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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 16, 2010 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, Mike Russell, David Hetzel, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke EXCUSED: Candace Pearson, Kurt Koeppler, Melody Wollangk STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Matt Kroening — Oshkosh Police Department, Chris Strong — Oshkosh Transit Director I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16 2010 MEETING Jim Stapel moved for approval of the February 16 minutes as presented. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III - POLICING /TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES Matt Kroening reported that closing of N. Main Street has been better than expected. The reopening of Market Street has been a help with the closing of Main Street. On and off - street parking on public parking lots has not been an issue so far. Discussion followed on confirming that the Main Street Bridge will be open at all times throughout construction and traffic will be able to go east or west onto Ceape Avenue, north of the bridge. Megan Lang brought up a conversation she had with Officer Footit about a need for additional long -term parking at the 400 Block West parking lot. Chris Strong responded that permits for five leased stalls are still available, and permits for permit -only stalls are available, however those stalls are used on a first -come, first serve basis. Mr. Strong added if there is a shortage of permit -only stalls, the Traffic Advisory Board can address the issue. IV — MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved approval of the financial report. Dave Hetzel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. V - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS BID Marketing Consortium The Marketing Consortium is planning on having monthly events to encourage people to continue to shop downtown during the reconstruction. The BID held a ground breaking ceremony prior to the State of the City event at the Convention Center. The Oshkosh Half Marathon will be held on April 18 and will be utilizing downtown streets. Destination Downtown will be held on May 8 the weekend after Gallery Walk. An urban golf event is being planned for May 1 In June the Marketing Consortium is planning on constructing a "superhero' out of construction barrels. Other upcoming events include: Live at Lunch, Movies in the Park, a drive -in theater at City Center and Friday night horror movies at the Times Cinema Theater. The Marketing Consortium is also planning events to let children experience construction activities, Contractor Appreciation Days, the Halloween event in October, and a Grand Reopening event in November. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 16, 2010 Parking Committee BID Manager Lasky reported that several issues have developed at the 400 Block East Parking Lot since its reopening. The rain gardens are being littered with dog waste (owners not picking up after their dogs). She hopes proposed plantings and signage provided by the Transit Department will alleviate the problem. Another solution brought up by the board would be that the BID provide a bag dispenser for owners to pick up after their dogs. Mrs. Lasky also stated there is a problem with the use and maintenance of the dumpster enclosures. Trash behind the buildings from residential tenants has become an eyesore and it is hoped that they utilize the dumpster enclosures along with the businesses; however, the City will not enter the enclosures so the trash would have to be moved to the normal pickup area on garbage day. Chris Strong is drafting a letter to the affected property owners explaining the rules and the owners' and tenants' roles for trash management and dog waste. She stressed that the City is not responsible for cleaning up the enclosures but the 400 Block East Owners' responsibility. Tree Grate Design Mrs. Lasky presented the revised tree grate design which now includes a lion and image of the Grand Opera House. Mrs. Lasky will be working with the artist, Oshkosh Public Library and Grand Opera House to secure rights to their images. Mr. Nau will incorporate the design into a cad drawing for the casting company. 2010 Main Street Reconstruction Main Street Max wayfinding signage has been placed throughout the downtown. Toolkits have been distributed to owners and tenants. Mrs. Lasky recorded her first public service announcement for the 10 1. 9 Downtown Traffic Report and will do weekly updates. Beautification Flowers have been ordered for the planters. Banners have been removed from the 100 -300 Blocks. Planters located on Main Street will be relocated during construction. VI — FARMERS MARKET & VII — LIVE AT LUNCH The Chamber of Commerce has requested two locations for Live at Lunch with the first preference being Opera House Square and the other being Riverside Park in case the reconstruction causes too much distraction at Opera House Square. The Farmers Market held in conjunction with Live at Lunch has been more successful and Mrs. Lasky proposes that the events continue together. Discussion followed on whether or not the events should take place at Opera House Square with unknown potential problems with construction, or if it should be relocated to Riverside Park for this year. There was also concern about closing Market Street for extended periods as it now serves as a vital thoroughfare during construction. Consensus was that the BID should recommend to the Chamber that Live at Lunch remain at Opera House Square with the Farmers Market. VIII - N. MAIN STREET — ADVERTISING — MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE Application deadline for the grant program is March 22" 12 Applications have been received requesting the maximum amount of $500. Mrs. Lasky stated $5,000 has been budgeted for the program so only 10 of the 12 applicants will receive the grant unless additional funds are allocated. Mrs. Lasky has received a lot of inquiries and expects more applications as the deadline approaches. The Board decided to wait until the April meeting to decide if more money should be allocated based on the final number of worthy applications received. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 16, 2010 IX — N. MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE Mrs. Lasky informed the Board that a weekly progress update is sent from Vinton Construction via e- mail and to contact her to be included on the list. Currently, the 100 to 300 Blocks of N. Main Street are closed. The only intersection that is closed is the Pearl Avenue /Otter Avenue intersection. The intersection of Main Street and Ceape Avenue will remain open at all times during construction. Weekly construction meetings will be held every Thursday at 8:30am at Main View Apartments, 530 N. Main Street. X — FORMER KING CLIFT PROPERTY UPDATE Letters of support from the BID and OAEDC have been submitted to the City Manager for acquisition and construction of a parking lot at the former King Clift property. The City Manager has forwarded the letters to the Common Council. A member of the Council will need to request the City to move forward with this project. Mrs. Lasky met with a few owners and recommends another meeting be held with all 500 block properties to see how much support there is. XI - ITEMS FOR APRIL 20 2010 MEETING • North Main Street Advertising Matching Grant Program Update • Main Street Reconstruction Update • Former King Clift Property Update XII - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Mike Russell moved the meeting be adjourned. David Hetzel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 3