Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 21, 2013 PRESENT: David Sparr, Michael Russell, Chanda Anderson, Sandy Prunty, Todd Cummings, Kris Larson, Kay Bahr, Kurt Koeppler, Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, Andy Ratchman EXCUSED: None STAFF: Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Chris Strong – Oshkosh Transit Department, John Zarate – Inspection Services Division, Karlene Leatherman – Leadership Oshkosh I - CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:00am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 2013 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2013 meeting as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES No representation from the Oshkosh Police Department was present. There was no discussion on this item. IV - DISCUSS COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF OSHKOSH TO PROCEED WITH DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY Transportation Director Chris Strong gave a brief update to the proposed parking study for the downtown. The city would first need to provide current parking lot utilization data to the consultant. The consultant would then prepare the study which would have recommendations for how existing parking could be better managed downtown and possibly suggest increasing parking supply via additional lots and/or ramps. Mr. Strong added that the Transit Department sent out letters for solicitation to various downtown entities and organizations to seek financial participation in the study. Mr. Strong further stated that the BID was the only entity that has committed money to go towards the study. He added that the Common Council could authorize money for the study outside the budget, but as of now, the study cannot move forward until a funding source is identified. Chair Sparr inquired to the cost of the study. Mr. Strong responded that the study would cost between $25,000 and $35,000. Ms. Anderson asked Mr. Strong if there have been any conversations between the city and Anchor Bank to purchase the bank property for expansion of the Jefferson Lot. Mr. Strong responded that he spoke to Community Development Director Allen Davis to discuss options; however, no official discussions have taken place. Ms. Anderson stated it would be best if the city could have right of first refusal if Anchor Banks does decide to sell. Ms. Anderson commented that with the hotel now open, the Ceape Avenue parking lot is almost always full and inquired if a utilization study for that lot could be done. Mr. Strong responded that the Council approved a contract with AECOM to redesign the parking lot. The cost to reconstruct the whole parking lot is estimated to be $2.2 million, the high cost due to the fill conditions along the river. Mr. Strong added that the construction 1 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 21, 2013 has been broken into two phases; the north side which is tentatively scheduled for later this year followed by the south side at a later date. Mr. Stapel asked if the city considered leasing space from the law office to incorporate additional parking spaces. Mr. Strong responded the city has not. Mr. Strong lastly commented that if a parking study is done, the BID and other entities need to be aware that there will need to be continuous political backing of the plan. Otherwise, its recommendations may not get implemented. Mr. Stapel asked for the status of the former Gunderson building. Mr. Nau responded that the owners of the property have taken it off the market and was not aware of its status at this time. Mr. Koeppler asked how long the $5,000 the BID has committed to the study has to be encumbered. Mr. Russell responded it should not be an issue since the money would be taken from the reserve fund. Ms. Lang asked Mr. Strong if he was currently working off any type of plan document. Mr. Strong responded that in 2010, the city had a study prepared for the conditions of all the city-owned parking lots. He added that that plan has been used in capital planning for parking lot reconstructions. V – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT APPROVALS 1.Winnebago Bicycle LLC. Ms. Cook presented the minutes of the Recruitment Fund Grant Committee and its recommendation of a $5,000 grant to Winnebago Bicycle, LLC. There was no further discussion on this item. Jim Stapel motioned for approval of the $5,000 Recruitment Fund Grant to Winnebago Bicycle, LLC. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed 8-0-2 (Larson, Russell abstaining). 2.Salon La Rousse LLC. Ms. Cook presented the minutes of the Recruitment Fund Grant Committee and its recommendation of a $3,000 grant to Salon La Rousse LLC. There was no further discussion on this item. Jim Stapel motioned for approval of the $3,000 Recruitment Fund Grant to Salon La Rousse LLC. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Ms. Anderson stated that the Board should be more selective to the types of businesses they are giving grants to. Mr. Koeppler responded the Board has to be careful if they start picking and choosing and needs to be defensible based on the criteria on the grant application. Mr. Sparr added that at the last Board meeting, BID Manager Cook asked everyone to prepare a business wish list for Ms. Cook to actively start pursuing and recruiting. VII – DISCUSSION OF COMPILED LIST OF BUSINESSES TO RECRUIT TO DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH/RESTAURANT HOOD ISSUES – CITY REGULATIONS Chief Building Official John Zarate introduced himself and explained procedures for property owners to install restaurant hoods within their building. Mr. Zarate added that the biggest obstacle buildings have in the downtown is their proximity to property lines resulting in having no room for exhaust systems to vent from the 2 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 21, 2013 side of the building. He added buildings which are located on their property line may only have the option to vent through the roof which adds considerable cost. Mr. Larson asked if the regulations are unique to Oshkosh. Mr. Zarate responded that Oshkosh, like most communities, adopts the State’s building code. The Board continued discussion citing specific buildings and what requirements would need to be followed. Ms. Cook presented a list of types of businesses compiled from feedback from BID Board members. The list included: bread bakery, florist, pet store, kid activity center, upscale women’s clothing store, New York-style deli and downtown food court. Ms. Lang inquired if this list should be included on the grant application to show these are the types of businesses Downtown Oshkosh is seeking. Ms. Anderson suggested that the application should have a graduated scale based on type of business, job creation, traffic generation, etc. She added that the grant amount awarded would be based on meeting the specific criteria. Mr. Sparr stated the main reason for the list creation was to give the BID manager direction on types of businesses the downtown wants since she was going to start actively recruiting businesses. Mr. Koeppler stated that he felt it would be a bad idea listing desired businesses on the application because it may discourage businesses from applying and should stand on their own merit. 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: -Destination Downtown was a huge success -Beautification – st Bike racks should be installed by June 1 Wayfinding signs – still in discussion Trash receptacles – discussing if the maintenance will be included with contracted services -RFG – Backlot Comedy Club going before committee next week -Blue Door Consulting continuing to work on recruitment package -Attended CVB ribbon cutting -Attended Special Event meeting -Attended business needs meeting with UW Extension and City Planning -Continuing work/promotions with Gift Card Program -Researching possible retention fund grant program for existing businesses IX – SELECT MEETING LOCATION FOR JUNE 18, 2013 BID BOARD MEETING Mr. Russell offered to continue to host the Board meetings at Great Estates. The Board accepted Mr. Russell’s offer and there was no further discussion. X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JUNE 18, 2013 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. XI – ADJOURNMENT Ms. Prunty stated this would be Karlene Leatherman’s last meeting serving on Leadership Oshkosh. 3 DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 21, 2013 With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:05am. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner 4