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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-21-09 Downtown Business Improvement District Downtown Business Improvement District Board Meeting Minutes 7/21/09 Present: Mike Basile, Eric Bowman, Mike Grant, Dan Harding, Dan Himsworth, Ileana Indreland, Buck Taylor, Ellie Staley, Chris Naumann Absent: none Eric Bowman calls the meeting to order No Public Comments Minutes ACTION: Eric Bowman motioned to approve the minutes from June 2009 Buck Taylor seconded the motion All voted in favor Financial Report Chris noted that the BID was just three weeks into FY2010, so financial activity was minimal and/or expected. Chris reported that the first quarter assessment had been received from the City of Bozeman plus a small amount of interest from the STIP account. Regarding expenses, the first quarter management fee had been paid to the Downtown Partnership. The only other large expense was the payment for the flower baskets. Normal expenses had been incurred associated with the on-going maintenance program. Chris concluded by stating the checking account and STIP balances: $12,607.83 and $52,875.56 respectively. Program Director’s Report Upcoming DBA/DBP Events: thnd - Art Walks – Next one is August 14 from 6-8pm. Then, every 2 Friday through September. The 2nd one was even bigger than the first and I continue to have 3 young music groups located at Soroptimist, Ellen and Emerson… rd - Music on Main – Next one this Thursday, July 23…Clumsy Lover’s. Great sponsor support, kid’s activities, non-profit booths, etc… - Crazy Days – last weekend….great turnout, great business response, feedback on businesses opening early…. th - Cruisin’ on Main Car Show – Sunday, August 16 9am-3pm on Main Street from Rouse to Willson Avenue, registration Other Items: - Membership Drive and Directory Re-print in August…Erin, just completed an inventory of all downtown located businesses and now I am putting the DBA Board to work on the drive! - Gallatin Art Crossing – 14 new pieces of art in downtown…19 total Executive Director’s Report Business Improvement District Board July 21, 2009 Downtown Disaster Update Recent “activity” includes: ? Montana Ready Mix has completed the site clean-up. ? The American Legion has tentative plans to begin construction in August. ? The Downtown Relief fund will be making its final disbursement in the coming weeks. Over 500 donations were made to the Fund for approximately $190,000. Just over 90 recipients received 350 payments. Downtown Improvement Plan th The draft of the Downtown Improvement Plan was released on June 29. The public comment period thth extended through July 15, although comments were received and accepted through July 17. We received only 16 substantive comments from a variety of community members including 2 property owners, 3 business owners, 5 City of Bozeman staff, and 6 citizens. During the public comment period (June 29-July 15) our website analytics show that 305 unique visitors viewed the Plan webpage but only 23 people visited the public comment form, and only 4 submitted on-line comments. Parking Garage Update Recent “activity” includes: ? The Big Blue P exterior signs on the garage have been installed ? Ordinance prohibiting skateboards, roller blades, bicycles in facility adopted ? Qwest finally completed their utility work in the alley behind the facility th ? The alley will be paved the week of July 27 by the City of Bozeman Parking Commission Update The Bozeman Parking Commission (BPC) is working on its FY2010 budget and operating plan. The BPC completed FY09 with a $66,000 operating deficit in large part because of the delayed opening of the parking garage. Staff is projecting a similar operation shortfall for FY2010 at $66,690. COB leadership realizes that the BPC will operate at a loss while the garage usage increases, but they have asked the BPC to develop a strategy to increase revenues. Here are some of the potential options for increasing revenues beginning in FY2010 that could reduce the operating deficit: ? Increase the hours of paid parking in the garage (now = 8am-8pm 6 days a week. Proposed = 24 hours a day 6 days a week) ? Increase the daily maximum charge at the garage (now = $5. proposed = no maximum needed if charging 24/6) ? Increase the charge for a lost ticket (now = $5 [daily max]…you could park there a week, hit the “lost ticket” button, and pay $5. proposed = $23 which would be twice the new daily maximum. ? Increase the lease rates for both the surface lots and the parking garage. Downtown’s lease rates are less than our “sister cities”—Helena, Missoula, Billings. ? Increase the fine for parking violations throughout all of the 3 parking districts. Currently the fine for most parking infractions is $15, the proposed new fine would be $20. ? Sell or lease the second floor office space in the garage. rd The BPC will be voting at a meeting this Thursday, July 23 on which of these initiatives to adopt. Discussion and Decision Items Work Plan Update Chris informed the board that the public hearing regarding the FY2010 BID Work Plan and Budget was held on July 19, 2009. There was no public comment and the City Commission unanimously approved FY2010 BID Work Plan and Budget. Western Drug Spider Anchor Chris briefed the board about the pending work on the Gallatin Building at the southwest corner of Main Street and Black Avenue. The new owner will be making upgrades to the roof and cornice which includes one of the over-street cable anchors that holds up the intersection holiday decorations. Intrinisk Architecture inquired on behalf of the owner about the ownership, maintenance and liability of the anchor. Chris said he could not find a copy on file of the engineering assessment performed a few years ago. He contacted Paul Reichert, previous ED, for more information. Chris said that the next step is to contact Kerin and Associates to request a copy of the report. The board discussed that once the previous report can be reviewed, the following actions should be considered: fund a new analysis; determine replacement costs; determine replacement priorities; develop replacement/maintenance funding options; draft property easements to insure future access and use. The board agreed that taking some fiscal responsibility and securing access in perpetuity were important for both the property owners and the BID as an organization. Street Tree Project Chris reminded the board of the tree planting project from the fall of 2008 that replaced a dozen ailing Black Ash trees. Several trees could not be replaced in the fall due to construction. Chris indicated that the project was funded with STIP money and $900 remained, but additional funds might be needed depending on how many trees needed to be replaced. He clarified that 2 trees definitely needed to be replaced, but the total could be as many as 3 or 4 total. Chris said he would schedule an assessment of the downtown trees with the City of Bozeman Forester. In addition, to identifying trees in need of replacement, they would also establish plans to do some maintenance trimming this late summer or early fall. ACTION: Dan Himsworth motioned to approve expenditures not to exceed $1800 of STIP funds to replant trees within the downtown Business Improvement District. Ileana Indreland seconded the motion. All voted in favor. With no new or old business to be discussed the meeting was adjourned.