Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: January 19, 2017 Time: 7:15pm REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order at 7:15pm by Jim Burnet as the ex officio. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Conley, C. Brady, J. Burnet, B. Cramer, M. Fabyanski, P. Flemming, J. Hollenbach, J. Hoover, L. Jasen, M. Kopas, L. Lajewski, E. Range, R. Rocco, B. Short, D. Starker, R. Stern, S. Whitehorn, M. Zimmerman MEMBERS ABSENT: M. Byrne, G. Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, DDC Program Director MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Michael Pellessier 1) OATH OF OFFICE: Mayor Conley administered the Oath of Office to the following Commissioners and welcomed, new member Bob Rocco to the DDC. a) Bradley Cramer, Owner/Merchant/Landlord (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) b) Mark Fabyanski, Resident (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) c) Leslie Lajewski, Board of Education Representative (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) d) Eric Range, Higher Education Representative (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) e) Robert Rocco, At Large (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) f) Russell Stern, At Large (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) g) Mike Kopas, At Large (Unexpired three-year term through December 31, 2018) h) Larry Jasen, At Large (Three-year term through December 31, 2019) 2) ELECTION OF NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD Note: At the December meeting of each year, the ex-officio member, who will be the election officer, will then accept nominations for the position of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Member- At-Large. All nominations, whether oral or written, must be made, seconded and then accepted by the individual nominated. At the beginning of the January meeting, the election officer will accept any nominations from the floor and call the roll to determine those eligible to receive ballots and cast votes. The election officer will prepare the ballots indicating the officers' title and a space in which the eligible voters can write in their choice for each officer's position. The election officer will distribute the ballots to those eligible to vote. Upon completion of the actual vote, the election officer will collect the ballots and will then tabulate the results. The results will be verified by the Council 1|Page  Liaison and by any member of the Commission who is not running for election and who has been appointed by the election officer. The results for each office will also be posted so all present may view the final count. a) The following nominations were submitted at the meeting on December 15th. i) Nomination for Chairperson: Mike Kopas ii) Nominations for Vice Chairperson: Mark Fabyanski iii) Nominations for Treasurer: Brad Cramer iv) Nominations for Secretary: John Hoover v) Nominations for Member-at-Large: Russell Stern Jim Burnet called for other nominations from the floor. No other nominations were forwarded. Motion to approve Slate of Officers for 2017 as a single block Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: P. Flemming Voice Vote: Unanimous 3) 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) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order at 7:38 pm by Chair Mike Kopas 2) APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 2016 MINUTES Motion to approve December 2016 Minutes as presented Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous 3) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: Chairman Mike Kopas emphasized the importance of the expected recommendations from the Downtown Revitalization Study and the DDC’s role in managing the response to them whether through guidance given to the Borough or actual hands on management. He also raised the expectation that this year would be “all hands on deck” and that all Commissioners should be highly engaged and willing to give the time they have to volunteer beyond the monthly meetings. 4) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad distributed the financial reports and gave a brief report on some of the highlights from 2016, including the success of Bottle Hill Day. 5) MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor gave a brief report thanking the DDC for the holiday lights that were hung on the historic lampposts downtown. 6) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Maureen Byrne is the new Council Liaison to the DDC. She could not be at this meeting but there was no report. 7) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Peter Flemming gave a brief overview of two projects. Bank of America recently came before the Planning Board for proposed changes to the handicapped access in the front of the building on Main Street. This application was approved. The Planning Board will be working on the proposed mixed use redevelopment at 9-19 greenwood Avenue over the coming months. 8) FOUNDATION REPORT a) Appointment/election of Madison Main Street Foundation (MMSF) representatives: 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. The following nominations for the three representatives from the DDC to the MMSF were moved, seconded and unanimously approved 2|Page  at the December 15th meeting: Carla Brady, Brad Cramer, Eric Range. There were no additional nominations. Motion to approve nominations of MMSF Representatives Moved by: D. Starker and Seconded by: J. Hollenbach Voice Vote: Unanimous 9) COMMITTEE REPORTS: At the request of Chairman Mike Kopas, the Committees were asked to plan to meet before the February meeting and come to that meeting with a Committee Chair selected and an outline of plans for 2017. Mike also said he may reach out to Commissioners and request that they join specific Committees. These are the 2016 Committee rosters. a) Sign & Façade: John Hoover, Chair (Karen Giambra, Leslie Lajewski, Eric Range). There was no report. b) PIC (Public Improvement): Jim Hollenbach, Chair (Maureen Byrne, Brad Cramer Mark Fabyanski, John Hoover, Russell Stern, Suzy Whitehorn). It was noted that the benches had been ordered and that the water fountains would be shortly. It was also mentioned that the PIC Committee would in all likelihood bear a good deal of the responsibility for the recommendations delivered by the Downtown Revitalization Study. c) University Relations: Carla Brady, Chair (Mark Fabyanski, Mike Kopas, Larry Jasen, Eric Range, Deb Starker, Marsha Ann Zimmerman). Carla Brady reported that a Peace March was being organized by the Mayor and representatives from the three universities for February 23rd. The details are not yet finalized. The 2017 Prison Ball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 25th. This will now conflict with the Rotary End Hunger Day which was rescheduled from March 18th. The two events will share the Drew Forum space and run side by side. d) Marketing and Economic Development: Eric Range Chair (Barb Short, Leslie Lajewski, Russell Stern, Michael Pellessier, Karen Giambra, John Morris). The Committee has been talking to representatives from the Close.By mobile app and has invited them to present to the entire DDC at the February meeting. 10) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES a) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 20, 2017): Sponsorship letters have gone out and the response has been positive. Planning is going according to schedule. b) May Day (Saturday, May 6, 2017): The planning will begin in the coming weeks. c) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala: The canvasses have been ordered and the prospectus will be set to artists shortly. The theme will include a connection community-wide initiative "PAINT THE TOWN YELLOW" to celebrate 'International Day of Happiness' and Shine a Light on Depression. d) Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, June 2 - October 13): There was no report. e) Drew University Town Tour (TBD): there was no report. f) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 7, 2017): There was no report. g) Sidewalk Sounds: There was no report. h) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC (June 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8). The dates have been set and the artists booked. i) Madison Storytellers Festival (TBD): Barb Short gave a brief report. A full report and outline for 2017 will be presented at a future meeting. 11) OLD BUSINESS: There was none discussed. 12) NEW BUSINESS a) Introduction of new community-wide initiative "PAINT THE TOWN YELLOW" to celebrate 'International Day of Happiness' and Shine a Light on Depression: This new initiative was discussed at 3|Page  length. Unfortunately, the Madison resident who is the driving force behind it could not attend but will be re-invited to the February meeting. In the end the consensus was that the DDC should purchase the street banners being designed as part of the initiative and that the group should seek other funding partners to cover the rest of the expenses. Motion to approve the expenditure of $1,200 to cover the cost of the project banners for the art banner street poles. Moved by: B. Conley and Seconded by: R. Stern Voice Vote: Passed by a majority, J. Hollenbach voted no. B. Cramer and M. Fabyanski abstained. b) Review and Approve 2017 Meeting Schedule: the meeting schedule was distributed at the meeting. The one change requested was that the December meeting date be changed from the 21 st to the 14th. Lisa Ellis will have the meeting re-noticed when the date draws closer. Motion to approve 2017 Meeting Schedule as amended. Moved by: R. Stern and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous 13) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no discussion. 14) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 8:35 pm Moved by: J. Hoover and Seconded by: B. Cramer Voice Vote: Unanimous NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7:15pm, Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. Executive Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 8:15am. 4|Page