HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.18.2023 Business Improvement District Minutes
Downtown Oshkosh BID Board Minutes
July 18, 2023
Present: Marlo Ambas, Jim Stapel, James Evans, Chanda Anderson, Sandra Prunty, Jill
Anderson, Andy Ratchman, Autumn Urban, Carrie Olson, Barb Nelson, Derek
Mulloy
Excused: Megan Lang, Aaron Armstrong, Kris Larson
Staff: Jessica Meidl – BID Manager, John Zarate – Economic Development Specialist,
Jim Collins – Transportation Director
Others: Colan Treml – Oshkosh Chamber, Michael Cooney – Farmers Market
I. Call to Order
- Sub Chairperson Evans called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. A quorum was
declared present.
II. Approve Minutes of the June 20, 2023 Meeting
- The minutes of the June 20, 2023 were approved unanimously as written. (Prunty,
Stapel)
III. Approve July 18, 2023 Monthly Financial Report
- Jessie read the updated financial report as the one included n packet was the wrong
date. The July 18, 2023 financial report was approved unanimously as presented.
(J.Anderson, Olson)
IV. Update on parking from Ad Hoc committee
- City Staff thought it would be best to revisit the Walker Study done in 2016 to review
what was recommended back then.
- City staff went over the parts of the study relative to parking within the downtown.
On-street and off street parking were reviewed including the study recommending
that there be paid on-street parking and then have free 2 hour parking and permit
parking in the lots behind buildings on Main St.
- 3 Key takeaways from the study were
-Discourage employee parking in prime parking spots
-To create revenue to pay for parking control officer
-To eliminate the $15,000 per year the BID was paying to the City Parking Utility
to support “free” parking downtown.
- In May/ June there was a request by City Staff to OPD to have CSO enforce parking
within the lots to see if this would have any effect on prime parking spots being
filled all day. There was noticeable difference in the amount of available free
parking spots.
- Staff recommended to BID Board if they wanted to move forward with paid on-
street parking they would need to advocate for it with council.
- Staff recommended checking pricing to see what it would cost to have the study
updated to adjust for any changes within the downtown over the last 6 years.
- Staff will check with Walker to find out pricing and also with OPD on cost of a part-
time parking officer.
V. Update from City Staff on buildings within the 200 Block of N Main St.
- Staff reported the owner of 220 N Main is working on plans for a white box building
out of the first floor for a future tenant and housing units on the 2nd floor. The owner
also stated they are getting pricing for windows that have been broken. There has
been no other activity with 217 N Main St and the building remains vacant.
VI. BID Beautification grant for non-assessment paying parcels.
- After a recent application from a tax exempt property within the BID it was clarified
that these properties are not eligible for the grant as they do not pay into the BID. The
application will be updated to reflect that.
VI. Recap of Strategic Planning session and next steps
- Subcommittee met and went over some of the summary from the strategic planning
session. The subcommittee session mainly focused on a non-profit entity be formed
as an arm of the BID.
- It was decided the entire board should go over the outline and next steps. There will
be a meeting after the regularly scheduled BID meeting in August. BID Manager
requested members review documents from WEDC and overview that was put
together prior to next month’s meeting.
VII. BID Manager and BID Committee Reports
- Priorities for the month were contained within the report
- MemberCo events were shared within the BID Managers report.
- Went over application that will be required to be completed by applicants and
approved by BID Board for any events where BID Manager time is asked for that
isn’t included within the annual budget. Board members were in favor of the
application.
- Chalk Walk posters were made available to BID members to advertise for the
upcoming event.
- Budget committee will be meeting soon to discuss 2024 budget. Watch for a doodle
poll. Let Jessie know if interested in being on the budget committee.
VIII. Board Member Comments
- Michael Cooney from Farmers market has started a campaign regarding keeping dogs
off of the street within the Farmers market. Per County Health Department dogs must
be kept on the sidewalk in the area of the Farmers Market. There was also a discussion
regarding what requirements may look like in the future for vendors at the market due
to the number of people applying to be in the market to sell goods.
- Oshkosh Into The Night date had to be switched because of OPD staffing. The new
date is October 6.
IX. Identification of Agenda Items for the August 15, 2023 Meeting
-City staff to provide update window signs/ decals
XI. Adjournment
Adjourned 9:05 am. (Stapel, Prunty)
Respectfully Submitted,
John Zarate
Economic Development Specialist
Economic Services Division