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 Purchasing

• Public Works Backhoe: The committee reviewed three bids for a new backhoe, ranging from $108,000 to $146,000. Staff recommended awarding the contract to United Construction and Forestry for $108,000. This selection was based on their status as the low bidder, positive past experience, and a comprehensive 5-year life cycle costing plan that includes a guaranteed buyback and repair coverage. This was approved.
• Airport Software Expansion: A bid waiver was requested to expand the Aerocloud passenger processing system at the airport. With passenger travel up 22% since 2023, the airport needs to expand the system to all domestic gates. Staff recommended a sole-source procurement because Aerocloud is already in use; replacing it with a new vendor would be significantly more expensive. This was approved.

State Funding and Grants

• Transit Technology: The committee approved a resolution to accept $320,603 from the Maine Department of Transportation. These funds are 100% state-funded with no local match required. The money will be used for:
  • Mobile fare technology
  • An ADA-compliant van
  • 24-position bike racks

Financial Status Report (Q1 & Q2)

The Finance Director presented the General Fund report for the first two quarters of FY2026.

• Expenditures: Most departments are on par with their budgets, currently at approximately 50% of projected spending.
• Notable Variances: * Insurance: Appears high because annual payments were made early in the fiscal year.
  • Fleet (Motorpool): Saw a $70,000 decrease in expenses due to lower costs for fuel, parts, and overtime.
  • Debt Service: Payments decreased as 2013 bonds approach maturity.
• Future Review: The committee decided to place the financial report on a future agenda to allow members more time to digest the data and ask follow-up questions.

Government Operations Committee (Special Meeting)

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Letter of Support: Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC)

The committee unanimously approved a request from PCHC for a letter of support for a $40,000, two-year grant application for their 2026 cancer screening program.

• City Commitment: It was clarified that the support requires no city funds or significant staff time beyond drafting and signing the letter.
• Action: A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously via roll call vote. Councilor Fish was participating via Zoom, so a roll call vote was required per policy.

Proposed Advisory Committee on Homelessness and Housing

The majority of the meeting involved debating the structure, membership, and mission of a proposed advisory body.

• Separation of Missions: Several members, led by Councilor Fish, argued that homelessness and affordable housing are two distinct, complex issues that should be handled by separate committees. While housing is a component of homelessness, members noted that broader housing issues affect the general population and require different expertise, such as bankers and developers.
• Committee Size and Quorum: Discussion shifted between a 15-member and 11-member board. Concerns were raised that a larger board might struggle to reach a quorum (a simple majority), based on past challenges with attendance.
• Membership & Lived Experience: The committee discussed the importance of including individuals with “lived experience” (both currently and formerly unhoused).
  • Goal: The committee consensus was to set a goal of 30% (or approximately three members) with lived experience, rather than a strict mandate, to avoid “handcuffing” the formation of the committee if specific roles cannot be filled.
  • Expertise: Suggestions were made to include representatives from the school department, real estate, banking, and medical recovery services.

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Outcomes and Next Steps

The committee decided to prioritize the homelessness response to ensure a plan is in place before the following winter.

• Two-Committee Approach: The committee will move forward with drafting separate structures for a Homelessness Committee and a Housing Board.
• March 2nd Meeting: Staff will present a draft focusing specifically on the Homelessness Committee to allow for immediate action.
• April 6th Meeting: The committee will reconvene to discuss the details and mission of the separate Housing Committee.

Infrastructure Committee

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Sewer Use Abatements

Amanda Smith, Director of Water Quality Management, presented several sewer abatement summaries for the 2025 calendar year.

• Policy: The city offers abatements for accidental water usage (e.g., leaks) by averaging the previous four quarters of usage and billing the owner for that average. Abatements exceeding $3,000 require committee approval.
• Approved Abatements: * 68 Mount Hope Ave: A rental unit where high consumption due to leaking toilets pushed the bill over $3,000; it was approved as a first-time occurrence. $3484.25
  • Commercial Business at 479 Stillwater Ave: An abatement of $4,353.05 was approved for a leak that spanned two quarters. The owner provided evidence of hiring a plumber and resolving the issue.

Biosolids Disposal Crisis

The committee held an extensive discussion on the “clip” Maine is facing regarding the disposal of biosolids (sewage sludge).

• Regulatory Bans: In 2023, Maine banned the land application of biosolids as fertilizer due to PFAS (“forever chemicals”) concerns, forcing all waste to landfills.
• Bangor’s Situation: Bangor’s biosolids have particularly high PFAS levels, largely due to groundwater infiltration from the old Dow Air Force Base.
• Capacity & Cost: The local landfill, Juniper Ridge, is expected to reach capacity by 2028 (or 2040 if expanded). Meanwhile, disposal costs for the city have doubled since 2021, now totaling roughly $800,000 annually.
• Future Options: Regional drying facilities are being considered, but the estimated cost is roughly $500 million for the state. Staff noted that incineration is problematic as it can make PFAS airborne.

Paving and Safety Projects

The City Engineer presented two infrastructure agreements:

• Route 2 Overweight Permit: The committee approved a motion for an agreement with the MDOT regarding overweight equipment permits for paving Hammond Street from Allen Road to the Hermon town line.
• Safe Streets for All (SS4A): A demonstration project was announced for the intersection of Hammond and Union Streets. This will involve temporarily closing Fourth Street with barricades and shortening crosswalks to gather data on whether these changes improve safety at the high-crash location.

Capital Planning & Maintenance

The meeting concluded with an overview of how the city prioritizes infrastructure.

• Sewer & Roads: Sewer projects are largely dictated by a Consent Decree. Road repairs are prioritized using “Biolytics” software—cameras on trucks that assess pavement conditions and cracking patterns.
• Collaborations: The city frequently teams up with the Water District on large projects to share costs for mobilization and traffic control.
• Parking Garages: Regular testing is currently underway for the city’s parking garages, which require constant maintenance due to age and salt use.

Business and Economic Development Committee

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Airport Director’s Report

The Airport Director presented the 2024 year-end report and outlined expectations for 2026 as a “baseline” year following years of construction disruptions.

• Performance: Despite being closed for approximately one month due to runway construction, 2025 saw strong passenger numbers.
• Business Segments: Revenue is driven by military fueling (25–33%), domestic airlines, and General Aviation/FBO services (40–60% of total revenue).
• Future Growth: The $15 million “Connector Project” will link terminals, allowing domestic flights to utilize international facility space.
• Governance Discussion: Some Councilors expressed interest in exploring an Airport Commission or Authority structure to better manage the airport as an economic engine.

Housing & Zoning Reform

The Planning Officer detailed code changes required by July 1, 2026, to comply with state laws aimed at increasing housing density.

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Must now be allowed on lots with up to three units (previously only single-family); minimum size reduced to 160 sq. ft..
• Affordable Housing Bonuses: Qualifying developments can receive a 14-foot height bonus and reduced parking requirements (2 spaces per 3 units).
• Lot Density: In urban zones (URD1), the city must allow up to four units on 5,000 sq. ft. lots if served by public water/sewer.
• Tiny Homes: The Planning Board is considering smaller minimum lot sizes specifically for single tiny homes to encourage redevelopment.

Historic Preservation & Environment

• Historic Preservation: Proposed changes include allowing simple majority votes for certificates of appropriateness and simplifying approvals for solar panels, heat pumps, and generators.
• Climate Superfund Act: The committee voted 4–1 to send a letter of support for a state bill that would require fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related infrastructure damages (e.g., flooding, extreme heat).

Economic Development & Real Estate

• Enterprise Fund: Staff clarified that city-owned properties in the Economic Development fund are managed to break even or produce a small profit, ensuring taxpayers don’t bear maintenance costs. The committee requested an annual performance report for these assets.
• Grand View Project: This affordable housing project (targeting 80–120% median income) is expected to break ground in Summer 2026. The city is providing the land and $2 million in ARPA funds for infrastructure.
• Main Street America: Bangor has been accepted into the Maine Downtown program, opening up new national branding and funding opportunities.