IF Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC)

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corp. November 3, 2020 board meeting was held at The DEC (480 Park Ave) at 8:30am Attendance: Jake Durtschi, Emily Fitzpatrick, Brandi Newton, Tasha Taylor, Brad Cramer, Dana Briggs, Councilman Jim Francis and Jim Pletscher Staff: Catherine Smith, Juan Hernandez, Mala Lyon Minutes for October 6, 2020 were reviewed - Brandi motioned to accept the minutes. Cindy seconded and board approved Financial report – Brandi – Need to discuss what reports do we want to have now that we are breaking it up into two operating sources - Parking financials and other such as events. We will have a better understanding of where is the staff efforts and time is being spent. Is something using more time than money coming in. The parking support money has been received from the city. We agree on a budget then leave it to Catherine to the money forward as needed in the budget to cover future expenses. Jake asked how much we have lost in income by not being able to have events in 2020? $45-55,000ish but the events are expensive to execute so our net income from them is around $20,000. Catherine explained that we have the PPP loan of $23,000 and the paperwork is in to have it forgiven. Brandi motioned to accept the financials. Tasha seconded. Board approved. Catherine – Public Art – The INL mural is on hold; It became a more complicated situation and project than we all expected. Who should have the final say as to which mural proposal is picked? The Public Art Committee was formed by Jackie Flowers at Idaho Falls Power to try and do a public art piece on their back wall by the river. Public art is a challenge with reward but controversary sometimes forms. We need to decide who make the final decision because using the Public Art committee. The artist and the building owner and the funding source puts Catherine in the middle of lots of people with lots of ideas and opinions. We would like to have it be a IFDDC Board decision for approval of artwork and installation locations. Catherine will seek a recommendation from the Public Art Committee and then present to the full IFDDC Board. It was agreed that this is the best method moving forward. We are looking at doing fiberglass Labrador dogs and calling it “Labs of Downtown”. Working on additional grants for that and figuring out how to anchor them. Public Works is still willing to work with us on cross walk art along Park Avenue at A and B Street intersections. 2020 Holiday season – We will be doing an open house tour of some of the properties that have recently or are in the process of being renovated from 4:-6:00pm Friday Nov. 27th. The following property owners have agreed: The Celt – they have Airbnb suites upstairs and roof top seating – they are also renovating the property next door and planning on having vats to brew their own drinks; Todd Thoulion is renovating the space next to the SnakeBite; Jayce Howell has tenants upstairs in the old Inkley building and it is beautiful. Horse drawn Trolley rides will be downtown Friday from 3-6:00pm and then each Saturday from 1-3:00pm thru Dec. 19th. We reached out to the Civitans to see if they would like to sponsor the trolley and Brad Brady was there and asked if they could be the sponsor. We will let only family units get on the trolley at one time and keep social distance in the line. The tree lighting will be at 6:00pm with the Mayor giving the Shop Small Saturday proclamation. We are bringing in a Hot Chocolate vendor to sell hot chocolate and only anticipating maybe 50 people to come. We will live stream it on FaceBook. Working with the city to get the garland and lights up on the lamp poles. 2021 Events – we will most likely need to cancel through the first quarter of 2021. Catherine will present a revised budget in December to account for these cancellations. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10. Our next meeting will be held Nov 3, 2020 Respectfully submitted by Jill Hansen, Secretary and Mala Lyon