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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES July 15, 2008 PRESENT: Todd Cummings, David Hetzel, Jeff Jahnke, Kurt Koeppler, Candace Pearson, Mike Russell, David Sparr, Jim Stapel, Melody Wollangk EXCUSED: Megan Hoopman, STAFF: Susan Kepplinger Maureen Strauss OTHERS: Rob Kleman – OAEDC, Sandy Prunty – Marketing Consortium, Brian Hamill- Peabody’s, Jeff Bollier, Oshkosh Northwestern. CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. MINUTES OF THE APRIL MEETING th Melody Wollangk moved approval of the minutes of the June 17 meeting. Todd Cummings seconded the motion which passed unanimously. POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES There was no one from the Police Department to address this issue. David Sparr indicated that he is having problems with both juveniles and adults congregating behind his building. Staff will contact the Transportation Director, Chris Strong and the Police Department to develop an approach to dealing with this situation. Melody Wollangk reported that Tuesday nights are problematic with juveniles congregating in Opera House Square. Staff will contact the Police Department regarding this. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT Following discussion, Jim Stapel moved approval of the financial report. Kurt Koeppler seconded the motion which passed unanimously. RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT – PEABODY’S Maureen Strauss reported that the Recruitment Fund Grant Committee had reviewed an application from the new owners of 544 North Main and recommended providing a $5,000 grant to be used for leasehold improvements, fixtures, inventory and equipment. Brian Hamill reported that $84,000 had been budgeted for those expenses. Concern was expressed regarding having adequate funds for this grant. Maureen Strauss indicated that the owner of Harmony Wellness had indicated that she was no longer interested in RFG funds encumbered from last year’s RFG budget for façade work. Dave Sparr moved approval of the grant conditioned on deobligation of the façade funds for Harmony Wellness. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously with Jeff Jahnke abstaining. MARKETING CONSORTIUM Maureen Strauss reported that arrangements have been made for advertising to EAA visitors. Merchants have been asked to maintain store hours from 11-7 weekdays and 12-3 Saturday. Plans are being made for the music event scheduled for October 11. Plans are being made in 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES July 15, 2008 conjunction with the Foundation. Jim Stapel and Todd Cummings stated that merchants are not in favor of having the 400 block of Main Street closed for the event. Melody Wollangk agreed saying that the loss of parking that results from closing the street is part of the problem. Todd Cummings also expressed concern about crowd control. Maureen Strauss reported that new retail directories are being printed in time for distribution for EAA. Brochures were also taken to Life Fest. Maureen also met with Megan Casper regarding plans for the Halloween event. PARKING SUBCOMMITTEE Jim Stapel reported that the Parking Subcommittee did not meet. The Parking Utility met to review information regarding surplus City property abutting the Oshkosh Central Credit Union and related matters regarding access to businesses along High Avenue. No action was taken. BEAUTIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE Maureen Strauss stated that the first Friday Cleanup Day will be held August 1 and there are plans to make this a monthly event. She is also exploring the potential for sponsorship of banners. 400 EAST PARKING LOT STATUS REPORT Todd Cummings reported that it appears that the issue of objections of some owners regarding loss of parking has been overcome and owners are now on board assuming the City will cover the cost of making the improvements on their properties. FIRST IMPRESSIONS MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT David Sparr attended the meeting and reported on some of the issues that the visitors from LaCrosse identified. VIDEO MONITORING CAMERAS David Sparr indicated that he believes the Police Department is continuing to look into this. ESTABLISH 2010 STRATEGY SUBCOMMITTEE Maureen Strauss reported that, in consultation with David Sparr, she had contacted the following people who have agreed to serve on the Subcommittee; BID Board members Jeff Jahnke, Candy Pearson, Jim Stapel, Melody Wollangk and Mike Russell as well as Deb Fenzel from City Center. Jeff Jahnke agreed to serve as chair. The Subcommittee will meet monthly beginning in early August. IMPACT OF 2010 PROJECT ON HISTORIC DISTRICT Staff explained that when Federal funds are used to undertake a project, an evaluation must be done to determine if the project would have a negative effect on historic properties. Heritage Research completed the analysis for the North Main Street reconstruction project and concluded 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES July 15, 2008 that the project would not have a negative impact on historic resources contained in the North Main Historic District. AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST MEETING Staff was asked to arrange a meeting of the Budget Subcommittee prior to the August meeting and to add the report from that meeting to the August agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Jim Stapel moved the meeting be adjourned. Dave Hetzel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Susan Kepplinger Principal Planner 3