MANAGER’S  REPORT
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 

       TO:  The Honorable Mayor Walter Ash, Jr.
                and Members of Belfast City Council
FROM:  Joseph J. Slocum, City Manager
 DATE:  Friday, July 11, 2008 

PLEASE NOTE:  We are starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday July 15^th 

Non- Agenda Items:
A. The Pursuit of Wal-Mart  

I left a telephone message this week to Mr. Bahr the owner of the Les Hills Property so that we could schedule a meeting with him this month to discuss the development of that property. When I do meet with him I will certainly be asking him to call Wal-Mart directly about bringing both a grocery and general merchandise facility to Belfast. 

I have also spoken to an official in Lincoln where Wal-Mart purchased the additional land and has received all local and state permits to expand their present store into a Super Center. Wal-Mart advised Lincoln that it has put that expansion on hold along with all of their potential projects in Maine as the Corporation is reconsidering all future expansions everywhere. While this is exactly what Wal-Mart has been telling me, Wal-Mart also made a strong point with Lincoln that when they do decide to expand-- they will only do so where they perceive they are welcome. If you read Wal-Mart’s news clippings it is clear that the company feels very strongly that they have made significant improvements in their environmental, labor and community support sensitivity. They feel that they have faced a disproportionate amount of the criticism for many changes in the economy and they are actually quite proud of many of their enhancements over the last several years. 

I say all of this because in order for us to actually bring a Wal-Mart here we are going to have to work very creatively and very hard. I plan on being very active in the next 12 months to accomplish this and no one should be surprised by that effort. If we get close we need to appreciate up front that a lot of local resistance can spoil that entire effort.

I also note that Lincoln is 45 miles from the nearest Super Center in Brewer. So was the Town in New Hampshire where Wal-Mart cancelled its plans to build a new Super Center after buying all the land and successfully completing the multi year and expensive permitting process there. Belfast is about 45 miles from Wal-Mart Super Centers in Rockland, Augusta and Bangor. It is not impossible to get a Wal-Mart to come here but it will indeed be an uphill battle.  I say all of this for the sole purpose of making sure everyone has a realistic expectation about our likelihood of success.  

B. The City of Belfast’s Web site. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission at its June 19^th meeting supported the idea of enhancing and expanding the capability of the City’s Web site. I am enclosing in your packet a copy of the minutes as well as a copy of an e-mail I received on the subject from Commission member Sara Shute.   

I have heard several comments about updating/improving the Web site for some time. I also note that the City’s Energy and Climate Committee has developed a Web site. Former Mayor Mike Hurley has also created a new Belfast area web site and I know the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce is thinking about what it can do to enhance its own web site.  

On Thursday I attended an economic roundtable discussion at the Chamber and the featured speaker noted that in this economic environment, a community needs to develop a strategic plan that focuses on its strengths and distinguishes itself from other communities. He further noted that many of the searches for new locations whether done by small businesses or large ones are done through web site visits.  

Traditionally the City’s Web site has been about regular City business- such as meetings etc. If we upgrade- it will be essential for the Council to identify what the City’s site is to be. Upgrades cost money and so does maintenance.  

I ask you to think over the Parks Commission’s recommendation and consider how the City should go forward in the future with a broad view of the other “local” stakeholders that are out there. I don’t have a recommendation at this time but it is clear that our committees and our boards are increasingly interested in getting out the messages that underlie their efforts, opportunities and events. Meanwhile there are real issues that should be discussed on a broader community scale and the City should be participating in that dialogue. I will bring this up again in a month to solicit Council perspective and direction. In the meantime I just ask that you give this some thought. 

Agenda Items:
Update from Performance/Community Center Committee: 

The Committee has asked to speak with the Council to update you on what they have learned and to make you aware of an ever-broadening scope of potential uses/benefits of having a Center. Here are some of the Committee’s thoughts from one of its meetings earlier this year:

The What?  

1.      In general the Committee sees a facility as having a very broad spectrum of uses that would be enjoyed and used by the broad spectrum of the Belfast Community itself, draw into Belfast individuals and groups from the broader region year round as well as grow Belfast’s reputation as a destination point that would enhance the local economy, from inns and hotels, to retail, restaurants and service businesses.   I reference the following ideas that were mentioned to show the breath of intended use for this facility rather than a specifically recommended list of activities: 

-Performance and theatre space-local groups, schools, visiting performers and  shows
-Broad artistic event space including non-performing arts
-Trade shows, antique shows,
-conferences, meeting spaces
-Dances
-Cultural Events
-Business Expo’s or conferences
-Parties
-indoor recreational- roller skating, bowling
-Large weddings and other catered events
-Civic gatherings
-General event facility
-Activities for all age groups including children 

2.      It was also discussed that the facility and the “What” could be developed with time and experience and that not every aspect of future function or building modification would need to be developed at once. It could indeed evolve. 

Since then there have been more developments and the Committee would like to discuss some of them with you. 

There is also the possibility that there will be a request to go into Executive Session for a few minutes to discuss potential real estate options for such a Center. 

To go forward we do need a concentrated effort to define specifically what this Community Center would be. This is the “vision” part and it is a very important part. Is this an economic development enhancement? - if so you might want something big to gain a competitive edge over other facilities in the Mid-Coast Region. If you see this as something just for Belfast then you may want something considerably smaller. There are certainly many options and perhaps a review of them would help to define the optimal one. There are several groups expressing an interest in a facility that are not related to performing arts. The vision of what such a Community Center would be should be updated so that everyone can have the opportunity to see it and understand it. That would help build a community consensus that would be needed to bring it to fruition. 

Private Support vs. Public Support?  If we can clearly identify what is wanted and if we can secure a consensus for it then these alternatives can be further clarified. In most of the communities that I am familiar with the local municipality is normally financially involved up front and then again on an annual basis. Where ever we go here we have to enhance the dialogue all around.  

If a consensus forms then we should do an updated search for similar types of facilities in New England to see which models seem to have the best combination of community benefit with the least financial need. We have set aside some money for consultation so we could get a clear professional opinion on what such a venture would really mean. 

Because this is a discussion between the Committee and the Council I am asking that we start the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and put this right after the adoption of the agenda and thus holding communications, acceptance of minutes and the open to the public portion of the Agenda until their normal time of 7:00 p.m.    

Business Agenda:
11.B  Discussion and action on a request by the Friends of the Belfast Parks to use Belfast Common for a free public concert on August 16, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  I certainly recommend this without reservation.  (Green) 

11.C  Discussion and action on Public Works Department Paving Bid Opening.   These bids will be received on July 15^th so I regret that I can’t give you their values or our recommendations until your meeting. These are standard bids we send out every year and we know the contractors. We would like you to first accept the bids and possibly make an award of the bids so that we can promptly schedule paving activity.   (Gray) 

11.D  Discussion and action on appointments.   I have no comments on these. 

11.E  Update on Route 1 calming effort.  Wayne Marshall will provide comments on this subject. I will however note that on July 9^th Margot Carpenter and I spoke with Jim Mansir at DOT regarding the status of our ability to construct improvements for the intersection of Route 52 and Route 1. We have proposed the following enhancements:    (Lilac) 

1. New cross walk location- short distance north. Move Handicap ramp and activation button north about 15 feet. New sidewalk extension west side, new post, pushbutton-tactile surface bumps at each end to help visually handicap persons
2. DuraTherm cross walk – more visible, durable – pattern not selected
3. Countdown crossing signal both ends
4. Blinking and non-blinking cross walk signs
5. Right turn signal for Route 1 Southbound with red arrow.
6. Route 1 red lights with strobes

He said he has turned his work over to their “Traffic Technician” and needs to finalize the plan with the regional traffic engineer. They are doing the specifications and will define the bidding process to make sure it complies with Fed laws if applicable. He does think the strobes in the red lights may not be approved. They are working on this every day and I may have another update before your meeting. One of the things we all noted was that the countdown signals that we were going to pay for as part of this work was just done apparently by the State on their own. I will be hearing from the State next week. 

11.F   Discussion and possible action on Photocopier bid opening for the Planning and Code Department.   Wayne Marshall will address this.  (Cherry) 

11.G   Discussion and possible action on Creating a Committee to Report on Future Options for Downtown Sidewalks.  I spoke a little about this at your last meeting. Many of the downtown sidewalks are in need of replacement. These are among the busiest walkways in the City and I hope to put significant funds together so that we can put out a bid around the first of the year to replace some of them before Memorial Day next spring. The main corners are certainly likely areas. I propose as follows: 

-Create a Downtown Sidewalk Committee made up of seven people.  

-The Committees duty shall be to research and propose a menu of options back to the Council for its consideration on or before October 30^th, 2008. The Committee shall consider such variables as safety, cost, aesthetics, functionality, longevity and maintenance.  

-The Terms of the members shall be 8 months unless otherwise extended by the City Council. 

I am not asking that the Committee make a specific recommendation, as there are many constituencies who have opinions on such matters. I would work with this group and utilize City financial resources to assist us with securing professional assistance.  If you create this committee I hope to bring you appointees at your August 4^th meeting and I welcome any suggestions you may have. I will propose two from the Pedestrian, Hiking and Biking Committee and two from the Downtown Business group. I think we should also look for a user-a citizen who walks about the City on a regular basis, perhaps also someone with design review or technical or construction credentials.  

11.H  Update of City Council Goals.  Here is the list we looked at in November 2007. We have worked on many of these since we last discussed them in March. As I look at the list Affordable Housing has had the least attention from me in the last three months. We can discuss these items individually at the meeting. 

Council Goals December 2007 to December 2008
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. 

2. Pursue Jobs for Belfast for both Skilled and Unskilled workers.           
-consider building a spec building in Industrial Park for incubating small businesses. 

3. Pursue Development of the Stinson Property along the waterfront. 

4. Get our Range ways open, marked and with a plan to maintain them- possible consideration of an “Adopt a Range way Program”. 

5. Implement the Recommendations of the Energy Audit and the April 30^th recommendations of the Energy and Climate Committee. 

6. Follow up on the 10-11 items identified in the 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 

7. Investigate, report on and plan for an Affordable Housing (Workforce Housing) Program in Belfast. 

8. Bring all the land use sections of the Belfast Comprehensive Plan up to date and start writing the Zoning Ordinance to implement the new Comp Plan. 

9. 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 

10. 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 

11. 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 Economic Development Council 

12. Update the City’s Waterfront Development Plans. 

13. Improve the walking area from the Boathouse to the Footbridge. 

14. Provide Financial Support for the Hutchinson Center expansion.  

11.I  Signing of Council orders and housekeeping items.   (Buff) 

That’s about it for now.  

Thanks and have a good weekend.