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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-16 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 5:15 PM Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP MEETING MINUTES City Councilors Present: Beck, Deane, Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar, Pelletier, Tremble. City Staff Present: Collette, Krieg, Lear, Saavedra, Szewczyk. Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. 1. RECONSIDERATION — PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR 8 HARLOW STREET, Action requested to reconsider forwarding to Council City Solicitor David Szewczyk presented the agenda item and discussed the procedural questions from the last meeting at which this item was discussed. Szewczyk recommended the Committee rescind their previous vote on this item and revisit it at tonight's meeting. Councilor Fish moved to rescind the Committee's previous vote, seconded by Councilor Hawes. Vote unless doubted — Councilor Mallar expressed that he did not feel the vote should be retaken. Roll call vote conducted — 4 in favor, 1 (Councilor Mallar) opposed. Motion passed. Councilor Mallar asked for clarification regarding the proposed letter of credit — Chair Fournier responded and clarified. Mallar expressed concern regarding the repair cost estimates, as well as the completion of the masonry work — Development Director Anne Krieg confirmed that the masonry work has been completed, and provided additional clarification regarding the repair cost estimates and the proposed letter of credit. Mallar also asked about what would happen if the project fails — Krieg responded and clarified. Councilor Deane expressed that she feels the project has already failed, and it would be in the City's best interest to allow a new buyer to take over. Councilor Fish asked to clarify what else needs to be accomplished to move this forward — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Councilor Fish moved to forward the proposed modification to full Council, seconded by Councilor Leonard. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. 2. AIRPORT LEASES, Action requested to forward to Council A. LYFT B. UBER Airport Director Jose Saavedra presented to the Committee and provided an overview of the lease renewals. Councilor Hawes moved forward the lease renewals to full Council, seconded by Councilor Fish. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. 3. 2025 PLANNING DIVISION MID-YEAR REPORT, No action requested Planning Officer Anja Collette presented to the Committee and provided an overview of her written report. Councilor Beck asked when the proposed amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance may come before the Committee — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. 4. C-PACE PROGRAM, Action requested to forward to Council Planning Officer Anja Collette presented the agenda item and provided an overview of the program. Councilor Fish asked for clarification that this program would be optional for property owners — Planning Officer Collette responded and confirmed that it would be. Councilor Leonard moved to forward the proposal to full Council, seconded by Councilor Fish. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. 5. GENERAL DIRECTOR CHECK-IN Development Director Anne Krieg presented to the Committee and gave an overview of several requests for letters of support from the City. Councilor Mallar asked for clarification regarding the need for Historic Preservation Commission approval for one of the projects requesting a letter of support — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Airport Director Jose Saavedra presented to the Committee and provided a brief update on Airport projects. Council Chair Pelletier asked if the runway project has caused any unexpected closures —Airport Director Saavedra responded and confirmed that it has not. Councilor Tremble asked when the last closure will be —Airport Director Saavedra responded that it will likely be in mid-September. Councilor Beck asked for an update on new flights to Atlanta and Detroit —Airport Director Saavedra responded and provided a positive report. Councilor Tremble asked about the availability and scheduling of these flights — Saavedra responded and clarified. 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(C)— DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 2 items Councilor Hawes 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. 7. OPEN SESSION — POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS Committee returned to open session at 7:46 PM. Councilor Hawes moved to forward the first disposition of real property (39 Florida Avenue) to full Council, seconded by Councilor Fish. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Councilor Hawes moved to forward the first disposition of real property (110 Hildreth Street) to full Council, seconded by Councilor Leonard. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 P.M. Meeting minutes respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Admin. Asst. C&ED