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Home My WebLink About1997-11-05 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes COMMUNITY&ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Wednesday,November 5, 1997 @5:00 PM � MINUTES COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilor James Tyler, Chair Councilor Michael Aube Councilor Joseph Baldacci COUNCILORS PRESENT: Councilor pon Soucy Councilor Tim Woodcock Councilor David Leen STAFF PRESENT: Edward A. Barrett, City Manager Rodney G. McKay, Director of Community&Economic Development Stan Moses, Asst. C.D. Director Steve Bolduc, Economic Development Officer Peter D'Errico, Economic Development Officer Dan Wellington, Code Enforcement OfFcer John Lord, Planning Officer Jim Ring, Ciiy Engineer Erik Stumpfel, City Solicitor Norm Heitmann, Asst. City Solicitor • OTHERS PRESENT: Daryl Rhodes,Northern Conservatory of Music Roxanne Saucier, BDN Linda Ergas, Channel7 Martha& Royce Day, 19 Hewey Street, Bangor Ron Harriman, 26 Locksley Lane, Brewer Marlene Wong, 41 Second Street, Bangor Ben Moore, 41 Second Street, Bangor Peggy Wentworth, YWCA, 17 Second Street Larry Lussien, YWCA, 17 Second Street Nikki Higgins, The Together Place, 150 Union Street Alfred Banfield, 28 Newbury Street, Bangor Judy Graebert, 267 Copeland Hill Rd.,Holden The meeting was called to order by Councilor Tyler at 5:00 PM. ITEM#1 - Council Referral - Ordinance 97-435,Amending Chapter III, Article 6, Schedule I - Paxking Prohibited at All Times - Hancock Street This amendment was recommended by the police department due to increased tra�c from the new bridge as well as vehicles from EMMC parking along this area also. • A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this item as presented. So voted. 2/ � ITEM#2 -Northern Conservatory of Music- Option Agreement-Freese's Building Discussion took place on a request from the Northern Conservatory of Music to have language in their option agreement changed to reflect that all references to the Northern Conservatory be deleted and that the Maine School for The Arts be used in its place. Also, further language amended to state the Maine School for The Arts will work toward the acquisition of at least$450,000.00 in a capital base. A new 2 year firm option period to November 30, 1999 was requested in order to achieve these changes. The issue of remaining funds for roof replacement on the front half of the building was also addressed. This cost would be covered by monies received from the sale of the rear half of the building. Councilor Leen stated that in the agreement it should be noted that the City is committing zero dollars to this project. After much discussion, a motion was made and seconded to recommend this item to the City Council on Monday,November 10, 1997. So voted. ITEM#3 - Second Street Parking Issues City Engineer Jim Ring presented to the Committee an alternative plan that addresses the � parking situation on Second Street between Union and Cedar Streets. He and Don Winslow of the Bangor Police Department have met with representatives of the YWCA and The Together place to discuss this plan which involved widening the street which would allow parking on both sides. YWCA and The Together Place have tentatively agreed to share part of the expense of these changes; the remainder would be funded by the Community and Economic Development department. Surrounding property owners have been notified. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this item as presented. So voted. ITEM#4 -Parking Policy -Pickering Square Parking Garage -First Two Hours Free City Staff, Republic Parking and the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee have recommended that parking in the Pickering Square Parking Garage be made free for the first two hours of usage. The intent of this new policy is to encourage additional use of the garage facility which will then increase the availability of on-street parking. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this item to the City Council. So voted. � 3/ � ITEM#5 -Extending Term of Downtown Parking Advisory Committee Staff presented Councilor Baldacci's request to extend the term of the existing Downtown Parking Advisory Committee to April 1, 1998. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of the item as presented. So voted. ITEM#6 -Discussion- Community Rating System for the National Flood Prevention Program Dan Wellington, Code Enforcement Officer,presented this item to the Committee. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)has asked the City of Bangor if they would be interested in becoming a rated community. This would be the next step up from a participating community which Bangor is. Dan further reviewed the benefits of being a rated community -residents in Bangor who have flood insurance will be eligible for sizeable discounts on their premiums. Committee approved Dan's request to enroll Bangor in this program. ITEM#7 -Participation in"Bangor of the World-Millennium Celebration" Rod McKay presented to the Committee an invitation from Mayor Ruby Cooling of • North Down Borough Council in Bangor, County Down,Northern Ireland to Bangor, Maine to join in their"Bangors of the World-Millennium Celebration" in the year 2000. Materials received from Mayor Cooling will be shared with local vaxious groups and organizations. Staff is in the process of responding to Mayor Cooling with regard to the City of Bangor's interest in participating and have also offered to establish contacts with other Bangor communities around the United States. Information gathered from these communities will be forwarded to Mayor Cooling. ITEM#8 - Code Enforcement Update No items to report. ITEM#9 -Planning Update John Lord updated the Committee on recent zoning changes (C.O. 97-434 and C.O. 97- 433) before the Planning Board. ITEM#10 -Economic Development Update No items to report. � 41 � ITEM#11 - Executive Sessian-Land Disposition A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss land dispasition. Sa voted. With no further business at hand,the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM. � � � -