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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-10 BID Board MinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 15, 2010 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, David Hetzel, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke, Melody Wollangk EXCUSED: Mike Russell, Kurt Koeppler STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Chris Strong – Transit Director I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. TH II - MINUTES OF MAY 18, 2010 MEETING Chair Sparr requested the minutes for the former King Clift property be amended in regard to the reasoning of the circulated petition. The minutes as presented indicated the BID was seeking to gain support for acquisition and construction of a new parking lot where in fact the petition was to determine the level of support of local th businesses. Jim Stapel moved for approval of the May 18 minutes as amended. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – BID BOARD APPOINTMENTS The BID Board welcomed new member, Sandy Prunty of AtomicKatz who replaced Candace Pearson. IV – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES No one was present from the Oshkosh Police Department to report. V – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Jim Staple motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. David Hetzel seconded which passed unanimously. VI - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS BID Marketing Consortium -BID Manager Lasky talked about the Sherlock Holmes event which is being held in conjunction with the Oshkosh Public Museum. Sandy Prunty elaborated about the details of the Downtown- themed mystery and related events. The main events will occur during EAA week. -The barricade construction monster is near completion and will be unveiled next week at Opera House Square. There will be a press release and local media coverage. The unveiling will also take place simultaneously with contractor appreciation day. th -Live at Lunch will begin on June 16 at Opera House Square and take place every Wednesday at noon along with a scaled-down Farmers Market consisting of seven vendors. -Halloween event is morphing into a Fall Fest. The committee has met twice and is planning several events throughout October including a larger hay bale maze at Opera House Square. -The Downtown Retail Directory has been updated and is ready to go to print. -The next Downtown Dish has begun taping. A minimum of six episodes are planned for 2010 with a possible seventh show for the holiday season. 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 15, 2010 Beautification The Committee met with the Pride of Place Committee and reviewed the streetscape plans on Main Street. To save costs, the groups scaled back on the number of elements originally recommended by the consultant. Styles for the trash receptacles, benches and flower pots have been selected. Mrs. Lasky is still researching options for potential bike racks. No funds have been budgeted by the City for the streetscaping elements so Mrs. Lasky is seeking funding from various private sources as well as a contribution from the City. Parking Committee The Parking Committee did not meet last month. BID Manager Lasky did report a citizen attending Waterfest parking in a City parking lot had her car vandalized and broken into. VII – APPLE BLOSSOM BOOKS RFG BID Manager Lasky reported that Apple Blossom Books applied for a $3,000 grant for assistance with their expansion and relocation to City Center. The RFG Committee has recommended approval for the grant request. Megan Lang motioned for approval for the $3,000 Recruitment Fund Grant to Apple Blossom Books. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII – DOWNTOWN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT Mrs. Lasky discussed the possibility of the BID preparing a disk containing testimonials of why Downtown Oshkosh is an attractive place to start or relocate a business. Additionally, she stated that this may be a good opportunity to rebrand the BID to give a uniform look and feel to the entire district. Discussion followed on what types of businesses the BID trying to attract. It was suggested that a short survey be made available to the public to see what types of business consumers would like to see downtown. Discussion migrated to business hours for retail establishments. Many retailers close as early as 5:00pm during the week and there is no uniform hours of operation throughout the BID which may be detracting people from going to the downtown in the first place. One solution is that applicants receiving RFG funding could be conditioned to be open specific hours extending into the early evening. Mrs. Lasky responded that it may be difficult to require specific hours of operation, but the RFG Committee could strongly encourage recipients to have business hours expanding into the evening. Talk resumed to what information needs to be collected prior to a future marketing campaign including what spaces are available, costs of rental space, and what landlords are willing to do to accommodate new tenants. IX - N. MAIN STREET – ADVERTISING – MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE st Mrs. Lasky reported the next round of advertising will begin on July 1. X – N. MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE Mrs. Lasky stated that construction is progressing on schedule and there are no major issues to report. XI – FORMER KING CLIFT PROPERTY UPDATE BID Manager Lasky reported that there seems to be interest from area businesses for the proposed parking lot, although there may not be enough support to approach the Common Council at this time. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 15, 2010 XII – MURALS It was requested to lay this item over until the July BID meeting to allow Planning Services Director Darryn Burich and Council Member Poeschl to attend. XIII – ORDINANCE CHANGE TO ALLOW OUTDOOR DINING ON N. MAIN STREET SIDEWALK Mr. Nau informed the Board work is continuing on the ordinance changes. He added that even if the changes were in place late this summer, Main Street businesses would not be able to utilize the public sidewalk until construction is completed sometime in October. Questions followed if permits for new projecting wall signs can be issued. Mr. Nau responded not until the Department of Transportation is completely done with Main Street, however, the permitting process for signage is relatively quick. TH XIV – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY 20 2010 MEETING  Downtown Branding  N. Main Street Reconstruction Update  Murals  Downtown Overlay District review XV - Adjournment With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved the meeting be adjourned. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 3