Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: May 28, 2015 Time: 7:15pm (Rescheduled from May 21, 2015) MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER a) This meeting was called to order at 7:21pm by Chairman Russell Stern 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Stern P. Flemming D. Starker M. Fabyanski J. Hoover M. Zimmerman B. Cramer L. Jasen M. Byrne L. Lajewski C. Erezuma E. Range MEMBERS ABSENT: R. Conley J. Burnet, C. Brady, G. Herzog, J. Hollenbach, M. Kopas, B. Short, S. Whitehorn 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 APRIL 2015 MINUTES Motion to approve April 2015 Minutes as presented, with one correction. Moved by: J. Hoover and Seconded by: M. Fabyanski Voice Vote: Unanimous Abstentions: Brad Cramer 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: Chairman Stern praised the passage of the Sidewalk Dining Consumption Ordinance and thanked everyone for their support. The ordinance goes into effect June 25, 2015. He presented a slide show of about 30 pictures and encouraged everyone to always be on the lookout for interesting new ideas encouraging everyone to always have a camera at the ready. Pictures of new ideas should be sent to Lisa Ellis who will keep them on file. He noted many examples of business owners taking initiative to improve the spaces in front of their storefronts. He also shared the idea from Boonton of a “Pets Night Out’ He spoke about his appreciation for the flags downtown. He feels that there should never be a time where there are no flags up. Lisa Ellis mentioned that Jim Burnet had created a schedule and shared it with DPW, to this end. It was mentioned that “Jets” flags should be up when their training camp starts. Craig Erezuma shared the concept of possibly creating a large flag with flats of flowers for the Fourth of July. 1 Page 7) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad Cramer presented the monthly Treasurer’s report. It was noted that the income for May Day was going to be up this year and overall spending was down. 8) MAYOR’S REPORT: There was no report. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilwoman Baillie reported that the Borough Council passed the Sidewalk Dining Consumption Ordinance. 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Councilwoman Baillie reported on changes to COAH regulations and the potential development of the Civic Center property at 28 Walnut Street. She touched on the progress of the GVR development. She also mentioned the approval of the master signage plan for 6 Main Street and deer fencing that was erected internally on the Giralda Farms complex. 11) FOUNDATION REPORT: There was no report. 12) ASSISTANT BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: There was no report. 13) PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION 14) COMMITTEE REPORTS: a) PIC (Public Improvement): Mark Fabyanski It was decided that the DDC would purchase a portable sound system for the use at DDC events including but not exclusively, Sidewalk Sounds after substantive discussion. It was suggested that case also be purchased to transport/protect the new equipment. It was suggested that Mark contact the MMA and MACA for their input on the new equipment. Motion to allow the expenditure of up to $2,250 for the purchase of this equipment. Moved by: M. Byrne and Seconded by: B. Cramer Voice Vote: Unanimous b) University Relations: Carla Brady forwarded a written report which was read. Mayor Conley is now Dr. Conley as he was awarded an Honorary Degree from Drew University! We will schedule a meeting date for June. I wasn't sure if the Mayor had reached out to the other Colleges. If not we will start with inviting anyone who signed up to be on the committee. The Town Tour is Monday, August 24th from 11-2 (usually ends earlier depending on lunch location). We ask the tour guides to arrive at Drew by 10:30am to get a briefing on the tour. Please let me know if you are interested in doing the tour. Eric Range reported that Drew would be purchasing a sign to be hung at the Madison Train Station denoting Madison as the home of Drew University. c) Sign & Façade: Craig Erezuma reported that the Sign & Façade Committee is still working on streamlining the approval process as well as the application itself. d) Marketing/Branding: Eric Range reported that there was an initial small group planning meeting held. Ideas such as a “real estate” type one sheet “why open a business in Madison?” creating a promotional video of Madison and possibly working with a business broker to get ideas on how to attract businesses to downtown. 15) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES a) Scavenger Hunt (Saturday, March 21, 2015) b) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 30, 2015): Maureen Byrne reported that the distribution for this year will only be $9,000 for each of the three participating entities. The committee will meet on June 3, 2015 at the Park Avenue Club at 8:00am to brainstorm ideas to revitalize the event. c) May Day (Saturday, May 2, 2015): The projected income is higher than in years past and expenses are 2 about the same. There are just a few pledges outstanding. Page  d) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala (Gala date: Saturday, October 24, 2015). Deb Starker said that banners would be up downtown by the middle of June. All are being professionally photographed. She recommends that all pieces this year go to auction at the Gala. 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. The season Ribbon Cutting will be held on Thursday, June 4th and 2:00pm. The following items have been ordered: 2 - 10x10 canopies, 4 - one piece tables with attached benches, craft supplies, and staff T-shirts. 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: Sidewalk Sounds will take place every Thursday evening in the Farmers’ Market between June 4th and October 15th. In addition seven Saturday performances have been added. The Saturday dates are June 20th, July 18th, August 1st, August 15th, August 28th, September 12th and will culminate with a final performance on September 26th. Twenty four Adirondack Chairs have been ordered and will be credited to the Sidewalk Sounds budget line. A recommendation to increase the Sidewalk Sound stipend to $200.00 per group which has been the rate for Bottle Hill Day was approved. It did not require a separate vote as it does not change the budget request. The possibility of getting flags for downtown was also discussed. i) Historic Town Tour: There was no report. j) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC: Lisa Ellis met with the Interim METC Director, Michelle Faas to discuss the schedule and planning for this summer. It was requested to increase the funding from $1,000 to $2,000 to cover the cost of entertainment and promotion for the Friday Night Concert Series. The schedule will be expanded from four dates to six. The dates for this summer are June 26th, July 10th, July 24th, August 7th, August 21st and September 4th. Motion to increase the funding for the METC Concert series from $1,000 to $2,000 Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: P. Flemming Voice Vote: Unanimous Abstentions: Deb Starker k) Wayfinding: Craig Erezuma presented the final quote for the first four signs and a request to increase the funding from the original $11,000 to $16,000. Discussion ensued and the thought was to provide an additional $6,000 in total. Motion to increase the funding from the original $11,000 to $17,000, $1,000 more than the original request. Moved by: J. Hoover and Seconded by: C. Erezuma Voice Vote: Unanimous 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 Motion to adjourn at 9:06pm 3 Page Moved by: L. Jasen and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous 4 Page