HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-18 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, August 18, 2025 @ 5:15 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 73 Harlow Street
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Beck, Deane, Fish, Fournier, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar.
City Staff Present: Innis, Krieg, Stanicki.
Chair Fournier called the meeting to order at 5:36 P.M.
1. CODE CHANGE REQUEST— SAFE ZONES, Action requested to forward
to Council
Assistant City Solicitor Grace Innis presented the agenda item and provided an
overview of the requested amendment.
Chair Fournier expressed gratitude for the list of safe zones within the City.
Councilor Beck how the safe zone would be designated — Assistant City Solicitor
Innis responded and clarified that there would be signage.
Councilor Leonard moved to forward item to full Council, seconded by Councilor
Hawes. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM —
CONSOLIDATED PLAN — PRESENTATION/TECHNICAL REVIEW,
Action requested to provide input
Community Development Officer Robyn Stanicki presented to the Committee and
provided a presentation on the Consolidated Plan for the Community Development
Block Grant Program.
Chair Fournier asked about one of the insurance coverage statistics — Community
Development Officer Stanicki responded and clarified.
Councilor Fish asked for clarification about these statistics are national or specific
to Bangor — Community Development Officer Stanicki responded and confirmed
that these are specific to Bangor.
Councilor Mallar asked how many families on the waitlist for public housing are
from Bangor — Community Development Officer Stanicki responded that she was
not sure.
Chair Fournier asked about the area definition for determining median income —
Community Development Officer Stanicki responded and clarified.
Councilor Mallar asked about the statistics on retail opiate prescriptions, and how
many of these may not be for residents of Bangor — Community Development
Officer Stanicki responded and discussed with Mallar.
Councilor Fish commented on how much of the report focused on the City's
economically challenged population, and trends differing from the presented
statistics that she has observed in her real estate work— Community Development
Officer Stanicki responded and discussed with Fish. Fish asked for additional
clarification regarding the intended focus of the report, and how this relates to the
economic development strategic plan — Stanicki responded and clarified.
Councilor Leonard commented on gentrification in the area, and what responsibility
he believes City Council has to respond to this issue.
Councilor Beck brought up the idea of an affordable housing bond. Councilor
Leonard expressed support for this idea.
3. ED DIRECTOR'S REPORT, No action requested
Development Director Anne Krieg provided a department update to the Committee.
Councilor Leonard asked if Code Enforcement is leading the Land Use Plan
updates — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified that this is being
led by the Planning Division.
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED