Gardiner Economic Development Committee
Gardiner City Council Chambers
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2003, 8:00 a.m.
Minutes
Attending: Randy Clark, Rebecca Colwell, Anne Davis, Norman Gardner, Kim Greenleaf, Geri Robbins-Doyle, Norman Temple, Francis Grey, Chris Paszyc
1) Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting
There being no minutes, consideration was tabled for next meeting. Chris provided a recap of the last meeting:
The committee endorsed the City's commitment to Johnson Hall, and the hiring of an executive director.
The committee supported an RLF loan to Karen Adrienne and Richard Entel. The original asking price for the building they are interested in has been raised considerably.
2) Loan Applications
There were no new applications. Microtechnologies is postponing their project, leaving us with $100,000 in loan funds we had set aside for them. We don t want $100,000 sitting on the shelf when it could be being put to good use. If we lend out our last $100,000 to someone else, we want it to have as great an impact as possible.
3) Regular Review of RLF Accounts
4) Other Business
a) Permitting/Development Fees
Chris told the committee it has been suggested that we revise our schedule of permitting fees. Our housing starts have doubled over the last year, and commercial construction has greatly increased as well. Our current fees are exceptionally low, and we lack capacity to address all of the code enforcement and planning issues in town. A proposal has been suggested where the fee would vary according to the amount of square footage proposed to be constructed or renovated.
5) Economic Development Director's Report
The City is moving forward with the Community Development Associate position. It is a grant-funded "sunset" position to assist with Housing program implementation and inspections. If successful, the position may perpetuate itself through grants and program fees.
The Main Street program has produced a one-page document that captures the main points of the extensive Visioning process that embraces Gardiner's place in the creative economy. This Vision will be the basis of future marketing efforts.
Main Street is preparing to roll out a spectacular new web site. It is very impressive.
Chris will be making a presentation to EDA to get $1 million to fund access improvement (elevator) concepts.
Good news is on the way for the Waterfront project.
The "Home for the Holidays" event was a great success.
6) Schedule Next Meeting -- The next meeting was scheduled for January 13, 2004 at City Hall.
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