Office of the Council Clerk Thursday, January 12, 2006
City of Gardiner, Maine Special Meeting 7: 00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rines called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Jean Dellert, District 3
Dennis Doiron, At-Large Richard Rambo, District 2
Lewis Benner, At-Large Mayor Brian Rines
Phil Hart, District 4 Jeffrey Kobrock, City Manager
Molly Gallant, Council Clerk
Councilor Colwell absent.
3. PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, & PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 Consideration of Comments from the Public on Issues that
Do Not Appear Elsewhere on the Agenda (Please limit comments
to five minutes.)
No public comment
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Consideration of Emergency Action Plan.
Motion by Councilor Dellert and seconded by Councilor Rambo to Accept Emergency Action Plan.
Vote: 7 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
4.2 Discussion of FY 07 Goal Statement.
City Manager and Council discussed the FY 07 Goal Statement, gave ideas, the City Manager will make changes and it will be on January 19th Agenda.
4.3 Discussion of Water District Governance.
Deferred to a future meeting.
4.4 Discussion of Energy Costs.
A committee of Anne Davis, Chuck Applebee and Mark Kimball looked at ways to save money in the budget with energy costs. Although costs are escalating dramatically, we should be able to manage those costs with in the existing budget. Next budget, these costs will have a very large impact.
Councilor Colwell present at 8:05 pm.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Manager Kobrock stated that there will be a West Street odor update at the next council meeting, the residents will be notified by email.
Manager Kobrock recently wrote a letter to MSHA detailing City plans on the support of the TW Dick property. This is a high priority project, unfortunately some portion of the applications is not funded. If this moves forward the Central Business Zone prohibits housing on first floors, Manager Kobrock wanted to mention so the Council could think about if the Council would want to amend the Ordinance to allow housing on the first floor.
At the last council meeting the Council had a discussion about banking proposals. The City has since gone ahead to notify all involved, Gardiner Savings Institution was very disappointed and asked to look at the winning proposal. Gardiner Savings Institution is essentially disputing the City’s analysis, there may be no resolution to the matter, just a parting of the ways.
6. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Councilor Nickless asked about the Mr. Wdolyo situation, can the City adopt an Ordinance to strengthen the policy? Manager Kobrock stated he thought it a good idea, he will work on it.
Councilor Doiron stated that Dorothy Washburn recently emailed him and is setting up a meeting on February 1st to discuss Edwin A. Robinson biography promotion. Councilor Doiron also asked about the waiving of fees to the City from the TD Banknorth proposal, questioning if the fees were only to the city or the consumer too. Manager Kobrock stated that there are no fees to the City or consumer.
Councilor Rambo stated that he has concerns about the usage of the 103 Brunswick Avenue property. Manager Kobrock stated that City Solicitor Erik Stumpfel has written an advisory letter concerning previous usage, and the Manager will report back when further research is done..
Councilor Benner stated that when the Council considers the application from TW Dick, he will abstain because he is the broker for TW Dick. Councilor Benner also remarked that he thinks it would be nice if the City could present a welcome basket to new owners of businesses and homes in town.
Councilor Hart stated that Associated Grocers was visited by the Fire Department last week, there was a propane problem. The Fire Department was very professional and saved a real disaster.
Mayor Rines stated that there is an article in Maine Municipals Townsmen on TABOR discussing expenditures and pros and cons, please look at it.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rines adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Molly M. Gallant
Council Clerk
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