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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 16, 2014 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Jim Stapel, Chanda Anderson, Andy Ratchman, David Krumplitsch, James Evans EXCUSED: Kris Larson, Vicky Schroeder, Kay Bahr, Marlo Ambas STAFF: Cassie Daniels – Downtown Oshkosh BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Allen Davis – Director of Community Development, Darryn Burich – Planning Services Division, Sergeant Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:07am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF AUGUST 19, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2014 meeting as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES No one was present from the Police Department. Jim Stapel commented on the Fourth of July Parade route which makes an island of the downtown. Ms. Prunty responded the route was planned around the Farmers Market. Mr. Stapel responded there are other options for the parade route which would not isolate the downtown. Ms. Anderson elaborated on the factors why the current route was selected including float maneuverability and proximity to residential areas. IV – CITY OF OSHKOSH DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY – BID PARTICIPATION Community Development Director Allen Davis informed the Board that the City is responding to concerns from downtown businesses that there is a lack of parking for employees, customers and downtown events. Mr. Davis added the Common Council has directed the Planning Services Division to prepare a request for proposals out to consultants to do a parking study north of the Fox River including the Leach, Convention Center, and Hotel up to possibly New York Avenue. The plan would also focus on current and future land uses, economic development and redevelopment possibilities which equates to an update of the 2000 Downtown Action Plan. Mr. Davis stated that he hopes to get the plan started this fall and will entertain applying for a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation which has a January 2015 application deadline. If awarded, the City would not receive the funds until March and work on the plan would not begin until May, which in Mr. Davis’s opinion is too late. Mr. Davis stated they will probably utilize that grant opportunity for a similar study on the south side of the Fox River. Mr. Davis added he had discussions with representatives from City Center, 4-Imprint, and Hotel and all realize they have become a victim of their own success and more parking is needed for various reasons. Mr. Davis stated the cost of the study will be in the $75,000 to $100,000 range which will be partially funded by TIF dollars but is also seeking contributions similar to when the 2000 Downtown Action Plan was prepared. Mr. Davis added that he understood that in 2013 the BID agreed to contribute $5,000 towards a parking study. Mr. Davis said the city would accept that contribution and possibly more as the proposed study is more than just parking, but will also include economic development, housing and other infrastructure. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 16, 2014 2 Mr. Nau stated the BID packet includes the minutes of the March, 2013 BID Board meeting when the Board approved up to $5,000 towards a parking study. Mr. Stapel stated the Board has discussed giving the City money for purchase of land for an additional parking lot and asked Mr. Davis if the City would have a preference to how the BID can contribute. Mr. Davis responded the money will be needed for the study. Ms. Anderson stated that 4-Imprint is out of parking and listed several other businesses are in need of additional parking. Mr. Sparr stated that the City can count on the $5,000 contribution but cannot promise more at this time as the Budget Committee has not yet met to plan the 2015 budget. Mr. Davis responded that he would appreciate if the BID could stretch that amount to $10,000 as it will be an easier sell to Council. Mr. Davis added that the City will be approaching City Center, the Hotel and any other stakeholders that will benefit from the study. Mr. Stapel asked Mr. Davis if he foresees any outcomes of the study and possible contributions the City would ask for from the BID to implement recommendations from the study. Mr. Davis responded that for example, a parking ramp costs between $15,000 and $25,000 per parking stall; a 400-stall ramp would cost $8 million. Mr. Stapel responded if the City will not be able to afford to implement what is recommended in the study, he questioned the value of the study. Mr. Davis stated that the City has been in contact with the Cities of Neenah and Appleton who are both doing similar studies and currently have ramps. He added that the study will hopefully model ways to finance and maintain any proposed ramp through borrowing, TIF financing, permit sales, and possibly yearly City and BID contributions. Mr. Evans stated that the problem is not a lack of spaces, but employees not willing to park in lots farther away from their workplace. Mr. Stapel added that customers need to see their destination’s front door from where they park, otherwise they will not stop. Ms. Prunty asked when the BID’s annual parking obligation expires. Mr. Nau responded theoretically in 2014. Mr. Sparr stated if the utility payment is going away, it would be easier to justify a larger contribution towards the study. Mr. Nau asked Mr. Davis the status of the Gunderson property. Mr. Davis responded that the property is for sale, the owners are asking approximately $30,000. Mr. Stapel commented that is a project he felt the BID could make a meaningful contribution for parking lot construction. Ms. Anderson stated that a parking lot at that location would not solve the Downtown’s needs. Mr. Burich stated that the study will provide insight as to where no lots are needed based on current and potential changes in land use. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES (CONTINUED) Sergeant Kroening reported that it has been an odd summer in that particular types of crime have been dominating each month; June it was burglaries, August has been graffiti. He added there were nine graffiti complaints in August, probably done by the same person. Mr. Sparr stated that Easy-Off oven cleaner worked well to remove the paint. Mr. Stapel asked if the Police Department is enforcing the removal of the graffiti within 24 hours. Sergeant Kroening responded they are. Sergeant Kroening also reported that other than the graffiti, crime has been down; no burglaries and two cases of vehicle theft. He added there were some parking issues during the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament. Mr. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 16, 2014 3 Stapel commented that he did not understand why that event had to shut down Main Street starting Friday morning. Ms Anderson responded that they need to set up the basketball courts. Mr. Stapel responded that the set up could be done Friday night if the organizers were willing to pay for overtime. V – APPROVE TRANSFER OF $15.00 FROM LEADERSHIP BUDGET TO STORAGE UNIT BUDGET BID Manager Daniels reported the rent for the storage unit is going up $5.00 starting in October and the budget needs an additional $15.00 to cover the cost for the remainder of the year. She added the funds can be taken from the Leadership budget as it will have a surplus at the end of the year. Jim Stapel motioned for approval to transfer $15.00 from the Leadership Budget to the Storage Unit Budget. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Daniels reported that due to her absence there is no Manager’s Report this month. She informed the Board she was planning to attend a Thriving College Towns conference in DePere on September 29th. She added the conference will cost $50.00. She explained that it is a networking opportunity to promote downtowns to the college population. The Board agreed it would be beneficial for her attend. Ms. Prunty reported that they are losing two businesses and gaining one. Elle Mae and Chic to Chic are planning to close while the Blonde Russian woman’s store is planning to open. Ms. Lang asked what was resolved in regard to the trash receptacles at last month’s meeting. Ms. Prunty responded that she understood the decorative cans would be phased out in favor of the plastic cans. Ms. Anderson added that the City has spent $3,000 on maintenance of the cans due to damage. Mr. Krumplitsch added the City is looking to avoid workers from mounting and dismounting the trucks to save time. Ms. Daniels stated the City has never approached the BID to help offset the cost for maintenance. Ms. Anderson suggested that someone from the Beautification Committee should contact Wausau Tile to see what kind of warranty the metal receptacles have as she felt they should not be breaking in such a short time period. Ms. Daniels responded she will contact Wausau Tile. VIII – DISCUSSION ON BIKE SHARING PROGRAM There was no discussion on this item. IX – 2015 BID BUDGET UPDATE Mr. Sparr informed the Board that the Budget Committee will be meeting on October 8th. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 16, 2014 4 X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE OCTOBER 21, 2014 MEETING Mr. Nau informed the Board that the City Manager has requested the BID Budget and Operating Plan be placed on the first November Council meeting which will require the Board to approve them at their October meeting or by special meeting. Ms. Lang asked Mr. Nau if the Council would like to have another workshop. Mr. Nau responded he would look into the possibility. Bike Sharing Program 2015 BID Operating Plan 2015 BID Budget XI – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:01am. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner