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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 15, 2011 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jeff Jahnke, David Hetzel, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Todd Cummings EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler, Jim Stapel, Melody Wollangk STAFF: Maureen Lasky, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Chris Strong — Oshkosh Transportation Department, Lisa Voss — Oshkosh Public Library, Rob Kleman - OAEDC I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2011 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved for approval of the February 15 2011 minutes as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III — POLICING /TRAFFIC /PARKING ISSUES No representative from the Oshkosh Police Department was present. BID Manager Lasky has received concerns in regard to two well -known downtown homeless people who have been disrupting area businesses. Ms. Lasky advised the Board to be proactive and if the problem continues, call the Police Department. Mr. Nau added that he would contact Sergeant Kroening to ensure he or another officer is present at April's board meeting to address concerns. Ms. Lasky reported that there are problems with a business owner occupying prime parking stalls, especially in the 400 block west parking lot. Ms. Lasky met with the owner to inform her of the importance of keeping these stalls available to customers. Discussion followed on what the BID can and should do to get the word out to business owners on parking policies. Chair Sparr recommended that the BID prepare a letter to give out to violators informing them of the problem and offer alternative solutions. IV — MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT BID Manager Lasky reported that the 2010 budget is closed and the BID is entirely running off the 2011 budget. Megan Lang inquired if the BID should transfer funds from reserves to beautification to cover the costs of planter maintenance. Ms. Lasky responded that she was going to wait until the BID receives an invoice from Ground Effects to roughly see what the cost will be for the year. Ms. Lang asked if funds for Blue Door Consulting (branding project) was coming out of the Future Reserves budget and if so, should the BID create a line item for the branding project. Ms. Lasky responded that the BID could transfer the approved $10,000 for Phase I now or transfer funds monthly as invoices are received. The Board concluded that it would make more sense to transfer the whole amount now and should create a Branding line item under Leadership. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 15, 2011 Jeff Jahnke motioned for approval of the monthly financial report with the amendment to create a Branding line item under Leadership and transfer $10,000 from Future Reserves to Branding. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. V - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS • BID Marketing Consortium - Destination Downtown will be on Saturday, May 21 at the City Center Hotel. Over 100 people are expected to attend. Events include a luncheon, style show, shopping, and wine tasting at Oblios. - Preparation is continuing for the Oshkosh Half Marathon. Historically the marathon was held on the third Sunday in April, however this year it falls on Palm Sunday so the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 16 - The Poker Walk/Run will be on Friday, April 15 from 1:OOpm to 4:30pm. - The Oshkosh Business Expo will be on Friday, April 15 th. • Beautification - Trash receptacles, bike racks, benches and the remainder of the flower pots will be delivered in the middle of April. The City Parks Department and Street Division will assist with the installation of these elements. Installation will hopefully be complete by May's Gallery Walk. - Spring banners sponsored by 4- Imprint will be installed the second week of April. - Hrnak's submitted the lowest bid for flowers for the downtown flower pots. Cost for flowers is significantly higher than last year due to the increase in the number of planters. - Work continues on a new contract with Ground Effects for 2011. • Communication Committee - Committee planning on meeting monthly. - Looking to communicate more effectively with BID members by creating sub - committee reports. - Created Public Facebook page as well as a private Facebook page for utilization by business members only. • RFG - BID Manager Lasky has met with two potential clients for grant proposals. • UW Extension - The UW Extension offers nine different downtown seminars, four of which are coming up. BID Manager Lasky is looking into having the BID sponsor the seminars for $40. Business owners are welcome to attend for a small fee. Sponsorship funds are available from the Leadership budget. VI — BRANDING MARKET RESEARCH UPDATE Ms. Lasky reported that Blue Door Consulting has provided a timeline for the research and submitted a sample survey for her review. Blue Door is looking to partner with HR departments of area businesses outside the BID to participate with the survey. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 15, 2011 VII — WEDNESDAY FARMERS MARKET Ms. Lasky stated that starting this year, the Wednesday Farmers Market would be subject to the Special Events Policy. Ms. Lasky asked the Board if this is something the BID should continue to manage considering the time and new costs involved and relative small turnout of vendors. Ms. Lasky continued that on average only seven vendors would set up. Todd Cummings stated the permit process is lengthy and may not be worth Ms. Lasky's time for a handful of participants. Mr. Cummings added if the venders want it to continue, they should manage it and apply for the Special Event Permit. Jeff Jahnke suggested if the vendors are willing to apply for the permit, the BID should offer to sponsor it. The Board's consensus was that a letter should go to all the vendors informing them of the Market's status, what it will take for the Market to continue, and offer the BID's financial support if an individual(s) is willing to take it on. VIII — APPROVE CHANGE TO APPENDIX E OF OPERATING PLAN TO ADD ALTERNATE MEMBERS Chair Sparr stated that in addition to changing Appendix E of the Operating Plan, the BID by -laws would also have to be amended, therefore, he recommended that this item be laid over until the April meeting so the Board can act on everything at once. IX — 400 BLOCK N. MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN SAFETY SIGNS Mr. Nau gave an update that he had spoken to City Manager Rohloff and Transportation Director Strong and they felt that the placement of a crosswalk safety sign in the middle of the street would need continuous maintenance due to the narrow street. Mr. Strong feels that traffic has slowed down and that many pedestrians do not utilize the crosswalks anyway. He added that as part of the Main Street reconstruction, conduits were installed for possible placement of flashing beacons if the need arises. Mr. Strong said he would look into other options to slow down traffic and increase pedestrian safety. X — IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR APRIL 19, 2011 MEETING Wednesday Farmers Market Update Amend By -laws and Operating Plan for Alternate Members Free Rent Incubator Program XI - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jeff Jahnke moved the meeting be adjourned. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 3