The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04-21-21 BID Minutes Downtown Business Improvement District Board Meeting Minutes April 21, 2021 Attending: Jolee Barry, Eric Bowman, Emily Cope, Ileana Indreland, Erik Nelson, Susan Neubauer, Ellie Staley, Eric Sutherland Absent: Mike Basile, I-Ho Pomeroy General Public Comments: None Minutes ACTION: Eric Sutherland moved to approve the March meeting minutes as presented. Eric Bowman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Finance Report April finance report attached below. District Manager’s Report Downtown Plan Projects Here are some updates regarding other projects proposed in the 2019 Downtown Plan. Bozeman Creek—The Downtown Partnership partnered with Mountain Time Arts to identify opportunities to enhance and improve Bozeman Creek. Their initial work was completed by Intrinsik and partially funded with a Downtown URD Technical Assistance Grant. MTA has created a project website that will be updated as more work is completed: https://mountaintimearts.org/see-bozeman-creek Part One has been completed and the decision to move forward with Part Two has been placed on hold until both organizations have filled their Executive Director positions. Soroptomist Park—The Downtown Partnership partnered with the MSU CATS program in the fall of 2020 to have a senior-level landscape design class and a stream restoration ecology class develop improvement concepts for Soroptomist Park. The final report can be found on the downtown website. https://downtownbozeman.org/uploads/MSU_SoroptimistBozemanCreek_Report_sm.pdf Alley Improvements—The Downtown Partnership partnered with DHM Design to develop a final preferred concept design plan for the alley next to the Bridger Park Garage between North Tracy and North Black. The final report can be found on the downtown website. https://downtownbozeman.org/uploads/2020-11-12_Bozeman_Alleyways_-_Report_Reduced.pdf Transportation & Mobility Analysis—The Downtown URD board approved the scope of work with Sanderson Stewart at their June board meeting. The SOW will provide analysis and recommendations associated with the transportation-related improvements in the 2019 DBIP. Structured Parking Planning—The consulting team is researching options to install simple decks above existing surface lots as a simpler more affordable way to create more spaces. After an initial meeting with the term contract team, the parking decks may not be an option as the structures would require the commercial wrap which would take away too many parking spaces. A summary of the findings will be shared with DBP staff by the end of April. City Parking Policy Updates—The city held multiple parking engagement sessions over the past couple of months. At the April 27th City Commission meeting, the Economic Development staff will provide a presentation of the conversations. At the April Parking Commission meeting, city staff and the parking commissioners held a work session to discuss their work plan over the next year. They elected to work in committees to focus on different parking initiatives that evolved from the engagement sessions and from the 2016 Downtown Strategic Parking Plan. At the next meeting they intend to have a draft schedule of the initiatives they will be discussing at future parking commission meeting. To view past meeting recordings and information on upcoming sessions: https://www.bozeman.net/government/parking/parking-engagement-hub Micromobility Parking Update At the April 13th City Commission meeting, the commission provisionally adopted Ordinance 2072. This ordinance updates the Bozeman Municipal Code definitions surrounding micromobility, creates a micromobility business license for commercial vendors, and pilot a micromobility parking plan. The DBP intends to assist the city to educate downtown businesses and patrons of the identified pilot parking areas for e-scooters. https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/bozeman/18924e986e8b21d6308bd6d89e9123b70.pdf Homeless Working Group Members of the group currently are made up of Emily Cope, Chris Naumann, Susan Gregory (Bozeman Public Library), Susan Neubauer (Fresco Café owner), Amy Kirkland (Altitude Gallery owner), Erica Brubaker (Wild Joes Coffee owner), Marek Ziegler (Bozeman PD), and Heather Grenier (HRDC). The first version of the business resource toolkit was sent out to downtown property and business owners on November 11th. This toolkit will be revised as new resources and information become available. Emily Cope and Amy Kirkland met with Jeff Mihelich on January 12th. Jeff shared his experiences of working in Ft. Collins and offered an idea of piloting a program over the summer of having downtown resource officers who would develop relationships with all business/property owners and individuals who may be experiencing homelessness or mental health concerns. The resource officers would be available for anyone to contact if they are experiencing a situation with individuals downtown that does not require police presence. The next steps of this pilot program will be conversations surrounding funding sources and logistics of managing the program. Maintenance Program Update Currently we have one part-time general maintenance employee (Mike), one weekend general maintenance employee and one part-time garage maintenance employee (Trish). Below are the maintenance statistics comparing the year-to-date figures from this year (FY21) to the corresponding stats from last year (FY20). FY2020 Y-T-D FY2021 Y-T-D Total Avg/mnth Total Avg/mnth Difference Trash Emptied 1791 199 2352 261 +561 Recycling Emptied 439 49 530 59 +91 Graffiti Removed 268 30 372 41 +104 Building Projects Osborne Building (233 East Main) 4-story mixed use building with 2 floors of restaurant use and 2 floors of offices. Construction began October 2018. See https://www.theosbornebozeman.com/ Merin Condos (on North Bozeman across from Dave’s Sushi) 28 units of owner-occupied housing. Under construction. Village Downtown 30 new residential condo units and 9 single-family lots are under review by the City. AC Hotel (5 East Mendenhall) 6 story 140 room full-service hotel. Under construction. East End Flats (240 East Mendenhall) 6-story mixed use project. Development review completed and final site plan approved. Carin Townhomes (northwest corner of W Beall & N Grand)—5 townhome condos currently under construction. North Central (20 North Tracy)—Mountain View & Medical Arts buildings, phased master site plan development proposing a total of 9 new mixed-use buildings, associated parking, open space and infrastructure. Application submitted. New Businesses • Stretch Lab—23 South Willson—formerly The Art Shoppe • Tanoshii—113 East Main—formerly Corx—renovations underway • Sotheby’s International Realty—424 E Main-- formerly Sage Spa—OPEN • TBD—27 East Main—formerly Crossroads—to be redeveloped as a restaurant(s) • reWild MT—441 East Main—formerly Coqui Coffee • TBD—137 East Babcock—formerly Gallatin Laundry • TBD—424 East Main—Yellowstone Wild Gallery is going out of business • TBD—544 East Main—formerly Heeb’s – building improvements underway • TBD—411 East Main—Formerly Knife Bistro • TBD—402 E Main St Suite 3— formerly The Montana Scene • TBD—South Willson—formerly Barley & Vine Discussion and Decision Items New Program Discussion (packet attached) Emily presented updated cost estimates for the potential new programs of the BID. The approved FY21 budget has $20,000 allocated for a new program. The board discussed the importance of the outreach program and the direct impact it will have on the downtown community. The board voted to approved $12,000 of the “New Program” line item towards the outreach pilot program. Staff was directed to gather more information for the district wide wireless internet program including if there is funding available from grants or the Downtown URD. The board commented that there may be advertising income available from selling ad space on the landing page for the network. A concern of this program is as technology rapidly changes, how soon would the equipment need to be upgraded or replaced. Emily presented the estimated costs for the flower boundary expansion and opinion that if this program is going to be expanded that it should be thoughtfully rolled out and begin summer of 2022. Erik Nelson commented that the board should aim to run this program as efficiently as possible if it is to expand. Staff was directed to gather more information on the Earth Planter hanging baskets as they typically only need to be watered 2-3 times a week. ACTION: Eric Bowman moved to approve $12,000 of the “New Program” line item in the FY21 budget towards the outreach pilot program. Jolee Barry seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 1:25pm April 2021 BID Finance Report BID 2021 Potential New Programs The approved BID FY21 budget has $20,000 allocated for a new program. During the budgeting process for FY21, piloting alley snow removal or sidewalk cleaning services ranked as the top two preferences. Previous potential new programs discussed at prior board meetings included a dedicated downtown officer, district wide wireless internet, data collection and robust district marketing. Alley Snow Plow and Removal- Pilot $600-800/block per 6” snow event • Determine between which streets • Obtain price quotes from private service providers- Greenspace provided a rough estimate in spring 2020 • Develop fee structure o BID to fund 100% o BID to fund 50% + adjacent businesses pay 50% Sidewalk Cleaning Services-Pilot $11,000-19,000 • Determine how to administer o only Main or all streets o on-call/as-needed or on regular schedule o logistics of water supply o additional equipment (hot-water pressure washer) o require additional staff o contract the service with 3rd party  $2,750 per block  $11,000 Willson-Rouse  $19,000 Grand-Wallace • Develop fee structure o BID to fund 100% o BID to fund 50% + adjacent businesses pay 50% Dedicated Downtown Resource Personnel/Program- Pilot $TBD • Pilot a program during the summer of 2-3 resource personnel o Personnel patrol downtown and develop relationships with business owners, property owners, homeless members of the community o Personnel available for anyone to contact to de-escalate issues that do not require police presence • Share cost with City of Bozeman and HRDC, other potential funding sources could include hospital or county Proposal Summary – Street Outreach (Downtown Bozeman) Timeline: May 1 – September 30, 2021 Approach: HRDC proposes a two employee approach to best serve the downtown area. One employee focused on street outreach activities and one focused on business relations. Staffing structure: 0.5 FTE = Street Outreach 4-7pm; 7 days per week 0.5 FTE = Business Relations 12-4pm; 5 days per week Street Outreach Activities: Approximately 75% of time spent visiting with folks physically located in the downtown area with 25% of time focused on follow up activities resulting from street outreach. The goal will be to utilize a housing first approach while connecting persons to existing services. The approach will tie into our community’s coordinated entry delivery system, building in collaboration among community partners responding to homelessness and providing a holistic approach to service delivery. Business Relations Activities: Approximately 50% of time spent on talking to the business community to garner common goals and values and understand current concerns. The remaining 50% of time will be spent conducting beneficial training for downtown employers and employees, preparing resources for business use, and tracking outreach needs and responses. HRDC intends to collaborate with the Bozeman Police Department on appropriate responses and interventions and with the City of Bozeman on GIS mapping to identify high need areas. HRDC intends to incorporate best practices into programming for both street outreach and business relations activities and monitor and document outcomes and effective partnerships. Projected Budget: Street Outreach (Salary and Fringe) $15,000 Business Relations (Salary and Fringe) $17,000 TOTAL $32,000 HRDC can commit to funding 25% of the project cost at $8,000. Robust District Marketing- $5,000-15,000+ • Increased funding for formal PR plan to promote downtown within Bozeman and region (Gallatin Valley, Livingston, Helena, Gardiner, West Yellowstone) o Leverage BID funding with DBA and DBP into one coordinate PR/marketing plan Business data & property information collection- $5,000-16,000 • Data collection and reporting to inform/support business attraction and retention  mySidewalk State of Downtown Dashboard • $5000 annually  Vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle counts • Eco-Counter technology and services o $9,000 6-month tech rental + data services o $10,800 tech purchase + data services  Customer base demographics ($0…DBP surveys)  Annual sales/revenue ($0…DBP surveys) • Property information services ($0…DBP research & surveys)  Value/Assessment/Taxation Analysis  Lease rate data and trending  “for sale” & “for lease” listing service District wide wireless internet $28,000+ setup/capital expenses, $750-1,150 monthly • South 3rd to Church, Mendenhall to Babcock o Estimated cost for design, installation and document of system: $10,000 o Estimated cost of equipment: $18,000 o Estimated monthly cost of internet service, management fee, maintenance plan: $750 (500mbps)-1,150 (1,000 Mbps) • Could start with X number of blocks and expand further out Hand sanitizer stations- $480-1,600 for dispensers, about $8,000+ for hand sanitizer throughout the year • Two per intersection, catty-corner from each other • Grand to Wallace – 8 blocks, 16 dispensers total Expand Flower Basket Boundary-$22,787+ setup/equipment expenses, $4,800+ annually “Downtown BID Flower Program Policy- The boundary extends along Main Street from, but not including Wallace Avenue, to, but not including 3rd Avenue. From Main Street, the program extends north to, but not including, Mendenhall Avenue, and south to, but not including, Babcock Avenue. The following streets are included in the program boundary for one block north and south from Main Street: Church, Rouse, Bozeman, Black, Tracy, Willson, and Grand. Outside Program Boundary In order to ensure consistency in appearance and quality, the BID will purchase and therefore own the necessary hardware (18” Imperial hanging baskets). For flower basket location outside the program boundary but within the BID district, the BID will coordinate the planting and delivery of the flowers utilizing their contracted nursery. The BID will invoice the property owner for those planting and delivery costs. For flower basket locations outside the program boundary, the property owners or tenants will be responsible for all watering and necessary maintenance.” Estimated costs to fill and manage all current streetlamps with baskets (map attached): • Light pole arms: estimated $147/each; 11 needed; total estimated cost: $1,617 + shipping. • 18” planted hanging baskets: estimated $100/each (not planted); 50 needed; total estimated cost: $5,000 • Second truck: $15,000 • Second watering tank: $500 • Second pump: $650 Estimated equipment total: $22,767 Additional vehicle service & fuel: $1,400 annually Additional vehicle insurance: $1,900 annually Additional flowering watering: $1,500 annually (for 50 additional baskets) Estimated annual expenses: $4,800 Notes: • The Downtown BID Flower Program Policy will need to be revised to expand the boundary to include Babcock and Mendenhall Streets. • Costs will continue to increase as streetlamps are added to the district. Wallace Grand Willson Tracy Black Bozeman Rouse Church 3rd Avenue West Main East Main NORTH Parking Garage First Interstate Bank Chalet Country Bookshelf The Baxter Ellen Schnee’s US Bank Downtown Office Dee- O-Gee Tire Rama Rocking R Bar The Western Owenhouse Babcock Mendenhall 6 7 4 9 4 5 3 5 5 5 6 7 3 4 5 5 6 6 5 8 Map Updated: 4/13/2021 Streetlamps: Main Street: 75 Side Streets: 64 Mendenhall: 20 Babcock: 3 Total: 162 4 4 4 Element 3 3 1 4 2 3 3 3 3 6 5 West 3 3 Red = Flower and Banner– 131 Blue = Flower, No Banner—3 Green = Banner, No Flower– 29 Dashed line = Alley/Egress American Bank Crystal Bar Wells Fargo Black = No Banner, No Flower– 3 2 4 Strata Has flower arms Needs flower arms No flowers to be installed