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DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES
June 19, 2012
PRESENT:
David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Kris Larson, Joshua Marquardt
EXCUSED:
Kurt Koeppler, Jeff Jahnke, Melody Wollangk, David Hetzel, Jim Stapel, Todd Cummings
STAFF:
Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner
OTHERS:
Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Scott Dercks – BID Marketing Consortium Chair
I - CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:00 am and a quorum was declared present.
II – APPROVE MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2012 MEETING
There was no discussion on this item.
Sandy Prunty moved to approve the minutes of May 15, 2012 as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ISSUES
Sergeant Kroening reported that there has been an increase in graffiti during the past several weeks. Most of the
tagging has been removed or cleaned up. Two arrests have been made in relation to the graffiti. The Police
Department has had a number of reports of people hanging out at the former Park Plaza Hotel. Sergeant
Kroening stated that the OPD would utilize Auxiliary Police to increase presence and patrol the riverwalk.
Officer Kroening added that with the closing of warming shelters there has been an increase in the number of
homeless wandering the downtown and advised the Board to be aware. He mentioned that the first weekend of
June with all of the events taking place in the downtown, only a few OWI arrests were made in relation to Irish
Fest. Mike Russell stated that he was involved with an incident where a few women were being harassed by a
male and the police were notified. Sergeant Kroening was aware of the situation and the perpetrator has been
arrested. Ms. Prunty stated that Downtown Tony has been causing some minor problems. Sergeant Kroening is
aware of the instances and Tony has been arrested.
IV - MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Ms. Lang questioned if monies used for advertising was paid up front by the BID and then reimbursed by
participating businesses. Ms. Cook responded affirmatively. Ms. Lang questioned the $382.80 transferred from
Marketing Consortium. Ms. Cook responded that was money inadvertently used for tree lights but the
correction has been made. There was no further discussion on this item. Megan Lang motioned for approval of
the financial report as presented. Mike Russell seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
V – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Cassie Cook presented a summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in her report included in the
packet. Ms. Cook stated a number of businesses have been looking into locating in the downtown. Ms. Cook
added that she has been researching other BIDs to see their types and approaches of BID-related events. BID
Manager Cook reported that the new downtown website should be ready prior to EAA.
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DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES
June 19, 2012
VI – R.F.G. APPROVAL OF $3,000.00 FOR DARABOSH ACCOUNTING
Cassie Cook presented a summary and reviewed the R.F.G. Committee minutes of the R.F.G. proposal for
Darabosh Accounting which has located in the 100 Block N. Main Building. Ms. Lang stated that the original
request was for $5,000, however, the R.F.G. Committee felt that $3,000 was more consistent with what the
Committee has recommended in the past for this type of business. There was no further discussion on this item.
Megan Lang motioned for approval of the $3,000 R.F.G. request for Darabosh Accounting. Sandy Prunty
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
VII – MAYOR’S BREAKFAST
Bid Manager Cook presented the request for a $250.00 sponsorship and introduced Jeff Potts, representing the
Mayor’s Breakfast Committee to answer questions. Chair Sparr stated that for years, the Mayor’s Breakfast had
heavy BID involvement and in recent years that relationship dissolved. Ms. Lang added that when she became
involved with the BID there was a separate budget line item just for the event. Mr. Potts gave a background of
the current status of the event and stated that they are looking for several local sponsors to contribute $250.00
each. Ms. Lang questioned if the BID would be recognized during the event. Mr. Potts responded that vocal
recognition would be given at the event. Discussion followed on if there was surplus money available in any
budget line items. Ms. Cook responded that there is money available from the OCMS Downtown TV Program
budget since no additional shows were going to be produced. Mike Russell motioned for approval of $250.00
from the OCMS Downtown TV Program Budget for sponsorship of the Mayor’s Breakfast. Kris Larson
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
VIII – BID EVENTS DISCUSSION FOR 2013
Ms. Cook distributed a handout outlining possible 2013 BID events and questioned the Board on what her role
should be to make the events happen. Chair Sparr started the discussion that the problem is having enough
people to man the events as shop owners are often obligated to keep their own business open during the events.
Mr. Sparr added that the Board has to give the BID Manager direction on how many events she should be
involved with. Ms. Prunty responded that the BID Manager ultimately has to be involved with all the events;
however, she should not be out setting up tents, etc… Discussion followed on what the BID Manager’s role
should be in regard to events. Ms. Prunty and Mr. Marquardt stated that sponsor recipients like Gus Macker
require little or no input from the BID Manager, but Marketing Consortium events require support and input
from the Manager. Ms. Prunty stressed that Ms. Cook should not be going to every event committee meeting.
The Board further discussed that the BID Manager should not be getting involved with more that two or three
events and that her time is better suited for promoting the downtown and business recruitment.
IX – RESERVE IDEAS
Mr. Russell stated that the BID Board should be thinking about what kind of project or projects the BID could
do with the reserve fund.
X – BRANDING UPDATE
Ms. Cook reported that the downtown directory is being printed this week. She also reported that the website is
being tested and should be up by EAA. The Board voiced their concern that they would like the site up at least
a week before EAA, otherwise it could be a missed opportunity.
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DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES
June 19, 2012
XI – GIFT CARD PROGRAM UPDATE
Ms. Cook stated that OAEDC will be setting up an account for the program. Ms. Cook distributed a table
listing up-front costs and stated that initial costs will be high due to the purchase of the cards. The proposed
st
launch date is August 1. Ms. Cook reviewed how the program will work and potential costs for participating
businesses. Ms. Cook stated that the cost to initiate the program will be $1,525.00 which could be taken from
the advertising budget. Sandy Prunty motioned for approval to transfer $1,525 from Advertising to the Gift
Card Program. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
XII – GUNDERSON BUILDING UPDATE
Mt. Nau reported that the owners of the Gunderson Building have submitted a timeline for demolition of the
building which is proposed to be down by September 18, 2012. The lot will remain gravel until such time that
the City will be able to budget for construction of a public parking lot. Mr. Russell suggested that the BID
Board should contribute $25,000 or $50,000 to the City towards construction of a parking lot when that time
comes.
XIII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY 17, 2012 MEETING
- Reserve Ideas
- Gunderson Building Update
XIV – ADJOURNMENT
With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:15 am. Joshua
Marquardt seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeffrey Nau
Associate Planner
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