PI councilors consider goals for 2013
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Councilors met Thursday for their second goal-setting workshop, with City Manager Jim Bennett providing a work plan list of items suggested for implementation, compiled from priorities councilors set at their first meeting.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE CITY COUNCILORS met for a goal-setting workshop at City Hall on April 11. Prior to discussing what they’d like to achieve in the coming year, Finance Director Pat Webb provided training on how to read the city’s financial statement. Pictured from left are: Councilor Pete Hallowell, Webb, Council Chair Emily Smith and Council Vice Chair Randy Smith.
Before getting into the workshop, the group took care of city business, including approving a 2013 tax anticipation note for $2.5 million — at an interest rate of 1.19 percent — to cover city expenses while awaiting tax payments from residents, with Katahdin Trust Company’s bid accepted for the loan. Finance Director Pat Webb also provided training on how to read the city’s financial statements.
Bennett provided councilors with a packet of proposed goals, breaking them down in order of priority. The list included items councilors indicated they’d like to see achieved in 0-6 months, 6-15 months, 12-21 months, 18-36 months and beyond 36 months. The majority of the workshop focused on what the Council would like to see accomplished in the next six months.
“Following a work session earlier this year, councilors got the results of their votes. Then I went down the middle of the road for the group with regard to a time frame,” said Bennett.
“I went through the first two categories: 0-6 and 6-15 months. Everything 12 months or over, I’ve ignored them,” continued Bennett.
Bennett said in terms of facilitating discussion, he’d “see if there are any questions and take input” from councilors.
“I’ll also bump anything from the 12 months and out (lists), then take the results and come out with an official plan,” Bennett said.
Most of the discussion focused on what councilors considered top priorities they’d like to see achieved in the next six months.
Among the items making the 0-6 month category were:
• Economic vitality and analyzing the current economic development efforts for effectiveness;
• Identifying target business segments: retaining existing businesses, establishing a business visitation program and developing a ‘city consultant’ approach to business assistance;
• Agricultural strategy: developing an economic development plan that values agriculture as a key component, identifying areas in the community that encourage/support agricultural issues and encouraging and supporting businesses that are integral to the agricultural industry;
• Transportation infrastructure: looking for ways to reduce the cost to fly out of Northern Maine Regional Airport;
• Training and continuing education for personnel: establishing core public service training levels for front-line employees;
• Increase vitality of the downtown by redeveloping Main Street and adjacent areas through encouraging safe and integrated pedestrian crossings;
• Governance: developing a predictable and quick regulatory/permitting process;
• Transportation: support phased construction of the bypass;
• Presque Isle as center of Aroostook County: collaborate with other communities and agencies to maximize resources and streamline the process by maintaining the community’s status as the service center for northern Maine and developing meaningful relationships with surrounding communities;
• Become identified as the urban core of Aroostook County: analyze fuel costs and look for ways to establish Presque Isle as the lowest in the region;
• Active lifestyle: construct infrastructure with active lifestyle considerations, including creating pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and crosswalks;
• Other non-strategic plan items: search for efficiencies on trash with Tri-Community, hold a joint meeting with the city of Caribou, consider merging with Tri-Community Landfill, maintain commercial space inventory availability list and review Pay-As-You-Throw Program.
Topping the list for 6-15 months was the possibility of moving the Maine Department of Transportation facility, now located on Spruce Street, to a new location. This would free up prime real estate for future development.
“The MDOT facility — it’s a matter of ironing out details and bringing it back to you guys,” said Bennett. “I’ve had discussions with them over the last year or two and have questioned the feasibility of sharing a maintenance facility and the cost-effectiveness of doing so.”
Bennett also addressed the possibility of creating incubation space for potential businesses.
He said it was a matter of determining “What we do want to achieve — what the opportunities, costs and considerations are.”
“It’s helpful to have something relevant to the area and community,” said Bennett.
Councilor Pete Hallowell wondered “if the juice was worth the squeeze.”
“Ten years (officials have been working with a business incubation program) at Loring and they finally have a success,” said Hallowell.
Bennett said while the Presque Isle Industrial Council has such things as spec buildings available, that’s different than a true incubation space.
An incubation space “let’s someone come in for virtually nothing, with the knowledge they have, and grow out of that space in a period of time. For example, if we make the decision to grow arts downtown, we could pick up buildings and set up spaces for someone to paint, etc.,” said Bennett. “‘Bill Green’s Maine’ recently did a piece on a Castle Hill guy who paints who would be a good example of such a business.”
Councilors spent the better part of two hours reviewing and discussing the list provided by the city manager — a copy of which is available through City Hall.
