HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-22 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, ]uly 22, 2003
Meeting Minutes
Councilors Attending: ]ohn Rohman, Gerry Palmer, Frank Farrington, Michael
Crowley, David Nealley
Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, Jonathan Daniels, John Hamer, Steve Bolduc, Jim
Ring, Sally Bates
Others Attending: Greg Reed, Brian Hanson
The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m.
1. Discussion and action on request for acquisition of City owned property
by the Bangor Water District.
�__� Hamer said that there has been a request by the Bangor Water District to
acquire a portion of the City property around the water tower on the hill next to
the Maine Business Enterprise Park. Bangor Water District has been discussing
with Unicel the possibility of renting space on the top of the water tower for a
Unicel tower.
Greg Reed, Bangor Water District Assistant General Manager, stated that the
Bangor Water District is looking for a piece property surrounding the standpipe
to erect a fence around the standpipe to enhance security in the area, and to
erect a 10'x12' building to rechlorinate the area. Unicel would need to erect a
12x24 building.
Crowley wanted to verify the actual land that the City is being asked to sell to
the Water District. Hamer said that said that the extra piece of land is not
required to complete the sale. Reed distributed an additional map depicting the
extra 20-foot bufFer that the Water District would like to purchase.
Farrington wanted to know the difFerence in selling versus leasing the property.
He wanted to know the advantage to the City, and if selling would be a huge
advantage for the Water District which in turn would benefit the taxpayers.
_ Daniels said that the City has always been interested in hanging onto land rather
_ � than selling it. He said that staff recommendation is to lease the land for 30
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years, however if the Water District obtains a lease with Unicel, then we could S
spiit the lease revenue.
Palmer wanted to know the disposition of the other water tanks, whether or not
the property was owned by the City or the Water District. Reed said that the
District owns the water tank only at BIA. He said the Water District owns the
Thomas Hill Standpipe and the City owns the land around it. The Water District
owns the standpipe and land around the one on Essex Street and the one on
Hammond Street. Reed anticipated that the Water District would use the BIA
standpipe up to 70 years, and would need a long term lease. As far as revenue
sharing goes, the option certainly exists. Reed said that the Water District
currently receives rental monies for two standpipes for which they use the funds
to offset the painting costs and maintenance of the standpipes.
Palmer questioned the possible FAA regulations and aesthetics of a tower in that
area. Barrett said that there is clearly no problem with the FAA. He said that
there are no immediate neighbors so aesthetics is not currently an issue,
although the City is looking to expand development in this area. He pointed out
that this piece of land is a valuable city asset, and since they are asking for land
for a commercial use it would be appropriate for the Council to consider
reimbursement for the use of public property on which commercial functions will ��
be revenue producing. The land value is $55,000 per acre. �
Rohman said that we did have stafF recommendation for a lease agreement with
revenue sharing. Crowley moved for staff recommendation. Palmer seconded
the motion.
The Committee approved staff recommendation to full Council.
2. Discussion and action on request for acquisition of City owned property
by Mr. Mike Eshnaur.
Hamer noted on a tax map the lot that Mr. Eshnaur would like to purchase. The
lot is City owned and is adjacent to Mr. Eshnaur's property. Mr. Eshnaur would
like to build a garage on this lot and have an option to purchase a second City
lot. Hamer said that the first property is valued at $3,300. If the Committee
agrees to give an option on the second lot to Mr. Eshnaur, staff recommendation
is to include a provision that if the City has another offer for the lot, Mr. Eshnaur
would have 60 days to exercise the option.
Crowley asked if the sale of the second lot would be at current value or the value
at time of sate. Hamer said that the property value would not change much and ,�,_
he recommends a one-year option. •
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