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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-17 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 5:15 PM Council Chambers, First Floor of City Hall MEETING MINUTES City Councilors Present: Beck, Carson, Deane, Faloon, Fish, Hawes, Leonard, Mallar. City Staff Present: Collette, Krieg. Chair Leonard called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. 1. COMMITTEE OVERVIEW Development Director Anne Krieg presented to the Committee and provided an overview of the Business & Economic Development Committee, as well as the Community & Economic Development Department and ongoing projects. Councilor Mallar asked for an update on follow-up resulting from audit questions raised regarding the Community Development Block Grant program — Development Director Krieg responded that staff has completed follow-up and adjusted internal procedures for the future. Councilor Beck asked how often both the Consolidated Plan and Comprehensive Plans are updated — Development Director Krieg responded that they are updated every 5 and 10 years, respectively. Beck also asked when Councilors would receive an update on the implementation of both of these plans— Krieg responded that updates would be on an upcoming Committee agenda. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FALL 2025 GRANT PROGRAM, Action requested to forward recommendation Development Director Anne Krieg provided an overview of the Commission on Cultural Development grant program, as well as the Commission's award recommendations for the Fall 2025 grant cycle. Councilor Mallar asked for clarification regarding the applicants' non-profit statuses, and how staff verifies that this status is current — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Mallar also asked about the use of grant funds for fixed assets, such as the request for funding to be used for stage lighting — Krieg responded and clarified. Mallar expressed concern over the use of funds for this purpose. Chair Leonard asked for clarification regarding the amount of available grant funds for the fiscal year, and how the Commission divides them across applications — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Councilor Beck asked about the competitiveness of the grant application process — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Councilor Faloon asked for clarification regarding the Commission's funding and how this is budgeted for annually — Development Director Krieg responded and clarified. Councilor Mallar asked about the serving of alcohol at events that have received grant funding — Development Director Krieg responded and discussed. Chair Leonard also mentioned a desire to not impose further restrictions on the applicants, and expressed support for the work of the Commission. Councilor Fish moved to forward the Commission's recommendations to full Council, seconded by Councilor Carson. Vote unless doubted; Councilor Mallar stated doubt. Roll call vote conducted — four in favor, one (Councilor Mallar) opposed. Motion passed. 3. PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE — DEFINITIONS, Action requested to provide feedback to staff Planning Officer Anja Collette presented to the Committee and provided an overview of the Land Development Code amendment process, as well as of the amendments currently proposed. Councilor Deane asked if defining a roadway as a major arterial qualifies it for additional DOT funding— Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified that this definition is for local zoning purposes only. Councilor Fish asked if it is known how many properties are currently legally non- conforming and would become conforming through approval of the proposed amendment — Planning Officer Collette responded that staff could try to get an estimate for Councilors if desired. Fish also asked what negative impacts would remain for these properties if the amendment is not approved— Collette responded and clarified. Fish requested an estimate of the number of properties affected. Chair Leonard asked if there are any currently pending projects that would be impacted by the proposed amendment — Planning Officer Collette responded that there are. Councilor Fish asked about these projects — Collette responded and provided further details. Councilor Deane asked if the proposed amendment would result in more or less non-conformities — Planning Officer Collette responded that it would be less. Deane also asked about existing non-conformities on minor arterials — Collette responded and clarified. Councilor Mallar asked for additional clarification regarding the difference between major and minor arterials — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Councilor Beck asked for additional clarification regarding existing non- conformities — Development Director Anne Krieg responded and clarified. Chair Leonard asked if the proposed amendment would potentially result in an increase in traffic— Planning Officer Collette responded and discussed. 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(C)—DISPOSITION OFREAL PROPERTY OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 1 item 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 Carson. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 5. POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS Committee members resumed open session at 6:23 P.M. Councilor Carson moved to forward the item to the next full Council meeting, seconded by Councilor Fish. Vote unless doubted, no doubt. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:24 P.M. Meeting minutes respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan Admin. Asst. C&ED