HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-16 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 5:15 PM
Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Dean, Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Pelletier (via
Zoom), Schaefer, Tremble, Yacoubagha.
City Staff Present: Collette, Hernandez-Smith, Krieg, Laurie.
Chair Hawes called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M.
1. REVIEW OF DRAFT POLICY FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF)
AND CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT (CEA) REQUESTS
Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item.
Economic Development (ED) Officer Biguita Hernandez-Smith presented to the
Committee and gave overview of TIF/CEA programs and draft policy.
Councilor Tremble asked for clarification regarding TIF and the tax contributions
of those receiving this — ED Officer Hernandez-Smith clarified.
Councilor Fish asked about the need for these funds and whether there are
developers who may be in need of this assistance but whose projects do not meet
the minimum threshold. Development Director Krieg and City Manager Debbie
Laurie responded and clarified the reason for setting a $1 million threshold.
Councilor Tremble expressed support for the draft policy.
City Manager Laurie noted that this will be on next City Council agenda for
approval.
2. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN — PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Planning Officer Anja Collette presented overview of the proposed amendments
to the Comprehensive Plan.
3. ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING HOST SITES INITIATIVE
PROPOSAL
Planning Officer Collette presented the agenda item and gave overview of
proposal.
Councilor Tremble expressed support for the proposal and asked how long the
typical charge time is — Planning Officer Collette responded that it is typically 30
minutes.
Councilor Dean asked how many EVs are registered in the City— Planning Officer
Collette responded that she was not sure but that she would follow up with the City
Clerk. Clarified the reasons for pursuing this initiative.
Planning Officer Collette asked Councilors if they wanted a user fee charged for
EV charger vendors — Councilors generally agreed that they would.
Councilor Tremble asked if same parking space size requirements would apply —
Planning Officer Collette responded that they would.
4. COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR
OCTOBER 2024
Planning Officer Collette presented the agenda item and gave overview of
proposed activities.
5. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF A J-1 WAIVER TO ALLOW FOR
RECRUITMENT OF PHYSICIANS FOR ST. JOSEPH HEALTHCARE —
REQUEST FROM APOGEE MEDICAL GROUP, MAINE PC
Chair Hawes asked if she should recuse herself for this agenda item as she is
employed by St. Joseph Healthcare. Councilors agreed that she should — Hawes
recused herself and Councilor Schaefer assumed leadership for this agenda item.
Development Director Krieg gave overview of the request.
Councilor Fish asked if this would apply only to new hires or if it would apply
retroactively to those already hired — Development Director Krieg responded that
she was not sure about this. Councilor Yacoubagha commented that this seems
to be primarily for recruitment, and added that she thought this waiver was already
in place — discussed with Krieg and Councilor Schaefer.
Councilor Schaefer expressed support for the request.
Councilor Leonard move support for request, seconded by Councilor Tremble.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION — 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) — DISPOSITION OF
REAL PROPERTY OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT— 1 ITEM, Possible
action out of session
Councilor Tremble moved to go into Executive Section pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §
405(6)(C), Disposition of Real Property or Economic Development. Roll call vote
conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 5:43 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED