COUNTY OF YORK STATE OF MAINE CITY OF SACO I. CALL TO ORDER On Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. a Council Meeting was held in the City Hall Auditorium. II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Mayor Donald Pilon conducted a roll call of the members and determined that the Councilors present constituted a quorum. Councilors present: David Precourt, Leslie Smith Jr., Bette Brunswick, Kevin Roche, Arthur Tardif, Eric Cote and Nathan Johnston. III. IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GENERAL: EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION 25 YEARS OF SERVICE MICHAEL CASH, SACO PUBLIC WORKS Mayor Pilon read the recognition which stated The City of Saco would like to recognize Michael Cash for 25 years of service with the Saco Public Works. Michael is currently the collection systems operator at Saco Public Works. Mayor Pilon noted that Michael Cash was not able to be present this evening, but will be presented a plaque at a later date. PRESENT CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION DONALD & JEFFREY BROCHU, CAMILLES ELECTRIC Mayor Pilon noted that during the winter the city had a severe problem with ice on the City Hall building. The City Administrator Rick Michaud and Dick Lambert were able to find someone with a bucket loader to get up high enough to take the ice off the building. Donald & Jeffrey Brochu who own Camille s Electric were gracious enough to lend the city the equipment to remove the ice from the building ridge. The City of Saco hereby awards the Certificate of Appreciation to Jeffrey & Donald Brochu of Camille s Electric. We extend to you our personal thanks and sincere appreciation for the service you have given to the City of Saco in assisting in the removal of a significant ice buildup on the City Hall. Your willingness to volunteer and gift of your time and efforts to eliminate this potential hazard is a great example of community service and dedication. This certificate given on April 6, 2015 by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Saco. Thank you very much for your service and V. AGENDA: A. ENERGY IMPROVEMENT BOND (PUBLIC HEARING) There are pressing capital improvement needs that cannot always be addressed within the annual operating budget to be replaced in the most timely, cost effective manner. During the February 2015 Council meeting workshop, Council decided to postpone an Infrastructure Bond in June 2015 until alternatives can be explored for new infrastructure objectives and funding methods moving forward to address these agreed upon needs. Interest was expressed at the Council level for moving forward with a smaller Energy Improvement Bond in June 2015. The criteria for projects to be funded by this Energy Bond may include: Replacements and upgrades to heating systems, lighting, air quality, and other energy efficiency components to establish long term savings as fuel and electricity costs escalate. Projects selected will adhere to a cost/benefit analysis showing a payback period of less than 8 years. The projects have not been itemized as of yet. An Energy Bond question will require a public hearing in April 2015 to be put on the ballot for the scheduled June 2015 election. Councilor Cote moved, Councilor Johnston seconded to open the Public Hearing for the Order Authorizing City M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 1 of 12
of Saco to Borrow an Amount not to Exceed $500,000 for Energy Improvements to City and School Facilities and Infrastructure and the Dyer Library & Museum. George Austin, 29 Glenhaven Circle On behalf of Dyer Library Board of Trustees I want to thank you for taking the initiative to include the Dyer Library and Saco Museum in the Energy Bond. When we first learned of the cities plan to include the library in the bond, we wanted to make sure the Council and the community were aware that the library already has a very detailed energy conservation strategy underway. Currently where we are, our Director Leslie Rounds has worked very hard to secure grants for the maintenance and improvement of the library and museum. With the full support of the board she has secured well over $600,000 of grants and fundraising for different projects. It is important to note that with the projects that are outlined in the packet that was provided, that all of these funds were secured through private grants or through other sources. This was not city budget money that was used for capital improvement. One of the biggest line items in our budget is heating and fuel. As a member of the Finance Committee and the Grounds Committee, I can tell you that Director Rounds works very hard in keeping a tight handle on total energy costs. For the last fiscal year there was over $12,000 in electricity and $30,000 for oil and this year with the difficult winter that we have had we are already at $11,000 in electricity and $28,000 in oil. But we already have plans in place and monies raised to help address that. Recently we received a grant for a comprehensive energy assessment that helped us identify several areas of priority for the buildings. The projects recommended were to add insulation and improve the building in areas that are assessable or that have no or inadequate insulation right now. Also a much larger scale project to convert the buildings to geo thermal heating and cooling systems, except for the upper floors of the library mansion that don t have any duct work running to them, so they would use air source heart pumps for those areas. If we make those changes, the estimated savings is somewhere in the neighborhood of 60% of our heating and cooling costs which is a significant savings on an annual basis. If we were also to make additional lighting changes that would also further improve our electrical costs. Our Building Grounds Committee supports our Directors efforts to identify a strategy that uses all of these for efficiencies. Last October with the boards support the Director presented the strategy to the Next Gen Foundation of Blue Hill on a walk through. They were impressed by our strategy as well as the historic and significance of our building and as a result they awarded the library with a $100,000 grant for use on energy improvements and energy conservation projects. On top of that the foundation has included an additional $57,000 matching incentive. Altogether this would come to $214,000 in funds. We also have a capital funding campaign underway that we will be completing around this time next year to raise those additional funds. One other program that we are waiting for is new on a grant that we should have by mid-year to know whether we have it is the Grants to Green program. We are waiting for the results of a $75,000 grant from the foundation for use on energy conservation and that would be used for the library building only. Should the city decide to move ahead with the bond and include the library we would use our portion of the funds to go ahead with both projects and even if the grant from the Grants to Green we would still have sufficient funding to do the full geo thermal projects in both the library and museum. In addition we would also look for areas in the library that need upgrading and LED lighting. I also want to stress that we would only make use of whatever funds were needed to bridge these gaps in our current plans. Councilor Cote moved, Councilor Roche seconded to close the Public Hearing and Be it ordered that the City Council approve the Order Authorizing City of Saco to Borrow an Amount not to Exceed $500,000 for Energy Improvements to City and School Facilities and Infrastructure and the Dyer Library & Museum and to hold a second and final reading on April 20th. Councilor Tardif moved, Councilor Brunswick seconded to postpone this bond until November in order to look into it a little more. The motion passed with four (4) yeas and three (3) nays Councilors Roche, Cote and Johnson. City Administrator Rick Michaud noted that as a point of information, the city would need to be revisiting this in July to have this properly sequenced for the November vote. Councilor Roche noted that he would like to talk about this sooner than July because this may be a key part in our budget process. There may be some things that we might take the chance and put it to the voters versus putting in the mil rate for the budget. So this should be discussed in the budget. M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 2 of 12
Councilor Precourt noted that he would like to see more detail as to what work is going to be done and the pricing and not just throw numbers at it. If the Library and Museum get grants, what is going to happen to the $200,000? If that going to be reallocated to the city? Councilor Tardif stated that he would like something from the City Solicitor or MMA or both whether it is legal to do bonds on private property. B. CONTRACT ZONE: 8 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD (2 ND & FINAL READING) Applicant JFJ Holdings, LLC proposes a contract zone for the property at 8 Industrial Park Road that would allow a drive-through restaurant to be established within a proposed 3,000 s.f. building. Half the building is intended for office use. The 1.29 acre parcel is on the westerly side of Industrial Park Road, with existing commercial uses to each side and the rear. The parcel is in the I-2 zone, which allows Business offices as a permitted use, but does not allow Drive-through eating establishments. The latter use is likely to require a Traffic Movement Permit from the MaineDOT. During its 2013 review, the Planning Board was concerned with traffic and turning movements on this busy street. The Board voted to make a negative finding on each of the four standards for a contract zone, and forwards a negative recommendation for the contract zone as proposed. Councilor Johnston moved, Councilor Smith seconded Be it ordered that the City Council hereby moves to open the Second and Final Reading for the document titled, Contract Zone Agreement By and between JFJ Holdings, LLC and the City of Saco, dated October 29, 2013 and I also believe that the 4 standards were not met as the Planning Board did. and I would vote no on this matter. The motion failed with seven (7) nays. C. VISION & GOALS (2 ND & FINAL READING) On February 9, 2015 the City Council was presented a Report on the information collected in the public phase of Saco Bridge 2025 presented by Pamela Plumb then moved to workshop Vision development and action Plans. The following is a list of outcomes following the 2-9-2015 Vision workshop discussions. Former Vision (Mission) Statement: Our vision is a high quality of life for Saco citizens and central to this vision is a sustainable economy that offers an opportunity for everyone to have rewarding employment and for business to prosper, now and in the future. The people of Saco bring this vision into reality by working together and building on our tradition of hard work, dedication, and ingenuity. Possible new catch-phrase "Saco is the best city to live, work, learn and play in the State of Maine" This incorporates everything from the vision process: 1. Live: Safety, affordability, housing for all demographics 2. Work: Attracting all types of business 3. Learn: Best schools (K-8, TA and neighboring UNE and the University of Maine). 4. Play: A recreational destination, from the open spaces in North/West Saco and sites visible from the turnpike to Rte 1 Funtown/Splashtown and the beaches Suggestions taken from the forums: - Make a park by the old railroad bridge - Have a performing arts center - Implement a better resource for finding programs and non-profit services - Implement a better resource for finding volunteer opportunities - Offer independent living skills education - Improve the academic transition from Middle School to Thornton Academy - Improve options for non-college bound students - Start an educational fund to supplement the School Budget M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 3 of 12
Councilor Brunswick moved, Councilor Precourt seconded Be it ordered that the City Council hereby moves to open the Second and Final Reading of the report The City of Saco 2025 Vision Statement. Further move to approve the Order. The motion passed with six (6) yeas and one (1) nay Councilor Tardif. D. RENEWAL TAXICAB BUSINESS LICENSE A-1 CAB SERVICE (PUBLIC HEARING) A-1 Cab Service LLC has applied for a Taxicab Business License for a term of one calendar year. M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 4 of 12
The applicant has paid all applicable license fees and the clerk has properly advertised the public hearing in accordance with Chapter 195 Taxicabs, Subsection 195-3 Licenses required and Subsection 195-4 Application for Taxicab Business License. Councilor Tardif moved, Councilor Smith seconded to open the Public Hearing. There were no comments from the public. Councilor Tardif moved, Councilor Smith seconded to close the Public Hearing and Be it Ordered that the City Council grant A-1 Cab Service a Business License for a term of one calendar year. Further move to approve the order. The motion passed with seven (7) yeas. VI. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilor Precourt moved, Councilor Roche seconded to approve consent agenda items #1, 2 and 3 as follows: 1. Be it Ordered that the City Council approve the minutes for March 16, 2015. Further move to approve the Order; 2. Be it Ordered that the City Council hereby moves to open Second and Final Reading of the amendments to Chapter 87 Electrical Standards Ordinance. Further move to approve the Order; 3. Be it Ordered that the City Council hereby moves to open the Second and Final Reading of the document titled, Amendments to City of Saco Zoning Map, Amended through Oct. 7, 2013. Further move to approve the Order. The motion passed with seven (7) yeas. The complete item commentaries for the above Consent Agenda are listed below. 2. ADOPTION OF 2014 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (2 ND & FINAL) The City of Saco adopts and enforces model construction codes that regulate all phases of building, plumbing, electrical and fire safety installations. These codes are written and revised by membership organizations such as the International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association. Every 3 years, a new edition of these codes is published that include newly adopted provisions that recognize changes in safety and design. The City has adopted and enforced, under the authority of Title 30-A, M.R.S.A., 4171, the provisions of NFPA 70, The National Electric Code for many years. NFPA has published the 2014 edition of the National Electric Code that is before you tonight for adoption. After meeting with local electricians on November 10, 2014, no changes were suggested. There were approximately 20 licensed electricians in attendance at this meeting. M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 5 of 12
M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 6 of 12
M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 7 of 12
3. ZONING MAP AMENDMENT (2 ND & FINAL READING) Since the most recent Comprehensive Plan update was approved by the City Council on March 7, 2011, a number of recommendations have been reviewed and implemented. Several of these recommendations resulted in the creation of new zoning districts, or adjustments to existing zones. Each has been reflected on the Zoning Map. Much as the City amends the Ordinance, so too must the Map be amended from time to time. Attached is a copy of the current Zoning Map reflecting changes since 2011. Also find two lists that track Ordinance and Map amendments: an implementation table from the Comp Plan, and also a list of Ordinance and Map amendments as they are approved. The Planning Board considered this in workshop and held a public hearing on Dec. 17, 2014. The Board recommends that the amendments be adopted. M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 8 of 12
M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 9 of 12
M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 10 of 12
M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 11 of 12
VII. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Smith moved, Councilor Brunswick seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. The motion passed with unanimous consent. Attest: Michele L. Hughes, City Clerk M:\2015\cm_2015_04_06.doc 4/16/2015 Page 12 of 12