IF Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC)

Board meeting Nov 8 2022 Those in attendance: Jake Durtschi, Jill Hansen, Antonio Meza, Kevin Cutler, Brandi Newton, Terri Ireland, Cindy Napier, Councilman Jim Francis, Captain Jessica Marley - IFPD, Sid Page – owner of Page Insurance, Shane Dial – Ford’s bar, Christian Ashcraft - city, Caitlyn Long – Community Development Services, Lisa Farris – Grant Administrator staff - Catherine Smith and Juan Hernandez Minutes of the Oct 4, 2022, meeting reviewed; Cindy motioned to accept, Jill seconded; Board approved. Financial report – Brandi - We have received the distribution from city per the BID Agreement. This will pay for the work the city has contracted us to do this year. We might want to look at considering an accrual method rather than cash method for our reporting. Catherine and Brandi will review that over the next couple of weeks. Antonio – Do we have a detailed BID collection report from the county coming in? Brandi – not every dollar that is collected comes into us through the BID. The City Treasurer’s office holds the BID fund, and our management agreement stipulates the distributions sent to IFDDC. The County Tax Collections department collects the BID assessments and then sends those funds to the City Treasurer’s office. The City owns the BID with the county collecting about 98% full collection. The BID assessments are made against the 2007 property values. Kevin –The last renewal process multiple things to look at to get it passed – next round we can look at expanding the BID, raise values, decide if we want to add on Cliff and grow a bigger base. The goal is not to raise more money – but to serve the district and execute the mission and work effectively. Next renewal in 2027, we need to discuss the real current assessed value. Jake –The City is managing a 30% increase in property values – can we look to city for guidance? What have they changed their rate to? Yes we need to remember that the BID is only renewed every 10 years, so we are looking at 2027 for the next renewal. The values will be 20 years old by then. Catherine – average payment is $350 annually. Antonio – money should stay in our district. We serve only the BID. Councilman Jim Francis asked if we can use the reserves for snow removal? Catherine – yes – we can make one request annually. Brandi motioned the financial report be approved – Cindy seconded the motion. Board approved. Captain Jessica Marley – Brandi asked we have had damages, so what is the current baseline - is it worse now, an increase? What are we supposed to do? Who do we call? Prior to covid 2020 up 100%. However 2021 VS Jan 2022 – Nov 2022 165 calls for service, those numbers are down, 181 calls last year – increase 8.9% nonemergency; emergency 911 calls down 39% ; 9.6% down for self-initiated where the police see something themselves and stop. Downtown has twice as many self-initiated stops when compared to the rest of the City. Number of officers is down – some in training, but it takes a year or more to get them trained. Jake asked what types of issues downtown? Jan 1 – Nov 1 phone calls in 123 citizen reports – we send an officer ASAP. Emergency 911 calls are down in 39%. Citizen calls are up. Antonio –downtown has a very different feel now – It doesn’t feel safe after 10 pm. Jake agreed and said downtown doesn’t feel as safe. How can we change that? What can we do to respond to this? Capt. Marley – look at numbers during covid safer time but it was busier, lots of people moved here and we have had a hard time finding police that can afford to live here. Since then, we saw a spike because they couldn’t take people to jail due to covid and so they knew there were no consequences. The presence of a patrol car and uniformed officer deters crime. 10 or our 58 officers are in training. We are doing a very good job recruiting. Jake what are preventative measures that we can do? Lighting? Capt. Marley - Anyone learned the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design program? We have 2 officers that are trained in this. Increasing your own security measure. Lighting, cameras – quality images, watch groups, show and tell employees how to call, Great Harvest employees had a man stalking them and they didn’t call until he tried to break in. They should have called when something first happened; A man stashed gun in planter and was digging it out, someone called when they saw; do a bigger training with us; true high crime areas are dark. Sid asked we have had 3 thefts in a year and half – good cameras – when something triggers the cameras a call is sent to us, should it be sent to the police? Capt. Marley - Most security alarms will call owner first because of false alarms – there is a cost to owner and it can be a non-code or emergency. Antonio – I missed two calls from police when window broken. Planters broken and again police called us. Seeing more police downtown in the last couple of months. We want to prevent it if we can. Shane – bars downtown had a meeting all the bars are going to pay for overtime police downtown. If that doesn’t work Infinity Security will be hired. They went through the rental rooms above Ford’s Bar and removed people that we doing illegal activities and have lost $6,000 rent in rooms because we kicked them out. Had 15 people living in a 10x10 room. Kurt did not do what he needed to do as the former owner. As we scan people’s licenses there is a ton of people from out of Idaho coming into this area. We want to make it work right. Brandi – bar hopping and when alcohol involved there can be problems, we don’t have anyone that thinks downtown is uncomfortable. The Arts Council had a homeless person that came in and ripped the donation box off the wall and walk out in the middle of the day. Lights are a big determinant and security is now at all the shows. Cindy –at Idaho Mountain Trading 8-9 years ago windows broken replaced with unbreakable glass and have had no problem since. Jake – we need the training info that is available. Brandi – what are times when you get the most calls to police? More as bars close? When is a spike time for 911 calls? Capt. Marley - More at night. There was a rumor of a gang rape at one of the bars but there are no calls or reports to the police. We get calls after the fact of a sexual assault. As business owners what can and can’t you do? You can make a citizen arrest, but best option is to call the police and keep an eye on them. We get calls and we ask where are they now, they don’t know. Our city has changed and grown. Book ‘The Gift of Fear’ is excellent to use for training and you can train your employees to not walk alone and use your sense of awareness. Sid – the front area of our building we have found people come in and urinate. Can we stop the little things? Capt. Marley - If you can identify them turn them in. A lot of growing pains in our city, reach out to other cities for their ideas and adapting to this growth that they have gone through these problems. Kevin Cutler - it is our responsibility as the downtown as business owners – lighting, cameras and training of employees. Downtown is becoming a magnet as a place to go. People go to dinner, drink, show, more drinking where did it start? We are all involved nobody to blame. Councilman Jim Francis – Modify the drinking only inside only no patio drinking ordinance? Shane – no drinks outside prior to covid, then it was allowed, now bouncers are dealing with people who are just doing whatever they want. 180 people are on the banned list at Ford’s and half them go to House and then come to Ford’s to talk and just hang around outside. Antonio - so impressed that the bars have gotten together and are working together, we need to all we can to support their efforts. Capt. Marley - any questions or problems always let me know. Brandi - every Officer that has come in response to our calls have been very respectful and a great interaction with police. Terri – Healing Hands who do we call if we see damage has happened to another business? Call Dispatch as they have a list of business owners with their contact info– keep that updated. Jill - do we advertise that they are on camera? Yes – important to know how to access it and get video off when there is a problem. Catherine – presented to city council the zone system added parking pay stations on street. While encouraging longer parking in lots. GIFT can and wants to partner with us to bring people downtown with less vehicles. Christmas – tree lighting Nov 19th asking Jeff Roper to MC. Kevin Call is bringing his historic firetruck for city council and Santa to arrive on. Ice rink coming 32 feet by 32 feet. Any time on a Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Friday night. No delivery date yet. We will need help getting it installed. Christmas Winter Market on Park Ave. 11:00 to 5:00 – 4 applications and only two are viable - we want to be thoughtful as to who we bring. Exploring opportunities for Cultural groups to come will have to be shifted to The Broadway. ‘Find Santa’s Puppy’ on Dec 3 from noon to 3:00pm – 28 puppies will be hidden. Little Art Galleries by the Museum of Idaho and Art Museum like a little “book library’ but with art – they are installed just need signs. Murals – Pet mural on BlackRock wall has been prep-painted – partnering with the Snake River Animal Shelter Mural on Page Insurance by Ben Steele – applied to Mountain View Charity request is in and hoping for $5,000. Lisa - $52,000 for new projects – Glow Hair has done a sign. More lighting in alleys. Can cameras be included in a grant? Maybe. Brandi – can we meet with you and look at lighting? We would meet here at the Arts Council? Yes and invite anyone who is interested. Identify specific locations that need better lights. Councilman Jim Francis – 2 officers that are trained in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and can coordinate with us and teach business owners. Catherine is welcome to come to Police Chief Johnson anytime with concerns and requests for help. Caitlyn – Utah State University – 6 different areas of city were studied as an Urban design project – Monday, Nov 21st come to do a presentation. Will send invite to everyone. Christian – ‘The Mountain America Event Center’ is opening soon. Councilman Jim Francis complimented Catherine and Jake on a very good presentation on parking to city council. Meeting adjourned at 10:25am The next board meeting will be held December 6, 2022 Respectfully submitted - Jill Hansen, secretary and Mala Lyon