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Home My WebLink About2001-09-04 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � Business and Economic Development Committee September 4, 2001 Minutes Attendance: Councilors Baldacci, Palmer, Crowley, Vardamis, Blanchette,-Farnham, Rohman, Tremble; Staff Members Barrett, McKay, Umphrey, D'Errico, Hupp 1. Executive Session-Personnel Matter-Status of Business and Economic Development Director Recruitment A motion was made and seconded to move into Executive Session. A motion was made and seconded to move out of Executive Session at 5:50 pm. 2. Discussion of How to Proceed on Remaining Space in Freese's Building Councilors and staff toured the building prior to the Committee meeting. Joe Cloutier's operation has asked if the City has an interest in taking back the remaining spaces in the building. Cloutier is technically the owner of the space. The tour was to familiarize Council with the space and to start discussions on proposed use. At the time � of original discussion, Barrett said there was some interest on the part of the City to take back the space. Possible uses discussed included a.family style restaurant on the first floor as a complement to the Children's Museum, and portions of the space for non-profit organizations that are associated with the City and with the mission of the City but are financially stressed such as BCVB, Bangor Beautiful, Folk Festival. Barrett felt the downside of City ownership is that it will be another building to own, and it is difficult for the City to market space in competition with the private sector leaving the city with vacant space or giving space away to the truly indigent, non-profit groups. For example, moving the BCVB from its present location would leave the Ames Corporation would vacant space. McKay indicated that back in May the City had an option to buy the Discovery Museum space and the City exercised that option before the end of March. That would have involved splitting the bottom three floors and basement into two condo units-one for the Museum and one for the other space. The City needs to split up these two spaces as eventually they will want to own the space and the City does not want to own it. Realty Resources has the concept that if they turn over the bottom three floors to the City that it will represent one condo unit and then the City will split it. Legally, it is better for Realty Resource to do the splitting. Realty Resources'question to the City is will the City take over the space not being used by the Museum and the Eastern Area on Aging, which has a kitchen facility to provide food services to those living in the � building? It is now no longer being used for service within the building but only for Meals on Wheels. Realty Resources financed the kitchen equipment for Eastern Area � on Aging and would want to City to assume responsibility for that $75,000 loan. Realty Resources has office space in the building, and asked the City to still provide office space rent free in return for services they would provide in managing the remainder of the building. Barrett doesn't feel the City should assume ownership of the property. Councilor Palmer agreed. Councilor Vardamis asked if the City was actively pursuing use of vacant space all the time. Barrett indicated the City has been careful as it is not the City's space. Rohman indicated that 13-15,000 sq. ft is a lot of space. He mentioned buildings in Saint John and Portland where multi-agencies are housed which were in the area of 5-8,000 sq. ft. He felt it dangerous to provide incubator space for non-profits. A motion was made and seconded to not accept the offer made by Realty Resources. Once Realty Resources understands the City has no interest in the space, staff will work with them to market the space. 3. Airport Advertising Incentive Policy Hupp discussed the proposed Advertising Incentive Program for air carriers serving BIA. This draft document formalizes the Airport's current program and allows the Airport to be uniform with both existing and new air carriers. Crowley asked about • the incentives and Hupp indicated the dollars proposed are what BIA would provide in advertising services. For example, when American Eagle upgraded their LaGuardia service to regiona! jets, BIA advertised the non-stop, direct jet service in the Bangor Daily News. The policy's intent is to attract and maintain air service. These incentives fall under the Airport's marketing budget which has been approved by Council. As another example, Hupp indicated that if American Eagle were to announce all regional jet service to�Boston, BIA would not probably put dollars behind that advertising since jet service through Delta already exists. However, if American Eagle were to announce jet service to Chicago, BIA would put dollars behind it. Tremble suggested that language in the proposal be changed from "will"to "may." He also suggested changes on the dollar amounts in the equipment upgrade section. Hupp agreed with Tremble that equipment upgrades are not as important in that BIA currently does not have any 19 seat aircraft serving the market on a scheduled basis but felt it was important to maintain the Co-op Marketing. She felt it was necessary to have a range, to have a bugdet within which to work which offers some flexibility, to have advertising campaigns which are already scheduled. BIA can take a very general advertising campaign and create a more specific campaign. For example, a fall campaign is scheduled about flying from Bangor for winter and spring travel. If new service were added, the dollars could be taken and used to promote an additional service. Barrett said that if new service were to be added, it will fund itself. The Delta campaign currently running costs approximately $30,000. � � A motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation of staff for an Airport advertising policy. 4. Airport Entrance Landscaping and Signage Upgrade A couple of Councilors have recently suggested improved and upgraded Airport entrance landscaping and signage. Hupp indicated that it has been included in this year's budget at approximately $100,000, which would include the landscaping and signage. Some directional signs to be placed around Bangor have also been ordered. Staff will focus, however, on the Maine Avenue and Godfrey Boulevard entrances. Hupp requested Committee authorization to work with the Purchasing Department to development a Request for Proposals/Bids. Tremble asked where the money is within the current budget, and Hupp indicated the capital improvement budget. The new signs will have the BIA logo with the City of Bangor logo at the bottom. With the future realignment of Maine Avenue, Hupp stressed focusing on Maine Avenue eventually becoming the main entrance to the Airport. Crowley suggested using flags of the nations with which BIA does business as a theme to consider with the upgrade. He agreed with Hupp's recommendation on Maine Avenue. He also feels there are ways to promote on the interstate within a twenty-mile radius and the improved Route 9 and other access roads into the Bangor area. He said that when stafF thinks of signage they : should be more universal in their thinking. Barrett said staff can check with MDOT. Vardamis indicated that Portland had good signage. Crowley suggested approaching the interstate issue as intermodal. A motion was made and seconded to endorse the signage and landscaping concept with the request that final recommendations be shared with the Council. 5. Request for Proposals — Cruise Boat Operator A motion was made and seconded to authorize staff to proceed with a RFP for a cruise boat operator. 6. Institute for a Strong Maine Economy— Discussion of Potential Membership The City recently received a letter from this organization and from the Brewer City Manager requesting the City of Bangor consider joining the organization. Umphrey indicated the group is affiliated with the Maine Chamber and their primary mission is research and education to counter the misinformation that dominates the political debate and to support economic development. Umphrey indicated the City of Bangor dues would be $1,000 and felt the City should join. He felt the group will be in the forefront in terms of shaping the political debate in the next few years and what Bangor � .-1 '�h f`A ' !" �- /� F� �r�� /''�r��r (� '�-'� �r� iS u�li i� itiiu i ��'iE i �aii i2 �2i viCc �.2i i�Ei" C0�{iti0il� l.Ol 11 GI GI II.E <.GI IIGI �,Oa�i�lvil� ai i airport issues. Crowley felt it was important for the City to join but not to be a marginal � player. Bangor has the capability and needs to play a leadership role. Baldacci asked who would be representing the City at these meetings. Barrett said he might attend because it is an important foot in the door to the business communities in the service center approach. Umphrey felt that this group would lend itself cooperative with the commencement of the Maine Service Center Coalition. � �