Office of the Council Clerk Thursday, March 30, 2006
City of Gardiner, Maine Special Session 7:00 pm
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rines called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Jean Dellert, District 3 Rebecca Colwell, At-Large
Dennis Doiron, At-Large Richard Rambo, District 2
Lewis Benner, At-Large Richard Nickless, District 1
Phil Hart, District 4 Jeffrey Kobrock, City Manager
Molly Gallant, Council Clerk
3. PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, & PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 Public Hearing for 06-05, Land Use Ordinance Amending Section 2, Subsection E (11), Pray Street Zoning District.
Public Hearing opened at 7:08 pm. Pat Hart, Chair of the Planning Board stated that the Board started considering the Ordinance changes in the Fall of 2005. The Planning Board supports the ordinance change. The hearing closed at 7:15 pm.
3.2 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. OLD BUSINESS
4.1 Second Reading, Consideration of 06-05, Land Use Ordinance Amending Section 2, Subsection E (11), Pray Street Zoning District.
Manager Kobrock stated that there has been a minor amendment, instead of 25 foot setback, it will be 20 feet.
Motion by Councilor Rambo and seconded by Councilor Colwell to Accept 06-05, Land Use Ordinance Amending Section 2, Subsection E (11), Pray Street Zoning District.
Vote: 8 in favor 0 – opposed Motion: passes
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Presentation, Smith Reuter Lull Architects—City Hall Master Planning & Space Analysis.
Manager Kobrock stated that there has been money allotted for a space study, Smith Reuter Lull Architects had a unique approach.
Noel Smith outlined their approach for a space analysis and master plan. The budget is small, so this is an initial study to determine broad options and set directions. Follow up work would refine information for detailed decision making.
5.2 Consideration of Change Order for Waterfront Project
The City entered into a contract with Reed & Reed for phase I shore stabilization at the city’s waterfront. The amount agreed to in the contract is $599,625, which is below the engineers estimate. With additional grant funding still available, the City has requested Reed & Reed to research costs for additional work, considered a part of phase II. They were asked to provide a proposal to install fender piles and boardwalk in the new timber crib area, as well install new boardwalk and railings to the current sheet pile area. This request is consistent with the Waterfront Committee’s priorities, who would like to see any additional funding go towards boardwalk construction.
Reed & Reed has supplied a cost estimate for 1) 250’ walkway and railing over existing sheet pile, 2) Installation of 66 wooden fender piles, and, 3) Installation of 520’ of wooden walkway and railing over the new timber crib area.
There is potentially greater unit cost savings if the boardwalk is added to project at this time(versus bidding out as a separate project in the future
The City has enough grant funding to install fender piles and one of the
boardwalk sections.
The Council instructed the City Manager to continue negotiations with the contractor and return to the Council with details at the next meeting.
5.3 Discussion of Brunswick Avenue Business/Professional Overlay
It was asked at the last Council meeting to review a Business Professional district expansion on Brunswick Avenue.
Professional residential allows office use along with maintaining the residential area. The Council discussed extending the area to Pierce Street.
Manager Kobrock will write a letter to the Planning Board and ask that the Planning Board provide a recommendation to the Council.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Manager Kobrock stated that the City Clerk is working on consolidation of voting at election. It will be put on the agenda for next week so it could be implemented for June.
The Fall clean-up details have been announced, $20.00 for household per truckload, there has been an increase in Hatch Hill fees.
Recently the City Manager was asked why Gardiner does not post roads. It is a simple process, if interested it can be put on an agenda for later, it is too late for this year. If the Council was interested in the idea it could be put on the agenda in the future.
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony soon for the Waterfront South MDOT property, perhaps it could be done during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Waterfront Project.
It is planned to close on the Usdan property tomorrow and the Central Street School property on Monday.
There is remaining contingency funds from the Waste Water project, and it will be used to restore planned modifications to the South Gardiner pump station. There is $150,000 available for the project, with a gap of $26,000 to fill. The neighbors will be notified with the changes.
Mayor Rines asked if the Council would mind if the Water Distsrict Trustee were not a Gardiner resident, the Council stated no. Mayor Rines also stated that he will absent at the next meeting, he will be on vacation.
7. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Councilor Dellert stated that she gets many calls from residents stating that the streets and sidewalks need work and would like to see a schedule. Manager Kobrock stated that the Capitol Improvement Plan has data on roads and sidewalks and we will look at the Plan as part of the budget.
Councilor Nickless stated that Councilor Dellert makes a good point about the sidewalks and maybe a little planning is needed, it would make the residents happy if they saw progress.
Councilor Rambo remarked that he was very appreciative on how the Assessor presented the revaluation after seeing how it was handled in Augusta.
Councilor Benner stated that he was happy to see the trees out of Cobbossee Stream. Also asking about turning the water fountain back on at the Common. Manager Kobrock stated that it is a problem with the wood chips, also the Playground Committee will be coming soon to talk to the Council and we can talk about then.
Councilor Colwell remarked that the Playground Committee will be coming soon. Also there is some concern as to prioritizing street paving on the budget process.
Motion by Councilor Nickless and seconded by Councilor Colwell to go into Executive Session.
Vote: 8 in favor 0- opposed Motion: passes
5.4 EXECUTIVE SESSION per MRSA, Title 1, Chapter 13, Section 405 (6) (A)
Personnel.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rines adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Molly Gallant
Council Clerk
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