HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-07 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, July 7, 2025 @ 5:15 PM
Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Beck, Deane, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar,
Pelletier.
City Staff Present: Collette, Hernandez-Smith, Krieg, Lear, Saavedra, Szewczyk.
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 5:41 P.M, and appointed Councilor
Beck to serve as a Committee member in the absence of Councilor Fish.
1. EASEMENT REQUEST — SUNSET ACRES, Action requested to forward
to Council
City Solicitor David Szewczyk presented the agenda item and provided an
overview of the easement request.
Joe Bethony, council for Bangor Housing Development Corporation, presented to
the Committee and provided additional clarification regarding the requirement for
an easement agreement.
Councilor Leonard moved to forward the request to full Council, seconded by
Councilor Hawes. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RELEASE — REPORT FOR LAND USE PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION, No action requested
Planning OfficerAnja Collette presented to the Committee and provided an update
on the upcoming release of the report for the Land Use Plan implementation, as
well as the public feedback period.
Councilor Beck asked about methods for the public to provide feedback outside of
public meetings — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified.
Councilor Leonard asked for clarification regarding scheduling of the joint meeting
between City Council and the Planning Board — Planning Officer Collette
responded and clarified.
Chair Fournier asked if any projects would be in jeopardy in the interim period
before the Land Use Plan updates are finalized — Planning Officer Collette and
Development Director Anne Krieg responded that this is unlikely, and clarified the
overall process.
3. 2025 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION MID-YEAR REPORT, No
action requested
Economic Development Officer Biguita Hernandez-Smith presented to the
Committee and provided an overview of her written report.
Councilor Leonard asked if updates given to Councilors could be publicized to the
general public more — Economic Development Officer Hernandez-Smith
responded and expressed agreement with this. Leonard also brought up using the
commercial kitchen project as an avenue for educating the general public about
the Foreign Trade Zone.
Councilor Beck expressed gratitude for this report and asked about upcoming
projects — Economic Development Officer Hernandez-Smith responded and
discussed the completion of the commercial kitchen project and usage of the
Foreign Trade Zone.
Chair Fournier expressed gratitude for this report and support for staff's work.
4. AIRPORT DIRECTOR'S REPORT, No action requested
Airport Director Jose Saavedra presented to the Committee and provided an
overview of his written report.
Chair Fournier asked about potential sites for the fuel farm — Airport Director
Saavedra responded and clarified the site options. Fournier also asked about the
cost of the taxiway project — Saavedra responded that he is not yet sure what the
total cost estimate will be. Fournier also asked if other area airports, such as
Portland and Manchester, have a CFC program — Saavedra responded and
discussed with Fournier.
Councilor Leonard asked about ordinances that may need to be drafted to guide
implementation of a CFC program, and other ways that Council can support airport
growth. Leonard also suggested reinstating an Airport Committee.
Councilor Hawes expressed agreement with Councilor Leonard regarding
reinstating an Airport Committee.
Airport Director Saavedra discussed future guidance for the airport with the
Committee.
Councilor Beck asked about upcoming projects — Airport Director Saavedra
responded and discussed strategic planning in his role moving forward.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
Development Director Anne Krieg presented a request from the Commission on
Cultural Development to pursue an upcoming grant opportunity.
Councilor Leonard moved approval for the Commission to move forward with their
grant application, seconded by Councilor Hawes. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
Development Director Krieg also gave a positive report on her attendance at the
art festival downtown.
Meeting adjourned at 6:43 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED