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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-21 Meeting Minutes Downtown Oshkosh BID Board Minutes February, 16, 2021 Present: Marlo Ambas, Aaron Armstrong, James Evans, David Krumplitsch. Megan Lang, Sandra Prunty, Carrie Olson, James Stapel, Dr. Jill Anderson, Andy Ratchman Excused: Chanda Anderson, Kris Larson, Autumn Urban, David Krumplitsch, Barb Nelson, Derek Mulloy Staff: Jessica Meidl – BID Manager, Jeffery Nau – Associate Planner, Kelly Nieforth – Economic Development Services Manager, Brian Wustmann – Economic Development Analyst Others: Amy Albright – Executive Director, Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Michael Cooney – Oshkosh Farmers Market I. Call to Order Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:03a.m. A quorum was declared present. II. Welcome New BID Board Members No new board members were present for introductions. III. Approve Minutes of the January 19, 2021 Meeting Sandy Prunty motioned to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2021 meeting as presented. Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IV. Policing/Traffic/Parking/Enforcement Issues Sgt. Pettit was not present to present updates. Chair Lang thanked the City for the quick snow removal throughout downtown. V. Approve February, 2021 Monthly Financial Report BID Manager Meidl stated that there are some marketing invoices that were paid. There was an Amazon charge of $430 for storage containers for banners that she wanted to be made aware of. Kelly Nieforth stated that the City completed the language changes that were addressed at last month’s meeting. Jill Anderson motioned to approve financial report. Carrie Olson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI. MemberCo West Pointe Bank Account Manager Meidl stated that the Square account used for online ticket payments was created using a personal SSN at West Pointe Bank. Meidl and City staff are working to create an account so that the account is under the BID. Chair Lang asked how much money was in this account. Sandy Prunty replied that the current account has $8,000 in it and is broken down to Coco Crawl, Whoville, and ChalkWalk. The money will be transferred to the new account, which will be through Associated Bank like other City accounts. Kelly Nieforth stated that it should be removed from a personal account. They will coordinate with the Finance Department and it will be taken to a vote at the next meeting. Manager Meidl clarified that the new account will be a BID account, but it will be used for MemberCo. Jim Evans asked how the signatory would work with the new checking account. Kelly Nieforth replied that she will look into how signatory will work, adding that it should remain as it’s been in the past. VII. Lights in Opera House Square Park Kelly Nieforth stated that she talked with Bill Stearn, City Forester, and he reported that the lights on the trees are not too tight. They discussed the concern regarding the weight of the ornaments and he said that the balsam fir is young and it will take some time to see positive results. He also said that the Forestry Department would be willing to assist with light installation for the holiday season. The lights on the trees are not rated to be up year around. City staff said that they could be left up year around as long as they are checked on periodically to ensure they are in good condition and safe to use. The lights would need to be taken down in the spring of 2023 for tree pruning. Kelly Nieforth stated that there was a discussion on hanging lights on the terrace trees along the east side of N. Main Street. It can be done, but there are some challenges. There is a lot of conduit and utilities beneath the sidewalk which would make it difficult to connect electrical to the trees. Concrete work would need to be done to access the wiring. The BID would have to install raised electric boxes and ensure that everything meets ADA and electrical codes. A rough estimate for completing the electrical work is $20,000. Another option is to hang lights and use electricity from the street lights, but this would only be for the holiday season. VIII. BID Manager and BID Committee Reports  Events  MemberCO  Beautification  Marketing & Communications Chair Lang stated that the BID Board will need to complete Manager Meidl’s first annual review in the coming weeks. Any questions regarding the review can be forwarded to Chair Lang. Manager Meidl stated that there are not many updates and that priorities are primarily the same. The Beautification subcommittee ordered more flowers with more durable perennials for the bumpouts. She met with the newly formed Marketing, Communication, and Events committees to discuss the strategic plan for 2021. There is interest in a Storywalk and a Star Wars walk as well as new directory ideas. She wants to come up with a different way to handle gift card ideas. IX. Other Business (Must address items not listed on the BID Board meeting agenda) Michael Cooney stated that the Winter Market has moved to the Menominee Nation Arena and has been reaching 500 people per market. The Summer Market has started applications. The Market’s budget is projected to be in the black for the Summer Market. They are considering bringing a Wednesday Market to downtown. Twenty vendors will be needed and they are surveying vendors to determine interest. Chair Lang asked where the Wednesday Market would be held. Cooney replied that the Food Co-op parking lot, Menominee Nation Arena parking lot, and the Farmer’s Market parking lot are all possible locations for the Wednesday Market. X. Identification of Agenda Items for the March 16, 2021 Meeting Jeff Nau asked if the BID wants to address the special assessment policy issue at the next meeting. Chair Lang explained that apartments on one parcel and garages on another parcel are receiving two separate assessments. The assessments would be less if they were combined. This will be discussed in the next month or two at a meeting. XI. Adjournment With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:37a.m. Dr. Jill Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Nieforth Economic Development Division Economic Development Services Manager IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE CALL THE PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION AT 236-5059.