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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 20, 2010 PRESENT: Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, Mike Russell, David Hetzel, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke, Candace Pearson EXCUSED: David Sparr, Kurt Koeppler, Melody Wollangk STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Allen Davis — Director of Community Development I - CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Megan Lang called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Nau introduced Mr. Allen Davis, the new Director of Community Development to the Board. II - MINUTES OF MARCH 16 2010 MEETING Jim Stapel moved for approval of the March 16 minutes as presented. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III - POLICING /TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES No representative from the Oshkosh Police Department was present to report. IV — MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT BID Manager Lasky stated that Steele Studios has been making periodic reimbursement payments for a previously approved Recruitment Grant; most recently a $250 payment was made as indicated on the financial report. Future payments will hopefully continue until the original $5,000 grant is repaid in full. The report does not reflect the last Blue Door Consulting invoice; however, all of the $5,000 budgeted for Blue Door has been expended. Art City Signs was contracted to produce additional signage in relation to the N. Main Street reconstruction project. A separate line item was created for $5,000 budgeted (from future reserves) for the 2010 Advertising Matching Grant Program. Bills from participants are being submitted and will start to be paid out. 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 BID coordinated with the Oshkosh Half Marathon and the Poker Fun Run and had much higher turnout than 2009. 28 stores participated in the Poker Fun Run and received very positive feedback. The half marathon was held on a Sunday this year in hopes of encouraging people to make the event a whole weekend event downtown. Destination Downtown will be held on May 8, 2010 at the City Center Hotel. Activities include a fashion show, downtown shopping and wine tasting. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 20, 2010 Beautification Spring banners are up in the 400 Block and Opera House Square. Flower pots located along N. Main Street need to be relocated to possibly the 400 Block East Parking Lot during construction. Flowers have been ordered based on design services provided by the Paine Museum. The flowers are to be planted in early May. All of the trash receptacles on Main Street have to be removed during construction. The Parks Department has offered to store them during construction. Manager Lasky met with the Oshkosh Community Foundation to discuss the creation of a partnership to collect funds for park benches, bike racks, flower pots, etc. once the Main Street construction is complete. 2010 Programs Committee • In April, the BID began monthly drawing contests involving 21 participating stores. This has created good press coverage including stories by WFRV TV and the Oshkosh Northwestern. • The Committee is also planning on constructing a "Construction Hero" made out of construction barrels to hopefully create a positive buzz and press coverage. The Hero is planned to be completed by July. • Several downtown partners will be hosting movies including Friday Night Fright Nights at the Times Theater, Movies in the Park at Opera House Square, the Planet Perk Drive -in at the Shops at City Center and the Oshkosh Public Library will be hosting movies. • The Committee is planning on hosting monthly contractor appreciation days for crews working on the N. Main Street project. • In August the Committee is planning on hosting a kids viewing day to allow children from possibly the YMCA and /or the Boys and Girls Club to experience the construction up close. It was suggested that for the contractor appreciation days that any food or beverages served should be provided by businesses affected by the construction. VI - N. MAIN STREET — ADVERTISING — MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE The first ten applicants have received approval to begin their advertising campaign which will consume the original $5,000 budgeted for the program. An additional 17 businesses have expressed interest in the program, three of which (Grand Opera House, an apartment complex and the Oshkosh Community Credit Union) do not fall into the business classification envisioned for this program. Discussion followed if more dollars should be allocated towards this program and if so how much? Additional discussion focused on if the reserve money should be used for future unforeseen costs such as beautification elements for Main Street once construction is complete. Vice Chair Lang questioned how many of the applicants are participants in the BID Marketing Consortium. Mrs. Lasky stated six of the 17 applicants are active members, including the Oshkosh Community Credit Union. Discussion followed that this could be an opportunity to recruit new members into the Marketing Consortium. It was discussed that the Credit Union does draw a lot of people to the downtown and should be considered for the grant program, however, it was agreed that the Grand Opera House should not be considered because they already receive sizable BID funding. Also, it was decided the apartment complex should not be considered because it's not a commercial draw. Jeff Jahnke motioned to approve an additional $7,500 from future reserves be allocated for the Advertising Matching Grant Program and to have an advertising start date no sooner than June 15, 2010. Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 20, 2010 VII — N. MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE Mrs. Lasky informed the Board that work was progressing north of the bridge and 100 block so that portion will be completed by the May 28 deadline. Work on the 400 & 500 blocks will begin soon for underground utilities. Mrs. Lasky asked the Board if they have been receiving weekly emails from the contractor providing updates on the construction. Feedback was that emails were sporadic and Mrs. Lasky would talk to the contractor to address the issue. Vice Chair Lang inquired if pedestrian crossings could be placed mid -block along Main Street. Candace Pearson stated that crosswalks at intersections were confusing and difficult to navigate. Mrs. Lasky would bring up that issue at the next construction meeting. VIII — 400 BLOCK EAST PARKING LOT UPDATE Problems continue with the management of the dumpster enclosures and residential tenants placing trash behind the buildings. Mrs. Lasky and Rob Kleman will be meeting with City Manager Rohloff and Transit Director Chris Strong on April 26th to address the issue. IX — FORMER KING CLIFT PROPERTY UPDATE The OAEDC is preparing a packet including letters of support from themselves and the BID, a map showing the proposed improvements, signed petitions from local businesses and the community at -large to present to the Common Council. X - ITEMS FOR MAY 18 2010 MEETING • Ordinance change to allow seating /dining on Main Street sidewalk/public right -of -way • 400 Block East Parking Lot Update • North Main Street Advertising Matching Grant Program Update • Main Street Reconstruction Update • Former King Clift Property Update • Downtown Business Recruitment XI - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved the meeting be adjourned. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 3