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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 17, 2015 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Sandy Prunty, Andy Ratchman, Kris Larson, Kay Bahr, Chanda Anderson, Vicky Schroeder, David Krumplitsch, Marlo Ambas, James Evans EXCUSED: Megan Lang, Jim Stapel STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Sergeant Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Sergeant Matt Harris – Oshkosh Police Department, Steve Cummings – Oshkosh Common Council I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:01am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17, 2015 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2015 meeting as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening informed the Board that there has not been much activity in the downtown the past month. He did report a few damage incidents in the form of broken windows at Oblio’s tavern and the bus station; arrests of two juveniles were made for the bus depot vandalism. There was no other discussion on this item. IV – WASHINGTON BUILDING REHABILITATION PRESENTATION Mr. Nau requested the item be laid over until May due to Planning Services Manager Darryn Burich not being able to attend the meeting. V – TOUR OF AMERICA’S DAIRYLAND CYCLING EVENT PRESENTATION Event organizer Chris Yaggie introduced himself and briefly went over details of the cycling event. He informed the board that last year the races took place around the UW Oshkosh campus area but due to scheduling conflicts with the University, the event is being proposed to take place downtown. He added that there will be street closures; however, customers will not lose access to any businesses. Mr. Yaggie stated that last year approximately 700 racers and 2,500 spectators attended the event. He also stated the event will begin at 9:00am and wraps up at approximately 6:30pm. Mr. Yaggie explained that this is one of eleven planned events statewide and receives a lot of media attention. The Oshkosh event will be held on Thursday, June 25th which coincides with Waterfest and he feels spectators and event participants will venture there as well as shop and dine downtown. He stated that participants of all ages and skill levels will compete and often involves whole families. Ms. Anderson asked if the route has been decided. Sergeant Matt Harris responded several routes were presented at the Special Events Committee meeting and were weeded down to one. Mr. Yaggie distributed maps to the Board showing the proposed route. Sergeant Harris commented that he worked with this event last DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 17, 2015 2 year and it was very well organized and should not have the same issues that occurred with the unrelated downtown cycling event held a few years ago. Mr. Yaggie added that event was poorly organized with very low turnout and the way the course was laid out negatively impacted several businesses. Sergeant Harris stated that the Police Department will be sending notices to all the properties inside and along the route to provide information and contacts for citizens with questions and concerns. Ms. Anderson asked if Kitz & Pfeil loses access for customer parking. Sergeant Harris responded they would not. Ms. Anderson stated that she feels this is phenomenal for the downtown and should be given a chance. Mr. Sparr asked Marlo Ambas if he had concerns with the route affecting his restaurant. Mr. Ambas responded he would like some kind of signage instructing his customers where to park. Sergeant Harris suggested he post information at his business to at least inform his regular customers of the event. He added that they could post generic signage stating downtown businesses are still open. Ms. Prunty stated she liked the signage idea. Ben Rennert, owner of Winnebago Bicycle stated that at last year’s event he heard several comments that it would be great to hold the event downtown and would benefit several businesses. Sergeant Harris stated pedestrians will still have access to cross closed streets during the event but will be closed to vehicles. Mr. Sparr asked if this still needs to go back to the Special Events Committee. Sergeant Harris responded that it has gone twice already and will go back for final approval by the committee and Common Council. VI - MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Jim Stapel seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS BID Manager Daniels presented a summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in her report included in the BID packet. Highlights include: • The 2015 Downtown Directory has been printed and she is in the process of distributing them. Considering charging businesses outside of the BID to have their listing in the 2016 directory. • Continuing to work on switching over the Gift Card Program, preparing correspondence for new and existing customers. • Has updated several sections of the downtown website • Beautification o Working with Jones Signs for design of the changeable copy sign for Opera House Square. Hopefully will be installed by the end of May. o Starting work on new banner program, the current contract expires at the end of this year. o Preparing update to Opera House Square Information Kiosk. o Beginning work on new banner/sponsorship program which begins with the 2015 holiday banners. • Recruitment Fund Grants o Oshkosh Balance has submitted receipts for their $5,000 grant. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 17, 2015 3 o Working with one potential Recruitment Grant applicant. • Working on a restaurant/retail event scheduled for May 30th which includes a choice of several events, activities and dining opportunities. • Attended Special Events Meeting • Met with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. • Met with Card Concepts • Attending BID assessment meetings. VIII – DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH GIFT CARD PROGRAM UPDATE This item was discussed in the BID Manager’s Report. IX – BID ASSESSMENT POLICY REVIEW UPDATE Chair Sparr reported on the work the BID Assessment Committee has done over the past several months to develop a new assessment methodology for the BID. He further explained that the consensus of the group was that the City Center properties were paying an excessive assessment due to the large increase in their property value over the past decade and the group felt assessments should be more equitable. Mr. Sparr explained the group reviewed assessment methods other BIDs throughout the state use as comparables, as well as creating new methods on their own. Mr. Sparr added that Mr. Nau would take the proposed methods and apply it to the Oshkosh BID to see the results and impact for each method. He stated a common trend several BIDs use is implementing a minimum and a maximum assessment. The group is proposing the Oshkosh BID implement a $400 minimum and $8,000 maximum assessment for each property. Mr. Sparr referenced tables included in the BID packets and briefly went over several of the scenarios. Mr. Nau provided background information on the current assessment method’s formula. The current method uses a property’s proportional share of assessed property value plus the property’s proportional share of assessable street frontage then divides that sum by two. That number is then multiplied by the proposed budget number set by the budget committee to determine the property’s assessment. Mr. Nau explained the proposed method is similar to the current method in that it still uses the combination of assessed value and street frontages. However, the assessable street frontage calculation has changed in that properties with multiple frontages (corners) are no longer assessed on all sides, just their primary frontage based on data provided by the City Assessor. Mr. Nau stated the other change is the implementation of the $400/$8,000 minimum and maximum assessment. Because of these new factors, an “inflated” base budget number must be used to get to the budget number set by the Budget Committee. Mr. Nau referenced the table showing the hypothetical assessments using the proposed method versus the current 2015 assessments based on 2015’s levy of $154,560. Ms. Anderson asked if Kurt Koeppler has been made aware of the proposed method. Mr. Nau responded that Mr. Koeppler was on the committee. Ms. Prunty commented that some properties traditionally paying low assessments will see high percentage increases which may upset some property owners. Ms. Anderson asked how many properties would see that type of increase. Ms. Prunty responded about 40 properties. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES March 17, 2015 4 Mr. Evans asked the Board if this method is approved, what steps should be taken to present this to the BID property owners and tenants. Ms. Anderson suggested having an open meeting at the Algoma Club. Ms. Anderson asked how many BIDs use a minimum and maximum assessment. Mr. Nau responded approximately 60 to 70 percent. Ms. Anderson stated that if the new proposal is presented the right way, most property owners will understand the increases and want to continue the positive momentum the downtown has experienced in recent years. Mr. Evans thanked Mr. Nau for his efforts working with the committee and preparing the various scenarios. Mr. Sparr stressed that they are only changing the method to assess, not setting a budget. The final numbers will change based on what the budget committee comes up with for a budget. Mr. Larson added that this will show the budget committee what kind of impact the new method will have on the property owners. Mr. Stapel asked if the minimum and maximum assessments could be increased to account for inflation. Mr. Sparr responded they could. Ms. Anderson asked if the Board should present this proposal to the BID property owners prior to taking final action. Mr. Sparr responded that he worries that it could delay getting the new method approved in time for implementation for 2016. Kris Larson motioned for approval of the new assessment methodology utilizing the average sum of the proportional assessed property value, and proportional street frontage based on the property’s primary address based on City Assessor records and implementing a minimum assessment of $400 and a maximum assessment of $8,000. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Ms. Prunty asked if they could set a date to hold the informational meeting. Mr. Stapel suggested assigning “block captains” to go out and explain the new method and impacts. Mr. Sparr stated he liked holding the meeting at the Algoma Club. Mr. Evans asked if the invites would only go to the property owners. Mr. Nau responded he only has mailing addresses for the property owners, but Ms. Daniels did email invites to the tenants for the BID social in January so that is an option. The Board concluded the meeting should be held in May and can be further discussed at the April Board meeting. X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE APRIL 21, 2015 MEETING - Washington Building Project - May BID Assessment public meeting update - Historic Tourism XI – ADJOURNMENT 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