HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-21 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 5:15 PM
Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Dean, Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Pelletier.
City Staff Present: Collette, Krieg, Laurie, Stanicki, Szewczyk, Wall.
Chair Hawes called the meeting to order at 5:42 P.M.
1. LEASE EXTENSION OF TRANSPORTATION SAFETY (TSA) AT
BANGOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Action requested to recommend
approval to Council
Development Director Anne Krieg requested to move this agenda item to the end
of the meeting — no objections.
2. UPDATES, No action requested
A. VACANT PROPERTIES
Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item.
City Solicitor David Szewczyk presented to the Committee and gave update on
staff efforts to address vacant properties and drafted internal protocol.
Chair Hawes asked how long a building can remain vacant before the City can
take action. Szewczyk responded that this depends on whether the property owner
complies with the registration requirements on or not and clarified this process.
Councilor Fish asked if there is a different process for homes that are vacated due
to the residents' experiencing a medical event and/or death. Szewczyk responded
that there is not a different process, and acknowledged the challenges of
contacting property owners in these cases. Fish mentioned that she has seen
health facilities or VA organizations take over properties in these cases; Szewczyk
responded that making contact with the new property owners in these cases has
been a priority for staff.
Councilor Fournier asked about the currently known vacant properties. Szewczyk
and Krieg clarified how staff is prioritizing the order in which properties are
addressed.
Krieg noted that attempts have been made for staff to streamline their internal
process, as other external processes cannot be expedited in the same manner.
B. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Development Director Krieg introduced Business Development Specialist, Brad
Wall.
Wall presented to the Committee and gave update on ongoing projects and
education/networking opportunities from last month of employment with the City.
Councilor Fournier suggested that Wall meet with the Upstart and Bangor Target
organizations. Wall will coordinate with Economic Development Officer Steve
Bolduc.
C. CDBG PROGRAM YEAR/PLANNING
Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item.
Community Development Officer Robyn Stanicki presented to the Committee and
gave overview of the planning process.
Councilor Chair Pelletier asked if there is a goal for the number of applications.
Stanicki responded that it will depend on the amount of funding being requested
and clarified review/approval process.
3. MAINE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FOR CERTIFIED LOCAL
GOVERMENTS — PROPOSAL TO PURSUE FUNDS, Action requested to
allow staff pursuit of grant
Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item.
Planning Officer Anja Collette presented to the Committee and gave overview of
the grant and staff's proposed use of any awarded funds.
Councilors expressed support to pursue grant.
4. PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT — REDUCE
PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL USES, Action
requested to forward to enactment process
Planning Officer Collette presented the agenda item and gave overview of the
proposal.
Councilor Leonard expressed support for the proposal.
Council Chair Pelletier mentioned following up on on-street/off-street parking
requirements during the winter during the review of this proposal. Collette
responded that adding flexibility to these requirements could be an option.
5. RETURN TO PREVIOUS AGENDA ITEM: LEASE EXTENSION OF
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY (TSA) AT BANGOR INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT, Action requested to recommend approval to Council
Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item.
Councilor Fournier asked if there any significant changes to the lease agreement.
City Manager Debbie Laurie responded that there has been an increase in the rent
amount.
Councilors expressed support to forward item to full Council for approval.
Meeting adjourned at 6:13 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED