Boathouse Forms

City of Belfast
Public Hearing
Council Chambers - City Hall
March 4, 2008
7:00 p.m. 

In accordance with Title 28A Section 653 MRSA 1964 a public hearing will be held on March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers - City Hall to hear an application by Masuwerte Corp. d/b/a Oriental Plaza located at 176 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Restaurant class liquor license, interior only. 

City of Belfast
Regular Council Meeting No. 17
Council Chambers - Belfast City Hall
March 5, 2008
7:00 p.m. 

1) Call to order:                       

2) Roll call:  Mayor Walter Ash, Jr., Councilors Larry Theye, Roger Lee, Catherine Heberer, Jan Anderson, and James Roberts, Sr., City Manager Joseph Slocum and City Clerk Roberta Fogg. 

3) Pledge of Allegiance 

4) Adoption of the agenda 

5) Communications 

6) Acceptance of the minutes
January 15th, January 29th, February 5th and February 19th, 2008.

7) Open to the public
Please state your name and town you are from when addressing the City Council. 

8) Old Business           

9) Council Committee Reports 

10) Permits, Petitions and Licenses - Consent Agenda - Support Material
A) Request to approve an application Masuwerte Corp. d/b/a Oriental Plaza located at 176 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Restaurant class liquor license, interior only. 

11) Business
A) Consent Agenda - Support Material
1) Appoint Jon Rocheleau to the Energy and Climate Committee to fill a vacancy until July 1, 2009. 

Manager's Report - Support Material

B) Discussion and action on 2008 Harbor Usage Fees.          Memo from Harbor Master

C) Discussion and action on amendments to City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 30 Marine Activities.      Proposed ordinance language by Harbor Master Messier

D) Introduction of proposed amendment to the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 98, Technical Standards, regarding parking requirements, as recommended by the Belfast Planning Board.      Memo by City Planner Marshall         
Proposed ordinance language by City Planner Marshall

E) Discussion of follow-up topics from the Belfast Leadership and Action Summit. 

1)  Maintain friendly, real working waterfront
2)  Multi-use Community Performing Arts/Conference Center
3)  Develop a Comprehensive/Coordinated Marketing Plan
4)  Eastside/Westside Unification/Economic Development Strategy
5)  Encourage Commercial Development, retail development, Affordable Housing
6)  Develop A Business Incubator
7)  Promote Technology Infrastructure Enhancements
8)  Raising Educational Aspirations
9)  Develop a Festival Plan
10) Strengthen Chamber of Commerce
11) Develop a plan to improve walking, bike and other pedestrian amenities 

F) Update on budget. 

G) Update on council goals.   

  1. Aggressively pursue Retail Development- City Manager to invite Wal-Mart to come and meet with council members to discuss City’s interest in them moving to the Route 3 site.  City Manager to otherwise continue to investigate and make inquiries of other general merchandise merchants and grocery stores to encourage them to come to the City of Belfast.
     
  1. Pursue Jobs for Belfast for both skilled and unskilled workers. 

 Consider building a spec building at the Industrial Park for incubating small businesses. 

  1. Pursue Development of the Stinson property along the waterfront.
     
  1. Get our range ways open, marked and with a plan to maintain them; possible consideration of an “adopt a Range way Program”.
     
  1. Implement the recommendations of the Energy Audit and the April 30th recommendations of the Energy and Climate Committee.
     
  1. Investigate, report on and plan for an Affordable Housing (Workforce Housing) Program in Belfast.
     
  1. Bring all the land use sections of the Belfast Comprehensive Plan up-to-date and start writing the Zoning Ordinance to implement the new Comprehensive Plan.
     
  1. Improve City Council Operations;

-identify and adopt some rules of procedure
-consider less detailed minutes
-visit with departments to better appreciate functions
-meet with all City Committees to say thanks and to make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of duties and responsibilities
-consider some rules and format changes for public hearings to promote dialogue
-pursue greater decorum in discussion.

  1. Determine policies on City Finances;

- Adopt a Reserve Policy

-Consider a mil rate policy

-Benchmark City expenses compared to comparably sized communities in Maine

-Improve the clarity of the Budget adoption process to promote greater clarity

-Consider Zero based budgeting. 

  1.  Council to consider hiring a full-time Economic Development person;

-determine how it will impact existing economic development strategies supported by the City including the Chamber of Commerce and the Knox/Waldo Regional Economic Development Council (KWred).

  1. Update the City’s Waterfront Development Plans.
     
  1. Improve the walking area from the Boathouse to the Footbridge.
     
  1. Provide financial support for the Hutchinson Center expansion.

H) Housekeeping items. 

12) Communications 

13) Open to the Public
Please state your name and town you are from when addressing the City Council. 

14) Adjourn

 

 
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