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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 18, 2011 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jeff Jahnke, David Hetzel, Sandy Prunty, Jim Stapel, Michael Russell EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler, Melody Wollangk, Todd Cummings STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Chris Strong — Oshkosh Transit Department, Matt Kroening — Oshkosh Police 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 DECEMBER 15, 2010 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved for approval of the December 15th minutes as presented. David Hetzel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III — POLICING /TRAFFIC /PARKING ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that with information provided by the Appleton Police Department, an arrest was made of an individual suspected of spraying graffiti ( "Wither ") at several downtown locations a few years ago. The suspect confessed to the graffiti and charges will be filed against him. There were no new issues to report in regard to parking in the downtown. Chair Sparr inquired about the upcoming April Pub Crawl. Sergeant Kroening responded the City had a meeting with the organizers in October to address concerns. The Pub Crawl will be subject to the Special Events Ordinance. Any extraordinary services will be paid for by the event organizers. Sergeant Kroening added that based on passed Crawls, the Police Department will be adjusting officer presence to better cover peak time activity. Sandy Prunty asked about cleanup following the event. Officer Kroening responded the event organizers can be charged for cleanup based on wording in the Special Events Ordinance. IV — MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT BID Manager Lasky reported that due to the hiring of an intern, there is a shortage of $1,096.24 in the OAEDC Service Contract budget. Chair Sparr suggested transferring funds from Future Projects to cover the shortage. Sandy Prunty motioned to transfer $1,096.24 from the Future Projects budget to the OAEDC Service Contract budget. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. BID Manager Lasky reported that there are some outstanding bills to be paid and grant receipts that need to be reviewed before closing the 2010 budget - hopefully will happen within the next month. David Hetzel motioned for approval of the monthly financial report with the approved transfer of $1,096.24 from the Future Projects budget to the OAEDC Service Contract budget. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 18, 2011 V - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS • BID Marketing Consortium - The Consortium selected new officers for 2011. Lisa Voss (Oshkosh Public Library) is the new Chairperson, Scott Dercks (House of Heroes) is the Vice Chairperson and Lynn Anderson Thurman and Rick Thurman (Bodyworks Internationale) are the Membership Chairpersons. - The Consortium will be closing its 2010 budget and transitioning into 2011. - Ms. Lasky is working on first quarter advertising for the BID which has not been done in the past. - Ms. Lasky announced the creation of the Communications Committee, a sub - committee of the Marketing Consortium. This committee will focus on getting news and information out to businesses. The first meeting will be Thursday, January 20 • Newsletter - Ms. Lasky prepared a January newsletter that provided information about the BID and its functions and committees. • Beautification - Work continues on the trash receptacles with Wausau Tile and the City. A design should be selected soon and Ms. Lasky hopes to place the order within the next couple of weeks. - New banners are being designed for the next switch -out. The design should be selected by the end of the week. - Work continues on the kiosk design with Chris Strong, Megan Lang and Art City Signs. • RFG - Ms. Lasky is reviewing receipts from two grant recipients and should be completed in the next few weeks. - Currently working with a new potential client located in the 500 block of N. Main Street. VI — PARKING WORKSHOP Ms. Lasky stated that there was interest in creating a joint BID — Parking Commission committee to discuss and address downtown parking concerns. Transit Director Chris Strong concurred that there is interest from the Parking Utility Commission; however, participants have not been identified. Megan Lang, Jeff Jahnke, Jim Stapel and possibly Todd Cummings (not present) expressed interest in serving on this committee. Mr. Strong would report back on whom from the Parking Utility would serve. VII — BID BRANDING PROPOSALS Chair Sparr started the discussion that he was not sure if there was enough support to make a decision today. Jeff Jahnke suggested that the BID contact OAEDC and Chamco to see if they would contribute dollars towards the branding. Megan Lang responded that OAEDC is focused on serving the City as a whole and Chamco is geared towards industrial park development and does not envision those organizations contributing dollars to market the BID. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 18, 2011 Sandy Prunty feels that the Board is taking a step backwards by delaying the branding because the Board has already formed a branding committee, allocated funds and interviewed potential marketing consultants and now is time to make a decision. Megan Lang concurred with this assessment. Mike Russell suggested delaying the branding a year to see the effects of the new Main Street and what unexpected costs may arise in regard to beautification. Additionally, Mr. Russell suggested that Blue Door and 44° North should resubmit their proposals as they differ greatly as to what services they will be providing. Ms. Lasky gave a brief history as to the process of getting to where the BID is today on selecting a consultant and that the Branding Committee already made a recommendation to the BID Board. The BID Board requested the selected candidate make a brief presentation at the December BID Board meeting which resulted with the Board tabling a decision to this meeting. Ms. Lasky continued that she contacted the marketing firm to get an estimate for additional survey and marketing research and on the low -end would add a minimum of $3,000 to their proposal. Megan Lang suggested that now that the Board knows what they want, the two marketing firms should be contacted to resubmit their proposals. Board discussion followed on the difference between a marketing plan and a brand. Heidi Strand from Blue Door Consulting stated that the brand is the identity and heart and soul and visually represents you. A marketing plan is a directional guide to implement the brand. Chair Sparr feels the time is now to get going on the branding and does not want to delay this into 2012. The consensus was that before a brand can be created, research is needed to see "who we are ". The Board decided that they want a breakdown of research services and timeline from both consulting firms. Discussion followed on whether or not the Branding Committee should be authorized to decide which consultant to use for marketing research or if the BID Board should choose. It was argued that why have the Branding Committee if the Board was going to make its own decision anyway. The decision on the branding consultant will be voted on at the February BID Board meeting. VIII — CHANGE TO BID BYLAWS — NUMBER OF BID BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Nau reported that the BID Board can add alternate members to the Board. Alternate members would be allowed to participate in discussion but can only vote if there is a lack of quorum. Adding alternate members will require a text amendment to the Municipal Code and requires Common Council approval. The Mayor will appoint qualified candidates to the Board. Discussion followed on if the change should take effect as soon as possible or take effect for the 2012 operating year. The consensus was that it should change for 2011. Mr. Nau responded that for it to change for 2011, the 2011 Operating Plan would need to be amended and approved by the Common Council. Jeff Jahnke motioned for approval to change the number of BID Board members from ten to ten plus two alternates. David Hetzel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IX — SIDEWALK CAFES - DRAFT ORDINANCE Mr. Nau stated that the draft ordinance was included in their packets and asked if there were questions or concerns. Chair Sparr asked if it was true that alcohol would not be allowed on sidewalks. Mr. Nau replied that 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 18, 2011 rumor was not true. Ms. Prunty asked if other streets besides Main Street were considered for the ordinance. Mr. Nau responded that the other sidewalks in the BID are not wide enough to allow this activity. Ms. Lang stated she would like the entire BID District to be included in the ordinance. Mr. Nau replied he would discuss the feasibility of expanding the area with city staff Mr. Jahnke stated that the 9:30 p.m. curfew was too early. Mr. Nau agreed and said that it could be reworded for "last call" at 10:30 p.m. and alcoholic beverages off the sidewalk by 11:00 p.m. Ms. Prunty questioned the lighting section of the proposed code. Mr. Nau responded that existing street lighting should be adequate. Ms. Lasky questioned how the cafe area will be designated. Mr. Nau replied the five feet from the right -of -way line must be clear per A.D.A. requirements and two feet from curb line must be clear for door swings. The remaining area can be utilized for the cafe. Businesses serving alcohol must place a physical barrier around the seating area. X — SANDWICH BOARD SIGN HANDOUT Mr. Nau stated that a brochure was included in their packets outlining the requirements for sandwich board signs. Discussion followed if dry erase boards were permitted with Mr. Nau replying they were. The Board stated they would like the inclusion of plastic signs. Mr. Nau said he would talk to Planning Director Darryn Burich about including them. XI — PROJECTING SIGN CONTRACT Mr. Jahnke had concerns with the wording in the encroachment agreement; that the City could remove signs in disrepair with no liability to the City, that the agreement is solely for the benefit of the two parties to this agreement, and it is not intended to benefit any third party and the City's permission is personal to the owner, and cannot be transferred or assigned to any other person or entity, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The owner's rights contained in this agreement do not attach to property and do not run with the land. Permission for the projecting sign is revoked immediately and without notice as of the time that the owner, in his own name, is no longer the sole fee owner of the property at street address. Revocation of permission will also occur where the owner forms an entity of which he is the sole or partial owner. Mr. Nau referred his concerns to the City Attorney. XII — SNOW REMOVAL There was no discussion on this item. XIII — IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2011 MEETING • 400 block bump out safety signs XIV - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved the meeting be adjourned. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4