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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 21, 2014 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Todd Cummings, Chanda Anderson, Michael Russell, Jim Stapel, Kris Larson, Kay Bahr, Andy Ratchman, Vicky Schroeder EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler STAFF: Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Mark Rohloff – Oshkosh City Manager, Steven Gohde – Department of Public Works, Kevin Uhen – Department of Public Works, Allen Davis – Department of Community Development, Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, James Austad – Oshkosh Fire Department, Rob Kleman – Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, David Krumplitsch – Leadership Oshkosh/Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel I - CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:04am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2013 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2013 meeting as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – DOWNTOWN TRASH RECEPTACLE NEEDS DISCUSSION Chair Sparr and BID Manager Cook gave background information on the on-going issue of the BID wanting to add additional trash receptacles along N. Main Street. Ms. Cook explained she had met with city staff on several occasions to pinpoint additional sites but so far has only identified one additional location acceptable to the city. Ms. Cook added that the plan was to split the trash/recycling pairs and make them all trash only receptacles since people were not separating trash from recyclables anyway. Mike Russell expressed his frustration that this situation has been going on for so long. Mr. Russell added that the city did not even budget for any of the amenities along Main St. when reconstructed and that the Oshkosh Community Foundation and BID had to raise funds. City Manager Rohloff replied that the city did pay for half of the amenities. Mr. Russell added that the BID had to pay extra for specially designed cans that could be used for automated pickup. Steve Gohde responded that the liners can be used for automated pickup; however, sanitation workers still had to get out of the vehicle to remove the liners from the enclosures. Mr. Rohloff added that the receptacles the BID ended up purchasing were never approved by him. Mr. Russell stated he could not understand why the city cannot add five additional locations. Mr. Rohloff responded that the city cannot continue to do more with less staff and is trying to do tasks as efficiently as possible. Mr. Rohloff also stated that he proposed to the BID the use of portable receptacles that can be used with automated pickup. He realized that they are not as aesthetically pleasing as the metal ones, however, he has concerns with the condition of the new sidewalk if new holes are continuously drilled along Main St. every time the BID wants cans moved. Kevin Uhen arrived at 8:12am. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 21, 2014 2 Mr. Sparr stated he had concerns with the portable cans getting knocked over. Mr. Uhen responded the cans are weighted down, similar to portable basketball hoops making them quite difficult to knock over. Mr. Sparr stated that the BID has taken over several tasks from the city including some trash removal, lawn mowing, tasks he felt the city should be taking care of. Mr. Rohloff responded that the BID is the only commercial area in the city that gets trash pickup which businesses from the outside view as selected treatment which he has to respond to. Mr. Sparr stated that since the city does not offer commercial trash pickup, which in the case of the BID generates very little trash in the first place, does not understand why adding five additional cans is such a big deal. Mr. Rohloff responded that every little task has a cumulative effect. He added that he had hoped that the BID would give the portable receptacles a chance. Plus he stated that after meeting with city staff, there are very limited places where additional cans can be placed to utilize automated pickup. Ms. Lang asked the Board how bad additional cans are needed in the 400 block. Mr. Cummings responded that not for all 12 months, but definitely during the summer months. Ms. Bahr responded that she sees a lot of trash in front of her business from New Moon. Ms. Lang stated that if the problem is not that bad, maybe they should just live with what they have because she does not like the look of the portable cans, even though the DOT plans called for a lot more cans along Main St. Mr. Gohde responded that the DOT plan was just conceptual for ideas and not meant to be fully implemented. Mr. Gohde added that the area in front of Satori Imports was approved for an additional permanent can as it meets the conditionals from an operational standpoint. Mr. Sparr stated that if the city could get on Main St. early enough, traffic and parked cars should not be an issue affecting pickups. Mr. Uhen responded they usually get to Main Street between 7:20 and 7:30, but cannot guarantee that parked cars and traffic will not cause problems. Mike Russell asked how often the cans are emptied. Mr. Uhen responded they get down there usually twice a week on Mondays and Fridays in response to events. Ms. Prunty had concerns that addition of the plastic cans would be taking a step backwards when the downtown has been taking strides the last several years. Also she felt this conflicts with the city’s efforts to beautify and rehabilitate other areas of the city. Mr. Uhen stated that the purpose of the portable cans is to help determine locations for permanent placement of the existing style receptacles. He added that the city is trying to avoid having to drill holes in the sidewalk only to find out that those cans are not being used. If after a summer or several months a location with a portable can is being heavily used, one of the old recycling-only cans may be retrofitted and permanently installed in its place. The Board erupted in agreement that this was a good idea. Mr. Uhen added that he wanted it to be clear that there may be other factors prohibiting permanent placement at heavy use locations. Mr. Cummings stated that the portable cans have that added benefit of being stored in winter months which will help the city with snow removal. Mr. Sparr asked Mr. Uhen how long it would take to get the portable cans. Mr. Uhen responded four to six weeks. City Manager Rohloff liked Mr. Cummings thought that it may be beneficial to have additional cans out during the summer months but then be stored during the winter when they do not get much use. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 21, 2014 3 Mr. Sparr asked Mr. Rohloff if the city was going to purchase the portable receptacles. Mr. Rohloff responded that the city would be willing to make the purchase as he sees the need. Ms. Anderson added that the cans could pay for themselves if the city charged a rental fee for special events. Mr. Rohloff responded that was the plan. Mr. Sparr asked Mr. Uhen what the plan was for placement for the portable receptacles as testing areas. Mr. Uhen responded that once they arrive he could meet to determine placement. By the end of the summer, locations could be identified for permanent placements based on usage. Ms. Schroeder stated she was happy to see all affected parties could come together to come up with a solution everyone is in agreement with. Mr. Sparr invited City Manager Rohloff back to the July meeting for a follow-up report. Mr. Rohloff responded he should be able to make it. IV – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that the weather has helped to keep things quiet the passed month. He added that there have only been three reports of abandoned cars which the Department has had to deal with. Sergeant Kroening reported there was one vehicle damage complaint at St. Thomas Bar. Several accidents were reported during the last ice storm. He added that there was a personal injury incident where a pedestrian was struck on Main St. at a crosswalk. New Year’s Eve was uneventful as compared to previous years. Sergeant Kroening noted that an extra patrol was added to the bus transfer area to address an increase in disorderly youths. Sergeant Kroening reported that a new Moose Taxi Service is not licensed through the City and should not be taking passengers and fares. Sergeant Kroening commented that Officer Matt Harris has been doing a good job on getting the word out on upcoming events. He added that the upcoming events include the St, Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15th, the Spring Pub Crawl has been scheduled for April 12th, followed by the Oshkosh Half Marathon on April 13th. Ms. Schroeder questioned if the Common Council is taking into consideration the close proximity of the Pub Crawl and Half Marathon before approving them. She added that she had concerns on the impact that poses on the Police Department, more specifically the Community Service Officers. Mr. Rohloff responded that the Council is trying to be accommodating to the events and does not decide what day event organizers should hold events. Ms. Schroeder added it would be beneficial if smaller events could work together and plan their events to be concurrent to lessen the burden on city resources. V – DEFIBRILLATOR PLACEMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN/BID Todd Cummings left at 9:00am. Battalion Chief James Austad gave a PowerPoint presentation and demonstration on the use of public access AEDs. He added the Oshkosh Fire Department is currently promoting the installation of AEDs at strategic locations throughout the Downtown – at a minimum it would be ideal to get one installed on every block along Main St. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 21, 2014 4 Mr. Austad explained that one concern businesses have about installing public access AEDs on their property is potential liability issues. He added that State Statutes provide civil immunity protecting citizens from liability if they use the AEDs to the best of their ability. Mr. Russell asked if the AEDs can be installed outdoors. Mr. Austad replied that during winter months they cannot be stored outdoors because of the negative effect on battery life. Ms. Anderson offered to have one installed in Caramel Crisp as she is open seven days a week. Ms. Anderson asked what locations have been identified as ideal sites. Mr. Austad replied that Cranky Pats and Kitz and Pfeil would be good sites. Ms. Prunty asked if Mr. Austad could send a map of the current locations throughout the city to Ms. Cook. Mr. Austad said he would. Chanda Anderson left at 9:20am. Mr. Austad explained that there would be no cost to businesses or the BID for locations that meet criteria of being publically accessible. Businesses interested in providing their own would be charged $1,000 to $1,300. Mr. Sparr questioned who would pay for replacement pads and batteries when needed. Mr. Austad replied that the Oshkosh Community Foundation has an endowment fund set up that would pay for upkeep and maintenance. Mr. Austad encouraged the BID Board to consider acquiring AEDs and spread the word to other businesses and to contact him if they had any questions. VI – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Vicky Schroeder seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Cook presented a summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in her report included in the BID packet. Highlights include: • 2014 Downtown Directory is going out to print today • Monthly newsletter was sent out • There has been an increased demand in daily parking permits • Updated available commercial spaces on Downtown Website • Miranda from the Exclusive Company is the new Marketing Consortium Chairperson • Trying to finalize and close the 2013 budget • Putting together recruitment materials • Made contact with a potential Recruitment Fund Grant applicant • Prepared letter of agreement and personal guarantee for Bar 430 • Received new software, Sales Force, to help with recruitment efforts Vicky Schroeder left at 9:25am DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES January 21, 2014 5 • Sent out road closure notifications for upcoming special events • Would like to discuss recruitment strategies at next Board meeting • Gave a presentation for the Oshkosh Kiwanis Club • Need to discuss banner options for 2015 VIII – DISCUSSION OF $500.00 BUDGETED FOR GALLERY WALK (RE-ALLOCATE OR PLACE IN RESERVES) Ms. Cook asked for suggestions on what to do with the $500.00 budgeted for Gallery Walk since the new event organizers are able to continue the event without BID funding. Mr. Russell suggested transferring the money to the Parking Permit line item for the purchase of additional daily parking permits. Michael Russell motioned for the transfer of $500.00 from Gallery Walk to Parking Permits. Kris Larsen seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IX – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE FEBRUARY 18, 2014 MEETING - Recruitment strategies X – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:36am. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner