IF Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC)

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corp. October 6, 2020 board meeting was held at The DEC (480 Park Ave) at 8:30am Attendance: Jake Durtschi, Emily Fitzpatrick, Jill Hansen, Brandi Newton, Steve Fischbach, Greg Crockett, Kevin Cutler, Tasha Taylor, Cindy Napier, Councilman Jim Francis and Lisa Farris Staff: Catherine Smith, Juan Hernandez, Mala Lyon Minutes for September 1, 2020 were reviewed – One change was made where it was written that it was 2021 but should be “2020 funds have been approved” in Lisa’s report. Greg motioned they be approved with change made; Tasha seconded, and board approved. Financial report – Brandi – We ended the year in the black. The pay roll protection loan will hopefully be forgiven. All the paperwork has been turned in for that. Greg asked about the beautification expenses. That was payment to 4 Seasons for fall clean up and flowers planted along Broadway and to Dave Lawrence for the watering. The A Street parking lot was resurfaced and painted. Greg motioned they be approved; Brandi seconded, and board approved. Executive Director report – Catherine: We will work with the Bank of Idaho and Brandi to make sure everything that needs to be done on the pay roll protection loan is completed as needed. We have been approved by Lexus Nexus to collect the names and addresses of those that have not paid for their parking tickets. We will then be working with IPS to send out a ‘notice to pay’ letter which will cost us .52 for each letter and that will include postage. Greg asked if we have seen a copy of text of the letter yet? No but we will get it and let Greg read it before we start this process. Jake asked what our plan is as these letters will surely generate complaints and contested tickets? We will do the letter in 3- month batches until we see how many phone calls and such we will have to deal with. People will be directed to go to the website and formally contest the ticket. Greg asked if there is a time limit on the website to contest tickets? Yes, it is currently 14 days, but we can change that process and provide a way to contest. Using this process provides a buffer for us in the office when we are able to tell angry people they have to formally contest the ticket online. Will the same person who has multiple ticket receive a letter for each ticket or one letter that has them all listed? One letter per license plate number will be sent. The letters will continue to be sent out in 3-month batches and then be shortened to every 30 days once we are caught up. People do forget or lose the tickets, but we do see that most are willing to pay. Greg asked if we write many handicap parking violations. Juan said maybe 2 a week, most being in the Library. Greg asked how the ‘green curb’ loading zone in the A Lot is working? Cindy said it is working well and they are working on educating and encouraging the customer to use that space when doing quick drop of and pickups. Kevin asked if they have noticed more parking being available on-street with the monitoring being done? Yes, that has also improved and is much better. Catherine informed the board that the State of Downtown annual meeting has been scheduled for Oct 27th at noon. IE Productions will work with us for free to stream this online to youTube and onto the IFDDC facebook page. There will be an intro and then the Mayor will speak. Brad Cramer will be out of town that day but we may be able to have a pre-recorded message from him. I will then present. IE Productions is very generous with their time in doing this for us and other organizations like City Club and Rotary. The Parking Committee met last month, and the decision was made to keep enforcing the A Street lot as we have been with no warnings. This has been a pay to park lot all along. We will continue to work on customer service and education of how the parking process works. Downtown businesses are our priority and helping their customers is what we are all about. The Parking Committee monthly meeting will need to be moved to a different day or time as Catherine now has a commitment to a meeting with the Civitans at that time. Tasha reminded us that the Parking Committee will be forming a process for those that wish to utilize any of the parking lots for purposes other than parking. Catherine will develop and request form to present to the Committee. The INL gave us $5,000 for a new downtown mural. The artist Gibby Smede has been selected by the Arts Committee to paint the mural. Lisa – We have about $57,000 from 2017 – 2020 grant funding to work with. Pizza Pie Hole and Spruce Designs will be using some to finish up their projects. IFDDC has applied for $20,000 to do lighting in the parking lots and the alley that runs from Park Ave. to Capital. These will be LED solar lights. Nostalgic Boutique has requested funds for a new sign. Catherine said 244 Broadway has been purchased by Bybee’s Wheel Alignment and they want to put a new façade on that building. They also got the 20 minute loading zone installed next to their shop. Having the façade grant money has been a really good tool and helped property owners make improvements. Greg asked if there is any improvement or interest in the vacant buildings? Kevin said most of these spaces are very large and it is mostly smaller spaces that are leasing right now. Catherine said that the old Variety Mart building has been sold to Page Insurance. They will put their office upstairs and lease out the bottom as retail. They are very excited to be downtown and have also applied for façade grant money. Emily said that Falls Printing is moving to their 1st Street location and Harris Publishing will move into their space on Park Avenue. Greg said they have a new tenant ‘The Caramel Tree’ moving into Diablas old space. Jake asked what the plan is for Shop Small Saturday and the tree lighting? Catherine said we are moving the tree lighting to Friday as having it on Saturday competed with the Ammon Light Parade. We will encourage social distancing and also live stream it. Brady’s has agreed to be the sponsor for the trolley rides. Social distancing will be enforced. Krisi has offered to help with events again and we are looking at having an open house tour of some of the historic buildings downtown on Shop Small Saturday. This will bring people downtown and show them the amazing buildings. All studies we are seeing is that because of ‘covid’ people are very interested in shopping local and supporting their communities. Greg asked if we could discuss at our next meeting a possible marketing plan to help get businesses into these vacant buildings? Catherine said people do call us requesting info and we try to keep the website up to date on available spaces. Kevin suggested that we add the link to the actual website listing the properties and the agent info. Catherine offered to look into what other cities are doing to promote their downtown and available spaces. Greg encouraged Catherine to use this issue as a talking point in her State of Downtown presentation. When will the INL be moving into their office space? Not until after the first of the year as they are working from home. All available apartments that we are aware of are full. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20. Our next meeting will be held Nov 3, 2020 Respectfully submitted by Jill Hansen, Secretary and Mala Lyon