Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.
Finance Committee
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Bids and Purchases: Broadway Culvert Repair
The committee reviewed a request from the engineering department to repair the Broadway culvert at Judson Boulevard.
- Project Scope: The work involves replacing 15 feet of failing corrugated metal pipe with a concrete box culvert, cleaning the existing culvert, regrading a ditch, and surface restoration.
- Contract Award: Although six bids were received, the lowest bid was deemed incomplete because the bidder failed to submit a bid bond or required addendum. The committee approved awarding the contract to the next lowest bidder, CNC Lynch Excavation, for $85,245.60.
- Funding: The project exceeds the initial budget; the committee approved using $10,245 from the drainage improvement fund to cover the overage.
Public Health: Overdose Response Program
The committee approved the acceptance of a $150,000 grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
- Program Details: This is the seventh year of the grant, which funds an overdose response team in Bangor to connect individuals with recovery and harm reduction resources.
- Coordination Concerns: Councilor Mallar questioned if there was any service overlap with other nonprofits, specifically regarding a $400,000 ARPA allocation to United Way.
- Clarification: Jennifer Gunderman, Director of Bangor Public Health, clarified that this is a specific direct-service model with no recognized duplication. The city manager will follow up with United Way regarding a report on community resource coordination, which is due by the end of December.
Finance Department Update
Finance Director provided an update on the department’s progress and the ongoing audit:
- Staffing: The department is currently searching for an Assistant Director and has hired a temporary staff member for Accounts Payable (AP).
- Operations: Accounts Payable is now completely caught up. Staff members are being cross-trained to address the existing backlog and prepare for year-end processes.
Infrastructure Committee
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Versant Aerial Line Easement
The primary agenda item was a resolve regarding an aerial line easement crossing city property at 289 Main Street, which is the location of the Central Fire Station.
- Project Purpose: The easement is necessary for the YMCA project, which requires moving existing poles and establishing temporary power to the site.
- Scope of Work: The project involves two existing power poles and a newly rerouted line that crosses into the fire station’s property line.
- Duration: While the immediate need is to provide temporary power for construction, the easement will eventually become permanent.
- Regulatory Requirement: Because the line crosses onto city-owned property rather than staying within the standard right-of-way, formal easements approved by the full council are required.
Outcome and Next Steps
The committee moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the easement language, which was originally signed on December 2, 2024. Versant has requested an expedited process to avoid delays in power delivery for the YMCA project.
Business and Economic Development Committee
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Airport Capital Projects and Grants
Airport Director presented several major capital efforts and funding opportunities:
- Fuel Storage Facility: The airport seeks to relocate its aging fuel farm—some of which predates 1968—inside the perimeter fence to meet current aviation standards. This facility is a critical revenue source, providing one-third to one-half of the airport’s annual income.
- Military Airport Program (MAP) Grant: The committee authorized an application for a competitive federal grant of up to $7 million to fund the fuel facility relocation.
- Consolidated Car Rental Facility (Conrac): To accommodate high seasonal demand where 75% of summer passengers rent cars, the committee approved implementing a $6 per day Customer Facility Charge (CFC). This fee will fund the development of a consolidated rental facility.
- TSA Checkpoint: The committee authorized applying for Airport Terminal Program (ATP) funding to relocate the TSA checkpoint. If awarded, this would free up existing Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds for other airport projects.
Cultural Development Grant Policy
The committee discussed whether the Commission on Cultural Development should fund capital expenditures, specifically fixed assets like permanent theater lighting.
- Some councilors expressed concern that funding permanent fixtures benefits the property owner rather than the artistic production itself.
- Concerns were also raised by other Councilors regarding “double dipping,” where a grant recipient might receive funding for an asset and then also claim its depreciation.
- Staff will bring these concerns back to the commission to draft potential policy amendments that may prioritize programming and consumable supplies over fixed assets.
Workforce Development Initiatives
Economic Development Officer Hernandez Smith reported on the “Working Communities” initiative, a three-year collaboration with the Boston Federal Reserve focusing on regional workforce barriers.
- Identified Barriers: Key obstacles for residents include transportation (lack of licenses), childcare, and slow hiring processes by large “anchor” employers.
- Successful Programs: The initiative has launched a no-cost driving education program, a parent navigator network, and a resident advisory council to ensure programs are informed by those they impact.
- Future Scaling: The city secured $150,000 in extended funding to scale these programs beyond housing authority residents to the broader region.
Central Kitchen Project
The committee moved forward with plans for a new 18,000-square-foot Central Kitchen facility:
- Construction Management: Following an RFP process with seven proposals, the committee authorized staff to negotiate a contract with Sheridan Construction.
- Funding: The project is supported by a $500,000 Northern Border Regional Commission grant, $1 million from HUD, and city-authorized bonding.
- Operations: While a waiting list of interested entrepreneurs is expected, councilors requested updated financial projections to address concerns regarding potential operating deficits in the first five years.
Government Operations Committee
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1. Transit Fare Study and Modernization
Foursquare ITP presented a study on modernizing the Community Connector fare system.
- Fare Increases: The proposal includes increasing single-ride fares from $1.50 to $2.00. Paratransit fares would increase at the same rate.
- Fare Capping: A new system would allow riders to pay per trip until they reach a monthly “cap,” after which remaining rides that month are free. This eliminates the need for riders to pay for a monthly pass upfront.
- Modernization: The city plans to phase out paper tickets in favor of a mobile ticketing app and reloadable smart cards.
- Revenue Impact: While a slight initial decrease in ridership is expected due to the price change, annual fare revenue is projected to rise from $550,000 to over $800,000.
- Council Feedback: Some counselors expressed concerns that the $2 fare remains a barrier for low-income residents and suggested exploring a “fare-free” model to maximize ridership and economic activity.
2. Remote Meeting Policy
City Manager outlined a new policy for reintroducing remote public comments at council meetings to prevent “Zoom-bombing” and disruptions.
- Mandatory Registration: Remote participants must register by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
- Video Restrictions: Cameras will not be required or permitted for remote commenters to avoid the broadcast of inappropriate images and to ensure accessibility for those joining by phone.
- Chair Authority: The city is investigating technology that would provide the meeting chair with a dedicated mute button to quickly handle disruptions.
3. Homeless Encampment Response
The committee held an intensive discussion regarding the encampment behind Penobscot Plaza, which is split between city and railroad property.
- Eviction Deadline: The railroad has set a firm deadline of December 19th for individuals to vacate their property, with cleanup scheduled for December 22nd.
- Business Impact: A local business owner testified regarding safety concerns, including piles of needles and harassment of customers and staff.
- Interim Assistance: The city will offer storage for belongings, plastic tubs for condensing items, and information on available warming shelters.
- Shelter Capacity: Currently, traditional emergency shelters are largely at capacity, though warming centers still have some space.
4. Strategic Planning and Advisory Committee
The committee discussed forming a long-term advisory group to move beyond “crisis mode” in responding to homelessness.
- Task Force Structure: Suggestions were made for a 90-day task force to develop a specific action plan, which could later transition into a standing committee.
- New Hire: The city is in the process of hiring a Homeless Response Manager to coordinate efforts between the city, experts, and community partners.
- Future Meetings: Further workshops to refine this strategy and review templates from previous housing studies are scheduled for early January 2026.
