HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-04 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 @ 5:15 PM
City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Fournier, Leonard, Sprague, Tremble, Yacoubagha (via
Zoom).
City Staff Present: Krieg, Laurie.
Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M.
1. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) —
2ND pUBLIC HEARING — RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS, Action
requested to provide staff direction for Action Plan prep
Development Director Anne Krieg presented to the Committee. Reported that
public hearings are required due to CDBG being funded by HUD. This second
hearing is intended to be used for recommending areas of focus for the coming
fiscal year of funding. Stated that current recommended areas are (1) farade
grants, (2) non-profit organizations, with the suggestion of choosing a theme, such
as housing support, as a way of better managing applications, (3) residential
property Rehabilitation program, and (4) affordable housing initiatives and
neighborhood infrastructure improvements, especially for low-to-moderate income
neighborhoods. Reported that a portion of the funding is always designated for
staff administration of the program, as well.
Chair Sprague asked what the next steps will be after this hearing. Krieg
responded that formal recommendation of fund use will be presented at next B&ED
Committee meeting, and will then go to City Council for final vote. Deadline for
submission to HUD is May 15th.
Chair Sprague asked if Development Director Krieg and City Manager Debbie
Laurie will have time to assess applications to see which ones would better benefit
from ARPA funds vs. CDBG funds. Krieg responded that they would.
Councilor Tremble moved to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilor
Yacoubagha. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
No public comments.
Councilor Tremble moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilor
Yacoubagha. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR DOWNTOWN — REVIEW, Action
requested to provide feedback to staff
Development Director Krieg presented to the Committee. Reported that she, City
Manager Laurie, and Downtown Bangor Partnership have been working together
on assessment, which reviews different services and programs that both City and
DBP participate in.
DBP Executive Director, Betsy Lundy, presented to the Committee. Lengthy
discussion commenced between Lundy, Krieg, Laurie, and Committee members
regarding specifics of the needs assessment.
Chair Sprague asked if DBP members had seen this draft yet. Lundy responded
that the DBP Executive committee have seen it, but no other members have.
City Manager Laurie presented to the Committee and stated that City and DBP are
in agreement re: needs, but not in agreement re: actions to address these needs.
Councilor Fournier commented that this draft provides useful information and is a
helpful as advance notice on items that may formally come onto the Committee
agenda at a later date. Committee members in agreement that no other action
needed at this time.
3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ADDENDUM — DOCUMENT
DISCUSSION, Action requested to accept, edit, or request further
information, or take action on the document
Jason Godfrey of Better City presented to the Committee via Zoom. Reported that
purpose of ED Strategy document was to look specifically at commercialization of
technology & research. Highlights of report are (1) Bangor was initially assessed
as doing well in this area, and Godfrey still stands by this assessment, (2)
recommendation to make technology and other tools more accessible to
independent researchers outside of university ecosystem, (3) recommendation to
increase investments for start-ups, and (4) recommendation to improve upon
marketing of Bangor to attract more workforce talent.
Councilor Leonard asked if Godfrey had any examples of how other communities
similarly improved upon their marketing. Godfrey responded that he has not
worked with another community equivalent to Bangor, in that primary need is for
mid-level workforce talent, but suggested possibly focusing on immigrant
populations.
Chair Sprague commented that he does not feel there is an existing culture in the
City surrounding economic development. Also suggested giving more thought to
creation of a science park. Godfrey responded that collaboration with the
University of Maine would likely be essential to success of a science park.
Chair Sprague recommending sending this addendum to members of the
community directly involved in the technology & research sectors. Committee
members in agreement that no other action needed at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Pritchard
Admin. Asst.
C&ED