,000,000 = $140 +/- per sq. ft. to rehab) . This figure does not include property acquisition costs. 2) lack of parking on-site. 3) the railroad tracks running adjacent to the site. Ken also went over several options that Staff compiled for the Committee's review and suggestions. 1) to proceed with and solicit bids for the relocation of the gatekeepers house. Bangor Waterworks Associates had received approval from the Historic Preservation Commission to relocate this structure. Staff recommends that approval be given to proceed with relocation of the gatekeepers house. 2) to proceed with demolition. If the Council chose to demolish the structure, it would be subject to Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. Asst. City Solicitor Bruce Shibles discussed the process this would involve. One of the restrictions applied by the Historic Preservation Commission with regard to demolition would be that the work could not be started until 180 days from the date of permission was granted. City Manager Ed Barrett stated that the money for demolition would either have to be borrowed by the City and repaid over time or be budgeted for in the City's annual municipal budget process which . would affect local property taxes. Various options considered by Councilors were: 1) submitta.ng a request to the Bangor Historic Preservation Commission to have the facility taken .off of the Historic District list; 2) definitely preserve the Gatekeepers House; perhaps move it to the Bangor Waterfront. City Manager Ed Barrett suggested that the City's recommendation for iYamediate action should be to move forward with considering relocating the Gatekeepers House; meet with the Historic Preservation Commission with respect to demolition or possibly issue a' mini-RFP to solicit interest. It was motioned and .seconded to go to full City Council to ask the Historic Preservation Commission for permission for a blanket permit to demolish/remove all or portions of the Bangor Waterworks buildings; and/or ,to - send out a mini-RFP and to have public input also. So voted. � 3 � AGENDA ITEM #2 - C.O. 94-4 Prohibiting Parking - Sidney Street ` This item was referred back to the C&ED Committee b y t h e Council. The fire department originally submitted a request to have parking eliminated from Sidney Street in order to make for ; sufficient clearance for emergency vehicles. The street is only 24 feet wide and lacks sufficient visibility as well. An option to have no parking on Sidney Street, composed by Gary Jewell, Parking Supervisor, was presented to the Committee. Notices were also sent to property owners on Sidney Street. Ed Barrett, City Manager, suggested that the "No Parking" on the lower part of Sidney Street be handled at this point in time - the first reading on this has already been done; the Ordinance can be amended to reflect the change. The remaining 812 feet on the right hand side going up towards Third Street will be excepted to this "No Parking" until further notice. A motion was made to approve this request as presented with Ed Barrett's suggestion; seconded. So voted. ' Councilor Pat Blanchette made a motion to table the amendment; she suggested that the street be made one-way from Main Street to . Third Street since the visibility, as well as it being such a narrow street, make� it a hazard. Ed Barrett suggested that this be postponed until the West Side Study is completed. He stated that the immediate problem needs to be handled right away. It was motioned and agreed to have City Staff look at this area to see if making it one-way would be beneficial to the safety on the street. So voted. AGENDA ITEM #3 - C.O. 94-56 Parking for Handicapped - Parkview Ave. Gary Jewell introduced this item. An 88 year old female resident at 31 Parkview Ave. , �who recently had a stroke, has requested that a handicapped parking space be reserved in front of - her residence. The opposite side of the street is designated as "No Parking"; consequently, cars park in front of her residence making it difficult for her to access vehicles that provide transportation for her. ' Also, an elderly neighbor lady (she is 72 years old) who lives next door at 35 Parkview Ave._ has also requested a "No Parking" sign in order to get out. If the handicapped parking area is granted for 31 Parkview Ave. , then she has indicated that she could • walk the approximate 30 feet to that area: Gary Jewell stated to her that he wasn't sure what the Council would do as far as no � 4 • parking for just a waikway -- the City does not have any other areas like this. After some discussion, the Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council not approve the proposed Ordinance change. AGENDA ITEM #4 - Planning Update John Lord provided a brief update of upcoming Council items related to zoning changes. AGENDA ITEM #5 - Building Lease - Garage at Bangor Armory Steve Bolduc, Economic Development Officer, presented this item to the Committee. The Old Medallion Electric Company has requested permission from the City to lease the garage located at the Bangor Armory site (at the corner of Main Street and Farm Road) . They would like to store their business vehicles there. The garage is about 1600 sq. ft. and is not in very good condition. The lease term would be on a monthly basis, extendable by payment of the next months rent; cancelable by either_ party with a 30-day notice; the lease rate would be $130 per month. The Lessee would assume all utilities, cost for improvements, any maintenance and � would have to provide insurance to the City both for liability and property damage. Staff has reviewed this request and recommends approval as presented. Old Medallion Electric Company has also reviewed the terms and accepts them as presented. A motion was made to approve the Lease for the garage at the Bangor Armory site as presented; seconded. So voted. AGENDA ITEM #6 - Homeless Grant Application to HUD ICen Gibb presented a brief introduction to this item. The City has recently received an .invitation to compete for Homeless Innovation Grants; there is $25 million available nationally; the deadline is Wednesday, January 12, 1994. Interest in this has been expressed by the Bangor School Dept. , and the Bangor Health and Welfare Dept. It will have to go before the City Council on Monday, January 10, 1994 for authorization to be submitted to IiUD. The City's Health & Welfare Dept. Director, Mary-Anne Chalila, has put together a proposal entitled "Comprehensive Housing and Services Program" (CHANS) designed to assist the homeless and prevent homelessness, provide educational, counseling, child care and other services designed to assist clients in breaking the cycle • of homelessness. This proposal is for approximately 30 units and 5 � 9 single rooms that they will be operating in the New Capehart. They are requesting a little less then $1 million of these funds to operate the program for a period of 3 years. These funds, if received, will help with expenses such as hiring of a case manager; one staff person for outreach and follow-up and a clerical staff person. Also, daycare, counselling services for those not eligible for medicaid, transportation, and on-the-�ob training monies. There will also be services to the clients of this program available from non-profits in the community and the educational and training segment from the Bangor School Dept. such as special accelerated programs for children who might be behind in terms of an extended school day and school year; basic education from Bangor Adult Education; the Training and Development Corp. has offered to help coordinate getting people into training programs and accessing the financing necessary to pay for these programs through loans, grants or scholarships or state funds that are available. Also public health care, and dental care will also be offered-. If the grant monies are received and the program can go forward, the 3 staff positions mentioned could be extended beyond the 3-year period by funding from the CDBG Program through the City•s Conumunity Development Dept. � A motion was made and seconded to forward this item as presented to the City Council for authorization to be submitted to HUD. So voted. AGENDA ITEM #7 - Proposed License with UPS United Parcel Service has requested permission from the City of Bangor to place an outdoor Letter Center at 23 Water Street in front of Key Bank building on the sidewalk next to the U.S. post office boxes. UPS submitted to City st-aff a diagram with dimensions and specifications for the Letter Center as well as a picture of it showing its design. Staff is recommending approval of this request with an amendment to. past agreements to increase the fee from $150 per box location to $155 with an automatic increase per year by 4�. UPS has agreed with this amendment. (With this approval, it will make for a total of 4 locations in the downtown. ) A motion was made and seconded to approve UPS's request as presented. So voted. � 6 � AGENDA ITEM #8 - Privatization Committee Report Due to time constraints, this item was postponed until the next C&ED meeting. MISCELLANEOUS City Manager Ed Barrett brought the Committee up-to-date regarding the discussions on the East Side Neighborhood Association and the owners of property on Hogan and Mt. Hope Ave. regarding mediation. They have indicated that they will be willing to join in mediation with the City. They stated that theg are not, however, willing to pay for 1/3 of the costs involved as they will be having their attorney involved and they have limited revenues. Ed stated that he is trying to get responses back from the property owners. The issue becomes that if the neighborhood does not pay would the owners be willing to involve themselves in mediation and, consequently, pay for 1/3 of the costs. The City then has to decide if they would be willing to pay for the remainder of the . cost. Depending on the mediator used, the cost would be in the range of $1,500-$3,500; this would average approximately $500- $1,160 per owner. + Ed Barrett stated that he would see if he could get an answer from the owners by Monday, January 10, 1994 as to what share of the costs they would be willing to pay for. Another item Ed mentioned was that Bangor received their Bond Sale refunding bonds with an interest rate of 4.9867905�. Total absolute dollar savings $709,520; AA rating. AGENDA ITEM #9 - East Side Schedule � Ren Gibb stated that Staff has decided to break up the East Side area into 4 areas for the upcoming meetings to be held. They are -between State and Hancock; State and Garland; Garland and Mt. Hope; and Mt. Hope and Stillwater. Five potential evenings were suggested for the meeting. They are - Jan. 19th; 20th; 25th; 26th; 27th. Ken stated that he has called both Garland Street School and Fruit Street School -- Garland is available for 3 of the suggested nights; Fruit Street is available for the other 2 . He has also checked with Staff from the Fire, Police Depts. to verify their availability for these times. Notices need to be sent out as soon as possible -- there are approximately 1700 households in the area. The best way to notify people. would be to send out postcards -- this would cost around $200. �