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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-21 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 21, 2023 @ 5:15 PM City Council Chambers MEETING MINUTES City Councilors Present: Davitt, Hawes, Leonard, Pelletier, Schaefer, Sprague, Tremble. City Staff Present: Krieg, Laurie. Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. 1. ADDRESSING BANGOR'S HOUSING NEEDS, Discussion led by the Chair, Councilor Sprague Chair Sprague presented to the Committee. Noted that there was a draft of a set of action steps for addressing housing in the City that was attached to tonight's meeting packet. Expressed that it is not representative of the views of the entire City Council, but that it was prepared as a discussion document and will need greater input and shared perspective. Feels that it is a good reflection of the direction that the City can take over the next 12-18 months. Due to time constraint's at tonight's meeting, suggested an in-depth discussion of this item be moved to a future meeting and/or workshop. Chair Sprague also read through his emailed comments, presented as a cover to the drafted action plan. Asked the Committee for comments. Councilor Davitt expressed support of a more in-depth discussion at a future meeting. Councilor Leonard expressed that he is very supportive of the City having a vision statement, and feels that it needs to be very clear to Council, staff, and constituents. Feels that a clear rubric of ways for citizens to engage with the City is needed, and is looking forward to discussing further. Chair Sprague described the suggested steps as a "flexible strategic framework which supports opportunistic decision-making." Noted that he would be supportive of having the action plan addressed monthly, and felt that it would be helpful for citizens to have a clear summary of the current status communicated on a periodic basis. 2. RECREATION ECONOMY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTATION, No action requested Development Director Anne Krieg introduced the agenda item. Stated that this is part of a grant that the former Convention Bureau's Association received. Risteen Bahr, chair of the local steering committee for RERC, presented to the Committee. Presented a slideshow highlighting a description of the program, its goals, and the implementation process and current status. Lisa Sturgeon with Husson University presented on tourism data, Parks & Recreation Director Tracy Willette presented updates on improving access to the Penobscot River, Shelby Harten of Husson University presented updates on the promotion of collaborative partnerships, and Vicki Rustbolten of Eastern Maine Development Corporation presented on her organization's role in implementation. Councilor Tremble asked if City Council has a role in deciding how the grant funds are used, as he was concerned he may have a conflict of interests if this is the case. Krieg and Bahr both confirmed that Council is not involved in these decisions and that tonight's presentation is intended only to be informational, with no requested action. Councilor Davitt expressed that she is excited and impressed with the work being done, and very appreciative of all that has gone into this process. Chair Sprague also expressed excitement, but noted that he has not heard anything about this in the entire time that he has served on City Council. Bahr noted that the grant was only awarded in May 2022, but was happy to be at tonight's meeting to educate Councilors and the public, as this is an example of why this sort of informational session is needed. Chair Sprague also highlighted the importance of this program alongside the City's Economic Development Strategy, and continued communication between RERC and the City. 3. ANNUAL HOUSING TIF REPORTS, Action requested to provide staff direction Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item. Noted that State law mandates that these reports be accepted annually. Councilor Davitt moved acceptance of the Annual Housing TIF reports, seconded by Councilor Schaefer. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. 4. LD2003 — NEXT DRAFT FOR REVIEW, Action requested to provide staff direction Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item. Planning Analyst Anja Collette presented to the Committee. Reported no major changes since the last update to the Committee, and that staff is still following the minimum State requirements in their wording of the ordinance. Did speak with City Solicitor David Szewczyk regarding non-conforming properties, and confirmed that the proposed density bonus would not apply in these cases. Noted that the bonus would also not apply to single-family zones, only multi-family zones. Collette also mentioned that City staff has already has some pre-application meetings with individuals that may benefit under the new ordinance. Proposed bringing the proposal to City Council for a first reading on August 28t", then to Planning Board for a public hearing on September 5t", and back to City Council for a second reading on September 11tn Chair Sprague asked if any negative feedback has been received from citizens. Krieg responded that staff has heard some concerns from residents in single-family zones during public workshops. Highlighted that a property size of 20,000+ square feet would be needed to add the additional four units in these zones, however, which is uncommon and therefore provides some protection in these neighborhoods. Councilor Schaefer asked if lots with buildings that have been torn down would count as empty lots. Collette responded that they would not, and that there is a stipulation in the State law that closes this loophole. Properties would not be allowed to have any more units than what was there before the demolition of any buildings. 5. CDBG PROJECTS A. PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO ADDRESS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS Community Development Officer Robyn Stanicki presented to the Committee. Stated that both of the proposed projects are to be funded by excess CDBG funds, and both address needs-specific housing. Stanicki stated that this proposal is from Design Wall Housing, and that their overall goal is to use vacant buildings to create housing. This proposal is specific to a site on Ohio Street, but they have noted plans to acquire several homes in this neighborhood. Councilor Davitt expressed support for the proposal. Councilor Davitt moved acceptance of staff's recommendation to fund the proposal with excess CDBG funds, seconded by Councilor Schaefer. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Chair Sprague also expressed support for the proposal and noted its correlation with his drafted action plan. B. VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR DISABLED ADULTS Community Development Officer Stanicki stated that this proposal is for the construction of a three-phase development that will house clients that are presently in housing that is less conducive to their needs. Applicant found an old, dissolved subdivision on Finson Avenue to use for this project. Proposed are several buildings, some with studio-style apartments and some with a staffed, boarding-home structure. Reported that the development will be constructed using funds from HUD, and that this proposal is only for CDBG to fund the purchase of the land. Stated that both of the proposed funding efforts hinge on one another. Councilor Schaefer moved acceptance of staff's recommendation to fund the proposal with excess CDBG funds, seconded by Councilor Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Chair Sprague noted that this proposal also aligns with the drafted action plan. 6. UPDATES A. COMMERCIAL KITCHEN Development Director Krieg presented to the Committee. Reported that staff is finalizing their decision on the architect for the project. The report on management and programming will be on the next Committee agenda. B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ADDENDUM Development Director Krieg reported that staff is preparing an addendum for the health industry. Will likely be on the agenda for the second Committee meeting in September. Chair Sprague mentioned that there had been a previous discussion of collecting a report on the creation of science clusters, and requested that this be re-addressed, as it was left that staff would collect more feedback from those in the field. Krieg responded that she will reach out to key stakeholders for feedback. C. DEPARTMENT STAFFING Development Director Krieg reported that there are still several open positions in the department, but that there are some good prospects for filling them. Recently filled the Economic Development Officer position. Chair Sprague asked what the staffing strategy and structure is. Krieg responded that the department divisions are Community Development, Economic Development, Planning, and Code Enforcement. Each division has a specific support position. For Economic Development, this position is the Business Development Specialist, who will act as a "salesperson" for the City. For Community Development, the position is Community Development Analyst, and for Planning, it is Planning Analyst (Anja Collette). Code Enforcement has their own staffing structure. Chair Sprague expressed that everyone will be happy when the department is fully staffed. Meeting adjourned at 7:09 P.M. Meeting minutes respectfully submitted, Sarah Pritchard Admin. Asst. C&ED