Downtown Advisory Board April

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD APRIL 125 5th Avenue W, Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 4:00 PM MINUTES 1. In Attendance: Virtual- Caroline Gunther, Matthew Hickman, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund, Chris Cormier In person - Carole Sitzer Not Present: Matt Johnes (zoom issues), Walt Slagel 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Caroline Gunther called for public comment, there were no public comments virtual or in person. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The board approved the agenda with no changes. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Review / Approve March 2021 Minutes Some updates were made to the minutes prior to the meeting to ensure all votes were counted. Jared Bellmund made a motion to approve the minutes from March, 2021. John Ryan seconded. A roll call vote was taken: YAY votes: Caroline Gunther, Matthew Hickman, Carole Sitzer, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund and Chris Cormier. There were no NAY votes. 5. OLD BUSINESS 1. Brief update on upcoming events Meredith Friedheim and Jamie Carpenter reviewed downtown events. There were no questions/comments. 2. AF Barber Statue Item was tabled at March, 2021 meeting due to time. The Community Character Team reviewed (see team meeting minutes). Patsy DuPre reviewed the Community Character discussion in addition to what was presented in the minutes. There was additional discussion about the limited information. The board DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD APRIL – April 13, 2021 Page | 1  members were not prepared to offer any voice of support for the project, however would like to send the feedback from the Community Character team to council as their recommendations, to include the additional items: We would like to include this in a broader discussion about public art and planning for downtown. Jamie Carpenter will send this summary to Mayor Volk. 6. NEW BUSINESS 1. Facade Grant Application for Hands On! Children's Museum The board continued Community Character's discussion on delayed maintenance vs facade improvements. John Ryan and Caroline Gunther both expressed that this was not a project that would fit within the guidelines of the grant. Matthew Hickman, Patsy DuPre and Chris Cormier disagreed and felt it was within the spirit of the grant. Joseph Knight, executive director for Hands On was available for questions and answered questions regarding the location of the coping that was included in the application. Mark Pavao spoke as a tenant of Hands On that the musuem is a significant economic driver for downtown. Patsy DuPre made a motion to approve the Community Character Team's recommendations to provide the full grant to Hands On Childrens Museum. Mark Pavao Seconded. A Roll Call vote was taken: YAY votes: Matthew Hickman, Carole Sitzer, Patsy DuPre, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund and Chris Cormier. NAY: Caroline Gunther, John Ryan The motion was approved. 2. Facade Grant Application - Underground Baking Matthew Hickman was available to answer questions on this grant applications. This includes two separate grant applications that were both recommended by the Community Character team. John Ryan made a motion to approve the facade grant application for 348 7th Avenue E. Mark Pavao seconded. A roll call vote was taken: YAY votes: Caroline Gunther, Carole Sitzer, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund and Chris Cormier. Matthew Hickman recused himself. There were no NAY votes. The motion carried. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD APRIL – April 13, 2021 Page | 2  John Ryan made a motion to approve the facade grant application for 346 7th Avenue E. Mark Pavao seconded. A roll call vote was taken: YAY votes: Caroline Gunther, Carole Sitzer, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund and Chris Cormier. Matthew Hickman recused himself. There were no NAY votes. The motion carried. 3. 7th Avenue Branding RFP The Community Character Team recommends a more thorough branding process that includes community input. A RFP is attached to evaluate firms to provide this resource. Suggested Motion: I move to approve the RFP for 7th Avenue Branding as presented. Jamie Carpenter reviewed the community character's recommendation for proceeding with a more in depth branding process. Mark Pavao made a motion to proceed with the RFP as presented. Jared Bellmund seconded. A roll call vote was taken: YAY votes: Caroline Gunther, Matthew Hickman, Carole Sitzer, Patsy DuPre, John Ryan, Mark Pavao, Becky Ayers, Jared Bellmund and Chris Cormier. The motion carried. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Lt. Worthy was available virtually on the call to answer questions. He noted that shoplifting and graffiti had died down. Jamie Carpenter noted that staff are currently selecting candidates for the part time events assistant position and will conduct interviews next week. Caroline Gunther asked if we could invite any new businesses to attend next month's meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT Patsy DuPre made a motion to adjourn. 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 APRIL – April 13, 2021 Page | 3