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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2008 PRESENT: Barbara Baier, Todd Cummings, Megan Hoopman, Candace Pearson, Mike Russell, Jim Stapel EXCUSED: Allan Martin, David Hetzel, Kurt Koeppler, David Sparr, STAFF: None OTHERS: Melissa Hunt - OAEDC, Deb Allison-Aasby- Fine Country Gourmet, Karen and Jay - Camera Casino, Eileen Connolley-Keesler - Oshkosh Area Foundation, Jackson Kinney- City of Oshkosh Department of Community Development. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Megan Hoopman called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. FOUNDATION FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Eileen Connolley-Keesler and Jackson Kinney presented information on the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (OACF) plan to raise $250,000 to help with restoration of facades on Main Street. The OACF has pledged $100,000 to start the fundraising effort. The project will focus on the 400 block initially. Two or three people from the BID Board will be asked to participate on the committee that will be establishing parameters and program structure. MINUTES OF THE APRIL MEETING th Jim Stapel moved approval of the minutes of the April 15 meeting. Candace Pearson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES No police department representative was present. Jim Stapel commented on how much he appreciated getting the email updates from Sgt. Kaiser. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT Megan Hoopman questioned the encumbered total for the RFG. Jim Stapel moved to accept the monthly report as submitted. Todd Cummings seconded the motion which passed unanimously. OAEDC REPORT Melissa Hunt provided a written report of OAEDC activities. There was discussion and questions regarding the status of the façade grants approved at the end of 2007. Melissa said that she was sending out letters to all the recipients, but the City had not provided contracts to the recipients yet. Candace Pearson expressed concern at what seems like a delayed process that may be resulting in delayed projects. Melissa Hunt summarized the two applications for recruitment fund grant. The RFG Committee had recommended $5,000 for Camera Casino to assist with leasehold improvements, etc. associated with their move into the former Race Office building. Mike Russell moved approval of that recommendation. Jim Stapel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The RFG Committee also recommended $5,000 for Fine Country Gourmet, which will be located at 417 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2008 N. Main Street. Jim Stapel moved approval of the recommendation. Candace Pearson seconded the motion which passed unanimously with Megan Hoopman abstaining. MARKETING CONSORTIUM REPORT Melissa Hunt reviewed the activities completed by the Consortium in April. Next month’s report will include a review of the Destination Downtown event. Melissa reported that the Consortium is willing to put together a music event. Megan Hoopman suggested the BID Board provide the Consortium with some guidelines for the event. The following guidelines were agreed upon 1) do not close the 400 block on a Saturday or at least without considering and consulting with the affected retailers; 2) try to use existing venues such as the Leach, Grand Opera House, Opera House Square, or Time Theater instead of closing a street; 3) try for an afternoon or evening event as those seem to be better times to attract a crowd. Separate from this music event, the BID Board would like the Consortium to come up with ways to tie-in to Waterfest crowds, especially now that people are more likely to come down early to avoid having to pay the higher entrance fee and therefore may be walking around downtown more before the headliners start at 8 pm. PARKING SUBCOMMITTEE Jim Stapel reported the scheduled Committee meeting had been cancelled. BEAUTIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE Megan Hoopman reported the new banners should be going up shortly after the planters are planted. Todd Cummings suggested a Clean-Up Day for downtown business owners to take the initiative to clean up the areas outside their front doors. 400 EAST PARKING LOT STATUS REPORT Todd Cummings reported that there are still two property owners who have not agreed to sign the easements, and until those are signed, the City cannot move forward with the project. Mr. G has been ill, out of town and unreachable. Madonna Hill of the Harmony Wellness Center is unhappy about the loss of her parking spaces and has conditioned agreeing to the easement upon having four stalls in the new lot reserved for her. If this stipulation were granted, it would create an enforcement problem and would be unfair to the other property owners who have agreed to sign and will be losing parking spaces without having them replaced. VIDEO MONITORING CAMERAS There was no update on this. APPLICATION FOR A CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE/GALLERY WALK Megan Hoopman reported that the people responsible for the Gallery Walk were developing a more formal organization, but there has been no progress on this issue. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2008 AWARD OF RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT SPECIAL PROJECT GRANTS Melissa Hunt has contacted the grant recipients. Staff has to follow up with contracts. BID EMPLOYEE STATUS Candy Pearson announced that OAEDC had hired Maureen Strauss to be the BID Downtown Manager. She will start May 27, 2008. Megan Hoopman and Candy asked that any project ideas for Maureen should be forwarded to Candy as soon as possible. Candy will work with Rob Kleman to create a work plan. MAYORS BREAKFAST The event will be held at UW-Oshkosh this year. The Mayors Breakfast funds have not been transferred yet. ESTABLISH 2010 STRATEGY COMMITTEE It was agreed to hold this discussion over to the June meeting so Maureen Strauss would be present. AGENDA ITEMS FOR JUNE MEETING Candy Pearson requested an update on the façade grants. Todd commented that for future meetings to be more productive, more BID Board members need to be present. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted Candace Pearson 3