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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-19 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � � . � BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE August 19,2009 � Minutes Councilors. Chair Hawes,Blanchette,Bronson,D'Errico,Nealley and Palmer Staff: Barrett, McKay,Harrington � Others: Steve Ribble,Chair of the Commission on Cultural Development; . Scott Levy,Artistic Director @the Penobscot Theatre � 1. Cultural Commission—Approving Grant Request from Penobscot Theatre for$15,000 in support of the production Spunk � � Steve Ribble,introduced himself to the Committee as the new Chair of the Commission on Cuitural Development. He proceeded to review the request from Penobscot Theatre for a grant to support the production of Spunk. Steve stated that the Cultural Commission reviewed this � grant request on its merits—the initial request was for$25,000;the Commission felt that in these economit times,that the Commission would not be abie to fully fund that request. They recommend to the Council that the request be funded in the amount of$15,000. The � Commission feels that the production of Spunk is a very well-worth endeavor of the Penobscot Theatre. Scott Levy,Artistic Director at Penobscot Theatre,reviewed various highlights of this production such as how it will connect to the Bangor Public Library's collection as weli as the � literary value of the author,Zora Neale Hurston. The production is scheduled to be heid during Biack History Month and will feature a 100%African-American cast. Councilor Nealley made a motion to recommend approval of the Commission of Cultural � Development grant request of$15,000 to Penobscot Theat�e for the production of Spunk. Seconded by Councilor D'Errico. This will be on the C'rty Council Agenda on Mon.,8/24/09. � 2. Community Devetopment Program Ovenriew and need for Additional Staffing for Neighborhood Stabilization Program � Rod McKay,C.D..Director,reviewed the reasons for additional staffing in Community Development. There have been over the past 2 years,two staff persons who retired and another who relocated elsewhere in Maine. The City was recently awarded$1,084,873 in funds � � from the State of Maine Dept.of Economic and Community Development under the U.S.Dept. of Housing and Urban Dev.Neighborhood Stabilization Program. These funds have to be committed within 18 months. The request is for a part-time person to assist Community � Development staff to implement and carry out the Neighborhood Stabilization Program(NSP) . and other Department activities as needed. The position is slated to last only a year or less and wili be primarily funded with these NSP administration funds. Rod also asked for consideration by the Committee to hire another Community Development stafF person to fill the combined positions of Housing Resources Coordinator and Housing Rehabilitation Specialist. This new position would be entitled`Community Development � Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator. This person would work with Penquis CAP in order to increase productivity,and the number of single and two family homes being assisted by the Community Development Residential Property Rehabilitation Loan Program as well as to � manage multi-family loan projects that the C.D.office has traditionaliy been involved in. The funds for this proposed position are available in the Community Development budget;it will be a permanent position as long as the City of Bangor receives Federal funds. � ' ' , Kaleena Harrington,Asst.C.D. Director, proceeded to give an overview of the various � ' Corrimunity Development programs. They are: the C.D.Block Grant Annual Allocation; � Residentia! Rehab Loan Program,whereby Penquis CAP is partnered with to handle some of the associated work that used to be done by some ofthe previous C.D.staff; some public services � at Park Woods; Public Improvements that include accessibility modi�cations,neighborhood streets and sidewalks; parks and playgrounds;downtown revitalization and the waterftont; property acquisition,demolition and relocation;and two new programs that are the CDBG � Recovery funds(CDBGR)and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. A motion was made and seconded by Councilor Nealley to approve the request of the Community Development Dept.for additional staff as presented. Seconded by Councilor � Palmer. So voted. As an added note,Councilor Nealley and Palmer stated that the New Frankiin Laundry site � needs to be rehabbed;it would improve the entire neighborhood. � 3. Executive Session -Economic Development—Property Disposition—1 M.R.S.A.§405(6)(C) � A motion was made,seconded and passed to go into Executive Session. � ` � � i � . 1 � � � � - � � � � . ! i