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Home My WebLink AboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 16, 2010 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Todd Cummings, Mike Russell, Sandy Prunty, Jim Stapel, Jeff Jahnke EXCUSED: David Hetzel, Melody Wollangk, Kurt Koeppler STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Matt Kroening — Oshkosh Police Department, Chris Strong — Oshkosh Transit Department, Lisa Voss — Oshkosh Public Library, Carrie Rule — Leadership Oshkosh I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2010 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Mike Russell moved for approval of the October 19th minutes as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III — POLICING /TRAFFIC /PARKING ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that reopening of N. Main Street has caused a few accidents, however, the narrowing of the street has caused traffic to slow down. New concerns include inattentive drivers hitting opening car doors and once it begins to snow, parked cars may be parking within the driving lanes due to untimely snow removal from the curb. Sergeant Kroening also reported that there were no incidents during the holiday parade. The wider sidewalk enabled spectators to navigate Main Street more safely than years past. IV — MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. V - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Halloween Event took place on October 30 • The event had a great turnout /experienced great weather. • Two bands provided entertainment. • It is being suggested to cut back the hours in 2011 to lessen the burden on volunteers /store owners. November Gallery Walk/Rock the Block/Main Street Ribbon Cutting. • Estimated 800 to 1,000 people attended the event. • DJ provided music — now being considered for all Gallery Walks The Holiday Tree Lighting Event took place on November 11 followed by the Holiday Parade. • Several thousand people attended the tree lighting and parade. • The City Forestry Department strung the lights on the Christmas tree as well as the trees around Opera House Square. • The Christmas tree will stay lit through Christmas. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 16, 2010 • A DJ played holiday music • Several vendors provided souvenirs and refreshments - Other December events include: • Santa Claus at the Times Cinema on Saturdays from 12pm until 4pm. • Free bus day on Friday, November 26 (Black Friday). • Increased advertising campaign for the Downtown. • Working on providing music for the December Gallery Walk. • Empty storefronts will be decorated for the holidays. - Beautification • Ground Effects is working on a new landscape plan for Opera House Square for 2011. • Flower pots have been emptied and will be redecorated for Christmas. • Garland and lights and holiday banners have been installed on the light poles. The Board discussed possible options to provide music on a permanent basis along N. Main Street and possibly other locations of the BID. BID Manager Lasky stated she would look into the feasibility. - Branding Subcommittee • Two proposals have been submitted • Ms. Lasky is scheduling interviews with the candidates VI — APPROVE RFG APPLICATION FOR BIG MAMAS RESTAURANT Big Mamas Restaurant is proposing to open a second location at the former Pearson's Pig & Poultry. The original application request was for $2,000. However, the RFG Committee felt comfortable increasing the amount to $3,000 (or up to 25% of improvement value) based on the fact that they felt some of the proposed improvement estimates were low. Mike Russell motioned for approval of the RFG grant for up to $3,000 for Fat Mamas Restaurant. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed 6 -0 -1, with Jim Stapel abstaining. VII — PARKING FINE VALIDATION PROGRAM Transit Director Chris Strong discussed a "Satellite Parking" concept for the downtown which was discussed at the October Parking Utility Commission Meeting. The purpose is to free up higher- demand parking lots (close to N. Main Street destinations) and promoting the use of underutilized lots for long- term parking at a reduced rate /fee. Board discussion followed on the possibility of selling permits for specific lots with the cost based on the location of the lot. Director Strong responded that the proposal would be difficult to implement administratively. Discussion followed on enforcement policies and issues and citizens abusing the current system (not paying tickets, moving their cars every two hours, removing tire marks, etc...). Chair Sparr proposed to bring this item back to the December meeting for further discussion. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 16, 2010 VIII — 2011 BID OPERATING PLAN Sandy Prunty and Mike Russell indicated that their Board Member Category should be changed. Ms. Prunty is an Owner /Occupant (not Non - Owner /Occupant) while Mr. Russell is a Non - Owner /Occupant (not Owner /Occupant). Discussion followed on the possibility to change the number of BID Board members to make it easier to get a quorum. However, if you increase the Board size, the quorum requirement increases. Chair Sparr recommended that any changes should be made for the 2012 Operating Plan. Chair Sparr also requested that changes to the BID Board should be included in next month's agenda for further discussion. Jeff Jahnke motioned for approval of the 2011 BID Operating Plan (with corrections to the board membership category statuses of Ms. Prunty and Mr. Russell). Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IX — BID BRANDING, APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL Chair Sparr gave summaries regarding the branding proposals as he attended both presentations by Blue Door Consulting and 44 North Advertising and Design. He indicated that although neither of the companies have experience in this particular type of advertising campaign, he feels that either one would be capable of this undertaking. Chair Sparr continued with the cost comparison of the proposals. 44 North's proposal was $13,200 - $15,500 with several extras not included in Blue Door's proposal. Blue Door's proposal was $11,135- $14,450, not including several extras (including web design which is $8,500410,000 extra) that are included in 44 North's proposal. One item not included in either proposal is actual advertising costs. A favorable difference with Blue Door's proposal is that they will provide more research and surveys than 44 North. However, the consensus of the Branding Committee is that 44 North has the more favorable proposal, mainly due to cost savings and the fact they are located in the BID and have a vested interest in this project. Also, if 44 North is awarded the contract, they will be required to do a minimum of 50 hours of research and surveying with no increase in their proposal cost. Discussion followed on how the BID is limited on who they can hire due to noncompetitive clauses advertisers have with other communities whom they have been awarded work. Other options include seeking companies from further outside the region but that could add considerable cost. The Board discussion continued that before approving the contract to 44 North, there are questions that need to be addressed. The consensus was that the Board lay over this item until the December meeting so that 44 North could be present to answer questions. X — CONTRACTED DOWNTOWN SNOW REMOVAL Chair Sparr inquired if the BID could hire Ground Effects for sidewalk snow removal on a trial basis to ensure snow is cleared in a timely manner. Ms. Lasky said the Assistant Director of Public Works could send out a letter to all BID property owners informing them of snow removal requirements. XI — PROJECTING SIGNS WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT This item was laid over to a future meeting. 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 16, 2010 XII — IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER 21, 2010 MEETING • Satellite Parking Lot Options • Change of BID Board Bylaws changing the number of BID Board Members • Branding /44 North Proposal • Sidewalk Snow Removal • Sandwich Boards XIII - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Todd Cummings moved the meeting be adjourned. Kurt Koeppler seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4