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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 15, 2011 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke, David Hetzel, Melody Wollangk, Kris Larson, Josh Marquardt EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler, Jim Stapel STAFF: Cassie Cook, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Chad Dallman – City of Oshkosh Parks Department, Lisa Voss – Oshkosh Public Library/Marketing Consortium Chair, Scott Dercks - Marketing Consortium Vice-Chair I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2011 AND OCTOBER 25, 2011 MEETINGS There was no discussion on this item. Mike Russell moved for approval of the October 18, 2011 and October 25, 2011 minutes as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that the last month has been quiet. He did state that there was some graffiti north of Irving Avenue outside of the BID. Sergeant Kroening also reported that the warming shelter opened on th October 24. Most nights see seven to twelve people, most of which are local. He asked the Board if they have seen an increase of homeless activity. The Board responded negatively. Sergeant Kroening also reported that Anthony Ellis has been released from prison and if he causes any disturbance to call the Oshkosh Police Department. IV – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. V - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Cook presented a brief summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in her report included in the packet. There was no further discussion in regard to the report. Mike Russell asked if the damaged and/or dead Main Street terrace trees would be replaced. Mr. Nau responded that he believed they were under warranty for two years and may be replaced in the spring. He would confirm that with Public Works Assistant Director Steve Gohde. Megan Lang asked if the Christmas tree/street lights would be turned back on. Ms. Cook responded that she would contact the City Electrician and offer to pay for any electrical charges that will incur. Ms. Prunty informed the Board of the success of the tree lighting and associated events. Josh Marquardt inquired if the BID should be charging for some of these events to help offset the BID’s costs. Ms. Cook responded that could be something the Marketing Consortium could look into. 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 15, 2011 VI – PARKING UTILITY COMMISSION POSITION AVAILABLE Mr. Nau informed the BID Board that there is a position available on the Parking Utility Commission. Transit Director Chris Strong recommended that someone from the BID would be an ideal candidate since they are a major player with downtown parking issues. Mr. Nau added that persons can serve on up to two boards, however, the Parking Utility requires City residency. VII – APPROVE 2012 BID BUDGET Chair Sparr explained the process for preparing the 2012 Budget. He added it was the goal to reduce the overall assessment rate which was accomplished, and that two scenarios were created: the first, which is the option formally being proposed to the Board, reduces the assessment by approximately $18,000 and having a large carryover for an unidentified future project. The second scenario is to utilize the reserve fund for the budget and lower the assessment rate substantially. Chair Sparr warned if they lowered the assessment too much, it would be very difficult to raise them back to the current level if a potential high-dollar project arises. BID Manager Cook went over both budget options and answered questions. Ms. Cook added that $7,500 will be taken from carryover to cover additional branding expenses and $20,000 will be transferred from carryover for 2012 advertising and marketing campaign. $55,000 would still be available for a future unidentified project. Kris Larson stated he would like to see no carryover and the BID should not be collecting assessments if they are not spending the whole amount each year. Ms Lang responded that there are plenty of projects the BID could undertake, but nothing has been identified. She felt comfortable with the $18,000 reduction but agrees the BID needs a plan for the reserve money. Ms. Prunty stated she was in support of Plan A but that there needs to be a plan for the reserve fund. She suggested that the BID Manager with the assistance of OAEDC should identify a number of potential projects they could undertake. Mr. Kleman stated that they are in the process of revamping an action plan for the Downtown and that the BID could be a vested partner. Mr. Russell stated he would support Plan A with the condition that a plan must be made to utilize reserve funds. He added if nothing is proposed by the end of 2012, the money should be spent and the assessment be reduced. Mr. Marquardt stated that the BID should be looking into generating revenue to reduce some of the assessment burden of the BID properties. Sandy Prunty motioned for approval of the 2012 BID Budget (Plan A) as proposed. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed 7-3 (Nays – Jahnke, Larson, Marquardt). VIII – APPROVE 2012 BID OPERATING PLAN The Board indicated corrections to be made on Appendix E – Board Members. Ms. Lang questioned if this approves the $27,500 to be transferred for advertising and branding. Chair Sparr responded that the Board would have to take separate action on the transfers in 2012. Mr. Jahnke inquired if the impact of the additional advertising dollars could be tracked to determine success. The Board concluded that hard numbers may be difficult to obtain, but shop owners should be able to report general impacts. There was no further discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty motioned for approval of the 2012 BID Operating Plan as amended. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES November 15, 2011 IX – RFG – SOUP-A-GO-GO GRANT UPDATE Ms. Cook reported that all the Soup-A-Go-Go and Grotto restaurants have closed and the new location will not be opening up in the downtown. Discussion followed if the owner should sign a release so that grant money will not be encumbered for six months if it is not needed. X – BRANDING UPDATE th BID Manager Cook reported that on November 8 the BID held downtown business sneak peak of the new logo with about 25 people in attendance. Ms. Cook added that she is in the process of assigning block captains to help get the downtown businesses involved with the new brand. She will be meeting with the Branding Committee later this week to go over website development. The new website should be ready by early spring. XI – INNER CITY BILLBOARDS/BID CONTRIBUTIONS Chair Sparr gave background information on this item. Billboard advertising will be part of the advertising and marketing campaign for 2012. The plan will call for utilization of billboards located within the city. Advertising along U.S. Highway 41 will be part of a different advertising program. Mr. Sparr emphasized that that this type of advertising should be coordinated through the BID Manager. XII – BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN Sandy Prunty gave some background information and referred to the information included in the BID Board packet. Chair Sparr mentioned the importance that dollars spent locally tend to stay local versus spending at big box chains. XIII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE DECEMBER 20, 2011 MEETING Mr. Nau stated that he would schedule a meeting in early December to discuss possible projects the BID could take part in. He added that he would see if Community Development Director Allen Davis, Planning Services Director Darryn Burich and Rob Kleman would be available to attend. Items for the December meeting:  BID Bylaws – Attendance Requirements XIV - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved for the meeting to be adjourned. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 3