Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: February 19, 2015 Time: 7:15pm MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER This meeting was called to order at 7:26pm by Chairman Russell Stern 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Burnet C. Brady L. Lajewski R. Stern P. Flemming E. Range M. Fabyanski J. Hollenbach B. Short (7:30pm) M. Byrne J. Hoover S. Whitehorn B. Cramer L. Jasen M. Zimmerman C. Erezuma (7:35pm) M. Kopas MEMBERS ABSENT: A. Baillie, R. Conley, G. Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, DDC Program Director 4) OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT: In compliance with the open public meetings act, adequate notice of this meeting of the Downtown Development Commission was provided by distributing the Annual Meeting schedule to the Madison Eagle and Morris County Daily Record, posting a copy on the bulletin board at the main entrance to the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, posting a copy on the Borough website, and filing a copy with the Borough Clerk, all on or about the first week of January 2015. Copies of said notice were made available to members of the general public. 5) APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2015 MINUTES Motion to approve January 2015 Minutes as presented Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: M. Byrne Voice Vote: Unanimous 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: Chairman Russell Stern gave an overview of the discussion s that took place at the Executive Board Meetings of February 3rd and 10th. These discussions focused on the results of the DDC Committee and Initiative/Project Survey January 2015 Presentation. The new table set- up was also noted. 7) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad Cramer presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report. He noted that this is a quiet time of year for DDC financial activity. 8) MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Conley did not arrive until after this report came up on the agenda. He was actively involved in subsequent discussions as noted below. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: No report 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: No report 1 11) FOUNDATION REPORT: No report Page 12) PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: a) Sign & Façade Scholarship Presentation: Craig Erezuma gave a slide presentation that reflected some of the issues that have come before the Sign & Façade Committee over the course of the last few years. He demonstrated examples of both ideal signage and those in need of improvement. He advocated for the further consideration of the establishment of a Sign & Façade Scholarship Program. This idea did not garner a lot of support in the DDC Committee and Initiative/Project Survey January 2015 but the thought was that this may have been because of a lack of information. No action was taken and discussion will continue in the coming months. b) DDC Committee and Initiative/Project Survey January 2015 Presentation and finalization of DDC 2015 Goals: Chairman Stern presented the results of the survey as included in this presentation (https://www.rosenet.org/uploads/45/ddc_committee_and_initiative_survey_report_2015.pdf).There was discussion on the results centered primarily on the new committee structure and on the top project choices which are as follows: Committees: Public Improvement (incorporate Parking & Redevelopment), University Relations, Sign & Façade, Marketing-Branding Projects/Initiatives: #1 - Lobby for increased sidewalk dining and advocate for the consumption of wine and beer in conjunction with sidewalk dining. This item was discussed at length and with Mayor Conley’s support it was decided that Jim Burnet would work with Mayor Conley, Borough Council and DDC Executive Board to advance this initiative. Motion to empower Jim Burnet to work with Mayor Conley, Borough Council, and DDC Executive Board advance this initiative beginning with a period of information gathering. Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: L. Lajewski Voice Vote: Unanimous #2a - Implement downtown WIFI. The Public Improvement Committee will further investigate this item. No formal action taken. #2b - Partner with FMST/STMB to analyze the condition of downtown street trees, beginning on Waverly Place. Replace trees or shave roots. Work to incorporate electric into the tree pits. The Public Improvement Committee will further investigate this item. No formal action taken. #3 - Between the METC and train trestle create a new park/arts setting with freestanding illuminated stained glass panels and sculpture garden. The Public Improvement Committee will further investigate this item. The Committee will reach out to FMST, MACA and the METC to involve them in the planning process. No formal action taken. c) Addition of MACA Representative: Chairman Russell Stern proposed that the DDC expand its membership to include a representative from the Madison Arts and Culture Association. The discussion was very positive and focused on all the ways in which the DDC partners with MACA throughout the year. After changes to the DDC Ordinance are made and adopted by the Borough Council, Mayor Conley will appoint someone to fill this position. Motion to approve a request to the Borough Council to amend the DDC Ordinance to include the addition of a MACA Representative and convey the DDC’s full support for this change. Moved by: M. Byrne and Seconded by: E. Range 2 Voice Vote: Unanimous Page  d) Addition of Non-Voting University Student Representative: This proposal was discussed but the consensus of the members was that it needed further development before action could be taken. The University Relations Committee was asked to take ownership of this proposal. e) COMMITTEE REPORTS: There are no anticipated reports this month. The Committees for 2015 will be formed at this meeting. 13) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES (Note: It is not expected that there will be a report for all of these activities this month. This should be considered a list of active initiatives.) a) Scavenger Hunt (Saturday, March 21, 2015) Lisa Ellis presented this brief report on behalf of Event Chair Laura Cole b) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 30, 2015) c) May Day (Saturday, May 2, 2015) d) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala e) Farmers’ Market f) Drew University Town Tour g) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 3, 2015) h) Sidewalk Sounds i) Historic Town Tour i) Price Quote for Software Maintenance Renewal, Vendor: TechSmith Amount: $74.75 (see attachment) Motion to approve Price Quote for Software Maintenance Renewal, Vendor: TechSmith Amount: $74.75 Moved by: B. Cramer and Seconded by: C. Brady Voice Vote: Unanimous j) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC k) Wayfinding 14) ASSISTANT BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 15) OLD BUSINESS 16) NEW BUSINESS a) Update of the DDC “Meet the Commissioners” tab and contact information. 17) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC 18) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:09 Moved by: M. Byrne and Seconded by: B. Cramer Voice Vote: Unanimous 3 Page