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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBID Minutes 3-09 Downtown Business Improvement District Board Meeting Minutes 3/18/2009 Present : Mike Basile, Eric Bryson, Ileana Indreland, Dan Harding, Dan Himsworth, Chris Naumann and Ellie Staley Guests: Mike Grant, Mike Delaney, David Loseff, John Vincent, and three members of the Public Service Commission Absent : Eric Bowman, Buck Taylor Chris calls the meeting to order. Public comments David Loseff expressed his concern about the recent events involving natural gas lines: the rupture of an unmapped live gas line during excavation at the parking garage site; the discovery of deteriorating gas lines during excavation at the JLF building site; and the tragic gas explosion on March 5, 2009. Loseff emphasized that he feels that establishing a sound downtown infrastructure system should be a top priority for all property owners, public service companies and the Public Service Commission. Loseff concluded by proposing that the following questions be asked and answered: 1. What is the condition of the natural gas pipe infrastructure downtown? 2. Is downtown protected by an adequate natural gas valve system? 3. Will further downtown development (building demolition and construction) cause further leaks and potential disasters? Ileana Indreland echoed Loseff’s concerns and questions adding the question of whether or not the gas line maps and location technology are accurate enough to prevent future ruptures. John Vincent informed the group that after speaking with downtown property owners he asked the members of the PSC to attend this BID meeting due to the disturbing number of gas incidents in such close proximity of both time and geography. Joel of the PSC informed the group that the PSC’s jurisdiction is to regulate Northwestern Energy based on compliance or non-compliance with the established State and Federal codes. As an example, Joel indicated that by code the entire municipality of Bozeman could be controlled by a single shut off valve. The fact that NWE has more than one shut-off valve is above and beyond the code requirements. Therefore, for instance, the PSC cannot require NWE to install additional shut-off valves. Joel also pointed out that installing additional valves to form a downtown district would introduce another set of potential problems since quite often leaks occur where valves and meters are spliced into otherwise continuous sections of main and supplies lines. He said that additional valves could provide more flexibility in handling leaks but they also introduce points of weakness into the system. Joel also cautioned against assuming that old gas infrastructure are prone to leaking more than newer systems. He commented that there are 80 year old systems that present less problems than 10 year old ones. Greg of the PSC indicated that all upgrades to the gas service system would be initiated by NWE not the PSC. Any upgrades would be reviewed by the PSC as far as their impact on rates. The expenses incurred by NWE upgrades ultimately get passed on to each and every customer in the form of fee increases. Traditionally there is considerable public objection to any and all rate increases. Indreland asked if NWE can be required to perform a physical inspection of the gas infrastructure downtown. Jim of the PSC replied that they cannot require NWE to do anything not stipulated by the code. Eric Bryson asked what assurance and from whom could be given to the Bozeman community and downtown property owners that the gas infrastructure in our historic core is sound? Who is ultimately responsible for taking every prudent action to ensure that another disaster like the one that occurred on March 5, 2009 does not happen again? Jim of the PSC assured the group that he would be querying NWE about the very issues being raised. He suggested that the BID and property owners do the same. Chris Naumann asked Jim (PSC) at what level of NWE should we voice our concerns and questions. Jim replied that he would start at the top with Bob Rowe the CEO. Bryson concurred that the all parties (PSC, COB, BID, DBP) should ask Rowe and NWE to device a plan by which an analysis of the gas infrastructure will be performed and subsequent upgrades to the system will be implemented. Minutes ACTION: Dan Harding motions to accept the minutes from February 2009 Mike Basile seconds the motion All voted in favor Financial Report Chris presented a variation of the typical financial report. He prepared the financial analysis presented just days after the March 5, 2009 explosion in order to see what BID resources existed. The analysis detailed the year-to-date totals and anticipated remaining expenses for the fiscal year. The final set of figures projected the year-end totals for each budget line. The end result was his calculation of $91,552.40 of available funding. Chris communicated that his interest was to know this figure in the case of any investments the BID might consider in light of the recent downtown disaster. Discussion and Decision Items Comprehensive Marketing Plan Chris proposed that the BID Board consider committing additional funds above those already budgeted to a comprehensive marketing strategy. Chris informed the group that Ben Bennett and Massive Studios has already designed a cohesive print advertising campaign. Massive is providing all of their time and services free of charge to help downtown following the disaster. Chris has a pro-bono invoice for nearly $6000 from Massive Studios. The campaign consists of a “Downtown is Open” print ad template that can be customized by any downtown business. The idea is to get as many businesses advertising with the same “Downtown is Open” theme in order to maximize the message. The Daily Chronicle is offering downtown businesses half price ad rates to further encourage businesses to participate. The Chronicle has also agreed to take the photos and tailor each business’s ad to further lower the cost of participating. The campaign focuses on the connection between customers and the owner/manager of each business, emphasizing the personal relationships that make doing business downtown special. Chris has examples of the ads for the board to review. Chris indicated that he would like the BID board to consider allocating funds to this advertising campaign in addition to the money remaining in the “General Marketing” budget. Chris informed the board that $1750 remaining in the marketing budget. Ileana recommended that the board consider using the budgeted money and some STIP funds not to exceed a total of $3000 total. Chris said he would use the $1750 remaining in the budget and then present a marketing expense report at the next meeting to determine what additional funding might be necessary. Dan Harding mentioned he was thinking of creative ways to promote downtown with his annual Longest Day of Trails event. Chris and Dan will strategize regarding this event. With no new or old business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.