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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 19, 2014 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Jim Stapel, Kay Bahr, Vicky Schroeder, Chanda Anderson, Kris Larson, Andy Ratchman, David Krumplitsch, Marlo Ambas, James Evans EXCUSED: None STAFF: Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Mark Rohloff – City Manager, Steve Gohde – Department of Public Works, Kevin Uhen – Streets & Sanitation, Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Rob Kleman – Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:05am and a quorum was declared present. Chair Sparr introduced new Alternate Board Member James Evans. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 15, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2014 meeting as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening stated that the last month has been uneventful downtown. He added that there were only 15 calls for assistance within a half-mile radius of N. Main Street the past month. Sergeant Kroening did report of a burglary at 217 N. Main, an attempted burglary at 448 N. Main and a residential burglary at the 100 Block of High Avenue. Sergeant Kroening added that vehicle burglaries are way down. Sandy Prunty stated there has been an increase in minor vandalism at some businesses. Sergeant Kroening responded that he was aware of the incidents and suspected it was related to the bar crowd. He added that the Police Department is making an effort to increase presence and have more foot patrols to deter from these types of incidents. Mr. Nau asked if the Tuesday night gatherings at Opera House Square have settled down. Sergeant Kroening responded they have not had any more complaints since the Police Department increased their presence. He added that the largest crowd over the past month has only been about twenty people. Ms. Prunty commented that Tamera Adelmeyer is much happier with the increased presence. IV – DOWNTOWN TRASH RECEPTACLE UPDATE Marlo Ambas arrived at 8:12am. City Manager Rohloff updated the BID on downtown trash collection since the placement of the additional Toter receptacles along with the preexisting receptacles. He added since April 4th, the Sanitation Department has been compiling data on the volume of trash each receptacle has been collecting. Mr. Rohloff summarized the overall use of the receptacles and noted that several receptacles receive little or no trash, however, those locations do serve as a convenience which he felt was important. He added that spreading out the cans yielded some usage but for mostly family-orientated events; the Pub Crawl did not have an appreciable increase in DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 19, 2014 2 usage, mainly because the tavern owners try to keep the patrons inside with their beverages. The Farmers Market showed an increase usage along Main Street on Monday pickups, but a lot of cans dropped to little or no usage during the week. Mr. Rohloff lastly noted that the only area receiving consistent usage is the receptacles around Opera House Square. Mr. Rohloff commented on the aesthetics of the existing wrought iron receptacles and understood they were selected to match the bike racks and benches, but he felt the Toter receptacles did not detract the look of the downtown. Mr. Rohloff also added that maintenance has become an issue; to date, the City has spent $3,000 on maintenance on the metal receptacles due to damage from wear and tear and vandalism. He added that so far, there has been no damage reported with the Toter receptacles. Steve Gohde displayed several images depicting the types of damage the City has had to contend with. Mr. Rohloff stated the Streets and Sanitation Division has been using parts from the recycling receptacles as they are being pulled out of the Downtown. Mr. Rohloff said that the Sustainability Advisory Board contacted him about concerns removing the recycling bins from the Downtown; although the City and BID had wanted to promote downtown recycling, there was too much cross- contamination between the trash and recyclables to make it viable. Mr. Rohloff explained that another advantage of the Toter bins is the time savings for city crews. The Toter bins do not require the driver to dismount the vehicle to access the can. This has cut down collection time in the Downtown from 40 minutes to 15 minutes. Mr. Rohloff asked for input or observations from the Board. Ms. Anderson commented that she did not mind the Toter cans, she rather see them than garbage and appreciated the cost and time savings. Jim Stapel asked if anyone has contacted Wausau Tile in regard to the durability of the metal cans. Ms. Prunty stated the Beautification Committee selected the cans and they should contact Wausau Tile. Mr. Nau responded he would forward the damage photos to the Beautification Committee. Mr. Rohloff asked the Board if there were any observations of the Toter cans being knocked over. He added that they are weighted down, but that was an initial concern. No one responded. Mr. Rohloff summarized that with the removal of the metal recycling receptacles, they should have parts to last several years until the metal cans are phased out. He added that they can incorporate additional Toter carts over time at strategic locations which are easily accessible for the garbage trucks. Ms. Prunty inquired if the automated trucks were in use at the time of purchase of the metal receptacles. Mr. Gohde responded that the city only had automated recycling at that time. V – 2014 WEDA FALL CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY Rob Kleman informed the Board that the Wisconsin Economic Development Association will be having its fall conference in Oshkosh for the first time since 1998. He provided the Board background information and asked the Board if there was interest in being a small sponsor for the conference. Mr. Kleman added that the sponsorship includes one registration for the conference which BID Manager Cook could utilize. Ms. Prunty asked if there was a possibility of reserving a booth. Mr. Kleman responded there is but at greater expense. Mr. Sparr asked how much the sponsorship cost. Mr. Kleman responded that he is recommending the Conference Sponsor tier which costs $250.00. Ms. Prunty commented that this is a great opportunity to promote the Downtown. Mr. Sparr recollected that there was funding set aside for these types of expenses in the Leadership Budget. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 19, 2014 3 Sandy Prunty motioned for approval to expend $250.00 from the Leadership Budget to sponsor the 2014 WEDA Fall Conference. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Vicky Schroeder seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Megan Lang arrived at 8:38am. Sandy Prunty updated the Board on Marketing Consortium activities. Ms. Prunty informed the Board of their concerns with recent vandalism. Ms. Prunty also gave an update to the upcoming Chalk Walk scheduled for September 6, the same day as Gallery Walk. Lastly, Ms. Prunty gave an update to the Chili Cook-off on October 25th. Ms. Anderson added that there will be more children activities for the cook-off. Mr. Kleman informed the Board that BID Manager Cook has been keeping up with duties and is scheduled to return in early September. VIII – DISCUSSION ON BIKE SHARING PROGRAM Vicky Schroeder informed the Board that the University is very open to participating with the program. Mr. Nau distributed information from Madison Bicycle, which provides bike sharing services and hardware. Ms. Anderson stated this would be ideal for the riverwalk. Mr. Sparr responded to make this work there needs to be enough bike stations scattered throughout the city. Mr. Larson inquired if the time limitations referenced on the brochure could be altered. Mr. Sparr responded that the time usage and costs can be set up anyway the facilitator wants. Ms. Anderson asked if any other cities the size of Oshkosh has a sharing program. Mr. Nau responded that he knew that LaCrosse is looking into a program. Mr. Nau added that he will see if there is interest in setting up a committee with members from the BID, Bike and Pedestrian Committee and University and will keep this as a continuing agenda item. IX – 2015 BID BUDGET COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS Mr. Nau informed the Board that the City Manager would like to have the BID Budget and Operating Plan presented to the Common Council at the first meeting in November. He added that would require the BID Board to approve them at its October meeting or schedule a special meeting. Mr. Nau asked the Board who would like to serve on the committee. Sandy Prunty, David Sparr, Kris Larson, Chanda Anderson and Megan Lang volunteered to serve. X - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR 2015 EVENTS/WEBSITE UPDATE Mr. Nau informed the Board that the BID Manager was seeking input as to whether to send mailings or emails to prospective event organizers for sponsorship opportunities through the BID. Mr. Sparr responded that promoting sponsorships may be misleading due to the BID cutting back on event funding. Ms. Anderson DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 19, 2014 4 concurred and claimed to recall that last year would be the last year to send out reminders. Ms. Lang stated that Ms. Cook should contact Live at Lunch and Waterfest since the BID would probably still be able to sponsor those events. XI – FRIENDSHIP PLACE PRESENTATION Executive Director Lori Hill and Assistant Director Andrea Phillips of Friendship Place, Inc. presented background information on Friendship Place, a mental health outreach program for adults based out of Neenah. They continued that the organization will be opening a pop-up location in Oshkosh to determine need and community support. Ms. Phillips informed the Board that their office is located in the Beech Building on Algoma Boulevard and was initially to be open for three months. She added their service provides therapeutic and educational services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness with the goal of making them acclimate back into society. Ms. Hill added that the Police and Fire Departments, warming shelters, Oshkosh Public Library and Aurora Health are in full support in that there hopefully will be a reduction in emergency calls due to boredom and loneliness from the people in need. In addition to the reduction of EMS calls, there is a cost savings from $1,760 per day for psychiatric hospitalization to $23 per day for Friendship Place Services. She anticipates that they will be initially assisting ten people per day. Lastly, she mentioned that their goal is to be permanently located in Oshkosh which will be based on the need and community support during the three month trial. Ms. Schroeder asked if they have licensed psychologists or are able to prescribe medications. Ms. Hill responded that people using their services have to be receiving professional services elsewhere. Ms. Hill added they provide a supplemental service and their entire stall has appropriate training. Ms. Anderson asked if things go as planned, would they be open seven days a week. Ms. Hill responded that seven days would be ideal, but more realistically, five days at the start. XII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 MEETING Bike Sharing Program XIII – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Chanda Anderson moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:07am. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner