Governor's Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2008
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GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 26, 2008
Attending: Tony Armstrong, Bill Babbin, John Shattuck, Heather Collins, Lance Boucher, Jeffrey Jordan, Rich Roedner, Gary Brown, Pamela Hile, Steve Wallace, Bethany Campbell, Bill Whitten, Art Mayo, Stephanie Slocum, Mathew Eddy, Paul Mateosian, Rick Koch, Leighton Cooney.
Tony Armstrong called the meeting to order at 2:10 and members and guests introduced themselves.
Art Mayo moved acceptance of the minutes of November 27, 2007. Approved unanimously.
MRRA Update: Jeff Jordan indicated that Gov. Baldacci has nominated three new members to the MRRA board: Heather Collins, Gary Brown, and Beth Negusky. All will have a Legislative confirmation hearing on March 6, 2008 along with Commissioner John Richardson who was nominated previously.
The MRRA board has formally approved the BLRA and TLRA base reuse plans and homeless plans. These plans have been submitted to the Navy and HUD for approval which should occur within 60 days however backlogs will probably cause delays in approval. MRRA staff is now working on airfield operations and an infrastructure master plan and a proposed property disposition plan.
Art Mayo, MRRA Chair added that the next meeting of the MRRA Board will be on March 20, 2008 at the Old Brunswick High School. Henry Powers, first chair of the Pease Implementation Authority will be the featured speaker.
Tony asked if property disposition would be piece by piece. Jeff indicated that MRRA will seek an economic development transfer of a large part of the base developed property so that it can manage the disposition and gain necessary operating revenue from sales and leases. This will avoid the potential problems caused by large sales by the Navy to speculators who may not develop in ways that are desired or in good timeframes.
Jeff added that GMH housing is being sold to English firm Balfour-Beedy for $350,000,000. This sale adds a new element of uncertainty as to how BNAS housing will be sold. Art added that it is likely that the Topsham annex and its housing units may be disposed of early.
Leighton Cooney asked Jeff how the BLRA and TLRA planning processes compare to other LRAs around the country. Jeff indicated that our plans were submitted on time, even with the Navy’s nine month delay in approving planning process. About half of all LRAs have asked for extensions. Because of the extensive public planning process our local plans will likely be approved with little or no difficulty.
4... Lance Boucher reported on the $2,000,000 IT Grant obtained by Gov. Baldacci that is targeted at the mid coast. The Governor had originally worked with fellow governors in NH and VT on a joint IT initiative, which US DOL did not fund, and instead steered the State toward applying for a BRAC Implementation Grant for secondarily impacted workers affected by the closure decision, with a focus on IT. The grant will provide IT training for about 300 people, support the growth of the IT cluster in Maine and the area (including the base where IT is a focus), and help attract IT outsourcing. Lance indicated that the details of the grant implementation process are being negotiated at this time.
Bill Babbin noted that Unum Corp has announced it is going to Ireland to find 150 IT workers indicating a real shortage of skilled workers in the region. Matt Eddy asked what level of skills would be developed with the training and Lance said it would be entry level to management and the IBM training program will be used. It was also noted that base civilian employees are not currently eligible for this training, however Steve Wallace pointed out that spouses and family members are eligible. Lance indicated an effort to overcome DOL retraining grant issues that seem to require a layoff before training funds can be used. The Governor’s office will be working with Capt. Womack (who will formally make the layoff decisions) and USDOL to develop a process that will make training available before an actual layoff.
Steve Wallace added that most layoffs will have occurred by late 2010 when air operations cease.
Lance added that the grant request for a feasibility study of the Transitional Benefit Corp. and it applicability to BNAS civilian employee reemployment will be added to the first USDOL National Emergency Grant request which will occur soon.
Members reviewed the draft 2008 Work Plan. Item #2. Continue to develop new recommendations as required had the addition of ‘and report to the Council and Governor’ to the end of the sentence. The work plan was similar to that for 2007, but will probably reduce the required number of full Council meetings. Art moved acceptance. Unanimously approved.
Updates/Discussion
A. Business Park Development: Matt Eddy reviewed Brunswick’s efforts regarding the Moore and Fox Run properties. Both were the focus of an extensive study of I295 adjacent business park possibilities. Gary Brown indicated that the town is moving to put both parcels under option so that further feasibility work can be done, with a decision on how to proceed expected by mid summer. Both Gary and Matt indicated a desire to work with other communities in a park development project and that the inter local agreement model used by Lewiston and Auburn to develop a joint park project might be a good way to formalize the effort. Matt indicated interest in a joint project from Freeport, Harpswell, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Topsham and Brunswick.
Bill Card indicated that Allen Brigham has just been selected as EDA’s Economic Development Representative for our region and we should get him involved ASAP. Jeff Sneddon said he has already planned a meeting with Allen.
Paul Mateosian reported on the progress of the expansion of the Wing Farm Business Park expansion. He reported that the Bath City Council had approved a $2,000,000 bond issue for a Phase II development in Bath with a Phase III development still to be determined on an adjoining West Bath parcel. He indicated that the bond issue would pay for Phase II along with downtown and riverfront improvements. Costs would be paid for with TIF revenues. A local firm has been hired to do the engineering on the 10 site Phase II. Assuming timely reviews and approvals from DEP, park lots can be available by Summer of 2009.
B. Leighton indicated that an extensive housing survey of base military and civilian personnel has been delayed by revisions to some of the questions. This should be completed in a few days allowing the survey responses to proceed. It is hoped that we will have results by our next meeting in late April.
C. Heather Collins reported that she has worked with the Brunswick Times Record, an independent professional videographer and the Governor’s office to develop a creative and extensive public information effort. A BTR reporter and the videographer will travel to three Northeastern bases closed in previous BRAC rounds: Pease, Devons, and Plattsburg. They will interview multiple public and private sector people and video the interviews as well as the base areas. They will determine what happened, and what are the lessons learned.
A series of articles will be produced for BTR publication and a video will be produced for broadcast on TV. Hundreds of DVDs will be made for wide distribution to businesses and others in the area. The BTR will also produce a separate ‘takeaway’ publication which will be distributed with and separately from the DVD and will include the published information and ‘survival kit’ information for businesses and others.
D. Leighton noted the handout prepared by Peter Lindsey on child care efforts for the mid coast. He noted that good child care is important to area and base development efforts. Peter has noted needs and efforts that will go beyond the 100 slot programming that should occur when Family Focus reuses the two base child care buildings. Members were asked for input after they had reviewed the handout.
E. Leighton noted the extensive North Star Alliance handout provided by Christina Sklarz-Libby including an emailed report and Pillar Monthly Reports. Christina notes that about half of the $15,000,000 grant has been utilized to date and program implementation is well under way. Employment and wages in boat building and composites industries is up in 2007 over 2006.
Leighton also noted that Maine Technology Grant rules have been adopted and grant applications are being sought. Training sessions are being offered by MTI. Members are asked to think about possible mid coast businesses that might be candidates for grants.
- Other Business:
Gary indicated that the Town of Brunswick will be hosting George Bald, Commissioner of the NH Dept of Economic Development and former head of the Pease Redevelopment Authority on March 27, 2008 at the Old Brunswick High School at 7:00 PM. He will speak to Brunswick and other area town leaders on his base closure experiences.
Tony noted that rail service to Portland has stimulated development around the station area and wondered about passenger rail being extended to Brunswick and the base. Matt indicated that the Maine St Station project is built around the future extension of passenger service to the area. Lance indicated that the $31,500,000 cost of the extension must be paid for with State only transportation funds. That cost as well as the approximately $8,000,000 annual operating subsidy set to expire in the next biennium remain under consideration by the Governor and the Legislature. He did indicate that a pro rail caucus has developed in the Legislature. Matt indicated that the track condition from downtown Brunswick to the base is good.
Bill Babbin asked Jeff Jordan if MRRA was aware of any requests for the large motel on the base for continued housing of crews of ships at BIW. Jeff indicated that no requests have been made in any of the screening processes to date and no request was before MRRA at this time.
Bill Whitten encouraged coordinating or general efforts with the Portland area as base closure impacts will be felt in that area. He noted a large rental housing complex in Yarmouth, just off of I295 is 60-70% occupied by Navy personnel.
- Meeting Adjourned at 3:45 with the next meeting scheduled for April 29, 2008 from 2-4 PM at the Advanced Technology Center in Brunswick.
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