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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 20, 2016 PRESENT: Megan Lang, Kris Larson, Kay Bahr, Jim Stapel, David Krumplitsch, Andy Ratchman, Sandy Prunty, Chanda Anderson, Marlo Ambas and James Evans EXCUSED: David Sparr STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau - Associate Planner OTHERS: Rob Kleman – Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF AUGUST 16, 2016 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. James Evans moved to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2016 meeting as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING/ENFORCEMENT ISSUES No one was present from the Oshkosh Police Department. There was no discussion on this item. IV – APPROVE RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000.00 FOR BRINKLEY’S BOUTIQUE. 419 N, MAIN STREET BID Manager Daniels distributed minutes from the August 29, 2016 BID Recruitment Fund Grant Committee meeting and provided background information on the grant request for Brinkley’s Boutique, a women’s clothing store. Ms. Daniels explained that the original request was for $5,000.00 but the committee reduced it based on a score the development received based on the type of business, job creation, etc. Ms. Lang stated she will abstain due to being the landlord for the applicant. She added she went to the grand opening and the store is very nice and fills a much needed niche in the downtown. James Evans commented on the nice appearance from the outside. Kris Larson moved for approval of the Recruitment Fund Grant in the amount of $4,000.00 for Brinkley’s Boutique, 419 N: Main Street: Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed 9-0-1 (abstain – Lang). DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 20, 2016 V – APPROVE RETENTION FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00 FOR HOUSE OF HEROES, 407 N. MAIN STREET Ms. Daniels provided background information for the Retention Fund Grant request for House of Heroes. She explained the grant will be used to partially pay for new doors for the store which will cost $2,700. She added based on that amount, the business would qualify for $1,000.00. There was no further discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved for approval of the Retention Fund Grant in the amount of $1,000.00 for House of Heroes, 407 N. Main Street. Chanda Anderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VI – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT There was no discussion on this item. Sandy Prunty moved to approve the monthly financial report as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. VII – DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID SUPPORT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WIS. STAT. SEC. 66.1109(5)(a) IN REGARD TO BID ASSESSMENTS Mr. Nau provided background information for an amendment to the state statute regarding assessment regulations for BIDs and referred to the language provided in the BID packet. Reasoning for this amendment is due to a recent court order for Milwaukee BID 21 to refund a property owner $196,274.89 claiming that his apartment building was used exclusively for residential purposes. BID law does state that properties used exclusively for residential purposes are exempt from BID assessments, however, past interpretation deemed apartments as businesses as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The proponents of this amendment want to change the language to read. “Any parcel of real property used exclusively for less than 4 residential dwelling units, including at least one dwelling unit occupied by its owner for at least 30 days in the year may not be specially assessed for purposes of this section:” Jim Stapel questioned the 30-day stipulation for an owner to occupy the building to be exempt. He agreed that owner-occupied homes should be exempt, but does not understand the reason for that provision. James Evans asked Mr. Nau if the Washington Building was going to be exclusively residential once the renovations are complete. Mr. Nau responded yes. Ms. Lang asked if there are any other apartment buildings in the BID exclusively residential. Mr. Nau responded the Frontenac Apartments is in the BID and is not assessed, with exception of their DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 20, 2016 parking lot which is on a separate tax parcel. Mr. Nau added if this language passes, the BID would be able to assess the Washington Building as well as the Frontenac Apartments. Mr. Stapel said he would have a hard time assessing the Frontenac Apartments because they came into the BID under the assumption they would not be assessed. He added he would be comfortable assessing the Washington Building. Ms. Lang stated she does not feel comfortable assessing one and not the other. Ms. Prunty added the assessments should be consistent. Ms. Lang asked the Board if this is something we want to support. James Evans stated he was in favor of the proposed language. James Evans motioned to support the proposed amendment to Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1109(5)(a) in regard to BID assessments as written. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-2 (nays – Stapel, Larson). Ms. Lang stated she still feels uncomfortable with the language and potential impact. Mr. Stapel added he would like to have more information. Mr. Nau stated Mr. Stapel or Mr. Larson could make a motion to bring it back for further discussion. Jim Stapel motioned to revisit the previously approved motion. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed 9-1 (nay – Evans). Ms. Lang said this item will be brought back to the next meeting for further discussion. VIII – 2017 BID BUDGET UPDATE Chair Lang stated that the major budget issue this year is whether or not the City is going to move forward with the proposed paid parking plan. She asked Board members who attended the meeting with City Manager Rohloff to give an update. Mr. Larson said the City is still going to request some kind of payment, either for the subsidizing the Parking Utility or to help fund capital costs if the paid parking system is approved. Initial cost estimates for implementing the paid parking is approximately $400,000. Mr. Larson added that the City may be able to come up with half, with the BID paying approximately $20,000 per year for the next ten years. Mr. Larson added that depending on how much the City comes up with, the BID may be able to pay its share in one lump sum and be done with it. Discussion followed on Walker Parking Consultant’s implementation plan and concerns came up with the two hour time limit for paid parking on Main Street and the three hour limit in the parking lots. Board consensus was the on-street paid parking should be unlimited, while the off-street free parking should be two hours. Ms. Lang asked Mr. Nau if he could set up another meeting and invite Transportation Director Jim Collins to let him present Walker’s plan and discuss possible changes: Mr: Nau responded DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES September 20, 2016 he can and would coordinate with the Board members to set up a time and place for a special meeting. IX – BIKE SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE Ms. Daniels informed the Board that the City of Fond du Lac is considering contracting with BCycle (Trek) to start a bike sharing program. She added Trek will be having a demo in about a week. Ms. Lang asked Ms. Daniels to see if they could give a presentation to the Board. X – 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.  Sent a Survey Monkey to get feedback from the EAA coupon books. 23 of 29 businesses responded, most saying they would try it again next year for $35. Many responding would like to see a Downtown Shuttle.  The Chalk Walk rain date is October 1st.  New autumn banners are up.  Still waiting to see if the BID will be awarded the Wisconsin Public Service Grant discussed earlier this summer.  Planning to attend the Downtown Action Council. This year the summit will be held in La Crosse. XI – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE OCTOBER 18, 2016 MEETING  Approve 2017 BID Operating Plan and Budget  Bike Sharing Program Update  Revisit proposed amendment to BID assessment statute XII – ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:55 a.m. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner