Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 18, 2016 PRESENT: Megan Lang, Kris Larson, Kay Bahr, David Sparr, Jim Stapel, David Krumplitsch, Andy Ratchman, Sandy Prunty, Chanda Anderson, Marlo Ambas and James Evans EXCUSED: None STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau - Associate Planner OTHERS: Darryn Burich – Director - Planning Services Division, Jim Collins – Transportation Director I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the September 20, 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. Chanda Anderson reported there were a lot of arrests during the Fall Pub Crawl. Jim Collins added there were 67 citations, mostly issued in the UW Oshkosh campus area. James Evans added that he had heard from Hot Dog Charlie’s that it seemed more subdued than previous events. Jim Stapel added that there was much less trash in his yard than usual which was nice. IV – WALKER POLICY DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN DISCUSSION Transportation Director Collins gave a brief overview of what transpired at last week’s Council meeting resulting in the Council approving Walker’s plan besides the paid on -street parking portion which was laid over. He added that he felt the Council had the impression that there was indecisiveness within the BID if paid on-street parking was the way to go. Mr. Collins said that someone from the BID needs to take a leadership role if this is truly what they want. The Council wants to hear more from the Parking Utility and BID before making a final decision. As of now, the preliminary 2017 City Budget includes $15,000 from the BID to go towards Parking Utility debt service and nothing has been budgeted for implementation of any part of Walker’s plan, Mr, Collins added that a yearly $14.700 contribution from TID 10 will expire in 2020 resulting in an additional shortfall. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 18, 2016 Mr. Collins said that the City has spent $50,000 on the parking study and implementation plan to help manage downtown parking which is severely lacking right now. The plan also has a solution to generate some revenue that could go towards parking lot improvements in the future. Mr. Burich stated that parts of the plan will be implemented regardless including signage and marketing, however, the key component is the paid on-street parking which will generate revenue. He added that two Council members are vocally opposed to going back to the paid parking and need to hear from the BID this is what they want. Mr. Larson said he thought the BID did show their support with the BID’s resolution submitted to Council. Mr. Collins passed around a conceptual sign that would be installed at each parking lot. The signs will provide parking and contact information and have both the City and BID logos. To cut down on costs, the Transportation Department may be able to construct the signs. Mr, Larson stated there is no point of placing signs if the rest of Walker’s plan is not implemented. Mr. Collins responded that one of the biggest complaints heard during the study is the lack of information on where people are allowed to park. Mr. Larson responded that placing signs will not generate revenue for the Parking Utility which is one of the biggest issues identified in the study. Mr. Evans stated just placing signs would be silly and not implementing the plan in its entirety will be a waste of $50,000. Chair Lang asked if the paid portion of the study is not implemented, would the City still hire additional staff for enforcement, Mr, Collins responded that Walker’s plan included two 30 - hour employees which would have been paid for by revenue generated from enforcement and meter income. If the paid on-street portion is not implemented, enforcement would remain as it is now. Ms. Lang said the BID has budgeted $15,000 towards parking in 2017 with the understanding the money would be used for implementation of Walker’s Plan, Mr, Larson concurred and added that the wording in the Operating Plan states the money would only be released to the City if the plan is fully implemented. Mr. Collins said he met with City Manager Rohloff and both feel that the BID needs to reach out to the Council members before the next Council meeting to convince them this is the way to go. Mr. Burich suggested the BID hold a special meeting with the Council to send a stronger message. Ms. Lang stated she would like more information on the costs of the pay stations and wondered if 24 were really necessary. Ms. Anderson concurred. Mr. Collins responded that Walker has already reduced the number down from 30, and the project cost of the stations should be accurate. He will contact Walker with her inquiry and get back to the Board. Ms. Anderson DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 18, 2016 stated that with past experience with placing the trash cans and bike racks throughout the downtown, it is going to be extremely difficult to find places for 24 pay stations. Mr. Sparr asked if the Council’s hesitation was a support issue or a financial issue. Mr. Collins responded the number one objection is the financial aspect. He added Council Member Herman had concerns that the City and BID will spend all of this money to bring back paid parking. only to find out the new system doesn’t work in a few years, Jim Stapel suggested implementing the plan in baby steps since it is so late in the budget season to budget for the capital costs. Ms. Anderson stated she was not entirely convinced that paid parking was the solution and reorganization of the off-street lots may solve a lot if the issues. Mr. Evans replied the BID Board is past that step and recommended approval of Walker’s plan with the resolution that was forwarded to Council. Mr. Evans added that the City and BID has spent the money on this plan and should move forward with its implementation in full; they have all the information they need to make a decision. Mr. Sparr and Mr. Larson concurred. Ms. Lang asked what the next step should be. Mr. Stapel responded that the Board needs to meet with the Council to send the message that the BID wants to implement Walker’s plan in full, including the paid on-street parking. Discussion followed on determining a time and date. The Board agreed to have a workshop on Friday, October 28th at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Nau said he would coordinate with Mr. Collins and City Manager Rohloff to set up a workshop with the Common Council the following week. V – APPROVE 2017 BID OPERATING PLAN AND BUDGET Ms. Daniels presented the 2017 Operating Plan and budget. She stated there are very few changes to the Operating Plan from the previous year. She added that the proposed BID assessment is $135,910, an increase of $250 over 2016 or a 0.18% increase. Approximately $8,500 will be rolled over from 2016 which will go towards the parking contribution. Mr. Sparr requested the wording on page 2; paragraph 2 regarding the BID’s support of free parking should be amended in light of the parking study. Ms. Daniels responded she would make the change. Ms. Lang suggested the wording should indicate that there is a mix of free and paid parking options. Andy Ratchman left at 9:01 a.m. Mr. Sparr also had concerns with the wording that the parking funds will only be released upon implementation of the parking plan. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 18, 2016 Mr. Nau suggested that the BID should probably delay voting on the Operating Plan and budget until after their meeting with the Common Council next week to see what direction the Council is going in. The Board concurred. Approval of the Operating Plan and budget was laid over until November. Mr. Nau informed the BID that he had prepared an alternate assessment roll which includes an increase of 1% to the $400 minimum and $8,000 maximum assessments. Ms. Lang asked for that to be included in next meeting’s packet, Chanda Anderson and Jim Stapel left at 9:06 a.m. VI – APPROVE RETENTION FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $559.38 FOR WAGNER INSURANCE SOLUTIONS, 302 STATE STREET BID Manager Daniels provided background on the Retention Fund Grant for Wagner Insurance Solutions in the amount of $559.38 which went towards a new sign. Ms. Lang asked if the request met all of the qualifications. Ms. Daniels responded affirmatively. Dave Sparr moved to approve the Retention Fund Grant in the amount of 559.38 for Wagner Insurance Solutions. Jim Evans seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. VII – 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. VIII – DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID SUPPORT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WIS. STAT. SEC. 66.1109(5)(a) IN REGARD TO BID ASSESSMENTS (LAID OVER FROM SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 MEETING) The Board requested this item be laid over until the October meeting due to time constraints. IX – BIKE SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE Ms. Daniels informed the Board that she had no update. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES October 18, 2016 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:  There has been a great response for the Breakfast with the Grinch event, the 10:30 breakfast is sold out and 50 tickets remain for the 8:30 breakfast.  Will be attending the Downtown Action Council next week in La Crosse.  Brinkley’s Boutique has opened and is doing well,  Been working with the Holiday Committee for preparation of the upcoming Down Town Holiday activities. XI – IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER 15, 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, James Evans moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner