HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-27 Government Operations Committee Minutes • GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 27, 2004
Councilors Present: Peter D'Errico, Anne Allen, Gerry Palmer
Staff Present: Bob Farrar, Frank Comeau, Sally Bates
Others Present: Rod Towne, Kevin Frazier, Other Soccer Supporters, Gary
Walker, Wendy Lagasse
The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m.
1. Amendment to Eastern Maine Medical Center powntown Parking
Lease.
Sally Bates said that EMMC negotiated a 3-year lease (Sep/03 to Sep/06) for 250
� spaces for a total monthly price of $9,000. EMMC has requested a reduction in
their number of leased spaces in the downtown area from 250 to 210 per month.
In conjunction with this request, Bates said that City staff is recommending an
increase in the effective per space monthly charge in order to reduce the loss of
income to the Parking Fund. The proposed rate is $40/space per month. EMMC
wishes to proceed under these new terms.
Bates indicated that the new monthly income would be $8,400, resulting in a
potential loss of $600 per month in revenue.
The Committee approved the lease amendment.
2. Recommendations for Improving Pedestrian and Traffic Safety on State
Street in Vicinity of Bellevue and Summit Avenues near EMMC
Complex.
This item has been postponed until the next Government Operations Committee
Meeting.
Palmer indicated that Councilor Allen had joined the meeting.
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3. Bangor Soccer Club Presentation. .
Rod Towne, President of the Bangor Soccer Club, said that for several years, the
� _ Bangor Soccer Club has been very interested in and has supported the
development of a communiry-based multipie use field complex. The Soccer Club
has had and continues to have regular contact with other interested groups such
as area schools, Y's, and health institutions, as they have worked on developing
this concept. .
Towne presented the Committee with a pr.oposal that included information from
the "Active Recreation Facilities Committee" report, June 5, 1998. That report
noted a deficiency in soccer fields at that time. Towne presented information
relating to the growth of soccer in Bangor and the difficulty in finding playing
field space. He said that plans for a racino would most likely displace the City's
use of Bass Park for sports activities. Palmer noted that LD 1820, the Racino bill
did pass the Senate today and is headed for the Governor's desk.
The Multi-Use Community Field Complex Proposal presented by the Bangor
Soccer Club Field Committee contains the following information; changes to
Bangor's sports programs since the 1998 report, current resources and demands
for sports and fields for recreational and school teams, community health
concerns and statistical data, economic impact, notes from Community �
Stakeholder Meetings, a listing of resources consulted for the proposal, and field
research conducted with communities in Maine. The proposal contains
recommendations for the multi-use community field complex including
concessions, lighting, restrooms, artificial turf, land requirements, estimated
costs, current city resources, and other identified uses. The proposal specifically
recommends an 8 field complex (6 natural fields, 2 artificial fields) including a
perimeter walking path, bleachers, building, parking for 300 vehicles, lights for
two fields, groundwork and drainage. It is estimated that 30-35 acres would be
required. The projected cost of the complex, without land, is $2,465,000. The
Soccer Club envisions that the land could be donated or procured in a manner
that would not add to the cost of the project.
The Soccer Club does not yet have any firm commitments for funding, but they
are explaining various possibilities including grants, the Libra Foundation and City
funding through borrowing (bond issue). The Soccer Club requested that this
proposal be considered as part of the City's upcoming budget review/adoption
process.
Lagasse spoke about the health concerns of obesity in children, for which the
cause is a lack of physical activity.
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� Walker discussed artificial turf and its benefits.
Towne discussed the need to think about the future needs for expansion and the
various potential locations for this facility in the City. He noted that 650 children
participate in the Bangor Soccer Club.
Palmer noted that there were limited areas available and their use would need to
be measured against the potential for taxpaying house development. Towne
recommended pursuing bonds for financing. Palmer said that they should also
look at land trusts.
Palmer recommended that City staff meet with Towne to further explore the
details of this project and discuss potential sites.
The Soccer Club was thanked for their efforts and report.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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