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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 18, 2010 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, Mike Russell, David Hetzel, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke, Melody Wollangk, Kurt Koeppler EXCUSED: none STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Matt Kroening — Oshkosh Police Department, Chris Strong — Transit Director, Bob Poeschl - Oshkosh Common Council, Rob Kleman - OAEDC I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF APRIL 20 2010 MEETING Jim Stapel moved for approval of the March 16 minutes as presented. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III - POLICING /TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES Officer Kroening reported an individual was arrested for graffiti for the second time. Traffic around the downtown has been better than expected with the Main Street construction. Early on there were minor issues, however, the public has adapted to the traffic restrictions. Parking continues to be a problem, especially in the 500 block parking lot where business employees are parking in the short-term hourly stalls. Mr. Cummings stated there were issues with the 400 Block East parking lot where business employees are removing marks off tires to avoid having to move their cars. 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 Destination Downtown had its largest attendance with 98 tickets sold. Participating businesses reported higher sales than previous events. It is hoped it will become a larger event for 2011. The retail directory will be updated to reflect new businesses and address changes. It is anticipated the directory will be ready sometime in July or August. Planning for the barricade "monster /herd' continues. Lakeside Plastics has donated a number of construction barrels for its completion. The sculpture will be located at Opera House Square and should be ready sometime in June and will be on display through the end of construction. The Marketing Consortium is planning on hosting Contractor Appreciation Days which will provide refreshments for the workers involved with the Main Street construction. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 18, 2010 The Consortium is planning to partner with the Oshkosh Public Museum to hold a Sherlock Holmes summer -long event in conjunction with the Museum's Sherlock Holmes exhibit that will include a fictional mystery book featuring the downtown. The main event is tentatively scheduled for July 30 which is during EAA week and will attract visitors attending AirVenture. Planning for the Halloween event continues. It is hoped that the event can be increased to a fall harvest event during most or all of October. Beautification Plants have been delivered and should be planted within a week. BID Manager Lasky, Megan Lang and Mr. Nau met with City Manager Rohloff to discuss funding and management of the beautification elements for Main Street once construction is completed. The Department of Public Works has requested that installation of the planters and other elements be held off until construction is complete. Discussion followed regarding other beautification elements including current inventory and planned purchases of banners and Christmas decorations. Parking Committee No new issues other than what was mentioned during the police report. Recruitment Fund Grant Committee BID Manager Lasky has been in contact with three potential businesses than may apply for a grant. One client will be formally applying for a grant in June followed by another in July. BID Manager Activities BID Manager Lasky has been continuing to provide businesses updates on the Main Street construction and is taping public service announcements on WOCT Radio. Mrs. Lasky also taped a segment on Oshkosh Today to inform the public on the status of the construction and the Destination Downtown event. Main Street Fagade Program The front and back facade programs are being finalized. A total of 9 back facades were completed. The front facade signage will not be complete until after the Main Street construction is finished. Farmers Market Applications are starting to arrive for the Farmers Market at Opera House Square. Eight vendors have applied to date. Discussion followed regarding potential parking conflicts with the Live at Lunch events and the temporary closing of Market Street during the Main Street construction. VI - N. MAIN STREET — ADVERTISING — MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE Mrs. Lasky reiterated that in April, the BID Board approved funding for an additional 15 grants with the condition that the advertising campaign would begin no sooner than July 1, 2010. A total of 27 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 18, 2010 businesses applied for the grant with 25 receiving approval. Recipients consist mainly of retail businesses and restaurants within the BID. VII — N. MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE The 600 block of Main Street is now closed to vehicular traffic. On May 19 the High & Waugoo intersection will be closed for ten business days. The Ceape intersection is scheduled to be completed on May 28 VIII — 400 BLOCK EAST PARKING LOT UPDATE Mrs. Lasky met with Chris Strong, Mark Rohloff and Oshkosh Sanitation employees to discuss an action plan for maintenance and responsibilities regarding the dumpster enclosures at the parking lot. A follow up letter was sent to affected property owners with guidelines for use and maintenance of the enclosures and proper placement of garbage and recyclables. So far conditions seem to have improved. IX — FORMER KING CLIFT PROPERTY UPDATE Information packets of support are ready to be sent to Common Council members. Mrs. Lasky is currently circulating a petition to determine the level of support of local businesses. X — DOWNTOWN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT Mrs. Lasky will be working with the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, OAEDC and Blue Door Consulting to start a recruitment campaign to attract businesses to the downtown once the Main Street construction is complete. Discussion followed on what type of advertising campaign should be used. The Board decided a DVD "mailer" could be prepared which will include short videos and information about benefits of locating businesses to downtown Oshkosh. Dave Hetzel motioned for $2,000 to be transferred from the Reserve /Future Projects Fund to the Recruitment and Retention fund for development and distribution of a recruitment DVD. Kurt Koeppler seconded the motion which passed unanimously. XI — ORDINANCE CHANGE TO ALLOW OUTDOOR DINING ON N. MAIN STREET SIDEWALK Mr. Nau informed the Board that the City will be updating various sections of the Municipal Code to allow outdoor cafes on public sidewalks. It is hoped to have the changes in place for spring of 2011. He would keep the Board informed as progress continues. XII — IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JUNE 15 2010 MEETING • N. Main Street Advertising Matching Grant Program Update • N. Main Street Reconstruction Update • Former King Clift Property Update • Downtown Business Recruitment • Murals • Candace Pearson's BID Board Member replacement XIII - Adjournment 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 18, 2010 With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved the meeting be adjourned. Kurt Koeppler seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4