Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-04 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, March 4, 2024 @ 5:15 PM Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP MEETING MINUTES City Councilors Present: Dean, Fish, Fournier, Leonard, Schaefer, Tremble, Yacoubagha. City Staff Present: Krieg, Laurie. Councilor Schaefer called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. 1. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF BIKE-SHARE ENDEAVOR, Action requested to authorize City Manager to sign MOU Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item and gave overview of proposal. Councilor Tremble asked where Tandem Mobility is based out of; Krieg responded that they are a national company based out of Michigan, and that they have a successful operation already in Portland. Tremble expressed support for the proposal and for creating additional bike lanes in the City. Councilor Schaefer expressed support for the proposal and for adding locations on college campuses. Councilor Yacoubagha expressed support for the proposal and a desire for more City-wide awareness of cyclists. Councilor Leonard moved to authorize City Manager to sign MOU, seconded by Councilor Tremble. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed. 2. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR TOURISM MARKETING FROM THE GREATER BANGOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Action requested to authorize staff to expend funds Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item. Deb Neumann and Shelly Sund, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, presented to the Committee and gave overview of the proposal. Councilor Tremble asked about the proposed budget. Neumann and Sund clarified that these figures are consistent with comparable projects. Councilor Leonard expressed support for the proposal. Also expressed a desire to see this kind of work handled internally in the future. Councilor Fish asked if number of hard copy booklets could be decreased in the future and whether there are comparison figures of the demand for booklets vs. a mobile app. Sund and Neumann responded that there are not currently figures but that this is an ongoing conversation at the Chamber. Also discussed planned improvements to maps and signage. Councilor Fournier asked about proposed staff increases at the Chamber, and whether new staff would be tasked with managing social media. Neumann confirmed that this is the current plan. Fournier also asked City staff about currently available funds. City Manager Debbie Laurie confirmed that there is currently $50,000 available for this proposal. Councilor Tremble moved to authorize staff to expend funds, seconded by Councilor Leonard. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed. 3. DOWNTOWN BANGOR PARTNERSHIP UPDATE, Action requested to provide feedback and direction A. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT UPDATE Development Director Krieg introduced the agenda item and gave update. B. STATUS OF JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT Betsy Lundy, Downtown Bangor Partnership, presented to the Committee and gave status update. Highlighted safety concerns that have been expressed by business owners. Eric Mihan, DBP Board President, presented to the Committee. Echoed safety concerns expressed by Lundy. Councilor Dean asked if Street Plus proposal was presented to Council last year. Councilor Leonard clarified that it had been and was not approved. Dean ask to clarify that it has not been approved due to budgetary reasons vs. other—Councilor Schaefer expressed the reasons for her own opposition to the proposal. Mihan added that the proposed contract could be terminated if Councilors do not feel that the requested services are being adequately provided. Lundy and Schaefer discussed the proposal at length. Councilor Leonard commented on public safety and health concerns, and noted that other members of the public have expressed this at City Council meetings. Expressed support for negotiating a contract with Street Plus and frustration over current lack of action. Councilor Schaefer asked if Street Plus would maintain UMA campus; Lundy responded that this could be included in contracted services and clarified how these services would be determined. Councilor Fish asked how many times that this has been proposed; Lundy responded that this is the fourth time. Fish expressed agreement with Councilor Leonard. City Manager Laurie provided clarification of the purpose of the current proposal. Councilor Yacoubagha expressed support for the proposal, and noted that Public Health and Public Works departments are at maximum capacity for what they can do to address the issues at hand. Councilor Fournier noted current measures that have been undertaken by City staff and feels improvements have been made. Mihan responded that there is acknowledgement of improvements that have been made but that downtown residents and business owners do not feel that it is enough. Councilor Schaefer expressed concern over staffing for Street Plus, and this has already been a concern for City departments. Mihan emphasized that any contract with Street Plus can be terminated if the terms are not met. Lundy and City Manager Laurie clarified that a new proposal will be formally submitted, but the purpose of this update was to provide Councilors with a primer for this new proposal. Councilor Tremble expressed agreement with safety concerns and support for reviewing a new proposal for Street Plus services, but noted that he has some budgetary concerns. Lundy and Laurie provided clarification surrounding proposed funding. 4. STAFF UPDATE ON MEREDA (MAINE REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION) ANNUAL FORECAST CONFERENCE & MEMBER SHOWCASE, No action requested Development Director Krieg presented the agenda item and gave update on staff attendance at event. Councilor Fournier asked if there was a speaker representing Bangor at the event; Krieg confirmed that there was. Meeting adjourned at 6:13 P.M. Meeting minutes respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Admin. Asst. C&ED