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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-09 Downtown Business Improvement District Minutes Downtown Business Improvement District Board Meeting Minutes 11/18/09 Attending: Mike Basile, Eric Bowman, Mike Grant, Dan Himsworth, Ileana Indreland, Kaaren Jacobson, Chris Naumann Absent: Buck Taylor Public Comments Dan Himsworth wanted the record to reflect that he feels we have a serious problem with people riding bikes on downtown sidewalks. He reported that on two separate occasions cyclists riding on the sidewalk adjacent to the business have hit Insty-Prints customers. Dan noted that thankfully the injuries from these accidents were minor, but someone is going to get seriously hurt. The group discussed that it is difficult to keep bikes off the sidewalks. Chris indicated that in addition to the “no bikes on sidewalk” signs that the parking enforcement officers regularly stop cyclists on the sidewalk and educate them of the ordinance prohibiting such. Chris concluded that as a Parking Commissioner he will continue to work with the staff to address this problem. Disclosures None Minutes ACTION: Mike Basile motioned to accept the minutes from September and October. Eric Bowman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris outlined recent financial activity for the BID account. He noted the expenditure of maintenance program funds as budgeted and anticipated. The BFD has ordered some garland for the Christmas spiders, which is reflected in the “Spider Repair” line item. The group discussed how this fiscal year’s flower expenses reflect the purchase of last summer’s baskets while the majority of the flower sponsorship revenue collected for the programs was collected in May thus posting in the previous fiscal year. Chris reminded the board that this happens every year: we collect flower revenues in May and June of one fiscal year and pay the invoices for the baskets in July of the next fiscal year. Ileana asked where the flower revenues from the Library and Intrinisik are accounted for. Chris said he thought they were recorded in the “flower sponsorship” category but he would confirm such. One request of the board was that Chris use a color other than red for the Approved 2010 Budget column as red is commonly associated with a loss in accounting documents. Chris agreed. Program Director’s Report None presented Executive Director’s Report Business Improvement District Board Downtown Improvement Plan The Downtown Improvement Plan was scheduled for consideration for adoption by the City th Commission on Monday, November 7. At this meeting, I and City staff asked the Commission th to “open and continue” until Monday, December 14 to allow time for another public meeting and one more set of revisions. I informed that Commission that the remaining concerns related to the public parking lots, downtown utility infrastructure, construction project coordination, and capitalizing on Bozeman as a regional hub. The Commission unanimously supported this course of action. th  The public meeting was held at 8:00am on November 17. th  The Downtown Plan Advisory Committee will discuss further revisions on November 19. th  The City Commission will considered the revised Plan for adoption on December 14. Christmas Decorations Update To date I have received 10 Holiday Light Sponsorships totaling $1500 (the budget is $2000). I am still working a few more potential sponsors. Below is an itemized account of the supplies and repairs needed for this year’s Holiday Spiders: Replacement light bulbs $250 Replacement garland strands $250 Re-wire electrical supply lines $900 th we have been rewiring one per year this is the 4 and final one Total Costs $1350 We have $3000 budgeted for repairs and supplies in the FY2010 budget. ndrd  The lit garland and bows will be installed on the street lamps on November 22 and 23. rd  The wreaths will be installed on November 23. th  The spiders will be installed at the intersections on November 30. Downtown Bozeman Gas Refurbishment Project Northwestern Energy has completed the downtown refurbishment project. They still have some asphalt and concrete patching to do, but all of the gas infrastructure improvements have been made. Northwestern also made improvements at numerous improvements to business services on the “customer side” of the meter as a courtesy. Northwestern began the project in mid- August. In 12 weeks of work they completed the following upgrades:  Serviced 2,048 feet of the 8” steel main  Installed 124 feet of new 8” steel main  Installed 627 feet of new plastic 2” main  Refurbished 86 gas meter sets  Relocated 13 indoor meter sets outside  Installed 52 new services Discussion and Decision Items Downtown Improvement Plan Update At the City Commission meeting on November 16, 2009 Chris said that he asked the Commission to “open and continue” their consideration of the Downtown Improvement Plan for adoption. He felt it necessary to have an additional public meeting to discuss concerns and possible revisions. The Commission applauded the decision and welcomed more public input. The Commission will reconsider the Plan for adoption on December 14, 2009. There are three areas of concern still being voiced by some downtown business and property owners: the future of the public parking lots; the lack of consideration for infrastructure issues; and the minimal discussion of downtown’s role in Bozeman serving as a regional hub and national destination. Ileana acknowledged that the Downtown Plan Advisory Committee also supported holding another public meeting citing that this will be a 10 year plan thus there is no rush to adopt if the opportunity exists to strengthen the Plan and public support. The Board agreed that this was the best way to proceed. Chris noted that he has scheduled a Public Forum to discuss these and other issues associated th with the Plan for 7:30am Thursday November 19 at the Community Room in the Public Library. Christmas Decorations Update Chris briefly updated the board about the schedule to install all of the holiday decorations: November 22-23 Streetlamp garland and bows plus the intersection wreaths to be installed November 30 Christmas spiders to be installed at 4 intersections Chris also indicated that there are 10 Holiday Light Sponsors thus raising $1500. He mentioned that he expects a few more to sign on board. BID Renewal District Boundary At the previous meeting, Chris had asked the board to consider any BID district expansions for the renewal of the district. Chris reiterated that although not necessary at this time, if there is a desire to expand the district it is much easier to accomplish during the renewal process. The board discussed that adding more properties to the district would require an expansion of services. Chris agreed and mentioned that this year we expanded the scope of our maintenance services and he is concerned about “growing” too quickly. Ileana indicated that if her properties at the eastern edge of downtown were included she would still have to pay for private maintenance services for lawn care and snow removal, thus including those properties in the BID would not be advantageous. Mike Basile offered that perhaps there are a few properties on the periphery of the district that would want to be included. He suggested that Chris could visit the ones most likely to be interested and invite them to join during the renewal process. ACTION: Dan Himsworth motioned to that the board direct Chris to invite interested properties to join the BID District and adjust the boundary of the district accordingly. Mike Basile seconded the motion. All voted in favor. BID Board Vacancy Chris reminded the board of the vacancy left by Dan Harding’s recent resignation. He asked the group for ideas of property owners that might be interested in joining the board. All agreed that Dan’s insight as an architect and planner proved very constructive thus replacing him with another architectural profession would be preferred. The following were offered as owners that Chris should contact about serving: Don McLaughlin Paul Bertelli John Ludin Chris said that he would touch base with each and ask that they consider applying for the open seat. With no future or old business to discuss, Bobby adjourned the meeting.