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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 16, 2015 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Kay Bahr, Chanda Anderson, David Krumplitsch, Sandy Prunty, Kris Larson, Andy Ratchman, James Evans EXCUSED: Jim Stapel, Vicky Schroeder, Marlo Ambas STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau – Associate Planner OTHERS: Rob Kleman – Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, Darrin Wasniewski – W.E.D.C., Naletta Burr – W.E.D.C., Kimberly Biedermann – U.W. Oshkosh Business Success Center I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:00am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2015 MEETING Chair Sparr noted that the minutes stated that Kris Larson shops at Ski’s Meat Market daily instead of Downtown Tony. Mr. Nau stated he would make the correction. There were no other comments on this item. Kris Larson moved to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2015 meeting as presented. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT Jim Evans asked what Kelly Green Lawn Care is responsible for. Ms. Daniels responded he is responsible for downtown litter pick-up, watering of the flower pots and other green areas as needed, and maintenance of the landscaping for the downtown parking lots. Mr. Evans stated there are a lot of weeds located in the 400 Block East Parking Lot. Ms. Daniels responded she would contact Kelly Green to have it taken care of. Ms. Lang added they have been very responsive to the BID’s requests. There were no other comments on this item. Sandy Prunty motioned for approval of the monthly financial report as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES No one from the Oshkosh Police Department was present. There was no discussion on this item. IV – PRESENTATION BY W.E.D.C. ON THE WISCONSIN MAIN STREET PROGRAM Mr. Nau introduced Darrin Wasniewski and Naletta Burr from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Kimberly Biedermann from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Business Success Center to give a presentation on the Wisconsin Main Street Program. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 16, 2015 2 After introductions, Mr. Wasniewski gave background information on himself stating he is relatively new to the area and currently oversees Wisconsin’s Main Street economic development program. He stated the program has been in existence for close to 35 years and is a nationwide network of downtowns. He added Main Street programs have a stigma that they are only found in small communities, but there are programs in Milwaukee and Kenosha. Mr. Wasniewski stated the Main Street Program is economic development-focused that uses a holistic four- point approach: 1 - the design of public spaces, 2 – the economics of the downtown, 3 – promotion of the downtown and 4 – the need to have an organization in place with a paid staff person. Nationally, Mr. Wasniewski said there are approximately 1,600 Main Street programs with about 46 national coordinating programs in Wisconsin. Currently, there are 35 Wisconsin Main Street communities. Locally, Omro and Fond du Lac are participating. Mr. Wasniewski discussed the benefits of being part of the Main Street Program. Benefits include: • Networking with other programs. There are over 1,600 active communities that like to share ideas, successes and failures. • The Wisconsin Main Street Program offers up to six free training opportunities focusing on the four point approach. The training is open to all business and property owners located within the Main Street Program boundary. The only cost is transportation/meals/lodging. • Access to the W.E.D.C. staff for various types of support including economic development strategies, marketing analyses, building renderings (five per year) for façade improvements, infill studies, parking lot aesthetic improvements. • Organizational development, fund raising, promotions and brand building. Ms. Lang asked if there is any cost associated with these programs. Mr. Wasniewski responded there is no cost to the State of Wisconsin to be part of the Main Street Program and all of these services are provided for free. The only requirement is that there is a paid director in place, a minimum of a $75,000 operating budget and at least three of the annual training opportunities are attended. Ms. Lang asked if Ms. Daniels would be the director or if they would have to hire an additional staff person. Mr. Wasniewski responded that Ms. Daniels would serve as that role. Ms. Burr added that the Oshkosh BID already has most of the structure and philosophies in place and did not see any issue with Oshkosh becoming a Main Street city. She added that becoming a Main Street city would only enhance what is already in place. Mr. Kleman asked if the current structure of the Oshkosh BID Board can be used or would a new Main Street Board have to be created? Mr. Wasniewski responded that the current structure can work; the main requirement is the dedicated staff person. Ms. Lang asked for more information on the fund raising assistance. Mr. Wasniewski responded they can provide assistance on what type of campaign(s) can be uses and help plan a strategy. Mr. Wasniewski said one of the first actions to occur once becoming a Main Street community is that the State would send a team to evaluate existing conditions based on the four main points and provide feedback and suggestions. An additional fifth focus point may be added based on a city’s specific need. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 16, 2015 3 Mr. Nau asked how non-BID Main Street communities fund themselves. Mr. Wasniewski responded funding often comes from a variety of sources including municipal support, community support, fundraising and hosting events. Mr. Larson asked if there is a minimum salary requirement for the director. Mr. Wasniewski responded there is not, however they do have the average salary Main Street directors. He added these positions are generally filled by economic development professionals and seek competitive wages. Ms. Prunty asked Ms. Biedermann what kind of changes occurred when Omro became a Main Street community. Ms. Biedermann responded she saw an increase in responsibilities because they added a new board in addition to their BID Board plus new committees and volunteers to oversee. She added that the volunteers were actively involved making the job easier. Mr. Evans asked how the Main Street district boundary is determined. Mr. Wasniewski responded the boundaries are determined by the applicant and identified on a map submitted with the application. Ms. Prunty stated that the program sounds outstanding but wanted to make sure there is no financial commitment to the State. Ms. Burr replied there is no financial commitment, but stressed that they require the Main Street community be actively involved with their plan and program which sometimes can be challenging. Ms. Burr added they present annual Main Street awards for various accomplishments including best downtown projects, renovations, events and organizational development and is a great public relations tool. Ms. Daniels asked since there are 85 BIDs in Wisconsin and only 35 Main Street Communities, why are not more BIDs participating? Mr. Wasniewski responded getting cities to commit to the program can be challenging and is often the largest hurdle. Ms. Daniels asked other than the volunteer commitments, are there any other reporting requirements. Mr. Wasniewski responded there are monthly reports submitted to the State to track changes in the downtown and report other activities. The report also tracks volunteer hours. Often times the reports are submitted quarterly based on the communities’ ability to report certain data. Mr. Kleman asked Mr. Wasniewski if he had information on the proposed legislation that would exempt residential uses in mixed-use properties from BID assessments. Mr. Wasniewski responded that all he knew was it originated from Milwaukee’s BID #21. Mr. Kleman inquired if it would draft the Main Street Program boundary beyond the current BID boundary to include the 600 block of North Main Street and possibly south of the Fox River. Mr. Wasniewski replied that the Main Street Program often brings in the broader community, so yes that would be feasible. V – WILLIAM WATERS PLAZA DESIGN CONCEPTS DISCUSSION Mr. Nau informed the Board that the Department of Community Development is currently working with a consultant to have plans prepared for the renovation of William Waters Plaza. Mr. Nau referred to the BID packet which includes three concept designs for the area. The consultant is looking for feedback by next Friday so that a final design can be prepared. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 16, 2015 4 Ms. Anderson asked how the work would be paid for. Mr. Nau responded the project would be financed by a variety of sources. Mr. Nau asked the Board if they had any comments or suggestions, to get back to him by Friday. 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: • Block Captain materials have been distributed to BID businesses. Mr. Evans stated he did not receive anything. Ms. Daniels responded she would get it out to him. • Prepared promotional materials for the Farmers Market. • BID will have a table at Live at Lunch. • Continuing to work on the revamped Gift Card Program which is going very well. 39 businesses are participating; four still need to be set up. Ms. Anderson said she was getting a new POS system and asked Ms. Daniels if it would be compatible with the gift cards. Ms. Daniels responded she can look into it. Ms. Daniels stated she will be having a press release about the revamped program. • Had the first Enjoy Local event which had 46 attendees. Had good feedback from the participants. • Beautification o Finalizing design, construction and installation of the changeable copy sign at Opera House Square. o Four of the five banner sponsorships have been filled. Has reached out to the Hotel as a possible sponsor for the winter banners. o Working with NAMI to see if the alley on the north side of their building can be paved. o Flower pots and bump outs have been planted. o Kelly Green replaced landscaping at the Division Street Parking Lot along Church Avenue • Marketing Consortium o Attending Special Events meetings for the Chalk Walk o Have been attending meetings for the Holiday events. • Chuck Williams submitted receipts for his Retention Fund Grant and he will be getting reimbursed. • Blue Door has finished the Retention Fund Grant brochure. • Attending Historic Tourism meetings. • Attending Special Events meetings. Ms. Prunty commented that she has received very positive feedback from people attending the Farmers Market and the event is doing a great job promoting the Downtown. VIII – 2016 BID BUDGET COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS Ms. Daniels asked for volunteers to serve on the 2016 BID Budget Committee. Megan Lang, Kris Larson, Chanda Anderson and Dave Sparr volunteered. Ms. Daniels stated she wanted to start the meetings in August. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES June 16, 2015 5 IX – BID PARTICIPATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF THE ANCHOR BANK BUILDING, 16 WASHINGTON AVENUE Ms. Anderson stated that now is the time to try to acquire the property since it is vacant and possibly for sale. She added the 400 Block East Parking Lot had a design option to include the bank property as part of the parking lot. Mr. Nau stated he did not have any updates from the City; Allen Davis and Darryn Burich were scheduled to be in attendance this morning but both had to cancel at the last minute. Ms. Anderson gave several examples on how parking at that location would benefit several of the nearby properties. X – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JULY 20, 2015 MEETING No items were requested. XI – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Sandy Prunty moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:16 am. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner