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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-12 Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Minutes/ Downtown Business Improvement District Board Meeting Minutes September 19, 2012 Attending: Mike Basile, Eric Bowman, Dan Himsworth, Ileana Indreland, Steve Stinson, Eric Sutherland, Chris Naumann Absent: Buck Taylor Public Comments None Disclosures None Minutes ACTION: Dan Himsworth moved to approve the minutes from June, July and August as presented. Steve Stinson seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the first financial report of FY2013. Everything was tracking as budgeted in terms of expenses. Primary activity was paying for the flower baskets, summer maintenance payroll, and management fees. In terms of revenue, half of the annual assessment has been received. Chris also noted that the BID has just over $100k in cash between the checking account and various certificates of deposit. The board had no questions about the finance report. Program Director’s Report Upcoming DBA Events/Programs: “Life is Downtown” Paper out September 20 DowntownPulse Survey Program continues through December. Business Participants: The Leaf & Bean, Country Bookshelf, Heeb’s, Ace Hardware, Gallatin Laundry, Heyday, Nova Café Dynamite Dads with Thrive – Wednesday, September 19 at 6pm at the Ellen Theatre MSU Homecoming Pep Rally – Friday, September 21 at 5:30pm Bruce Baker Merchandising and Retail Display Presentation – Monday, September 24 at the Baxter Hotel MSU Parent Family Weekend, Downtown Discovery – October 11-13 Downtown Trick or Treating – Wednesday, October 31 from 3-6pm Women’s Business Network “Downtown Business Tours of Women-owned businesses”. Quarterly throughout the year! Next one – November 7, 12-1pm. Ladies’ Night – Thursday, November 15, 5-10pm Cat/Griz Pep Rally – Thursday, November 15 at 5:30pm Christmas Stroll – Saturday, December 1 from 4:30-7:30pm Executive Director’s Report Maintenance Program Update Below are the maintenance statistics comparing FY2012 to FY2013. As the numbers show we saw an increase in the amount of trash collected and a decline in the number of graffiti tags removed. FY2012 FY2013 Difference       Trash Emptied 906 748 -158       Graffiti Removed 32 19 -13   The summer maintenance staff currently consists of 1 FTE and 2 PTE. At the end of September, the fall staffing levels will be 2 PTE. Armory Hotel Update As you may have heard, Cory Lawrence finalized the purchase of the Armory property from First Interstate Bank. He has informed me that he has entered into a buy-sell agreement for a full liquor license. I will be meeting with him next week to learn more about his anticipated next steps. Carnegie Parking Lot RFQ Monday night, the City Commission officially terminated the Carnegie Lot RFQ based upon Cory Lawrence meeting several of the benchmarks identified by the CC as progress in redeveloping the Armory site as a boutique hotel. Still in place are the City Commission and Parking Commission’s resolutions that the Carnegie Lot is no longer needed to conduct the business of the City and there is a higher and better use as the site of a major development project. Parking Garage Update 6/11 7/11 8/11 6/12 7/12 8/12  Average Daily Entries 291 311 327 301 352 415  % Change from 2011 to 2012    +3% +13% +27%   August 2012 had 415 daily average number entries which in an all-time record. On August 1st, the day of the Bite of Bozeman, 743 cars used the garage—the second most ever. There are currently 126 permits issued for the garage with another 40 permits issued for the basement level. Discussion and Decision Items Flower Basket Update Chris reported that the flower baskets would be removed at the end of the month. He informed the board that he and Jess met with Jessica of Wagner Nursery to discuss how the baskets did this season. They also discussed what varieties to plant differently next year. Jessica will be observing every basket and making specific notes regarding varieties, plant health, and location. Chris reminded the board that the BID awarded Wagner a three year contract subject to a review after the inaugural season. Chris recommended that the BID continue to use Wagner and thus give Jessica confirmation so that she can place the necessary orders for next year’s flowers. The board agreed that the baskets did great this year especially considering the hot dry conditions. They also agreed to verbally acknowledge the board’s intent to stay with Wagner. MULE ATV Update Chris reminded the board of their discussion at the last meeting about replacing the MULE ATV for the BID maintenance program. He said that last week he decided to ask the board to approve purchasing a new MULE at this meeting before being forced to because of any major mechanical issues with the old one. Chris said ironically two days ago the old MULE began have major mechanical issues as it will not accelerate beyond 5 mph. Chris said that a Kawasaki MULE ATV msrp is $9999 and Summit here in Bozeman would charge $9700 plus $250 for freight (half of the normal charge of $500). Chris said there were two accessories he would like to include: a roof and a safety light which would retail for $287 total. The board agreed that we need to replace the old MULE. They asked Chris if he would explore any opportunities to get a slightly lower price. He said he would see what he could do. Ultimately, the board authorized Chris to make the purchase. They asked if we would need to liquidate one of our Certificates of Deposit. Chris answered that the purchase could be made from our current checking account balance. Board Meeting Schedule Chris informed the board that the City Clerk’s office has been directed to reduce the number of citizen advisory board meetings where feasible. Chris reminded the board that in the past they have considered a bi-monthly or even quarterly meeting schedule. Chris presented the three meeting schedules previously considered. The board agreed that meeting every other month would be preferable. After some discussion the board established the following meeting schedule: Downtown BID Board Bi-Monthly Meetings June Appoint Officers/Welcome New Members August Mid-Summer Updates October Summer to Winter Transition January Mid-Year Review March Spring Update May Approve Budget and Work Plan ACTION: Eric Bowman moved to adopt the bi-monthly meeting schedule as discussed. Mike Basile seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Carnegie Public Parking Lot The board asked to discuss the current and future status of the Carnegie Parking Lot. Chris summarized that the Carnegie Hotel RFQ process had been recently terminated by the City Commission. He stated that the City Commission determination that the property was no longer needed to conduct the business of the City was still in effect. Ileana suggested that the BID Board formally request that the City Commission reverse that determination based on the unknown potential impacts of the proposed Armory Hotel development and the pending results of the Parking Commission’s parking study update. Mike Basile agreed that there was no need for that determination to stand considering the hotel concept had been abandoned. Eric Bowman questioned whether there was any disadvantage to letting the determination stand considering that no further action had been discussed. He continued by pointing out that is difficult to say if the Carnegie Lot being identified for future redevelopment benefits or hinders other private development like the Kenyon Noble property. He said he feels that development projects tend to spur additional development. He concluded that at some point new developments cannot rely on the finite amount of public parking. The other board members indicated that they would support the letter suggested by Ileana noting that in the future the City Commission could look to sell the Carnegie Lot. Chris offered to draft the letter language and e-mail it to the board suggesting that the language could be finalized in advance of the October meeting. ACTION: Ileana Indreland moved to direct Chris to draft a letter to the City Commission requesting that the determination that the Carnegie public parking lot is no longer needed be reversed do to the in unknown impacts of the proposed Armory Hotel and the pending results of the Parking Commission’s parking study update. Mike Basile seconded the motion. All voted in favor. With no further business, Eric Bowman adjourned the meeting.