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Home My WebLink About2025-02-03 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, February 3, 2025 @ 5:15 PM Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP MEETING MINUTES City Councilors Present: Beck, Dean, Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar, Pelletier. City Staff Present: Krieg. Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 7:43 P.M. 1. HOUSING STUDY — FINAL REPORT, Action requested to accept, reject, or otherwise edit the document Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item. Sarah Kirk, HR&A Advisors, presented to the Committee via Zoom and provided an overview of the final housing study report. Councilor Mallar asked about the median income listed for cashiers in the region — Kirk responded that she would check on this figure and clarify whether it was a typo. Councilor Fish asked about some of the statistics pulled from 2022 data and noted that she would have liked to have seen more recent figures — Kirk responded that this data was from the most recent US Census and clarified why it was used. Councilor Beck asked whether a copy of the implementation guide would be provided to City Council — Development Director Krieg responded that staff would do so. Expressed a desire that this would be as detailed as ones completed by HR&A Advisors for other municipalities. Chair Fournier asked about the median income listed for RNs in the region — Kirk responded that she would check on this figure and clarify whether it was a typo. Councilor Beck and Council Chair Pelletier expressed in interest in looking to affordable housing bonds or other methods to create incentives for developers to build affordable housing. Chair Fournier asked to forgo moving on acceptance of the final report until possible typos are corrected. 2. BANGOR LIGHTS SIGN PROJECT, Action requested to accept staff recommendation to proceed Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item and gave an overview of the proposed project. Councilor Dean expressed support for the project but noted that public comments have been received expressing opposition to the project. Councilor Beck expressed support for the project and noted that public should be engaged for feedback. Betsy Lundy, Downtown Bangor Partnership, presented to the Committee and provided additional background on the project and expressed support for pursuing it. Councilor Leonard expressed support for the project. Councilor Beck asked where the lights on the sign could change colors — Development Direct Krieg and Lundy responded that they could. Councilor Fish asked for clarification about the size of the letters, and expressed concerns over vandalism. Development Director Krieg and Lundy provided clarification about the letter sizes, and Krieg noted that staff could additional information about possible protective measures. Councilor Mallar expressed concerns over traffic congestion in the area, and whether the sign might be too distracting in this location. Lundy responded that studies have shown that these kinds of installations can actually provide some traffic calming effects. Mallar expressed opposition to the project due to the expense, especially if TIF funds are to be used for it. Development Director Krieg offered to bring this agenda item back to the Committee after receiving input from the Commission on Cultural Development and the Historic Preservation Commission. Councilors discussed the use of TIF funds at length and agreed to receive additional feedback before moving on any recommendation. 3. LD146 TO EXPAND THE STATE HISTORIC REHABILITATION TAX CREDIT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, Action requested to accept proposed testimony for staff to submit to the Legislature Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item and provided an overview of LD146. Councilor Leonard moved acceptance of proposed testimony for staff to submit to the Legislature, seconded by Councilor Hawes. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. Councilor Hawes moved to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Fish. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 4. OPEN SESSION — RECOMMENDATION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM Following the Executive Session, the Committee returned to the open meeting. No action was taken. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 P.M. Meeting minutes respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Admin. Asst. C&ED