Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 15, 2013 PRESENT: David Sparr, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Todd Cummings, Jim Stapel, Kris Larson, Joshua Marquardt, Chanda Anderson, Kay Bahr EXCUSED: Megan Lang, Kurt Koeppler STAFF: Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Allen Davis – Director of Community Development, Chris Strong – Transportation Director, Karlene Leatherman – Leadership Oshkosh 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 DECEMBER 18, 2012 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Mike Russell moved to approve the minutes of December 18, 2012 as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening acknowledged that the Police Department has received complaints in regard to being too stringent issuing citations for time violations and double parking. He added that his direction has come from Chief Greuel and any violators will be ticketed. Joshua Marquardt commented that there have been times where he has been ticketed for time violations where he strongly believed he still had time available and questioned the methods of the parking enforcement officer. Todd Cummings commented that he has more of a concern with customers getting tickets which blemish their downtown experience versus employees getting tickets because they should know better. Chanda Anderson questioned if a downtown parking study has or could be done to address the needs for the downtown. Ms. Anderson added that the Parking Utility Commission regularly suggests having a parking study done for the downtown. Mike Russell questioned Transportation Director Strong how much a parking study would cost. Mr. Strong responded approximately $25,000 to $30,000. Ms. Prunty questioned Mr. Strong how the daily parking permit program worked. Mr. Strong responded he was disappointed with the results after having actively notifying businesses about the program. Mr. Strong added that the problem was probably due to the inconvenience for employees and customers to acquire the permits. It was hoped that businesses would buy the permits in bulk at a discount and make them available to employees and customers for free or at a minimal cost. Mr. Russell expressed his frustration that the parking issues come up at every meeting and nothing gets done. Mr. Russell added that the BID should move forward and have a study done. Ms. Anderson suggested that the BID should partner with the Parking Utility Commission to do the study. Mr. Russell stated a lot of the parking problems originate with the business owners and their employees utilizing prime customer parking areas and should be educated to use underutilized lots or create a designated satellite lot. Ms. Prunty asked Mr. Strong if there are underutilized lots that would be ideal candidates for satellite parking. Mr. Strong responded in the last study that was done; only the Washington Lot was utilized as near to capacity. He added as far as on-street parking, only a few blocks were identified as near capacity, therefore, the study concluded that parking capacity is not the problem in the downtown. Mr. Strong pointed 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 15, 2013 out that the parking lot south of the Post Office, which is underutilized, is currently free, unrestricted all-day parking, so free remote parking options are available. Mr. Strong added it may be beneficial to have a consultant come in, get input from various stakeholders and have a parking study/model created. Mr. Sparr asked Mr. Strong if he could get some estimates to have a parking study done. Mr. Cummings stated if a study is done, the BID should be prepared to implement the plan instead of having it sit a shelf. Mr. Larson stated one solution would be just to educate business owners and their employees not to utilize prime spots. He added his business does not rely on public parking lots but does have similar issues which he has to deal with internally with his employees. IV – POSSIBLE USE OF PAY-AND –DISPLAY STATIONS IN THE DOWNTOWN Mr. Strong gave some background information on pay and display units and that each unit costs approximately $15,000. He added from a financial standpoint and experience from on-street meter revenue, the stations would most likely never pay for themselves. Mr. Cummings suggested installing machines that could distribute the daily parking passes. Mr. Strong responded that may be possible, and probably less expensive than a pay-and – display station. V – DISCUSS FUTURE CENTRAL CITY AND DOWNTOWN PLANS WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ALLEN DAVIS Community Development Director Allen Davis introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Davis gave an update to some of the ongoing downtown projects including:  The demolition of the Gunderson Cleaners Building. The original plan was the City would take over ownership of the property for free, but now the owners are going to try to sell the property to the general public with a listing of $29,000. Right now the City does not have money available to purchase the property. Mr. Davis feels, from discussions with the Department of Natural Resources, due to the current condition of the property, the highest and best use for the property is probably a parking lot. Mr. Davis added that the Grand parking lot is scheduled for reconstruction within the next few years and depending what happens with the Gunderson property, may or may not be part of that plan. Mr. Stapel questioned if the BID could purchase the lot and give it to the City. Mr. Davis responded that may be a possibility. Mr. Russell inquired if the BID/City acquired the lot, could it be used as a gravel public parking lot until the City reconstructed it. Mr. Davis responded that could be possible. Mr. Davis added he was unsure of the status of the Thompson Photography building but if things change in the next three years that property could be included in the Grand parking lot reconstruction.  Former City Center Hotel Renovation. Mr. Davis talked about the creation of the Hotel TID and added that the renovations are going well. The TID was expanded to include Ceape Avenue in front of the hotel which was recently reconstructed. 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 15, 2013  Riverwalk Construction. Mr. Davis updated the Board on the construction of the riverwalk between Jackson Street and N. Main Street. Due to timing of the hotel purchase, the entire segment was able to be constructed all at once. Construction of the riverwalk should be completed in early May, weather permitting.  Council Workshop. Mr. Davis informed the BID that the Common Council is interested in having a workshop in February with the BID. The Council would like to know what the agenda is going to be. He added that topics should include communication, funding, long-range planning, downtown parking and adding a Council liaison to the BID Board. Mr. Stapel suggested that background information on the BID should be presented.  Mobile Vending Ordinance. Mr. Davis gave an update to the mobile vending ordinance. It is planned to be in place by April and indicated that the BID will be part of the review process prior to adoption of the ordinance by the Common Council.  Future Downtown Plans. Mr. Davis stated that many of the recommendations made in the 2000 Downtown Action Plan have been accomplished and sees the need for an updated plan. There are no plans to conduct a plan in 2013 but would support budgeting for a consultant to prepare a plan in 2014. Ms. Anderson asked if a parking study could be included in the plan. Mr. Davis responded it could. Mr. Davis added it would be a good idea to seek other funding sources to help pay for the plan. Mike Russell suggested that now may be the time for the BID to commit to buying the Gunderson property and made a motion for the BID to spend up to $10,000 to acquire the property. Mr. Sparr responded that it may be more advantageous for someone to make an offer privately then gift the property to the City. Mr. Nau stated he would check with the City Attorney to see the process for the City to accept a land gift from the public. Mr. Russell withdrew his motion.  Art along the Riverwalk. Mr. Nau asked Mr. Davis if there are plans to incorporate art into the riverwalk. Mr. Davis responded nothing has been budgeted beyond landscaping but supports the incorporation of statues and interpretative panels along the riverwalk. Mr. Cummings informed Mr. Davis problems encountered with the Department of Public Works in regard to installation of additional trash receptacles and bike racks along N. Main Street. Mr. Cummings also expressed his dissatisfaction with snow removal on City-owned property. Mr. Davis responded he would look into the issues. VI – DISCUSS POSSIBLE WEBSITE OPTION FOR EVENTS FEED BID Manager Cook discussed the options for the event feed for the downtown website. Matt Vanderlinden from Blue Door Consulting was available for questions. Ms. Cook stated the current system of entering events has gotten better. Mr. Vanderlinden gave a brief overview how entering new events will work. Mr. Russell questioned why the BID should spend another $2,000 to accommodate changes the Convention and Visitors Bureau made to their website. Ms. Cook responded that she is comfortable with the current event entering; depending on the event, it usually takes about a half hour. Mr. Sparr asked if Blue Door could prepare a new proposal for consideration at next month’s meeting. 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 15, 2013 VII – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII - BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS BID Manager Cook presented a summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in her report included in the BID packet. Highlights include: -Included information on the daily parking permits on the Downtown Website -Will be sending out an email to BID properties of upcoming event-related road closures. -Hired a new spring intern, Valerie Langclow -Working with Chanda Anderson for the upcoming Heart of Winter event. -The BID has two new contracted beautification service providers, Kelly Green Lawn Services is the new trash removal/maintenance contractor and Serwas Window Cleaning is the new banner contractor. Mr. Russell questioned if the bids came in on budget. Ms. Cook responded that they did. Mr. Cummings asked if the Seniors Center was going to maintain the flower pots this year. Mr. Nau responded that they are willing to, but would like to see a slight increase in the recognition gift amount. -The Gift Card program continues to go well -The monthly newsletter is now on the Downtown website. -Working with the new hotel management to get information on the Downtown website IX – RELOCATION OF THE BID BOARD MEETINGS TO THE OSHKOSH SENIORS CENTER FROM MARCH UNTIL NOVEMBER, 2013 Mr. Nau explained starting in March, all public meetings normally held at City Hall, except Common Council meetings, will be held at the Seniors Center due to the reconstruction of the City Hall Parking Lot. Mr. Russell inquired if the meetings could be held at his building. Mr. Nau responded he would look to see if that would be an option. X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JANUARY 15, 2013 MEETING No items were suggested outside of the regular agenda items. XI – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:35 am. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4