IF Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC)

Idaho Falls Downtown Development board meeting was held May 7, 2024, at 9:00am in the Willard Arts Center. Those in attendance: Kevin Cutler, Tasha Taylor, Jill Hansen, Greg Crockett, Brandi Newton, Cindy Napier, Jesse & Tara Mendoza, Chip Langerak, Antonio Meza, Mike Kirkham – city attorney; Lisa Farris – city Grant Manager; Caitlin Long - Planning Division; Police: Captain Jessica Marley, Brandon Norman, Cooper Merrill, Lieutenant Lasher, Officer Holland; Michelle Covert – Chamber of Commerce; Shane Dial – Ford’s Bar staff: Bryan Chaffin – Executive Director, Courtney Hernandez & Mala Lyon Captain Marley introduced the officers that will be assigned to the downtown – Officer Cooper Merrill and Officer Porter Button (not in attendance); We are encouraged to contact these officers by calling or texting directly for questions and non-emergency things like kids in the garage on skateboards and call dispatch for all other situations. They will do a day shift on Wednesdays so they can meet people downtown then evening shifts Thursday, Friday and Saturday putting them here until 2 or 3 in the early mornings. This will start June 2, 2024 and can change as needs come up. They are available for training downtown businesses and encourage everyone to have good lighting and cameras. Kevin introduced Bryan Chaffin as the new Executive Director to the board; has met most of the board and looking forward to working with everyone. Recognition of violation of open meeting law: Agenda was posted with a date of February 5, 2024 however the meeting took place on February 6, 2024 as a result all actions at the meeting held on February 6, 2024, are void. Minutes and financial report for January 9, 2024 Brandi motioned they be approved; Chip seconded and board approved Minutes and financial report for February 6, 2024 Brandi motioned they be approved; Chip seconded and board approved Also in the February 6, 2024 The Arts Council has requested a $2,500 sponsorship for the Art Walks that is on the first Thursday of each month May – Oct. Greg motioned to approve, seconded by Tasha – approved by the board. Minutes from April 2, 2024 board meeting - Brandi motion to approve, seconded by Chip – approved by the board. Financial report – Brandi – the Historic Foundation is a 501c3 and is used for fundraising/donations and the IFDDC is a 501c6 and we lobby to get things accomplished. Going forward we will not pay invoices out of the Foundation. The Foundation will issue a ‘grant’ to the IFDDC for the needed amounts. At the end of the fiscal year the IFDDC will give the Foundation surplus funds. Greg stated that the city holds the BID funds, and we need to track how much is there. We can request through the city council to use those funds for specific projects and they can only be used within the BID district. Bryan is to ask Pam Alexander for a report on the funds that are available and request regular reports. Brandi motioned that the financial report be approved; Cindy seconded, and board approved. Director Report – Bryan – A Street booth will be donated to the BMX Track and Diversified Containers has offered to move it for free. Curb & Gutter by the Capital North parking lot will happen in the next 2 weeks. Brandi requested they be notified of dates and also the Election Office. Chesbro Music is doing their annual Spring onto Broadway May 11th and they have requested we support them by donating $750 to help cover the costs. Brandi said this expense was figured into the budget. Greg motioned to approve giving them $750; Cindy seconded, and board approved. Events & Communications Coordinator Report – Courtney – Autism Fundraiser brought in $3,031.23 so far, we still have a couple of businesses that have not turned their money in yet Idaho Gives – we will receive $1,600 - $1,000 of that was from a prize that we won by participating in their training SpringBrew – the weather was bad and we had to rent extra tents, so we lost about $1,000 on this event All the hanging flower baskets are sponsored and we are offering the sponsorship of the ground pots. ‘Dogs Dig Downtown’ is May 18th which will include a “Yappy Hour” coupon card, photo ops and a dog walk ‘Downtown After Dark’ shopping event June 7th where businesses will stay open until midnight SummerBrew June 22nd – the Pride event is that same day and they have asked if we would like to be a sponsor. Brandi said it dilutes our branding of the SummerBrew, but would they be interested in advertising our event as an ‘after party’? ‘Benefit your Body on Broadway’ will be Saturday mornings in the Broadway Plaza starting in June. Antonio said we need to do a thank you shout out to Courtney’s husband Riley as he is one of the first to arrive with Courtney and the last to leave for these brew events! Michelle Ziel-Dingman – City Council member – asked if we had received any information on who is responsible for the crumbling paver bricks? No Did anyone from the city reach out about helping us find a contractor for the resurfacing of the parking lots? No The council is looking at modifying the alcohol serving rules and allowing it in other places like by the stage area on the River Walk. The data shows that these smaller brew events are not causing problems. It would be a beer garden style fenced off area. This will be voted on soon. Lisa - We received IFDDC 2024 CDBG application from Bryan for $55,000. If approved by Council and HUD, those funds would be available Aug/Sept timeframe. 2023 CDBG balance is ~$39,000 for new projects; $25,000 still being used for the cross-walk safety warning lights on Memorial; Courtney said the new owner of Lily’s and Ravens Hollow have both asked us about getting grants. Caitlin Long - Planning Division – the new software for applying for permits is working well; The Historic Preservation Commission is working on a citywide Historic Preservation 10-year Plan that helps give guidance and suggested preservation actions to the Commission. Part of the Plan is public outreach, and a survey is being created for the public. We would like to do a presentation to IFDDC in the next couple of months. Brandi – Sept 21st there will be 2 events that will close Park Ave in front of the DEC for a Jazz festival in the afternoon and the Arts Council is having a street party on A Street that evening. Both events have been approved by the city. IFDDC is going to help with the alcohol licenses and coordinating the beer trucks. Meeting was adjourned at 10:00am Our next board meeting will be held June 4, 2024 Respectfully submitted - Jill Hansen, secretary, and Mala Lyon