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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-18 Finance Committee Minutes � FINANCE COMMITTEE � September 18, 2006 Minutes � Councilor Attendance: Stone, Cashwell, Farrington, Palmer, Greene, D'Errico, Hawes StafF Attendance: Barrett, Cyr, Sheriff, Moore, McKay, Crane, Dawes, Hamer, � Farrar, Comeau, Courtney, Allen, Wardwell Others: Gagnon, Family of Fay Shaw � Prior to reviewing the agenda items, Stone asked Cyr for an update on the racino fund. Cyr provided background indicating that in the late 1990's the Council determined that if the city did not find a way, other than tax rate, to fund a replacement for the � auditorium/civic center that it ought to close. The City has tried numerous ways to secure funding, all of which failed. Racino gaming was introduced to Maine. In doing so, there was a statewide referendum and a required local referendum. Bangor was � the only municipality to pass a local referendum and it also passed statewide which allows for racino gaming in Maine. It was to introduce slot machines to Maine and to � stabilize harness racing industry. At the time, the Council saw this as a means to produce local funds to support the replacement of the current auditorium/civic center. It was based on that premise that the Council provided its support to vote the statewide � referendum as well as the local one. The City has reached an agreement with Penn National who has operated Hollywood Slots since November of 2005. The City receives a portion of the state tax amount as well as Penn National pays a monthly rental � amount to the City. Back in October of 2005, the Council took action to establish a separate fund where all these monies would be deposited and would be segregated for this specific purpose and for no other purpose. At this time, a separate fund has been � established, dollars are deposited into it. The original projection with Penn National Gaming showed the City would be able to commence the replacement construction in � 2012. The City is still on track if not a little ahead. The first 8 months of operation show that actual operations are well ahead.of the projection. No taxpayer money will be used to pay for the debt service for a new auditorium/civic center. Proposed � numbers from operation of the racino will cover both the interest and the principal costs to construct the facility. The dedicated fund was established as a special revenue fund. The only way these funds can be used for other purposes would be for items such as � maintenance at the current auditorium. Responding to Cashwell, Cyr said that the Council adopted a new tax increment financing district (the downtown TIF). The racino is located within that district and tax monies are set aside for public infrastructure � improvements that would not otherwise be able to be completed without tax dollars. Cashwell said the properry tax is not going into the reserve fund but into other public improvements. � 1. Consent A enda 9 � A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. a. Quitclaim Deed — Bouchard — Lot 10 A Pray's Park b. Update on Purchase of Used Vehicle � c. Contract for Waterfront Design Services — Shadley Associates d. Resolve 06-318, Accepting &Appropriating FAA and State DOT Grant AIP 43 — Capital Projects at BIA � 2. Bi P r � ds/ u chasmg a. Collection System Components— WWfP— Polychem Systems - $11,337 � Sheriff said 4 bids were issued and 5 were received. The low bidder specification did not meet the needs of using the original manufacturer's equipment. Polychem Systems of Pennsylvania is the original � manufacturer of the components. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. b. 4Wd Tractor— Parks & Rec —Greenway Equipment - $18,890 � Sheriff said 10 bids were issued and 5 received. Of the 5 received, the bid recommendation is for the second low bid of Greenway Equipment of � Bangor. The John Deere 2320 model has a heavier hydraulic system, larger front end loader, cruise control and meets all of the specifications � as requested. The low bid was also from Greenway but was for John Deere Model 2305, which does not meet all specifications. If the Committee approves the award to Greenway, staff will contact Greenway � to see if they would hold the price on this particular model until the spring with warranty to commence on the date of purchase. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation to contact Greenway. � c. Sole Source— Fiber— Police Station —Time Warner Cable - $16,858 Cyr explained that part of the franchise agreement between the City and , local cable company is the fact that they have to provide fiber to all City owned buildings. When that agreement was put in place, the City was not aware of the new police headquarters. An underground fiber run is � required to connect the police department building to the City's data network, phone network, etc. It is a four-pair cable which will allow for � some expansion if necessary to another City building in that area. It will also provide a backup link between Central Fire and Police. Time Warner is the only vendor that can provide this service. Responding to Greene, � Cyr said that Central Fire currently has two pair and it can't be split off to the new police headquarters. The line will be run from the Essex Street head-end to the facility. Palmer asked about security. Courtney said it is � not as secure due to the recent Time Warner take over. These are questions that will be addressed this week. Palmer asked for feedback at the next Committee meeting. Cyr said that the fiber will be solely � dedicated to the City. A motion was made and seconded to approve stafF recommendation. d. Sidewalk Pavin — Public Works— Leture's Pavin - 48 900 � 9 9 $ , Sheriff said the City requested bids for paving of the following sidewalks: � Birch from State to Garland, both sides; Fern Street from State to Garland, both sides. Staff recommends award to Leture's of Orono. Responding to Farrington, Wardwell said that that Leture's includes prep work, edging � sidewalks Wardwell said that Leture's was the subcontractor for Lane Construction two years ago. The primary owner was a 25-year Bangor Public Works employee. Palmer asked when the two sidewalks were last � paved. Wardwell has been with the City for 20 years and it hasn't been within that timeframe. He also noted that these sidewalks are part of a recent sewer project and have been patched. As part of the annual � ' bud et rocess, the Council a ro riates a s ecific amount for street 9 p PP P P paving as well as sidewalk paving. Cashwell asked if Central Street will be , repaved in front of the Epic Sports area. Wardwell said a street opening permit was taken out when construction was in�progress for the Epic's � building. The City will contact the contractor to have them put the street back in order. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. � e. Traffic Signal Components — Public Works — Highway Tech - $27,002 Sheriff said the bid requirement was for a specific manufacturer or a pre- � approved equal. The lowest responsive bidder was Highway Tech of Sabbatus, Maine. Wardwell intends to purchase 150 to retrofit the remaining pedestrian lights. Cashwell asked about electronic`no turn on � red' that would be pedestrian activated. Wardwell said is would require state approval and he would check into it. Cashwell would like further � discussion at some future point. Barrett said there are six intersections currently with no right on red and the majority are not pedestrian driven but conflicting traffic movement driven. Palmer agreed with Cashwell � particularly at State/Exchange Street intersection. Greene asked the overall cost savings of switching to LED and how many remain that need replacement. Wardwell said this should replace all of the pedestrian lights � and there are just a few traffic lights remaining that cannot be converted. In terms of cost savings, Wardwell said he has the information but not right in his head. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff � recommendation. f. Cab and Chassis — Fleet Maintenance —Varney GMC - $31,833 � Sheriff outlined the details of the bid process. StafF recommends award to the second low bid, the most responsive bidder. Cyr said the City � authorized the issuance of up to $650,000 in bonds for fleet maintenance replacement. A motion was made and seconded to approve stafF recommendation. � g. Telescopic Aerial Device — Fleet Maintenance — RBG, Inc - $39,485 Sheriff said three bids were issued and 4 received. There is a difference � of $119 between the two low bids. The second low bidder, RBG, Inc. of Raymond, New Hampshire, currently perForms testing on the city's electrical aerial devices at BIA. RBG serves the area weekly with a truck � to maintain numerous vehicles similar to this unit. They also provide a shorter delivery time and their unit has a slightly larger side reach. Dawes said this item is the other half of the previously approved bid for the cab � and chassis. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. � 3. Request to Take Possession of 135 Birch Street Hamer introduced the Trues, the daughter of the owner of 135 Birch Street. � Mrs. True recently obtained power of attorney for her mother's estate and property. The Trues have suggested they would be able to take care of some of the code and immediate concern issues to make the property safe. Hamer . � asked for a thirty day continuance of this matter to give staff and the owners an o ortuni to meet with Code Enforcement. A motion was made and , Pp tY seconded to table this item until the first Finance Committee meeting ' subsequent to thirty days from this day. Mrs. True indicated she would have been in contact with the City earlier had she been aware of the situation. Farrington asked if 30 days is long enough of a timeframe to complete work. � Stone said the thirty days is just to bring it back to the Committee. Adjourned at 5:35 p.m. � � . � � � r r � � � � r � � � �