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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesDOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES Special Meeting - October 31, 2017 PRESENT: Megan Lang, Kris Larson, David Sparr, Sandy Prunty, Andy Ratchman, Marlo Ambas, James Evans, Benjamin Rennert EXCUSED: Jim Stapel, Kay Bahr, Chanda Anderson, David Krumplitsch STAFF: Cassie Daniels – BID Manager, Jeffrey Nau - Associate Planner OTHERS: Jim Collins – Transportation Director, Doug Villars – Leadership Oshkosh/Remax Reality I - CALL TO ORDER Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. and a quorum was declared present. II – APPROVE AMENDED 2018 OPERATING PLAN Mr. Nau informed the Board that based on the discussions from the Board members, he was to exclude the Washington Building from the assessment roll due to its use conversion from commercial offices to an apartment building and sticking to the policy used for the Frontenac Apartment building. This was the assessment roll the Board approved at its October 17th meeting. Since then, he contacted Dr. Charles Law with the UW Extension to get some interpretations on BID special assessments. Dr. Law stated that it has been interpreted that the exemption for “exclusive” residential properties refers only to one and two family uses. Residential structures with three or more dwelling units are classed as commercial uses and are assessed accordingly. Dr. Law said the Oshkosh BID has every right to assess the Washington Building and Frontenac apartments. He added that the precedent has been set state-wide within other communities with BIDs. Lastly he said apartment buildings benefit by being in a BID district for the environment it produces, higher property values and lower vacancy rates. Mr. Nau said he prepared two new assessment rolls; one reintroducing the Washington Building and another adding the Frontenac property. Mr. Nau added the Frontenac apartment property has never been assessed since the inception of the BID, although a parking lot catty- corner to the apartments under the same ownership does get assessed. He said the Board needs to decide how they want to handle the apartment buildings. Chair Lang said she talked to the owners of the Washington Building and are aware of the BID assessment so it will not be a surprise. They paid the assessment last year during the renovation of the building. Mr. Evans stated if the property is in the District and is able to be assessed, they should be assessed. Mr. Larson said he is comfortable with assessing both buildings as the precedent has been set state-wide. DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH BID BOARD MINUTES Special Meeting - October 31, 2017 David Sparr motioned to approve the amended 2018 BID Operating Plan utilizing the assessment roll which includes the Washington Apartment Building located at 105 Washington Avenue and the Frontenac Apartment Building located at 132 High Avenue as presented. Kris Larson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Ms. Lang stated the Board should inform the owners of the Frontenac property that they will start receiving special assessments for now on. Ms. Daniels and Mr. Nau said they can help put together an information package on what the BID is, what it does, what the assessment goes towards and how their property benefits. III – ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, James Evans 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