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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 15, 2015 1 PRESENT: David Sparr, Megan Lang, Jim Stapel, Kay Bahr, David Krumplitsch, Sandy Prunty, Andy Ratchman, James Evans, Chanda Anderson, Kris Larson, and Marlo Ambas EXCUSED: Vicky Schroeder STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, David Buck – Principal Planner OTHERS: Sergeant Kroening, Oshkosh Police I - CALL TO ORDER David Sparr called the meeting to order at 8:05am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF AUGUST 18, 2015 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2015 meeting as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Sergeant Kroening provided commentary on policing in the BID area. Discussion took place regarding the Pub Crawl as it relates to campus housing, especially student dormitory housing and typical routes associated with students returning home from Main Street businesses. Sergeant Kroening stated that the warming shelter will be opening soon and went over locations where homeless individuals tend to congregate. IV – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Kris Larson moved to approve the monthly financial report as presented. Megan Lang seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. V – 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. Discussion highlights include: • Determination if the BID Board would like her to attend Destination Downtown on October 22 which is concentrated on downtown redevelopment. • Interns actions changing the copy of the new changeable copy sign, which is very heavy and difficult to handle. • Chalk Walk was very successful on Saturday and the chalk remained until Sunday afternoon. • She will be coordinating another meeting on the newsletter and budget. • Need to address ADA regulations with future street closures. o Beautification - Mary Kay will be coordinating banners and pot plantings and Ms. Daniels is working with Candeo Creative and sponsors on holiday and winter banner designs. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 15, 2015 2 • Ms. Daniels met with two potential recruitment grant applicants and discussed retention grant with one potential applicant. • Attended GoEDC meeting. • Blue Door is working on signage for vacant buildings and Ms. Daniels will get proofs. • Met with representatives of the Parking Study. The Board discussed the good attendance and votes for the Chalk Walk event as well as the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Time Theater. VI – DISCUSS ISSUES WITH CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN AT OPERA HOUSE SQUARE Ms. Daniels stated that the changeable copy sign was not designed or constructed to open side-to-side as originally thought but bottom-to-top. She stated that there were no specifications in the design proof and the BID was not informed of the change in concept. Ms. Daniels stated that the glass sign cabinet face is extremely heavy and unsafe and the supplied “prop rods” do not line up with the holes in the sign and are ineffective. David Sparr mentioned that the side open design was not feasible because of the weight of the sign face. Ms. Daniels said that it is unfortunate and that she has e-mailed photos to Jones Sign in hopes to resolve the issue but that the sign has already been paid for. Megan Lang expressed her concern that it takes multiple people to change the copy safely and feels that the BID should send a communication to Jones Sign asking for options to remedy the situation. Kris Larson suggested alternate design such as putting the hinges on the bottom of the sign. David Sparr stated he would be contacting Jones Sign this week. VII – DISCUSS WORK SCHEDULE FOR DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID MANAGER Ms. Daniels stated that she had emailed a proposal for the BID Manager to work from home on Mondays and added that she received eight favorable responses. David Sparr expressed his desire to have a BID presence on weekends and suggested the possibility of trading Monday for a weekend day. Jim Stapel said he was fine with the idea of working at home on Mondays as it kept the budget together. Megan Lang stated she was more inclined to have a 4 day a week position to help the budget but also felt it was a step back and that she is not in favor of a work from home plan. Megan Lang added that she felt the BID Manager was doing a good job but that there needed to be an office presence every day of the week. Ms. Daniels stated that Mondays are days of basic work that can be accomplished remotely such as the website update, newsletter, and gift cards. She added that she would still be available to come in on Mondays if needed, even if in the evening though it would be more difficult. Chanda Anderson asked if a Tuesday through Saturday work week would be acceptable as it would help with Saturday events and allow for BID promotion at events outside of the downtown area. Sandy Prunty stated that she believes the position has evolved more into recruitment, retention and finance over event promotion and BID ambassador. Discussion took place regarding the breakdown of the BID Manager job duties and responsibilities as it relates to promotion and event coordination. Ms. Daniels described the position as it was presented to her from her predecessor and that much of her time has shifted from managing and coordinating volunteers to the web design, recruitment/retention activities, advertising, gift cards promotion and maintenance and beautification but that she still does substantial amount of event work. Ms. Lang asked if the Chamber of Commerce were on-board with the concept and Ms. Daniels responded that Mr. Kleman was indifferent and would leave it up to the Board. Kris Larson asked if a decision on this item was time sensitive and Ms. Daniels responded that it is not but that the operating plan and budget will be going to the Common Council the second meeting in October. She added that she was hoping for a decision. The BID Board decided that the BID Manager’s job description should be reviewed to determine if more direction on essential duties was needed and that hours needed in the office could be revisited when the most essential functions are DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 15, 2015 3 determined. David Sparr stated that once the job description is disseminated and individually reviewed that there could be more discussion at the budget meeting. VIII – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE OCTOBER 20, 2015 MEETING David Sparr said that a budget meeting is needed to be set up and that Jeff Nau is waiting on monetary needs for parking from the City Manager. Discussion took place on budgets of the past and the thought that there could be a positive balance if the Exclusive Company lot debt was retired. The Board would like to discuss murals and their locations and the BID Manager hours may also be a topic. IX – ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:02am. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner