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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 15, 2014 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Sandy Prunty, Michael Russell, Jim Stapel, Kris Larson, Megan Lang, Todd Cummings, Chanda Anderson, Andy Ratchman, Vicky Schroeder EXCUSED: Kurt Koeppler, Kay Bahr STAFF: Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner, Darryn Burich – Director of Planning Services OTHERS: Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Eric Stenson – Oshkosh Police Department, Rob Kleman – Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce I - CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:05am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 18, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2014 meeting as presented. Vicky Schroeder seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Matt Kroening introduced Sergeant Eric Stenson to the Board. Sergeant Kroening explained that Sergeant Stenson is responsible for setting up patrols on the east side of N. Main Street. Sergeant Kroening reported issues with the Spring Pub Crawl including ten ordinance violations and no reports of damage. Sergeant Kroening added numbers were down, probably due to the poor weather. Sergeant Stenson added that most participants were staying indoors to get out of the rain and cold. Ms. Anderson stated she would hate to see the event go away as it does draw a lot of people downtown, however, the lines of communication between the City and event organizer must be kept open. Mr. Cummings added that as a bar owner, he would not have a problem spending a few hundred dollars to help pay for City expenses if it could triple or quadruple business for a night. Mr. Larson asked how much trouble is the South Side Stumble to patrol. Sergeant Kroening responded that it is much easier to control due to the much lower number of participants, older age of participants, and separation of the taverns. Sergeant Stenson added that the attitude of the Pub Crawl participants has been much better the last few events. Sergeant Kroening lastly reported that there was a retail theft at Kitz & Pfeil with a suspect getting arrested in the 400 Block West Parking Lot. The theft was heroine-related. IV – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 15, 2014 2 V – APPROVE CREATION OF DESTINATION DOWNTOWN BUDGET LINE ITEM UNDER MARKETING CONSORTIUM BUDGET CATEGORY BID Manager Cook explained this request is needed to allow Destination Downtown to take in and expend money and that the item was not being funded out of the reserve fund. There was no further discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved for approval for the creation of the Destination Downtown line item under the Marketing Consortium Budget Category. Vicky Schroeder seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – 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: • Continuing to update the Downtown website by adding more detailed information on businesses • Following-up with recruitment calls with businesses she has visited or had sent packets to. Dales in La Crosse may be promising. • Emailed upcoming road closures • Marketing Consortium – o Assisting with Destination Downtown • Beautification o Boughs will be removed from the flower pots this week unless the soil is still frozen o Ordering the kiosk sign o Portable trash receptacles are out on Main Street o Flower pot watering and spring planting will be discussed at the next Beautification meeting • Recruitment o Hot Dog Charlie’s will be moving into the former Fat Mama’s location and will be submitting an Recruitment Fund Grant application o Visited Downtown Hartford • Other o Watched webinar regarding Historic Tax Credits o Attended Special Events meeting o Gave update to Chamber Economic Development Advisory Council meeting Ms. Prunty added that the Middle Village Neighborhood Association has been working to clean up the William Waters Square and may approach the Beautification Committee for assistance. VII – DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING SIGNAGE ON AWNINGS Mr. Nau introduced Planning Services Division Director Darryn Burich. Mr. Burich explained that the City received a request to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow signage on the face of the awning. Currently, signage is limited to front valances of awnings. Mr. Burich further explained that existing awnings with signage on the face predate the update to the Downtown Overlay standards approved in 2009. Mr. Burich added that the city is looking for input from the BID to determine if signage on awning faces is a look the BID is or is not comfortable with. Lastly, Mr. Burich commented that the City is currently in the process of updating the entire Zoning Ordinance and that the Downtown Overlay will be reviewed for possible amendments. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 15, 2014 3 Chair Sparr asked how the Ground Round was able to place signage on their awning faces. Mr. Burich replied that they needed Planned Development approval from the Common Council, but he felt in this case it was warranted due to the building’s more modern look and close proximity to the Fox River. Mr. Burich added that the intent of the Downtown Overlay is to protect the historic look of downtown, especially further north on Main Street. Mr. Russell stated he thought the Ground Round signage looked terrible and feared if that were allowed in the historic district it would detract from the overall historic look. Mr. Cummings stated that an advantage of only allowing signage on the valance is that it is much easier to change out when businesses change. He added that nothing looks worse than being able to see the “fades” from previous businesses and that replacing awnings is not often on the top of the list of things to change when a new business moves in. Ms. Prunty asked Mr. Burich the original reason for prohibiting signage from the faces. Mr. Burich responded that it mostly comes from the same concerns Mr. Russell and Mr. Cummings had; not being historic looking and upkeep challenges. Mr. Burich added that to help out businesses, the recent changes to the Downtown Overlay included allowing projecting signs which were previously prohibited. Mr. Larson asked if a business owner could install taller valances. Mr. Burich responded that the code limits valances to eight inches in height. Ms. Prunty stated that as a business owner she wants her signage to be seen and felt that the downtown is bringing in people for its events and shopping, not for its historic significance. Mr. Russell responded he disagreed with her and added the downtown has invested several hundred-thousand dollars to improve facades of the historic buildings. Mr. Burich added that the 200 through 400 blocks are also in a National Historic District. Mr. Cummings stated years ago there was Block Grant funding available which helped finance a lot of the “garbage bag”-style awnings and that time has finally removed most of them. Michael Russell motioned to leave the current zoning provisions as-is. Ms. Prunty asked Mr. Burich if a motion was needed. Mr. Burich replied not at this time; he was only seeking input from the BID to see if an amendment was needed at this time and to seek volunteers to serve on the Downtown Overlay re-write. Jim Stapel concurred that the ordinance should be left alone at this time. Mr. Burich reiterated that the Downtown Overlay is going to be reviewed for possible changes and invited members from the BID Board to serve on the committee. Kris Larsen, Mike Russell, Todd Cummings and Jim Stapel volunteered to serve. VIII – STATUS REPORT FOR BUSINESS RECRUITMENT VISIT Ms. Cook reported that she traveled to downtown Hartford for recruitment research and visited several businesses: • Faith and Giggles – a religious gift and kid activity store open for 2 ½ years. Ms. Cook felt this was not a good fit to the downtown. • Kate’s Closet – A women’s clothing store similar to Carnaby’s. Open for four years. • Sweet Creations for You – Listed as a bakery – very limited and unusual inventory. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 15, 2014 4 • Urban Fashion Boutique - Ms. Cook compared it to a mini Urban Outfitters. – Vey little inventory, open for one year. • Creative License Art Studio – lots of do-it-yourself art activities open for 3 ½ years. • Design Original Florals – Open since 1989. Lots of inventory, seemed to need more space. Will be sending a recruitment packet. • Lincoln Tropical Fish & Pets – Very little pets, a lot of pet supplies. Overall, there appeared to be a lot of vacant buildings in their downtown. IX – TRASH RECEPTACLE UPDATE Ms. Cook distributed showing the locations of the recently placed trash receptacles. Ms. Cook noted that several have been moved already and one was missing and would follow-up with Kevin Uhen to see if he knows what happened to it. X – GALLERY WALK/CHALK WALK EVENT Ms. Prunty gave a brief overview of the April Gallery Walk and how it was promoted and received. Ms. Prunty informed the Board that the May Walk would be Cinco-de-Mayo-themed complete with mariachi band. Ms. Prunty said the August Gallery walk on August 2nd will feature chalk walk art and have six artists signed up as of now. Ms. Prunty added that the Special Event request was laid over because the Department of Public Works requested Material Safety Data Sheets for the chalk to be used to make sure it will not negatively impact the environment and to determine if cars will be able to stop on chalked surfaces in wet conditions. Ms. Prunty believes this should not be an issue based on the hundreds of other communities that have held similar events without disaster. Ms. Prunty added the event will be held on the 200 through 400 blocks of N. Main Street after the Farmers Market and potentially bring 4,000-5,000 people. Ms. Lang had concerns about having food vendors present all day could hurt the existing brick and mortar businesses. Other Board members did not express too much concern about the event impacting their businesses. Ms. Prunty stated she is requesting $500.00 from the BID to sponsor the event. She added that the funds could come from the Parking Permits line item which was recently moved there from Gallery Walk. Jim Stapel motioned for $500.00 to be transferred from Parking Permits to Marketing Consortium Gallery Walk. Todd Cummings seconded the motion which passed unanimously. XI – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MAY 20, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Chair Sparr informed the Board that if any items needed to be added to the agenda to let Ms. Cook or him know. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 15, 2014 5 XII – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:11am. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner