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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 21, 2015 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Sandy Prunty, Andy Ratchman, Kris Larson, Marlo Ambas, James Evans EXCUSED: Jim Stapel, Kay Bahr, Chanda Anderson, David Krumplitsch, Vicky Schroeder STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Sergeant Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Steve Cummings – Oshkosh Common Council, Darryn Burich – Planning Services Division I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:02am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2015 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2015 meeting as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening reported that there were very few calls in the Main Street area the past month. Sergeant Kroening did note there was a burglary at 141 High Ave. (Reptile Palace) and 16 other calls for mostly theft- related crimes. Sergeant Kroening reported that the majority of the activity for the April Pub Crawl took place near campus and away from Main Street. He added that they started getting calls around 9:00am from the campus area, with most calls occurring between 8:00pm and 10:00 totaling 24 calls for service. Sergeant Kroening added that 12 citations were issued around the Main Street area versus 19 near campus during the same time period. He stated the Police Department will be reevaluating how the next Pub Crawl will be patrolled and are considering having more coverage around the campus area and less on Main Street. James Evens commented that it appears the event is turning into a Mifflin Street weekend. Sergeant Kroening responded that is a very good comparison. Ms. Prunty asked if the non-drinking party at 404 N. Main was well attended. Sergeant Kroening responded it did not appear to be. He added they estimated there were around 3,000 to 5,000 people present at the campus area. Mr. Evans questioned why people were bothering buying t-shirts if they were not going downtown. Sergeant Kroening responded that there are fewer and fewer t-shirts being sold, and groups of participants are instead, making their own. Council Member Cummings stated that the Council made an effort to try not to discuss this item as to avoid giving the event free press. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 21, 2015 2 IV – WASHINGTON BUILDING REHABILITATION PRESENTATION Mr. Burich informed the Board that one of the project’s partners, Mike Goudreau was running late and asked if they could delay the discussion. V – DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY UPDATE This item was discussed after the Washing Building Rehabilitation Presentation. VI – OSHKOSH HISTORIC TOURISM DISCUSSION Council Member Cummings provided background information on this project and stated that the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Oshkosh Public Museum, the Paine Art Center, the Winnebago County Historical Society, the Oshkosh Public Library, Todd Cummings, BID Manager Daniels, Principal Planner David Buck and himself are participating. He added they are in the process of conducting an inventory which will be followed by research and finding the stories behind the buildings. He hopes to have a kick-off event on June 1st which will have the first tour. Mr. Cummings added that David Buck has been conducting research on the plaque program and would like to see that program heavily promoted. Mr. Larson asked if the tours will be guided or self guided. Mr. Cummings responded there will be probably both. He added Todd Cummings has suggested self guided bike tours. Mr. Nau stated that the City will be able to develop a self-guided tour using smart phones. Mr. Cummings lastly stated that he envisions that this type of tourism has the potential to bring in a lot of revenue to area businesses. VII - MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII – 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: • Invites for the BID Assessment public meeting were either mailed or emailed to tenants and property owners. The meeting will be held at the Algoma Club on May 13th. • Continuing to work on switching over the Gift Card Program, preparing correspondence for new and existing customers. She added there are 13 new participants in addition to the 19 that switched over from the old program. Megan Lang asked if she has had any problems with the new vendor. Ms. Daniels responded there have been no problems. Ms. Lang suggested they should do a re-launch of the program to help promote it. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 21, 2015 3 • Finalizing the Enjoy Local Event. Information is on the Downtown Website • Beautification o Information Kiosk has been updated. o Working on the sponsorships for the new banners. o Finalizing design for the changeable copy sign at Opera House Square. o Working on relocating the pots located near Hot Dog Charlie’s. • Has been attending the Historic Tourism Meetings. • Preparing Block Captain packets which will be distributed the second week of May. • Researching possible downtown visits. Chair Sparr asked which downtowns she was considering. Ms. Daniels responded the Green Bay Broadway District, Wausau and Stevens Point. Ms. Lang stated she felt it was important for Ms. Daniels to check out what other BIDs are doing in addition to recruitment efforts. Ms. Prunty asked if there are opportunities for networking with other BID managers. Ms. Daniels responded she does have some contact to bounce ideas. Mr. Sparr asked if she was prepared for the BID Assessment meeting. Ms. Daniels responded that she has some handouts ready. Mr. Nau added he would be available to provide technical support on the new assessment method. IV – WASHINGTON BUILDING REHABILITATION PRESENTATION (CONTINUED) Mr. Burich presented background information of the Washington Building’s adaptive reuse project which will convert the existing commercial use to mid to upper-scale residential apartments. Mr. Burich thought it was important to share this information with the BID Board since the property is located in the BID and due to its historic significance. Mr. Burich introduced Mike Goudreau, one of the partners seeking input from downtown business owners to determine if there is a need for this type of residential units. Mr. Goudreau stated he and his partner, Randy Schmiedel, owners of Discovery Properties purchased the Washington Building about a year ago with the intent to convert the office spaces to living units. In addition to conversion to residences, they are planning to build garage spaces on a portion of the Washington Parking Lot and have been working with the City for land acquisition. Mr. Goudreau stated they are targeting both younger professionals who want to live in the downtown as well as empty nesters seeking downtown living. A total of 20 units are planed with varying number of bedrooms. Mr. Goudreau also informed the Board that they are applying for historic tax credits as the renovations are restoring much of the building to its original condition. Mr. Sparr asked what the rents will be. Mr. Goudreau replied they will range from just under $1,000 to $1,195 per month. Ms. Lang stated he could probably get more for the three bedrooms. Mr. Larson agreed with Ms. Lang’s assessment. Mr. Burich asked if they were marketing for corporate tenants for shorter-term leases. Mr. Larson responded he receives a lot of calls asking for that type of housing as well. Ms. Lang informed Mr. Goudreau that the proposed change in use may exempt the property from receiving a BID assessment. Mr. Burich responded that may not be the case as the property is still assessed as a commercial property and that exemption was meant for single and two-family properties. Mr. Burich added the City is working with the state to get clarification. Mr. Goudreau said he noticed the assessment on the tax bill DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES April 21, 2015 4 and asked how the assessment is calculated. Mr. Nau gave a brief explanation of the recently approved BID assessment methodology. Ms. Lang stated with the property offering garage spaces, he could probably ask for higher rents. Ms. Lang also stated her concern with the Delay of the Washington Street reconstruction project, especially with upcoming Washington Building project and potential YMCA expansion project. Mr. Burich echoed her concerns and stated the delay was due to nearby Department of Public Works infrastructure projects tying into Washington Street. V – DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY UPDATE (CONTINUED) Mr. Burich reported that the City has a consultant lined up but is waiting to see if they will be receiving a WEDC grant they applied for to help finance the study. Mr. Burich added the delay is not necessarily a bad thing because the audit of the parking facilities will take place during the summer versus back in February which will result in a more accurate picture of parking needs and trends. IX – BID ASSESSMENT PUBLIC MEETING UPDATE This item was discussed in the BID Manager’s Report. X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MAY 19, 2015 MEETING No items were identified. XI – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Megan Lang moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8.51am. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner