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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2014 1 PRESENT: Sandy Prunty, Jim Stapel, Kris Larson, Todd Cummings, Chanda Anderson, Andy Ratchman, Kurt Koeppler, Kay Bahr EXCUSED: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Michael Russell, Vicky Schroeder STAFF: Cassie Cook - BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: David Krumplitsch – Leadership Oshkosh/Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel I - CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sparr and Vice-Chair Lang were excused from the meeting and Mr. Nau called for nominations for Chair pro tem. Sandy Prunty nominated Jim Stapel to serve as Chair pro tem. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Chair pro tem Stapel called the meeting to order at 8:08am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2014 meeting as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES No one was present from the Oshkosh Police Department. Chair pro tem Stapel stated the item can be revisited if Sergeant Kroening or another officer shows up. IV – OPERA HOUSE SQUARE – TUESDAY NIGHT GATHERING ISSUES BID Manager Cook requested that the Board skip this item for now as she hoped that someone from the Police Department would be present for this discussion. V – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT Ms. Prunty asked what the process was for a business that purchased advertising through the BID, did not pay, and is now out of business. Ms Prunty added that Queen Bee purchased $600.00 in advertising and never paid before going out of business. Mr. Cummings stated the BID had historically sent letters to the owners to try to recoup the money. Ms. Cook suggested that Chair Sparr could draft a letter and send it to the owner if her current address can be found. Mr. Stapel added that if worse came to worse, Chair Sparr could file a small claim against the owner. Mr. Koeppler stated that potential legal action could be mentioned in the initial letter. There was no further discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2014 2 VI – APPROVE RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00 FOR SKI’S MEAT MARKET, 502 N. MAIN STREET Ms. Cook gave background information and distributed the minutes of the May 12, 2014 Recruitment Fund Grant Committee meeting which recommended approval of a $5,000.00 grant to Ski’s Meat Market which will be opening at 502 N. Main Street. Ms. Cook added that Kris Larson is available to answer questions as he is a partner and building owner. Chanda Anderson asked if enough parking is available. Mr. Larson responded that the property has 70 stalls. Mr. Stapel commented that this would be a good fit to the downtown to fill grocery store need. Mr. Larson agreed and stated that the franchise owners originally wanted to locate closed to Highway 41 but convinced them that the downtown location would work. Ms. Prunty asked if there were going to be tables. Mr. Larson responded that none are planned for the inside; outside may be considered in the future. Mr. Larson added that the food section will be similar to the organic foods section at Festival Foods without the vitamins, etc. Sandy Prunty motioned to approve the Recruitment Fund Grant in the amount of $5,000.00 for Ski’s Meat Market, 502 N. Main Street. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed 7-0-1 (Abstain – Larson). VII – APPROVE TRANSFER OF $450.00 FROM RESERVES TO BEAUTIFICATION (CONTRACTED SERVICES) Ms. Cook gave background information to the reason for this request which is due to extra work required by Serwas Window Cleaning for changing the Downtown banners. Ms. Cook added that she has a good working relationship with Serwas and would hate to lose his services. Mr. Koeppler asked where the $450.00 amount came from. Ms. Cook responded that Serwas is paid $450.00 for each change which usually takes a day. The last two changes required two days each due to the extra work involved so Ms. Cook and Serwas agreed to split the difference. Kris Larson motioned for approval of transferring $450.00 from Reserves to Beautification (Contracted Services). Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII – 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 • Prepared monthly newsletter • Emailed upcoming events and associated road closures • Marketing Consortium – DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2014 3 o Destination Downtown was last weekend • Beautification o Working with Art City Signs and Mr. Nau on the Kiosk. The Kiosk has been ordered and should be delivered to Parks next week o Flower pots should be planted this week. Watering should be taken care of o New bulbs for the wreaths need to be ordered so the color matches the garland o Summer banners will be going up June 15th • Recruitment o Visited Downtown Sheboygan o Set up RFG meeting for Ski’s Meat Market o Added Salon La Rousse and Backlot Comedy Club to the Downtown Gift Card Program • Other o Working with Art City Signs and Muza Sheet Metal on Opera House Square interchangeable sign – hoping for 2015 installation o Attended Special Events meeting IX – BUSINESS RECRUITMENT DOWNTOWN VISIT REPORT Ms. Cook reported that she traveled to Downtown Sheboygan for recruitment research and visited five different businesses that are on the BID’s wish list • Nest – a home décor/design store open for 12 years. Ms. Cook reported that the store had limited inventory, had many samples and was high priced so she felt this would not be a good fit to downtown Oshkosh. • Aras Beks & Pottiers III Gift Boutique – A gift and tourism store. Very nice selection and reasonably priced, open for five years. Ms. Cook left a business card and would follow-up. • Olivada – Similar to Copper Olive – sells olive oil and vinegars. Open for a little over a year and not looking to expand at this time. • Relish – a kitchen store – lots of inventory, reasonable prices, open for six months but not ready to expand at this time. • TLC Casuals – Women’s clothing store open for 18 years. Has another store in Cedarburg. Good inventory, higher priced. Left card and will follow-up. Overall, there appeared to be a lot of restaurants, not too many stores in their downtown. IV – OPERA HOUSE SQUARE – TUESDAY NIGHT GATHERING ISSUES (CONTINUED) Ms. Cook went over the issues occurring on Tuesday nights at Opera House Square including mock fighting, rowdy behavior, grilling, loud music and trash left by the gathering. Ms. Cook stated that the Police Department is aware of and observed the gatherings and claims nothing illegal is going on. Mr. Cummings added that a pumpkin was thrown through a business window last fall. Mr. Cummings did talk to Sergeant Kroening about having Community Service Officers patrolling during the event. Tamera Adelmeyer, owner of Salon La Rousse, showed a video of the activities taking place and stated her customers feel intimidated by what is going on. She added that she fears for the younger children’s safety because people of all ages are participating with the activities. She feels that some type of police presence would give her more peace of mind. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES May 20, 2014 4 Mr. Cummings stated that various departments in the city will be meeting to discuss the issue to see if anything can be done to resolve the situation. Mr. Cummings asked Ms. Adelmeyer if she contacted The Northwestern. Ms Adelmeyer responded she had a previous bad experience with The Northwestern by posting her picture online while talking to the kids. X – BID BOARD POSITION OPENINGS(S) Mr. Nau reported that there are two openings on the BID Board and encouraged the Board to ask qualified people to apply if interested. XI – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JUNE 17, 2014 MEETING Mr. Nau stated he would add the Opera House Square item on next month’s agenda and try to have someone from the Police Department be present at the next meeting. XII – ADJOURNMENT Mr. Krumplitsch stated this is his last meeting serving through Leadership Oshkosh and thanked the Board for having him. With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:59am. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner