Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 21, 2014 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Chanda Anderson, Andy Ratchman, David Krumplitsch, Kris Larson, Vicky Schroeder, Kay Bahr, Marlo Ambas, James Evans EXCUSED: Jim Stapel STAFF: Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Jim Collins – Oshkosh Transportation Department Director, Sergeant Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Cathy Cluff, Leadership Oshkosh I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:02am and a quorum was declared present. II – INTRODUCTION OF LEADERSHIP OSHKOSH BOARD MENTOR Chair Sparr introduced Cathy Cluff to the Board. Ms. Cluff stated she is the Sales Director for the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the Leadership Oshkosh Class of 2015 and will be serving as the mentee to the BID Board. She added that she looks forward to participating and hopes to work together with the BID in the future. III – APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2014 meeting as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IV – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that the fall Pub Crawl was held on October 11th and added that it was the smallest turnout he had ever worked. He added he felt the smaller turnout was due to students on campus starting too early and not managing to make it downtown. He stated the Police Department may switch its focus to monitor the campus parties as well as the Pub Crawl. The event resulted in eleven citations. Ms. Anderson stated she only saw bouncers on the sidewalks when she drove on Main Street in the early evening. Sergeant Kroening reported there were two burglaries; one at 416 N. Main due to an unlocked door and a sophisticated ATM burglary at Cranky Pats, 100 N. Main. Ms. Anderson informed Sergeant Kroening that Gardina’s had rocks thrown through their windows Sunday (10/19) night. Sergeant Kroening responded he was not aware of that incident and it might not have been reported. V – CREATE BUDGET LINE ITEM FOR CHALK WALK UNDER MARKETING CONSORTIUM CATEGORY Chair Sparr explained that the Chalk Walk line item needs to be created for carry-over for 2015. Ms. Lang asked how much will be carried over. Ms. Prunty responded $1,076.00 will be carried over. Mr. Larson asked how much was expended for the event. Ms. Prunty responded approximately $1,000.00. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 21, 2014 2 Sandy Prunty motioned for creation of the Chalk Walk line item under the Marketing Consortium budget. Kay Bahr seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Ms. Lang reported that BID Manager Daniels contacted her and would not be able to make this meeting. VI – APPROVE RETENTION FUND GRANTS: A) VARSITY CLUB, 570 N. MAIN STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00 B) URBAN ESQUE SALON, 460 N. MAIN STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $474.00 Mr. Nau reported that Varsity Club, 570 N. Main St. applied and was approved for a $1,000.00 grant for recent improvements of their façade along N. Main St. Ms. Anderson reported that Urban Esque recently replaced their front window and window signage due to damage from a Pub Crawl. Megan Lang motioned for approval of the Retention Fund Grants for Varsity Club, 570 N. Main Street for the amount of $1,000.00 and Urban Esque Salon, 460 N. Main Street for the amount of $474.00. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VII – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT Chair Sparr inquired if the financial report numbers were the same used for the proposed budget. Ms. Prunty responded they were. Mr. Sparr explained to the Board that the anticipated carry-over numbers shown on the proposed budget are based on the amounts in this month’s financial report including the Chalk Walk and money received from the advertising program. There was no further discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Sparr asked the Board to review the Manager’s report in their packet. He noted that there are three potential Recruitment Fund Grant applicants. He suggested if the Board had any questions on the report they should contact BID Manager Daniels. IX – APPROVE 2015 BID BUDGET Chair Sparr presented the proposed budget and noted that the proposed BID assessment will be increased to $154,560. He added that the BID’s obligation to the annual Parking Utility payment expired in 2014, however, City Manager Rohloff attended the Budget Committee meeting requesting the BID continue a financial contribution to the Utility. Mr. Sparr added that the BID Board previously committed $5,000 to the City for the proposed parking study and is reflected in the budget. The Committee also agreed to budget $15,000.00 for the Utility towards the purchase of daily parking permits which the BID would sell to BID members at a reduced rate. Chair Sparr presented the rest of the proposed budget, explaining individual line items and comparing them to amounts budgeted in 2014. He noted that the Marketing Consortium has a proposed budget of $5,000 with no particular plan but the Committee felt they should have funding available to sponsor potential events. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 21, 2014 3 Ms. Anderson commented if the BID does not continue the Parking Utility payment at the level in years past, the Council may reject the Budget and Operating Plan. Mr. Collins added that the Council cannot alter the Budget or Operating Plan but they defer it back to the BID Board or not approve them. Mr. Collins also added the permit purchase would be a onetime deal and questioned if the BID needed that many permits. He also stated that the Utility shortfall will be a problem beyond 2015. Chair Sparr responded that the parking study should be complete early next year and hopefully provide guidance to alleviate the Utility’s financial issue. Ms. Prunty asked if it would help showing up at the Council meeting. Mr. Sparr volunteered to attend the Council meeting. Mr. Nau added that BID Manager Daniels should also be in attendance. Jim Evans stated he was under the assumption that the BID was getting out of the sponsorship business and questioned the amounts for Live at Lunch and Waterfest. Mr. Sparr responded that the amount budgeted for Live at Lunch has been cut substantially as compared to previous years and heard it may not even take place next year. Mr. Sparr added that Waterfest is also in financial trouble and recalled a meeting with John Casper that if the BID can only fund one event it should be Waterfest due to its impact on the downtown. Ms. Lang commented that the new organizers of Gallery Walk did not need BID sponsorship as well as the Farmers Market. Mr. Evans stated he would like to see BID sponsored events that benefit his business. Mr. Larson responded that no other event helps his business as well as other bars and restaurants as Waterfest does and gets a lot of bang for the buck. Ms. Anderson commented her support of the Waterfest sponsorship, even though it does not impact her business; it is an important event for the downtown as a whole. Ms. Schroeder added that Waterfest is a good recruitment tool for the downtown. Ms. Lang stated she still had concerns with the money budged for the parking permits and wished the parking study had already been done. Mr. Sparr responded that it can be looked at that the BID is contributing more than last year when taking into account the $5,000 parking study contribution. Mr. Collins replied that the City has spent a lot of money the past several years on parking lots and will continue to invest in downtown parking in the future. Mr. Larson responded that the parking lots are one of the few tangibles BID constituents can see and benefit from their assessment. Ms. Lang stated the BID needs to promote that the parking lots are a benefit to their constituents. Sandy Prunty motioned to approve the 2015 BID Budget as presented. Andy Ratchman seconded the motion which passed 8-2 (nays: Larson, Anderson). X – APPROVE 2015 OPERATING PLAN There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson motioned for approval of the 2015 BID Operating Plan as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion which passed unanimously. XI – BIKE SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE Chair Sparr distributed articles on bike sharing programs in other communities. There was no other discussion on this item. XII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER 18, 2014 MEETING - Bike Sharing Program DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 21, 2014 4 XIII – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Kris Larson moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:40am. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner