Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: January 21, 2016 Time: 7:15pm REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order at 7:17pm by Jim Burnet as the ex officio. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: A. Baillie B. Cramer L. Lajewski J. Burnet C. Brady E. Range R. Stern J. Hollenbach B. Short M. Fabyanski J. Hoover D. Starker M. Byrne M. Kopas M. Zimmerman MEMBERS ABSENT: R. Conley, P. Flemming, G. Herzog, L. Jasen, S. Whitehorn ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, DDC Program Director MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Robert Rocco and Michael Pellessier 4) OATH OF OFFICE: The Oath of Office was administered By Jim Burnet as the Ex-Officio a) Carla Brady, Not for Profit b) Jim Hollenbach, Owner/Merchant/Landlord c) Eric Range, at Large d) Marsha Ann Zimmerman, Chamber of Commerce Rep e) Susan Whitehorn, Owner/Merchant/Landlord. ( Absent, Oath of Office will be administered at subsequent meeting) 5) ELECTION OF NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD The following nominations were submitted at the meeting on December 17th. Nomination for Chairperson: Mike Kopas Nomination for Chairperson: Maureen Byrne Nomination for Vice Chairperson: Nomination for Treasurer: Brad Cramer Nomination for Secretary: John Hoover Nomination for Member-at-Large: Jim Burnet called for other nominations from the floor. The following nominations were made. Nomination for Vice Chairperson: Mark Fabyanski 1 Page Nomination for Member-at-Large: Russell Stern  The voting process was done through written ballots which were tabulated by Jim Burnet and Eric Range as according to the By-Laws. The following is the final slate of Officers that was approved. Chairperson: Mike Kopas Vice Chairperson: Mark Fabyanski Treasurer: Brad Cramer Secretary: John Hoover Member-at-Large: Russell Stern 6) ADJOURNMENT OF REORGANIZATION MEETING Motion to adjourn Reorganization Meeting Moved by: R. Stern and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 2015 MINUTES: See brief notes from December meeting below. There are no official minutes with the exception of the approval of the MMSF Grant Request for 2016 (quorum reached by telephone solely for the purpose of this vote) as attendance was below the threshold for a quorum. Motion to approve November 2015 Minutes as presented Moved by: R. Stern and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous 2) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: There was no report. 3) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad Cramer gave the Treasurer’s report and highlighted the success of 2015. Income was up significantly, due largely to a substantive increase in Bottle Hill Day and a decrease in expenses primarily attributed to not paying a salary for the Program Director. 4) MAYOR’S REPORT: There was no report as the Mayor was not in attendance. 5) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: There was a brief discussion of the first meeting of the Downtown Study RFP Committee which was held on January 14th. The DDC is represented by Mike Kopas, Russel Stern, John Hoover, Lisa Ellis and Council Liaison Astri Baillie. 6) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Mike Kopas gave a brief report of behalf of the Planning Board. He noted several subdivisions that are under review. He also outlined the Board’s goals for 2016 which include a review of the Master Plan. 7) FOUNDATION REPORT: There was no report this evening; however, the election of Madison Main Street Foundation (MMSF) representatives from the DDC was held. Each year three representatives are elected. Chairman Kopas called for the nominations for these three positions. The following members were nominated: Carla Brady, Brad Cramer, Eric Range Motion to approve nominations of MMSF Representatives Moved by: B. Short and Seconded by: D. Starker Voice Vote: Unanimous 8) ASSISTANT BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: There was no report. 9) PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: 10) DDC Annual Report 2015 (Sent via email attachment): The report was well received by the Commissioners and plans will be made to present the report to the Borough Council at their meeting of February 22 nd. It was noted that the report will help to inform work of the Downtown Study RFP Committee. 2 11) View two short videos as potential marketing ideas: Page  a) https://www.facebook.com/SkyHighAerialImaging/videos/886690261427219/ b) http://www.klsir.com/eng/lovewhereyoulive?wm_video_id=kn9cfc464ec4u77 c) https://youtu.be/5oaybArW8x4 The showing of these videos prompted a discussion on when to revisit the possible production of a video to market Madison. In late 2015, an informal meeting was held with representatives from the DDC and Chamber of Commerce with local videographer, Paul Morgan. This has been put on hold until work of the Downtown Study RFP Committee is further developed as that process may drive this project. The idea of getting the Madison High School students involved in creating a video, possibly as a contest was introduced. The consensus was that getting a quote from Paul Morgan on what the project would cost would be a good next step. 12) COMMITTEE REPORTS: 13) Appoint/Confirm Committee Chairs for 2016: This did not proceed as intended and with the exception of Sign & Facade, the other Committee’s generally acquired volunteers and the chairs will need to be confirmed. a) PIC (Public Improvement) Members: Mark Fabyanski, Jim Hollenbach, Brad Cramer, John Hoover, Russell Stern, Maureen Byrne. Mark Fabyanski subsequently withdrew his name. b) University Relations Members: Carla Brady, Mike Kopas, Eric Range, Deb Starker, Marsh Ann Zimmerman. c) Sign & Façade: John Hoover, Chair Members: Eric Range, Leslie Lajewski, Karen Giambra. d) Marketing/Branding (Marketing and Economic Development): Eric Range, Leslie Lajewski, Barb Short, Russell Stern, Michael Pellessier. 14) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES a) Scavenger Hunt: Lisa Ellis reported that she had spoken to Gwen Riddick of the YMCA and the thought is to put this event on hold and perhaps create a new joint event going forward. b) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 7, 2016): The Taste of Madison Committee will hold its next meeting on Friday, January 22 at 8:00am at the Park Avenue Club. Maureen Byrne reported that the planning for the Taste was going well. New marketing ideas were being tried including a flyer in the utility bills and partnering with the local PTO’s, and advertising at the YMCA. A beer garden will be part of the event this year and the dress code will be more casual. The goal is to increase attendance which has been going down for the last couple of years. c) May Day (Saturday, May 7, 2016): Lisa Ellis suggested the expenditure of $250.00 for an advertisement as part of the Madison Area YMCA Banner program to promote May Day. The consensus was that it was a good idea but follow up on the scope of the program was requested. d) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala: Deb Starker reported that the 2016 Prospectus is complete and ready for distribution. The 2016 banners have been ordered and will be longer than the previous banners and the logo will be made smaller in size relocated to the bottom right hand side. Also, the submissions will be jury selected this year. It was noted that the 2015 artists had not yet been paid, Deb Starker said she will follow up with MACA. e) Farmers’ Market: Lisa Ellis shared that she will be updating the contract and securing current and new vendors for 2016. The dates for 2016 will be Thursdays, June 2nd through October13th, 2-7:00 pm. f) Drew University Town Tour: Carla Brady shared the date for the 2016 Drew Town Tour. It will be Saturday, August 27th. g) Bottle Hill Day: Letters were sent regarding the merchant request to consider holding the event on a 3 Sunday. No responses had been received. The date will be Saturday, October 1 st. Page  h) Sidewalk Sounds: The hope is to maintain the weekly performances at the Farmers’ Market and to look further at other ways to expand the program in light of the fact that the Saturday afternoon performances proved not very successful. i) Historic Town Tour: There was no report. j) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC: It was suggested that consideration for working with the METC to expand the concert series be given due to the great success this year. k) Wayfinding: The four signs that were part of the initial pilot program have been installed. 15) OLD BUSINESS: Everyone was reminded to RSVP and try to attend the Holiday/Volunteer Get Together at the home of Jim Hollenbach on Friday, January 29th. 16) NEW BUSINESS a) Proposal from the Madison Christmas Committee to grant funding for 2016 Motion to approve granting $1,000 to the Madison Christmas Committee in 2016. This expenditure, which is for new LED lighting for wreaths will be accompanied by some creative input. Moved by: Eric Range and Seconded by: M. Byrne Voice Vote: Unanimous b) Approve 2016 Meeting Schedule (See addendum at the end of this document). Motion to approve 2016 Meeting Schedule Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: M. Fabyanski Voice Vote: Unanimous c) Honoring Barbara Stevenson: It was decided that flowers would be sent and to work with the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund to create a process to accept donations in her name at the Farmers’ Market. Other ideas were discussed for possible other ways to honor her memory. d) Introduction of new Madison Storytellers Festival (Saturday, June 11th): Barb Short introduced this new event which will feature a day of programming devoted to the arts. e) Introduction of Prison Ball Tournament (Saturday, March 19th): Carla Brady spoke about this event which will be a community-wide partnership and will benefit a scholarship fund being created for the children of the late MPD Capt. Joseph Cirella. 17) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no discussion 18) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:16pm Moved by: M. Fabyanski and Seconded by: B. Cramer Voice Vote: Unanimous NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 7:15pm, Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. Executive Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2015 at 8:15am. 4 Page