HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-07 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, April 7, 2025 @ 5:15 PM
Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Beck, Dean, Fish, Fournier, Leonard, Mallar, Pelletier.
City Staff Present: Hernandez-Smith, Innis, Krieg, Laurie, Saavedra, Stanicki.
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 7:26 P.M.
1. RECREATION ECONOMY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES (RERC) US EPA
UPDATE, Action requested to accept report and provide feedback
A. BRANDING PROJECT
B. KIOSK PROJECT
Development Director Anne Krieg presented the agenda item.
Lisa Sturgeon, Husson University, presented to the Committee and provided an
update on the branding and kiosk projects. Councilors expressed support for the
projects.
Councilor Fish moved acceptance of the report, seconded by Councilor Leonard.
Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed.
Chair Fournier asked to clarify the proposed kiosk locations— Sturgeon responded
and clarified.
2. AIRPORT DIRECTOR REPORT, No action requested
Airport Director Jose Saavedra presented to the Committee and provided an
overview of his written report.
Council Chair Pelletier asked about the impact of tariffs on fuel costs — Airport
Director Saavedra responded that this is unknown at this time.
Councilor Fish asked about a potential decline in Canadian traffic—Airport Director
Saavedra responded that this is unknown at this time.
Councilor Leonard asked about re-establishing an Airport Committee — Airport
Director Saavedra responded that he would be open to this, or to keeping Airport
business under the Business & Economic Development Committee.
Airport Director Saavedra also requested support for pursuing grant funding from
the Northern Border Regional Commission — Councilors expressed support.
3. ARMY CORPS RIGHT OF WAY ENTRY REQUEST, Action requested to
forward to Council for authorization
Assistant Solicitor Grace Innis presented to the Committee and provided an
overview of the request.
Councilor Fish moved to forward the request to Council for authorization, seconded
by Councilor Mallar. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed.
4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES — FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
WORK, Action requested to provide feedback
Economic Development Officer Biguita Hernandez-Smith presented to the
Committee and provide an update on ongoing foreign trade zone work.
Councilor Mallar asked for clarification regarding bonded warehouses — Economic
Development Officer Hernandez-Smith responded and clarified that she would
conduct additional research and follow up at a later date.
Councilor Fish moved support for staff to continue conversations with relevant
partners and stakeholders, seconded by Councilor Leonard. Vote unless doubted,
no doubt. Motion passed.
Councilor Fish asked for clarification regarding administration of the foreign trade
zone, and Federal approvals for exporting — Economic Development Officer
Hernandez-Smith responded and clarified.
Councilor Mallar asked for additional clarification regarding warehouse ownership
— Economic Development Officer Hernandez-Smith responded and clarified that
she would conduct additional research and follow up at a later date.
Chair Fournier asked about current challenges with managing the foreign trade
zone — Economic Development Officer Hernandez-Smith responded and
discussed.
5. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE — COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT WEEK APRIL 21-25, No action requested
Community Development Officer Robyn Stanicki presented to the Committee and
provided an overview of upcoming Community Development Week activities.
Councilors expressed support and asked about participation — discussed with
Community Development Officer Stanicki and City Manager Debbie Laurie.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION — 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) — DISPOSITION OF
REAL PROPERTY OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 2 items
Councilor Fish moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §
405(6)(C) — Disposition of Real Property or Economic Development. Seconded by
Councilor Leonard. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion
passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED