HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.19.2023 Business Improvement District Minutes
Downtown Oshkosh BID Board Minutes
September 19, 2023
Present: Megan Lang, Kris Larson, Marlo Ambas, James Evans, Sandra Prunty, Andy
Ratchman, Autumn Urban, Carrie Olson, Derek Mulloy, Aaron Armstrong,
Chanda Anderson, Barb Nelson
Excused: Jim Stapel, Jill Anderson
Staff: Jessica Meidl – BID Manager, John Zarate – Economic Development Specialist,
Others: Michael Cooney - Oshkosh Farmers Market, Amy Albright - CVB
I. Call to Order
- Chairperson Lang called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. A quorum was declared
present.
II. Approve Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Meeting
- The minutes of the August 15, 2023 were approved unanimously as written.
(Prunty, Olson)
III. Approve September 19, 2023 Monthly Financial Report
- The September 19, 2023 financial report was approved unanimously as presented.
(Evans, C Anderson)
Jessie working with City Finance Department to get transfer amounts. Question
was asked why the BID needs to have council approval for any over budget
expenditures. Staff explained that this is the way all City Departments are set up.
Any over budget expenses need City Manager or Council approval.
IV. Update on parking from Ad Hoc committee
- Larson explained the summary of the meeting from September 15. Cooney was
asked if Farmers Market Vendors would park in the City Hall lot and he responded
No. Look to see if there could be parking enforcement during Farmers Market.
Could 2-hour spaces be blocked off until 8:00 am on Saturdays to deter Farmers
Market vendors from parking in those spaces. Other ideas brought from parking
committee were for the City to sell assigned spots like the current leased spots cost
would be $40 - $50 per month and spots would be assigned to an individual.
Enforcement of these spaces would be self-enforced. Another option would be for
City to free up 100 permit parking spots for 2-hour customer parking.
V. BID Budget
- Jessie went through the line items in the budget and explained that it looks different
than previous years as now all expenses and revenues are shown for each line item.
No major changes from previous years with additional going toward beautification
for extra costs of flowers and additional maintenance added for murals and banners.
A line item was added to the budget to ask City for $100,000 to hire additional staff,
costs associated with forming a non-profit and for general downtown maintenance
within the BID. It was stated that within the WEDC survey of comparable
Wisconsin downtown groups that almost every other city receives funds from the
municipality and that there is at least 2 staff members in these other cities.
- A motion was made and approved to approve the budget for $240,500 as listed on
the budget worksheet, funding sources are BID assessments and city funds. (Evans,
Armstrong)
VI. BID Manager and BID Committee Reports
- Breakdown of time spent was shown on pie charts. Suggested by BID Chairperson
to share that report with City Council
- MemberCo will not have a Halloween event this year. They are working on having
a scavenger hunt for Christmas with reindeer.
- Went over BID Calendar of events. There will be a trick or treat combined with
farmer’s market. Holiday wine walk has sold almost 180 tickets in the first week of
sales.
- Music on main has had a slight increase of attendees.
- There are volunteers needed for the holiday tree lighting and also for the parade.
Need approximately 20 parade spacers to keep the parade moving and about 20
others to get the parade setup. An idea was brought up that maybe multiple
businesses within the BID could sponsor a balloon for the parade.
- Beautification has fall banners being installed week of September 18. Doughnuts
and coffee were handed out during a COTS clean-up event on a Friday. Jessie went
over the layout and renderings for the Vibrant Spaces alley activation. Jessie is
starting to work on holiday lighting. There are a couple new projects recently
opened or announced. Fairways on Main opened in the 500 block and the remodel
looks good. There are plans for the former Northwestern building to open a
restaurant in 2024 as part of phased boutique hotel and storefront project.
VII. Board Member Comments
- City staff reminded the board that Waugoo Ave from Main St to Mill St will be
undergoing a complete reconstruction next year. Access will be maintained to all
businesses.
- Question from Olson why the City is requiring Farmers Market to cover City trash cans
along the sidewalks. Other comments from members that there is overflow next to cans
on the sidewalks, next to buildings and also on steps of the entrances to buildings. It
was also noted that people use Opera House Square to eat and drink during the market
and then the trash cans there are overflowing as well. Check with City staff to see if the
City trash cans can be used along Main St during Farmers Market. Could there be a
special pick- up if the cans are overflowing after the event.
VIII. Identification of Agenda Items for the August 15, 2023 Meeting
-Update from Parking Committee
- BID Budget
XI. Adjournment
-Adjourned 9:10 am. (Olson, C. Anderson)
Respectfully Submitted,
John Zarate
Economic Development Specialist
Economic Services Division