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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 15, 2017 PRESENT: Megan Lang, Kris Larson, Jim Stapel, Sandy Prunty, David Krumplitsch, Andy Ratchman, Marlo Ambas, James Evans, Benjamin Rennert EXCUSED: David Sparr, Kay Bahr, Chanda Anderson STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau - Associate Planner OTHERS: Lieutenant Matt Kroening – Oshkosh Police Department, Alexa Naudziunas – Assistant Planner, Steven Wiley – Assistant Planner, Anne Schaefer – Oshkosh Parks Department I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 18, 2017 MEETING There was no discussion on this item. Jim Stapel moved to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2017 meeting as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. III – POLICING/TRAFFIC/PARKING ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Lieutenant Matt Kroening reported the last month was very active in the downtown:  7/15/17 – Disorderly arrest  7/17/17 – Rear-end accident with injuries on N. Main  7/25/17 – Female arrested for retail theft at 427 N. Main Street  7/28/17 – Female struck on N. Main Street outside of cross walk  7/30/17 – Male struck by drunk driver on N. Main Street  8/01/17 – Vehicle keyed  8/01/17 – Retail theft arrest at 427 N. Main Street  8/05/17 – Male arrested for urinating in public He hopes things will quiet down with summer coming to an end. Lieutenant Kroening also reported that the Police Department has begun to enforce parking at the Shops at City Center which has resulted in one ticket so far. James Evans stated his wife’s bike seat was stolen recently. Ben Rennert added bikes have been stolen outside his store. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 15, 2017 Ms. Prunty asked Lieutenant Kroening if the Police Department had an inventory of security cameras. Lieutenant Kroening responded the former Chief had hesitations for creating a list because it would make an impression that they were acting like “Big Brother”. He added he would look back into it. Mr. Larson asked how the parking enforcement at the Shops at City Center was initiated. Lieutenant Kroening answered that a request was made to the Assistant Chief by a business owner. Mr. Larson responded that this must be the way to get increased enforcement at public lots, the 400 Block East and West Lots need better enforcement. Mr. Evans said he has seen officers patrolling the 400 Block East Lot. Ms. Lang cautioned that enforcement needs to be consistent, otherwise the City and BID will start getting complaints. Jim Stapel added that customers used to parking illegally are now getting tickets. IV – WILLIAM WATERS PLAZA RENOVATION PRESENTATION Alexa Naudziunas, Steven Wiley and Anne Schaefer introduced themselves and distributed booklets and the proposed William Waters Plaza renovation. Ms. Naudziunas stated the project began the planning phase in 2015 to coincide with the Washington Avenue reconstruction. The city hired a consultant to develop a plan to make the space more usable and create a public gathering place. They are now beginning a fundraising campaign; so far the River East Neighborhood Association received $85,550 in grants from the Oshkosh Community Foundation and Capital Improvement Funding from the Great Neighborhoods Program. Ms. Schaefer described the project as a natural progression, similar to Opera House Square. She added there are many other projects going on including the Washington Building, Eagles Club and YMCA. Mr. Larson called the project awesome and called the timing good. He asked if the name will still be William Waters Plaza and commented the architectural look is not consistent with Waters’s style. Ms. Naudziunas responded the inspiration came from the Public Library building which was designed by Waters and the name of the plaza would not change. Mr. Stapel said he hopes the plaza does not become a gathering ground for the homeless. Mr. Wiley responded the plaza will be better lit at night. Mr. Rennert agreed that the plaza will be a great connection from the downtown. Ms. Lang felt the project is very positive and asked who will be responsible for maintaining the park. Ms. Schaefer responded the Parks Department, however if there will be banners it will need to be discussed if the BID would collaborate. Ms. Naudziunas stated they will focusing on fundraising and hopes to develop some type of fundraiser recognition. She said they are also looking into displaying public art at the plaza. She thanked the board and said she hopes to partner with the BID with this project. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 15, 2017 V – APPROVE RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.00 FOR CARAMEL CRISP, 200 CITY CENTER SUITE D BID Manager Daniels informed the Board that the applicant, Chanda Anderson was ill and will not be in attendance. She handed out the minutes of the July 13, 2017 Recruitment Fund Grant Committee Meeting and explained the proposed expansion project. She added that is a $40,000 project and requested $5,000 with the Committee recommending a $3,000 grant. Ms. Lang said this is Caramel Crisp’s third grant request. Although she meets the eligibility requirements, she feels the business is taking advantage of the program and the Board should look at changing the rules. She added the Committee was aware of the previous approved requests. Mr. Larson asked what the criteria are. Ms. Daniels responded businesses are eligible for the grant once every five years. She added the business received a $7,500 grant in 2007, $5,000 in 2012 and potentially $3,000 in 2017 for a total of $15,500. She said the Committee utilizes a new point system which adds justification to the recommended grant amount. Mr. Larson said this is setting a bad precedent in that the business has received over $1,500 per year for just being open. Ms. Prunty stated the business does currently qualify for the grant. Mr. Larson responded this looks bad with the grants going to a Board Member. Jim Stapel motioned to approve the $3,000.00 Recruitment Fund Grant for Caramel Crisp, Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed 8-0-1 (abstain – Larson). Ben Rennert left at 8:52 a.m. VI – APPROVE RETENTION FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00 FOR THE ACCOUNTING OFFICE OF PAMELA G. BARTOW, CPA, 126 STATE STREET, CHUCK WILLIAMS - OWNER Ms. Daniels distributed grant application materials and photos of the project which entails replacement of an entrance door for the business. She added that the existing door was installed in 1976 and is difficult to lock and not energy efficient. She said Mr. Williams did receive a grant in 2014 for another door replacement for the same building and meets the eligibility requirements which allow one grant every two years. Mr. Larson commented that the contractor is from Green Bay and questioned why Mr. Williams did not choose someone local. Ms. Daniels responded that the grant application does not require the use of a local supplier. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 15, 2017 Jim Stapel motioned for approval of the $1,000.00 Retention Fund Grant request for the Accounting office of Pamela G. Bartow, CPA. Sandy Prunty seconded the motion which passed 7-1-0 (nay - Larson). Andy Ratchman left at 8:56 a.m. VII – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT BID Manager Daniels informed the Board that the invoice for the Lake Fly sponsorship has been paid. She also reminded the Board that the daily parking permits will only be good until the end of the year and she has 150 available. There was no further discussion on this item. Jim Stapel motioned to approve the BID monthly financial report as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. VIII – LOWE’S GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Ms. Daniels reported she will be meeting with Transportation Director Jim Collins and the Department of Public Works to go over options for flashing crosswalk signage. She added that the application deadline is August 25th. IX – OSHKOSH HISTORIC TOURISM Chair Lang requested this item be laid over to next month as Mayor Cummings was not in attendance. X – BID MANAGER AND BID COMMITTEE 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:  Downtown home page has been revamped and is now easier to find application materials  Marketing o EAA coupon books – 5,000 were printed, 150 were left at BID booth with others distributed to local hotels  Hotels loved them and suggested increasing the timeframe to 20-30 days  Cost was $800 over advertising space  Will survey businesses for feedback. Mr. Larson said he saw about a dozen. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES August 15, 2017 o Sponsorships for Holiday Parade are slowing down. Only five have committed where usually 25 sign up by now  Beautification o Fall banners will be up the Friday before Labor Day weekend. o Starting with the holiday banners, this will be the last round before the sponsorship ends XI – BIKE SHARING AD-HOC COMMITTEE UPDATE Chair Lang requested this item be laid over to next month XII – BID BOARD MEMBER INVITATION TO IMAGINE OSHKOSH PUBLIC WORKSHOP AND OPEN HOUSE, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017, 6:00 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. Mr. Nau invited the Board to the upcoming Imagine Oshkosh workshop and open house. He added the BID’s input will be very important. XIII - IDENTIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 MEETING  Recruitment and Retention Fund Grant Application Revisions  Dual Garbage/Recycling Receptacle Issue  Historic Tourism  Bike Sharing  William Waters Plaza  BID Assessment of Apartment Buildings XIV – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, Jim Stapel moved for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:16 a.m. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner