Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: February 16, 2017 Time: 7:15pm MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order at 7:15pm by Chair Mike Kopas. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Conley, C. Brady, B. Cramer, M. Fabyanski, P. Flemming, J. Hoover, L. Jasen, M. Kopas, L. Lajewski, E. Range, R. Rocco, B. Short, R. Stern, S. Whitehorn MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Burnet, M. Byrne, G. Herzog, J. Hollenbach, D. Starker, M. Zimmerman ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, DDC Program Director MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Michael Pellessier; Karen Giambra and John Morris (Madison Chamber of Commerce); Jacquie Dinsmore (TAPinto Madison) David Ingerman, and Emelie Calbick (PlaceCodes/Close.By); Whitny Solaba and Riley Johndonnell (UMEWE/Paint the Town Yellow/Turn Optimism into Action) 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 2016. Copies of said notice were made available to members of the general public. 5) APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2017 MINUTES Motion to approve January 2017 Minutes as presented Moved by: R. Stern and Seconded by: J. Hoover 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT: c) David Ingerman and Emelie Calbick, representatives from PlaceCodes/Close.By mobile app attended the meeting with Jacquie Dinsmore of TAPinto Madison, which recently entered into a partnership with PlaceCodes/Close.By. They gave a presentation on the app and the Madison specific proposal. Everyone was asked to download the free app from the Apple App Store, SEARCH Close.By or via this link on Android: http://bit.ly/2kCrPRo. This is the link to the presentation: https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/58d5ae16-b6fa-4fc1-badc-15ab6da3cecd d) There was a brief discussion about scheduling Eboard meetings, ultimately, it was decided that the Eboard will meet on Thursday evenings prior to the Regular meeting at 7:30pm. e) A second draft of the Downtown Revitalization Study is expected in early March. 7) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad Cramer presented the monthly P&L statement. This is typically a slower 1|Page  time of year. All expenses for Bottle Hill Day 2016 have now been paid. 8) MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Conley reposted on the Borough Council’s adoption of a “Welcoming Community” ordinance. In addition a group of 25 volunteers has been formed to address this and other related issues. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: There was no report. 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Peter Flemming gave an update on the 9-19 Greenwood Avenue redevelopment. 11) FOUNDATION REPORT: There was no report. 12) COMMITTEE REPORTS: a) Sign & Façade: John Hoover, Chair (Karen Giambra, Leslie Lajewski, Eric Range): The Committee has not yet met to discuss 2017, so no changes have been made. Applications are proceeding as usual in the interim. The Sign & Façade Committee will meet on Friday, February 24th to discuss plans for 2017.  55 Main Street - Healthy Italia: Submitted 1/24/17; Sent to S & F 1/25/17; Approved 2/1/17  6 Elmer Street - Pop's Diner: Submitted 1/31/17; Sent to S & F 2/1/17; Approved 2/6/17  221 Main Street - Office of John McKeon: Submitted 1/30/17; Sent to S & F 2/1/17 - Approved 2/6/17  8 Green Village Road - The Chatham Bookseller: Submitted 2/3/17, Sent to S & F 2/6/17: Awaiting HPC review  35 Main Street - The Max Challenge: Submitted 2/1/17, Sent to S & F 2/6/17: Awaiting HPC review In addition to the regular signage applications for review:  At the request of Borough of Madison TCC/Zoning Board and Susan G. Blickstein, AICP/PP, PhD, ASA, Marjorie B. Roller, RA, PP, LEED AP, Residential Division Manager of ASA Design Build provided the Sign & Façade Committee of the Madison Downtown Development Commission with documents for review regarding the façade and signage proposed for the new ASA building planned for 230 Main Street. Comments from Sign & Façade were submitted to the Fran Boardman for distribution to the Zoning Board on February 7, 2017. f) PIC (Public Improvement): Jim Hollenbach, Chair (Maureen Byrne, Brad Cramer Mark Fabyanski, John Hoover, Russell Stern, Suzy Whitehorn, Peter Flemming, Bob Rocco): PIC met on Tuesday, February 7th at 8:15 am at the Nautilus Diner. Lisa, Brad, Russ, Suzy, Mark, Jim were in attendance. Jim will continue to be chair for 2017 PIC Committee. The 2017 meeting schedule has been set as follows: February 7th, March 7th, April 4th, May 9th, June 6th, July 11th, August 1st, September 3rd, November 7th, December 5th. The following are the discussion points from the February meeting:  At the March meeting, we will walk the downtown with the new head of the DPW Ken O’Brien).  Each PIC member who is leading a special project will responsible on a full report of progress at each monthly meeting.  Paint the town Yellow: (Optimism/Mental Health initiative) PIC will be buying yellow lights that will be installed on the light poles on Waverly. Lisa will order lights after determining how many poles need to be strung. Jim will organize a group of volunteers to help hang the lights once they arrive. Installation to be done End of Feb/1st week of March.  Art Installation/Entrance way project: property area that we have discussed that needs 2|Page  some improvement leading up to Early Trades and Craft Museum. Brad discussed the possibility of Stained Plexiglas Screens that could be installed. Russ discussed walkway changes and Tree/landscape design. Lisa will request from Bob Vogel a site plan/ survey of the property in which Russ will take the lead on and consult with Bob Vogel on possibilities for improvement.  Benches for Elmer Street Alley and Green Village Road have been ordered and should be shipped on March 1st. Lisa will inform PIC when they arrive.  Waverly Green Alleyway signage needs to be installed. Brad will be keeping us updated.  Water Fountain Projects: All paperwork has been processed. Order placed for 3 black fountains. All with Bubblers/Bottle filler/Doggy dish. First one to be installed will be at Rose garden. Second to follow hopefully on the corner of Waverly and Lincoln. Third unit placement TBD. Jim and Lisa will keep committee updated on progress. The goal is for a May Day completion date so we can promote it with water bottle giveaways etc.  The Downtown Revitalization Study is still in progress. The initial draft was returned to Urbanomics with a request for additional information and numerous corrections by the Steering Committee. Urbanomics will be sending the Steering Committee a new draft before the end of February. PIC is hopeful that the report will deliver a list of actionable recommendations for the committee to focus on.  These Projects will be set aside for now. They will not be a PIC focus in 2017: o Downtown Wi-Fi o Movie Theatre Re development o Historic Down Town Tour o Parking Day o Cook/Elmer lot parking landscape g) University Relations: Carla Brady, Chair (Mark Fabyanski, Mike Kopas, Larry Jasen, Eric Range, Deb Starker, Marsha Ann Zimmerman): Carla Brady said that the University relations Committee will plan to meet quarterly this year. The three universities will be taking part in a March for Peace inspired by Dr. King’s goals for “The Beloved Community” on February 23rd. Also, the 2nd Annual Prison Ball Tournament at Drew is scheduled for Saturday, March 25th. This is the event link: http://www.drew.edu/studentactivities/prisonball h) Marketing and Economic Development: Eric Range Chair (Barb Short, Leslie Lajewski, Russell Stern, Michael Pellessier, Karen Giambra, John Morris): Eric Range reported that the M&ED Committee has been working on the Close.By app, presented at this meeting, and that the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 10th at 8:00am at the Nautilus Diner. 13) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES a) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 20, 2017): It was reported that the planning is going well and sponsorships are up. b) May Day (Saturday, May 6, 2017): All preliminary work such as the Art Contest, May Day Envelope Utility Billing mailing, and Rotary Grant Request has been done. c) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala: The banners are expected to be delivered shortly. d) Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, June 1 - October 26): Contracts for the 2017 season will be sent in March. e) Drew University Town Tour (TBD) f) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 7, 2017) 3|Page  g) Sidewalk Sounds h) Friday Night Concert Series w/METC (June 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8) i) Madison Storytellers Festival (September 16, 2017): Due to time constraints a full report and update will be provided at the March meeting. 14) OLD BUSINESS: There was none discussed. 15) NEW BUSINESS j) Whitny Solaba and Riley Johndonnell (UMEWE/Paint the Town Yellow/Turn Optimism into Action) were in attendance and gave an update on a new community-wide initiative "PAINT THE TOWN YELLOW" to celebrate 'International Day of Happiness' and Shine a Light on Depression. Everyone is invited to the opening reception for the Optimism in Action Group Art Show, Saturday, March 11th, 2:30-5:00pm. 16) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no discussion beyond that on specific agenda items. 17) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:14pm Moved by: M. Fabyanski and Seconded by: B. Cramer Voice Vote: Unanimous NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 16th, 2017 at 7:15pm, Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. Executive Board Meeting TBD. 4|Page