HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-12 Downtown Business Improvement District Minutes Downtown Business Improvement District
Board Meeting Minutes
DoW*)%vw January 18, 2012
H O I F M A FI
Attending: Mike Basile, Eric Bowman, Dan Himsworth, Steve Stinson,
Eric Sutherland, Buck Taylor, Chris Naumann, Jess Edelen, Cyndy Andrus
Absent: Ileana Indreland
Public Comments
None
Disclosures
None
Minutes
ACTION: Buck Taylor moved to approve the minutes from October, November and
December as presented.
Mike Basile seconded the motion.
All voted in favor.
Financial Report
Chris presented the financial report. The expenses incurred included the maintenance and
holiday light programs as budgeted. There was no other significant financial activity. Chris also
provided year-end financial projections showing an anticipated annual net income of$5,500 as
opposed to the budgeted amount of$600.
Program Director's Report
Chris presented the tentative schedule of DBA Events for 2012 as follows:
Men's Night — February 9, 2012 from 5-10pm. The last of a 3-event series to cater to all our
amazing downtown customers!
Winter Crazy Days — Friday, March 2 through Sunday, March 4 from 10am to 6pm.
Starting at 10am on Friday, Over 200 merchants offer unbelievable end-of-winter sales!
Bridal Walk — Saturday, April 14th, 2012 from 11am to 3pm in Downtown Bozeman. Every
year on the second Saturday in April from 1 lam to 3pm, brides and their entourage are invited
to roam the streets of downtown and take advantage of the numerous businesses that can offer
you all of your wedding needs!
Bobcat Fest on Main — Friday, April 27th from 5-8pm, 2012. Downtown, local businesses and
MSU organizations invite all MSU students and faculty and the Bozeman community on Main
Street in Downtown Bozeman.
Downtown Bozeman Partnership Annual Breakfast— Thursday, May 10th at 7:30am at the
Baxter Hotel Ballroom. A complimentary breakfast open to all our Downtown supporters and
members. Updates on all DBP annual events and programs. Presentation of the Downtown
Bozeman Annual Awards and a Keynote Presentation TBA.
Art Walks — 2nd Fridays, June-September from 6-8pm in Downtown Bozeman. 2012 dates
are: June 8, July 13, August 10 and Sept. 14. Art Walks occur on the second Friday of the
month June through September from 6 to 8PM at art galleries and businesses displaying
artwork located along Main Street and at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture.
Music on Main — Every Thursday night for 8 nights from July 5 through August 23, 2012
from 6:30pm to 8:30pm between Black and Rouse Avenues on Main Street in Downtown
Bozeman. Every Thursday evening in July and August for 8 weeks, enjoy live music, food and
fun in Downtown Bozeman.
Crazy Days — Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 10am to 6pm. It's the
biggest, the best and the original. It's the Downtown Crazy Days on the 3rd weekend in July.
"Cruisin" on Main" Annual Car Show— Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 9AM to 3PM on
Main Street in Downtown Bozeman between Willson and Rouse Avenues. Car enthusiasts
are invited to enter their vehicles in the show — all classes are welcome!!
MSU Community Cat Walk — Friday, August 24th from 11am to 1 pm on Main Street. Join
us for the Montana State University Cat Walk on Friday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MSU
President Waded Cruzado, Champ, the MSU Spirit of the West Marching Band and other MSU
representatives and community members will make their way down Main Street.
Chamber/DBP/Prospera "After Hours" — Thursday, August 30th, 2012 at the Emerson
Ballroom from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Our biggest economic organizations in the Gallatin Valley
team up to bring you a gathering of business owners and professionals for an evening of
networking.
MSU/Downtown Homecoming Pep Rally — Friday, September 21St 2012 at 5:30pm. Help
the Community get pumped for the big game! Free food, drinks, Bobcat gear and prize raffles!
MSU Parent's Weekend Downtown Discovery — Friday, October 12th through Sunday,
October 14th, 2012. During MSU Parent's Weekend, we invite all MSU parents and students to
enjoy an activity that helps parents and students get associated with our beautiful downtown.
Downtown Trick or Treating — Wednesday, October 31St, 2012 from 3-6pm on Main Street
in Downtown Bozeman. A safe way to enjoy traditional trick or treating in beautiful Downtown
Bozeman.
Ladies Night — Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 5-10pm. The first of a 3-event series
during the winter months to invite our amazing downtown customers for a night of late-night
shopping drinks and dining!
Cat/Griz Downtown MSU Pep Rally — Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 5:30pm. Help the
team get pumped for the big game versus the U of M Grizzlies!! Free food, drinks, Bobcat gear
and amazing raffle prizes!
Small Business Saturday — Saturday, November 24th, 2012. The 2nd annual Small Business
Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping
weekend of the year.
Christmas Stroll - Saturday, December 1St, 2012 from 4:30-7:30pm. Be a part of Downtown
Bozeman's greatest holiday tradition...the Christmas Stroll. Always on the first Saturday in
December, come downtown to officially kick-off the Holiday Season!
Date Night — December 13, 2012 from 5-10pm. The 2nd of our 3-event series brings you a
whole night dedicated to having a night out with your significant other or friends for a fun, stress-
free evening of dining and holiday shopping in Downtown Bozeman!
Executive Director's Report
Maintenance Program Update
During the fall staff work 4 to 5 days a week which will transition to 3 to 4 times a week with the
advent of winter. Their primary duties include emptying trash receptacles, picking up garbage,
pedestrian ramp snow removal, banner installations, holiday decoration maintenance, and
graffiti removal.
FY2011 Y-T-D FY2012 Y-T-D
Trash Emptied 1598 1981
Graffiti Removed 68 54
Graffiti Removal Program Update
Beginning in October downtown was hit with 8 significant graffiti tags depicting the letters "BKK".
Seven of the tags occurred between December 17th and January 1St. I began immediately
working with the Bozeman Police Department to document the damage. On January 5th and 6th
six of the eight tags were removed. The three on the parking garage were cleaned by the COB
Facilities staff while the three on private property were removed by the BID staff.
The BPD met with a "person of interest" but did not receive a confession. Since the meeting,
there have been no further instances of the graffiti.
If the perpetrator is caught with sufficient evidence, the charges would constitute a felony and
restitution would be sought for the expenses incurred by the BID and COB.
Bridger Parking Garage Update
I wanted to provide some data regarding the usage trends at the parking garage. The garage
continues to see increase usage.
Daily Entries 2010 2011 difference
October 229 275 +20%
November 235 282 +20%
December 278 331 +19%
Calendar Year 219 (ave/month) 277 (ave/month) +26%
Discussion and Decision Items
Pressure Washer Purchase
Chris informed the board that the BID pressure washer was declared beyond repair by the
mechanics at Owenhouse. Chris reminded the board that the washer was a low end residential
unit that was overmatched by the demands of the BID maintenance staff.
He proposed purchasing a new commercial grade pressure washer and presented two models
for the board's consideration. He summarized that the only difference between the two was the
engine. The lesser expensive ($495) model has a generic engine with a 1-year warranty while
the more expensive ($675) has a Honda engine with a 3-year warranty. Chris noted that
Owenhouse Hardware was offering the BID a 10% discount on either model.
The board concurred that the better engine and warranty justified the extra expense.
ACTION: Mike Basile moved to approve purchasing the Mi-T-M WP 3000-4MHB
pressure washer from Owenhouse Hardware for $674.99.
Eric Sutherland seconded the motion.
All voted in favor.
Flower Basket Proposals
Chris reviewed the two proposals to plant, deliver and prune the downtown summer flower
baskets as submitted by Oak Gardens and Wagner Nursery. Chris noted that Oak Gardens has
done an exceptional job of providing the flower baskets for 10 years. Their bid came in at
$19,975.72.
Although having never worked with Wagner, Chris highlighted the fact that they definitely have
the capacity with 10 greenhouses and a current annual planting of over 1500 flower baskets.
Their bid equaled $16,914.32. Therefore, Wagner's bid is $3061 .40 lower than Oak Gardens.
Chris acknowledged the considerable cost difference but lamented ending the long-standing
relationship with Oak Gardens.
Eric Bowman agreed that Oak Gardens had been a great partner, but stressed that it is the
BID's responsibility to maximize the investment of the property owner's assessment funds. Buck
Taylor agreed with Eric and asked Chris about what type of contract would be signed in terms of
length of the commitment.
Chris reminded the board that the RFP stated that a contract would be awarded for three years
so that the vendor would have some certainty and the BID would not have to repeat the RFP
process every year. Buck proposed that if we award the contract to Wagner that it only be for
one year with an additional two year option in recognition that we have not worked with them in
the past. The board agreed such a provision would be reasonable and prudent.
Mike Basile asked if Chris had contacted any references. Chris admitted that he omitted asking
for any references but was certain that Wagner would provide them upon request.
ACTION: Eric Bowman moved to award Wagner Nursery a one-year contract to
provide the downtown flower baskets as proposed in the RFP for $16,941.32
with a two-year option to renew contingent upon favorable references.
Buck Taylor seconded the motion.
All voted in favor.
Bozeman Creek Park(ing) Project
Chris presented the draft renderings for the Downtown Bozeman Creek Park(ing) Project. Chris
reviewed the initial site analysis and conceptual improvement renderings as prepared by the
team of consultants led by Intrinsik Architecture.
The first rendering demonstrated reconfiguring the current parking lot so as to meet City of
Bozeman code in regards to required driving lane widths and backup distances. Bringing the lot
up to code would result in a reduction of overall parking spaces. Chris noted that the Parking
Commission has discussed many times the need to reconfigure all downtown's public parking
lots to City standards.
The next series of renderings depicted a variety of options for enhancing the creek, creating
greenspace and maximizing the parking capacity.
The board asked how many of the six alternatives would be included in the final report. Chris
said that the consulting team was going to use feedback from several preliminary presentations
to focus on three or four alternatives to be presented to the public. Chris said this draft
presentation was being given to the Parking Commission, Downtown TIF, and Downtown BID
boards.
Chris informed the Board that the public presentation would be in late February or early March
depending on scheduling the venue. He said after collecting additional feedback, the
consultants would fine-tune the alternatives and recommend one to be implemented.
Chris continued that then the various boards, stakeholders, and City departments would need to
decide which alternative to pursue, at which time implementation partners and outside funding
sources would be identified. Chris anticipates implementation would be done at the earliest in
2013 if not 2014.
With no further business, Eric adjourned the meeting.