Gardiner Economic Development Committee
Gardiner City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, October 8th, 2002, 8:00 a.m.
Minutes
Attending: Randy Clark, Norman Gardner, Nelson Gosline, Kim Greenleaf, Andrew MacLean, Patricia Rideout, Norman Temple, Francis Grey, Chris Paszyc
1) Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting
Nelson noted that his name was left off the minutes for Sept. 10 and asked that it be added. Nelson Gosline motioned; Norman Gardner seconded, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
2) Economic Development Director’s Report
Chris said there has not been much activity to report concerning Libby Hill, Pine State, or EJP since the last meeting. Chris went before the City Council and received approval to proceed with development of a Waterfront Task Force. Construction for the Rail Trail goes to bid in November, bids are due in January, and construction will be in the Spring 2003. Someone asked if there was any possibility that the Rail Trail could be extended as far as South Gardiner or even Richmond. Chris said that that was a strong possibility. Someone asked for any news on the health of the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad Budd Car business. Chris said he hasn't heard anything recently.
3) Loan Applications
a) Casey & Godfrey
Norman Temple commented that if this proposal helps to add ten more high-quality jobs to the downtown, it’s a real "win-win" situation. Expansion of skilled occupations is highly consistent with the City's goals for the downtown. Chris said that it's important for the City to lend out its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) money in an efficient, timely manner. Once we lend it all out, we may be eligible for more money. If we don't lend what we have, we fall out of favor with the funding source. A committee member commented that they didn't know we had a time limit. Chris said that program officials have called him twice and expressed displeasure that we have not yet lent it all out. Someone asked are there some things we should be lending to that we're
not? Chris said not that he’s aware of. Chris said that he has been anticipating some "big deals" that would use up the loan funds, but they haven't yet come to fruition. The previous Thursday, Chris reported to the City Council on the status of the Downtown projects and the Waterfront, and they seemed receptive to considering the next steps, including renovating the bottom floor of the Arcade Building to improve the main access way. Kim said that she had thought that the Arcade Building renovation was supposed to be included in the series of projects that are currently underway. Chris said that that was not part of "Phase I." To do that project right, it may be very expensive. As new owners, Casey & Godfrey will be cooperative partners when the City is ready to work with them on that project. The Board of Trade became the present owner as an offshoot of the Manson & Church project. Norman
Gardner motioned, Nelson Gosline seconded, to approve the loan as presented. As interested parties, Randy Clark and Patricia Rideout abstained. The rest of the Committee voted unanimously to approve the loan as presented.
4) Other Business
a) Downtown Tax Increment Financing District
Chris said that he had nothing new to report on the Downtown TIF. He has to meet with State officials to iron out a few issues.
5) Regular Review of RLF Accounts
It was noted that Tammy Benoit was still behind in her payments.
6) Schedule Next Meeting
Scheduled for November 12th at 8 a.m., the day after Veterans' Day.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Paszyc
Director
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