HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 @ 5:15 PM
City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Davitt, Hawes, Leonard, Sprague, Tremble.
City Staff Present: Collette, Krieg, Laurie.
Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M.
1. NO MOW MAY PROPOSAL, Action requested to accept staff
recommendation to forward Code change
Planning Analyst Anja Collette presented to the Committee. Addressed concerns
previously noted by Committee members re: allergies, ticks, pests, etc. Reported
that available research does not indicate that short-term lack of lawn mowing
causes notable increase in these areas; staff does not feel that there will be large
enough impact to cause community concern.
Councilor Tremble moved to accept staff recommendation to forward Code
change. Seconded by Councilor Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG)
A. ALLOWANCE FOR STAGGERING OF FAC�ADE GRANTS, Action
requested to accept staff recommendation
Development Director Anne Krieg presented to the Committee. Stated that
staff is asking for this allowance due to frequency in tenant changes in
downtown area.
Councilor Tremble asked if all CDBG funds are typically used during the
fiscal year. Krieg responded that they are not. Councilor Tremble asked if it
would then be better to allow for open/rolling grant awards. Krieg clarified
that this would be the allowance, as opposed to staggered award periods.
Councilor Tremble moved to accept staff recommendation. Seconded by
Councilor Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
B. REVIEW TIMELINE FOR FY24 FISCAL YEAR, No action required
Development Director Krieg reported that deadline to submit consolidated
plan to HUD is May 15th. Would like to wait until new Community
Development Officer is hired before starting comprehensive discussion of
CDBG fund and its uses.
Chair Sprague suggested putting this discussion on the Committee agenda
in the fall as a placeholder. Would also like to discuss adjustments to
housing applications at this time.
3. UPDATES
A. CONVENTION BUREAU SERVICES, Staff follow-up
City Manager Debbie Laurie presented to the Committee. Reported that
Convention Bureau Services board voted to dissolve at last meeting, but
decision has not been officially finalized as of yet. There are still some
unused funds that had been allocated to them. City is currently in
discussions with Bangor Chamber of Commerce regarding whether they
may be able to take over the role of the Convention Bureau.
B. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Development Director Krieg reported that staff is still collecting public
comments. A review of the current draft of the Comprehensive Plan is
scheduled for the pre-Council meeting on March 27th.
Chair Sprague recommended rescheduling this review as up to three
Council members may be absent from this meeting.
C. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ADDENDUM UPDATE
Development Director Krieg reported that this will be brought to next
meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Pritchard
Admin. Asst.
C&ED