Downtown Advisory Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD Downtown Program Office | 125 Fifth Avenue West, Suite 200 | Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, November 09, 2021 – 4:00 PM MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER In attendance in person: Chris Cormier, Jerry Fitzgerald, Shaqwala Wilkes In attendance virtually: Caroline Gunther, Juls Buckman, Matthew hickman, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan Not present: Jared Bellmund, Carole Sitzer, Walt Slagel, Matt Johnes Staff present: Jamie Carpenter, Meredith Frieheim, Lew Holloway 2. PUBLIC INPUT There were no public comments. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Matthew Hickman made a motion to approve the agenda. John Ryan seconded. Chris Cormier, Jerry Fitzgerald, Shaqwala Wilkes, Caroline Gunther, Juls Buckman, Matthew hickman, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan voted in favor. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 2021 Downtown Advisory Board Minutes John Ryan made a motion to approve the agenda. Becky Ayers seconded. Chris Cormier, Jerry Fitzgerald, Shaqwala Wilkes, Caroline Gunther, Juls Buckman, Matthew hickman, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan voted in favor. 5. NEW BUSINESS Shaqwala Wilkes is the new board member. The Downtown Advisory Board welcomed and introductions were made. 1. Review several event updates: 1. Animals at events ordinance 2. Future event fee schedule changes 3. Apple Festival Merchant Feedback DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – November 09, 2021 Page | 1  Animals at Events update - L. Holloway and C. Gunther updated. The Animal Advisory Committee and city's Special Events committee reviewed the current ordinance. Enforcing the animal at event ordinance was not effective for officers to enforce. It was recommended to City Council to remove the rule from ordinance. It can still be a policy for events. Future Events Fee Schedule - J. Carpenter updated - Staff have been talking to special events committee, Staff will be looking at other cities of comparative sizes and event scales to find comparisons. Fees are currently based on vendors, this does not account for events that do not have vendors but use substantial amount of resources. C. Cormier asked about how that could effect event producers and if that would hurt events coming. For years we have been trying to get more events to bring people in, concerned about pricing fees too high to make events cost prohibitive. Staff will bring a few options back to board with recommendations. Apple Festival - C. Gunther - had previously asked a member of the Apple Festival board to be able to attend the meeting. In order to attend meeting she needs to write something to the board about her purpose for attending. She would like to bring a few items to their board to be considered for updates. Caroline will be out of town during their January meeting and would like to send Jamie, John Connet (city manager) is also on the board: 1. Outdoor dining - Restaurants to have the ability to have outdoor dining if they wish- problematic for restaurants for many reasons -- storage of furniture, Covid capacity, some restaurants may find a way to use outdoor dining/takeout meals. 2. Dumpsters and their placement - Lew noted that that may be a city public works conversation rather than event organizer Consensus from board is to talk to the Apple Festival about the sidewalk dining and open communication. Staff will come back with possible solutions to Downtown Advisory Board to then determine next steps with Apple Festival board. B. Ayers noted that including the trolley stops on 7th Avenue would be a nice additional item to add. C. Gunther - porta potties and dumpster locations should be evaluated every year as businesses in those locations are changing. 2. Private Club Text Amendment Economic Vitality Team met with Matt Manley, planning manager, on Tuesday 11/2 and reviewed updates. The discussion will be held at the planning board meeting on Monday 11/8. Updates will be provided to Downtown Advisory Board following the planning board meeting on Monday. L. Holloway updated from the Planning Board meeting. Planning board voted to remove all of the supplementary standards associated with private clubs. Taking from special use to permitted use. The agenda item will go to City Council December 3. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – November 09, 2021 Page | 2  3. Downtown Workplan & Budget Review of workplan from this year with budget planning discussion for next year. J. Carpenter reviewed budget items and workplan from last year. M. Pavao - Discussion about public bathrooms opening earlier. Noting that restrooms should be open more - include increased maintenance budget. C. Cormier - driving through town at night it is dark and shadowy, additional lighting C. Gunther - Alley cleanup J. Buckman - improvement on side streets, sidewalk improvements and also litter cleanup Carpenter - increased public works staff that will support downtown, garage, 7th Avenue, garbage pickup - clean & green crew 6. OTHER BUSINESS 7. ADJOURNMENT The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 697-3005. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – November 09, 2021 Page | 3