Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: April 16, 2015 Time: 7:15pm MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER a) This meeting was called to order at 7:18pm by Chairman Russell Stern 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Stern J. Hollenbach B. Short M. Fabyanski J. Hoover S. Whitehorn C. Brady L. Jasen (7:51) P. Flemming M. Kopas MEMBERS ABSENT: R. Conley J. Burnet, M. Byrne, B. Cramer, C. Erezuma, G. Herzog, L. Lajewski, E. Range, M. Zimmerman 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 MARCH 2015 MINUTES a) Motion to approve March 2015 Minutes as presented b) Moved by: J. Hoover and Seconded by: M. Kopas c) Voice Vote: Unanimous 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: Chairman Stern requested that Councilwoman Baillie swear in Deb Starker as the MACA representative to the DDC. The Sidewalk Dining ordinance that permits BYOB and licensed establishments to serve beer and wine outside is being finalized and will be up for introduction at the Council meeting on Monday evening, April 27th. 7) TREASURER’S REPORT: The monthly Treasurer’s report was reviewed. It was noted that the income for May Day was going to be up this year. 8) MAYOR’S REPORT: There was no report. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilwoman Baillie reported that the Borough Budget passed unanimously and the ordinance to add the MACA representative was adopted unanimously as well. 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Mike Kopas reported that the first meeting with KRE on the Green Village Road Redevelopment had gone well. It’s going to be a big change for the area ad Madison in general but it represents positive revitalization. The board has also made some tweaks to Giralda Farms and is looking at potential changes for the East End. 11) FOUNDATION REPORT: There was no report. 1 12) ASSISTANT BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: There was no report. Page 13) PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: Chairman Stern presented on bringing Park(ing) Day to Madison, a short video and slide show were shared. http://parkingday.org/ and http://sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu/2014/10/rutgers-students-help-transform-part-of-downtown-new- brunswick-in-parking-day-2014-celebration/ 14) COMMITTEE REPORTS: a) PIC (Public Improvement): Mark Fabyanski asked that Lisa Ellis get pricing on Adirondack chairs to be used for Sidewalk Sounds, etc. Mike Kopas spoke about assessing the condition of the sidewalks downtown especially on Waverly Place. The subject of how best to address the tree root issue on Waverly was discussed. These efforts will be a collaborative effort between the Borough, the Shade Tree Management Board, The Friends of Madison Shade Trees and the DDC. b) University Relations: Carla Brady. There was no report. c) Sign & Façade: Craig Erezuma. The Madison DDC New Business Report - April 2015 was handed out. d) Marketing/Branding: Eric Range. There was no report. 15) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES a) Scavenger Hunt (Saturday, March 21, 2015) b) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 30, 2015): Jim Hollenbach reported that the proceeds from te Taste were down as was the attendance and participation by restaurants. The Taste of Madison Committee will be taking a look at the event and seeing what changes need to be made going forward. c) May Day (Saturday, May 2, 2015): It was reported that the plans for the event are going very well and that the Leading the Way Awards would be presented at the Borough Council meeting on April 27 th. The projected income is higher than in years past and expenses are about the same. d) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala (Gala date: Saturday, October 24, 2015): A proposal to offer an initial $100 stipend to all artists who participate (not to exceed $1500) was discussed and the consensus of those present was to put this idea off until next year. It was felt that it was too late to consider it for this year as the artists were already working on their banners. e) Farmers’ Market: The Market is officially moving to Central Avenue. Season will run from Thursday, June 4th to October 15th. The hours will be 2:00 - 7:00pm. f) Drew University Town Tour: Carla Brady reported that the date for this year’s Town Tour is Monday, August 24th. g) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 3, 2015): The applications and sponsorship information will be going out at the end of May. h) Sidewalk Sounds: The planning is still underway at this time i) Historic Town Tour: There was no report. j) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC: Lisa Ellis will meet with the METC Director to discuss the schedule and planning for this summer. k) Wayfinding: There was no report. 16) OLD BUSINESS: None 17) NEW BUSINESS: Lisa Ellis requested that anyone who has not yet responded please do so. She would like to update the DDC “Meet the Commissioners” tab and contact information. 18) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no discussion. 19) ADJOURNMENT a) Motion to adjourn at 8:44pm b) Moved by: C. Brady and Seconded by: M. Kopas 2 c) Voice Vote: Unanimous Page