Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout MinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 23, 2016 1 PRESENT: Megan Lang, David Sparr, Chanda Anderson, Sandy Prunty, Kay Bahr, Marlo Ambas and James Evans EXCUSED: Kris Larson, David Krumplitsch, Jim Stapel, Andy Ratchman and Vicky Schroeder STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau - Associate Planner OTHERS: David Buck – Planning Services Division I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:02am and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 19, 2016 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved to approve the minutes of the January 19th, 2016 meeting 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 – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT David Sparr asked if the 2015 carryover was more than estimated. Ms. Daniels responded that the carryover was about $2,500 more than expected. There was no other discussion on this item. David Sparr moved to approve the monthly financial report as presented. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. V – BIKE SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Nau informed the Board Principal Planner David Buck who would be giving the update was delayed and would arrive shortly. Chair Lang responded this item can be revisited when Mr. Buck arrives. Marlo Ambas arrives at 8:07AM. VI – DOWNTOWN SECURITY CAMERA INVENTORY UPDATE BID Manager Daniels stated that she has no update as she has not heard from the Oshkosh Police Department as to the status of inventory creation. Ms. Lang added that once the inventory is complete, the BID would add additional locations that might have been missed. Ms. Daniels said that once the locations are gathered, an analysis could be done to determine where additional cameras should be located. Ms. Prunty stated that at the Imagine Oshkosh meeting safety concerns for downtown were Thursday through Sunday nights. Chanda Anderson added that a combination of foot patrols and increased lighting are being DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 23, 2016 2 considered to address safety concerns. She also mentioned that there is concern with panhandlers and that as long as they are on public property, nothing can be done to remove them. VII – DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ARTS PROJECT (JAMES EVANS) Mr. Evans provided background information on a proposed public arts project spearheaded by Mayor Cummings and Deputy Mayor Pech consisting of fiberglass lake fly statues, similar to the lion statues from ten years ago. Initially, 25 statues will be created and decorated by local artists and placed at various locations predominantly along the riverwalk and possibly throughout the city. Each spring there will be a new “hatching” incorporating additional statues. The initial group is planned for unveiling Mothers Day weekend, 2017. Mr. Evans stated he would like to see the BID involved in some way. He added it is yet to be determined if the statues will be on display year-round or stored for winter. Ms. Prunty asked how much it will be to sponsor a statue. Mr. Evans replied approximately $2,500 to $3,000. Mr. Nau asked if they are considering larger statues. Mr. Evans responded that probably not due to the high cost of manufacturing larger statues. Ms. Anderson informed the Board that she was asked to participate with an arts project and wondered if this was it. Mr. Evans replied that there is a proposed mural project depicting race-tensions she may be referring to. V – BIKE SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE (REVISITED) Mr. Buck stated that several people, including Mr. Sparr, have been contacted by Zagster, a company out of Massachusetts that provides bike-sharing services. This company provides all of the bikes, infrastructure and management of a bike-sharing system with a cost of approximately $1,800 per year, per bike. Mr. Buck explained how the program works. Mr. Buck said the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee discussed the feasibility of a bike-sharing program and felt that Oshkosh was not ready due to the high cost and felt money would be better spent on creation of more trails/signage/etc. They contacted the University and they may have money available to try a pilot program for one year. Unfortunately the bikes would be limited to campus use. Mr. Buck said ideally there would be bike stations located at several locations throughout the city. Mr. Sparr asked Mr. Buck if he looked at other companies. Mr. Buck responded that he is aware of B-Cycle (run by Trek) and Bublr. Ms. Lang said it would be nice looking into B-Cycle since it is a Wisconsin company. Ms. Lang asked what other cities besides Milwaukee and Madison have bike-sharing programs. Mr. Nau responded La Crosse was looking into a program a few years ago. Mr. Buck said Green Bay had a free program using bicycles collected by the Police Department but ended after about a year due to the bikes disappearing. Ms. Lang asked Ms. Daniels if she could research what other cities similar in size to Oshkosh have a program. Ms. Lang asked Mr. Buck where bike lanes are located downtown. Mr. Buck shared existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities connecting the downtown to other parts of the city and regional trails. Mr. Nau said he could provide a map in next month’s board packet. Ms. Lang asked Mr. Nau to include bike sharing on next month’s agenda for further discussion. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 23, 2016 3 VIII – BID MANAGER AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS BID Manager Daniels presented a summary of her activities over the past month as outlined in the BID Manager’s report included in the BID packet. Highlights include:  Updating Board Member info for the Downtown Website.  The text for the message center sign at Opera House Square has been updated but still has a faulty seal allowing moisture to get in. Working with Jones Signs to resolve.  The 2016 Downtown Directory is being printed. Ms. Lang asked if advertising space is covering the cost. Ms. Daniels responded the advertising is covering the printing costs, not the design work provided by Blue Door Consulting.  Working on kiosk map sheet update.  Working on the Enjoy Local Event scheduled for May 21st.  Gift Card Program is up to 50 participating businesses. Working to add two more participants – Bar 430 & Peabody’s. Wants to focus more on promoting the program during 2016. Megan Lang asked if she was currently advertising the program. Ms. Daniels replied she is using a combination of bus advertising and billboards.  Working on page-by-page Downtown Website updates.  2015 budget has been closed.  Sent out monthly newsletter.  Marketing Consortium –  Attended Chalk Walk meeting.  Beautification – o Spring banners will be placed on or about March 13th. o Currently going over designs for summer banners sponsored by the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. o Ground guys will be picking up trash throughout the Downtown today. o Invoices have been sent out for the banner sponsorships. o Ground guys will be removing the boughs from the flower pots within the next few weeks.  Retention Fund Grant o Contacted by business on Oregon Street, explained to him that they are not eligible because they are not located in the BID. o Contacted by Frugal Fashions which is in a building owned by the Oshkosh Housing Authority, an exempt property that does not pay a BID assessment. Ms. Daniels asked the Board if they should still apply since the proposed façade project would improve the look of Main Street. Ms. Lang responded they should apply and felt it would not be an automatic “no”. Ms. Prunty asked how much money they were applying for. Ms. Daniels responded $1,000. Ms. Lang asked if the banner installation was being funded through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation beautification account. Ms. Daniels replied it was and would bring a balance to next month’s meeting.  Attended 2015 BID social on February 3rd.  Attended Imagine Oshkosh kick-off meeting.  Attended the Business Expo with Sandy Prunty and had a booth. Gave away several gift cards as prizes. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES February 23, 2016 4  Attended Youth Oshkosh Government Day.  Ordered new lights and bows for the street light Christmas decorations. Ms. Prunty inquired the status of the subcommittee for the BID Manager’s job description and duties. Ms. Daniels responded she tracked her time for the month of October and would try to set a time and date for the committee to meet. IX –BID BOARD ATTENDANCE FOR REGULAR MEETINGS Mr. Nau explained to the Board that Board Member Vicki Schroeder has had very poor attendance the past year and inquired if the Board should ask for her resignation since there are people interested on serving on the Board. Mr. Evans thought the Board could remove a member if the person has three unexcused absences in a row. Mr. Nau responded she has informed him and/or Ms. Daniels on occasion. Ms. Daniels added that Ms. Schroeder has missed ten out of the last twelve meetings. Ms. Prunty felt it was important to have active people serving on the Board. Ms. Lang stated she would not have a problem calling her to ask for her resignation. Mr. Nau told Ms. Lang he would get her Ms. Schroeder’s contact information. X - IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MARCH 15, 2016 MEETING  Bike sharing update/discuss existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities.  Security cameras update/increased police presence in the downtown.  Clean-up procedures for incidents involving loss of blood on public or private property. XI – ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, David Sparr moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:58AM. Kay Bahr seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner