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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 21, 2012 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Todd Cummings, Jeff Jahnke, Kris Larson, Joshua Marquardt, David Hetzel, Melody Wollangk EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler, Jim Stapel STAFF: Cassie Cook, Jeffrey Nau OTHERS: Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Scott Dercks – Marketing Consortium Chair, Ray Maurer – Oshkosh Parks Department, Jenny McCollian – Oshkosh Parks Department, Rob Kleman - OAEDC I - CALL TO ORDER Chair David Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:03 am and a quorum was declared present. II - MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 2012 MEETING Sandy Prunty informed Mr. Nau that Scott Dercks is now the Chairperson of the Marketing Consortium. There was no other discussion. Sandy Prunty moved for approval of the January 17, 2012 minutes as presented. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed unanimously (Jahnke absent for vote). III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that things have been quiet in the downtown. The Police Department has been th monitoring Facebook to check the status and organization of the April 12 Pub Crawl. Sergeant Kroening also mentioned that a mobile food vendor is interested in selling in the downtown and asked the Board if they had any issues or concerns about the City implementing an approval process for mobile food vendors. Chair Sparr suggested placing mobile food vendors on the next agenda so the item could be discussed further. Sergeant Kroening informed the Board that the 90 minute parking for the reconstructed Otter Avenue parking lot will be going back to two hours. 8:10 – Jeff Jahnke arrives. IV – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT BID Manager Cook reported that the 2011 budget has been closed and reconciled. Megan Lang inquired how much was being carried over into 2012. Ms. Cook responded that $103,846.93 is being transferred into the 2012 budget. There was no further discussion on this item. Melody Wollangk motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. V - TRANSFER OF FUNDS $7,990.36 FROM FUTURE RESERVES TO BRANDING (WEBSITE) Ms. Cook explained that this transfer is needed to fund the website development and was earmarked during the 2012 budget process. The $7,500 currently in the Branding budget is slated for recruitment brochures and related items. There was no further discussion on this item. 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 21, 2012 $1,100.00 FROM FUTURE RESERVES TO OCMS DOWNTOWN TV PROGRAM Ms. Cook reported that she recently completed the first of three planned tapings of The Downtown Dish. $500.00 was initially budgeted per episode but the actual cost ended up being $700.00 per episode requiring an additional $1,100 to fund the remaining two episodes. Megan Lang stated she is hesitant to keep utilizing the reserves where the she thought the BID wanted to increase the reserve fund. Chair Sparr suggested transferring enough to fund the second taping for now. Ms. Prunty added that the shortfall is due to a miscalculation of the projected cost of the tapings and adding a third show. Discussion followed that the Board should not be transferring from the reserves so frequently. The Board decided to postpone the requested transfer until the March meeting. Jeff Jahnke motioned for approval for the transfer of $7,990.36 from Future Reserves to Branding. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI - 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. VII – GIFT CARD PROGRAM Ms. Cook reported that she has been working with Cornerstone for possible implementation of a gift card program to be utilized with participating downtown businesses. Ms. Cook distributed information on cost breakdowns for the BID and participating businesses. She continued with how the program works and benefits of the program. Cards would be available from the Chamber, participating businesses and the new Downtown website. The Board brought up some concerns on what happens to cards that do not get spent to zero, and that the fees may be somewhat high, however, the Board instructed Ms. Cook to move forward with the program’s implementation. VIII – RFP – LANDSCAPING CONTRACT Ms. Cook and Mr. Nau reported to the Board that the bids received were over budget. Mr. Nau stated that the volunteers from the Senior Center may be interested in taking over the flower pot maintenance which would drastically reduce costs. In exchange, the BID would make a contribution or donation to the Senior Center for recognition. Ms. Cook added that a modified request for proposals will go back out to bid without the flower pot maintenance and banner installation to reduce the bid amounts. The banner installation will be sent out for quotes as its own contract. IX – TUESDAY NIGHTS LEACH AMPHITHEATER SUMMER CONCERT SPONSORSHIP Ray Maurer and Jenny McCollian of the Oshkosh Parks Department presented to the Board plans to implement a Tuesday night concert series featuring local bands. Six events are planned for 2012 scattered throughout the summer months. Mr. Maurer has been in contact with the Waterfest organizers to ensure that Waterfest would not be undermined by the proposed concerts. Mr. Maurer is asking the BID for $3,000 to be the primary sponsor for the events. He added that currently, the amphitheater is underutilized and additional concerts will draw more people to the downtown on what is usually a quiet night. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 21, 2012 The Board discussed that additional events at the amphitheater is a benefit to the downtown, however, concerns were brought up about utilizing reserve funds again. Discussion followed on other possible revenue resources to fund the events. Kris Larson and Joshua Marquardt offered to each sponsor one of the bands to help offset the cost to the BID. They added, with a little work, other sponsors could be sought to sponsor the remaining bands. There was no further discussion on this item. Jeff Jahnke motioned for $3,000 from Futures Reserves to sponsor the Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously. X – RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT APPROVAL – CARAMEL CRISP Ms. Cook presented the grant request and the meeting with the Recruitment Fund Grant Committee for Caramel Crisp. Caramel Crisp is asking for a $5,000 grant for expansion into the former Oshkosh Symphony tenant space at the Shops at City Center. Megan Lang stated that she would be abstaining from the vote because a potential supplier for Caramel Crisp is a tenant of hers. Jeff Jahnke questioned if Caramel Crisp received a Recruitment Fund Grant in the past. Ms. Cook responded that they did in 2008, but is eligible because enough time has past since the first grant. There was no further discussion on this item. Todd Cummings motioned for approval of a $5,000 Recruitment Fund Grant to Caramel Crisp. Melody Wollangk seconded the motion which passed 9-0-1 (Lang abstaining). XI – BRANDING UPDATE Ms. Cook reported that the progress on the website is continuing and should be ready sometime in April. She asked the Board if including the ability to purchase gift and discount cards on the website would be something the Board would like to see. The Board responded affirmatively. XII – GUNDERSON BUILDING UPDATE Mr. Nau reported that the City issued orders on some exterior safety issues that have since been corrected. The environmental cleanup grant application has not yet been submitted to the city; however, environmental-related inspections have been conducted as part of the application process so progress is being made. Mr. Nau added he would report back next month with any progress. XIII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MARCH 20, 2012 MEETING  Mobile Food Vendors  Transfer of Funds for TV Program Taping  Gift Card Program  Bike Racks  Chili Cook-off 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 21, 2012 XIV - ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Dave Hetzel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:34 am. Jeff Jahnke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4