Downtown Development Commission

MINUTES Thursday, May 15, 2014 1. Call to order: 7:40pm 2. Roll Call Present: Jim Burnet, Maureen Byrne, Brad Cramer, Lisa Ellis, Craig Erezuma, Mark Fabyanski, Larry Jasen, Mike Kopas, Pat Rowe, Barb Short, Russell Stern, Steve Whitehorn, Marsha Ann Zimmerman Absent: Carla Brady, Ben Cahill, Bob Conley, Peter Flemming, Garry Herzog, Wayne Lajewski,Carmen Vacchiano Also in attendance: six members of the public including two representatives from Chase Bank 3. Open Public Meetings Act as read by Chairman Stern 4. Pledge of Allegiance 5. Approval of April 2014 minutes: MOTIONto approve as presented,Maureen Byrne, SECOND: Marsha Ann Zimmerman, MOTION PASSED, NO ABSTENTIONS 6. Treasurer’s Report: As presented by Brad Cramer. (Report Attached) 7. Mayor’s Report: No report 8. Council Liaison Report: Pat Rowe expressed the council’s thanks for May Day and discussed the introduction of Ordinance 31-2014 at the council’s meeting on May 12, 2014. The ordinance addresses Drive Thru Restaurants. It was requested that a copy of this ordinance be sent to members of the DDC for reference. 9. Discussion - Wayfinding Signs: Russell Stern reported that DDC representatives had attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting to present the mock ups of the signs. A demonstration of the signs was held at 6:15pm this evening on Maple Avenue prior to the DDC meeting. Craig Erezuma reported that the poles for the signs had been delivered. Potentially mounting the poles on concrete blocks was discussed. 10. Planning Board Report: Mike Kopas discussed in brief the new construction planned for the old Green Villa site at Green Village Road. The new building will include underground parking. 11. Foundation Report: No report 12. Committee Reports: Brad Cramer requested that a brief overview of the committees be presented for the benefit of the public in attendance. These overviews were provided by the following: Craig Erezuma(Sign & Façade), Mike Kopas (University Relations)Mark Fabyanski (PIC). • Sign & Façade: Craig Erezuma discussed recent projects that have been reviewed. • University Relations: Mike Kopas discussed plans for a survey of students at all three local universities (Drew, FDU, and CSE) when they return to campus in the fall of 2014. The survey will collect data on how the students connect to downtown Madison. It was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce survey local businesses about their connections to the students. MINUTES Thursday, May 15, 2014 • Public Improvement Committee: 1. Sidewalk Sounds: Mark Fabyanski reported that the program is going well and acknowledged the value of the ongoing partnerships with the MMA (Madison Music Association) and MACA (Madison Arts and Cultural Alliance). Performers have been secured for at least 16 of the planned 21 weeks so far. Mark requested additional funding to sustain the program. MOTIONto allocate an additional $1500 to Sidewalk Sounds, Mike Kopas, SECOND: Maureen Byrne. MOTION PASSED Unanimously, NO ABSTENTIONS 2. Historic Town Tour Update: Craig Erezuma reported that he met with Mark DeBiasse, Supervisor of Humanities for the Madison Public Schools, and a decision was reached to incorporate the project into the district curriculum for the 2015-16 school year. This process will begin in the fall of 2014. The project will be aided by digitizing The Madison Eagle, which is in process at The Madison Public Library. Partnership with the Friends of the Madison Public Library is being discussed. Eventual translation of the tour to Italian and French in addition to Spanish was mentioned, as was the incorporation of an interactive component and producing both a high tech and a lower tech (sound only) version of the tour. 13. Ad Hoc Committee Reports a. Taste of Madison: Maureen Byrne reported that the DDC share of the proceeds from the event is $14,000. Increased sponsorships offset a reduction in attendance. Overall it was a great event. b. Farmers Market – June 5-Oct. 16: Maureen Byrne reported that the Farmers Market begins on June 5th and is fully subscribed by returning vendors and that the “Buy Fresh/Give Fresh” program will be expanded this year. c. May Day: The event was an overall success in spite of a slight drop off in volunteer numbers. Brad Cramer reported that the fundraising exceeded expectations. d. Bottle Hill Day -- Sept. 27: Lisa Ellis reported that the 2014 applications will be available before the end of May. e. Art Banner Gallery– Gala Oct. 17: No Report 14. Assistant Borough Administrator’s Report: Jim Burnet reported that the potential sale of two major properties is being negotiated. 15. Old Business a. Volunteer event follow up: An email will be sent to all those who attended. b. Madison 125: Committee Meeting 5/22, 7:30pm Drip c. Concert Series update MOTION to sponsor the 2014 METC Concert Series for $1000, Maureen Byrne. SECOND: Marsha Ann Zimmerman. MOTION PASSED. ABSTENTION: Brad Cramer 16. New Business: None 17. Invitation for discussion from the public: None 18. Adjournment, 9:08pm MOTION: Pat Rowe, SECOND: Mike Kopas, MOTION PASSED, NO ABSTENTIONS