Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: February 21, 2019 Time: 7:15 pm MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order by Chair Suzy Whitehorn at 7:18 pm. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Conley, J. Hoover, B. Cramer, S. Whitehorn, M. Tomaszewski, T. Honohan, P. Flemming, J. Morris, D. Starker, E. Range, R. Rocco, R. Stern, M. Fabyanski, C. Brady, Michael Pellessier MEMBERS ABSENT: A. Adams, G. Herzog, J. Hollenbach, L. Lajewski, ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, Director of Business Development 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 2019. Copies of said notice were made available to members of the general public. 5) APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2019 MINUTES Motion to approve January 2019 Minutes as presented Moved by: D. Starker and Seconded by: E. Range Voice Vote: Unanimous 6) TREASURER’S REPORT: Brad Cramer reported that there had been very little activity as is typical in the first month of the year. 7) FOUNDATION REPORT: Chair Carla Brady reported that the MMSF had met on February 7. The trustees elected officers for 2019. Carla Brady, Laura Cole, Brad Cramer will continue as Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer respectively. A lengthy discussion was held on the Madison Arts Center and the creation of a positon to be titled Madison Arts & Events Coordinator, the MMSF will also be issuing a banking RFP this spring. 8) MAYORAL REPORT: Mayor Conley reported on the presentation he gave at the Leadership Morris Economic Development program held at Picatinny Arsenal. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Council Member John Hoover spoke about the ongoing Borough budget process and reminded everyone that the budget meetings are open to all and encouraged attendance. He noted that the Borough Council had approved the DDC’s request to survey the property adjacent to the METC this spring so that the DDC can begin o plan for the design process for the purpose of turning this area into a small park to potentially include public art installations. He also noted that the annual Little League Parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 27. 1|Page  10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: There was no report. 11) DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT: There was no report. 12) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT 13) 14 Lincoln Place Redevelopment – DDC Position Statement: This discussion was deferred to the end of the meeting. Members of the Zoning and/or Planning Board, which included Mayor Conley, Russell Stern and Peter Flemming left before the discussion began as this project will likely require review by both boards at some point. Eric Range and John Morris are working collaboratively on a position paper representing the consensus view of the DDC on this project. The intent is for this statement to be shared orally with the Historic Preservation Commission and potentially the Planning Board as this project progresses. 14) Operations Review and Goal Setting: The group had a lengthy discussion around the outline provide in the presentation - Downtown Development Commission Operations Review and Goal Setting. After an overview of current DDC and MMSF structure, three questions were proposed as a part of a brainstorming session: 1. What are we doing well? 2. What can we do better? 3. What should we stop doing? A productive conversation about what the future structure of the DDC should be and suggested revisions to the bylaws took place. The review process will continue in March. It was also decided to eliminate the University Relations Committee as a Standing Committee and shift those functions to the newly created Arts and Events Committee as the functions are primarily event driven at thistime. A good deal of interaction with the universities is handled by Borough Administration and the Mayor on an ongoing basis now as well. 15) STANDING COMMITTEES (CURRENT) a) Sign & Façade: The new Sign Permit Application with minor changes to the fee structure are now in posted for use. The fee changes were approved by Mayor and Council with the adoption of Ordinance 3-2019 at the meeting of January 28, 2019. i) There have been two applications reviewed and referred to the Borough Zoning officer since the January DDC meeting. (1) Sprouts Consignment Shop, 322 Main Street (business was sold and relocated) (2) F.W. Webb Company, 121 Kings Road (Madison Plumbing Supply was purchased and renamed) b) PIC (Public Improvement): There is no report c) University Relations: There is no report d) Marketing and Economic Development: The kick-off meeting for the Madison Brand Redevelopment project was held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. A second meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 28. 16) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES: These are listed primarily for informational purposes only the items highlighted will be discussed. a) Taste of Madison (Monday, March 18, 2019) b) May Day (May 4, 2019) c) Madison IntoYellow (May 5 through 12): i) Proposed Budget Document: The provided Madison intoYellow document was shared and discussed. Lisa Ellis explained the changes that are being made to this year’s program. The duration has been shortened and the focus on mental health and wellness sharpened. It was 2|Page  noted that the Health Department would be helping to fund programming this year as well. There was consensus to move forward with funding the program and the following motion was made Motion to provide funding of up to $1,500.00 for the 2019 Madison intoYellow programming. Moved by: B. Conley and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous d) DDC/MACA Sidewalk Art Gallery & Gala (inactive) e) Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, May 23 - October 24, 2019) f) Drew University Town Tour (TBD) g) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 5, 2019) h) Downtown Concert Series w/METC (June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23 and September 6, 2019) i) MACA/DDC Holiday Arts Festival (Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30, 2019) j) Rose City Summerfest (June 15, 2019): The event subcommittee meet immediately preceding the DDC meeting. Event planning is underway and proceeding well. 17) OLD BUSINESS: There was none discussed. 18) NEW BUSINESS: There was none discussed. 19) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There were no members of the public present. 20) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:19 pm Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: J. Morris Voice Vote: Unanimous NEXT MEETING: NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 21 at 7:15pm, Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. Executive Board Meeting TBD. 3|Page