Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: December 17, 2020 Time: 7:15 pm – Via Zoom MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order by Chair Suzy Whitehorn at 7:20 pm. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: R. Conley, J. Hoover, B. Cramer, J. Hollenbach, R. Landrigan, S. Whitehorn, M. Tomaszewski, T. Honohan, P. Flemming, J. Morris, D. Starker, E. Range, R. Rocco, C. Brady, Michael Pellessier MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Regan, R. Stern, M. Fabyanski, G. Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, Director of Business Development; Eric Hafen, Madison Director of Arts & Events; Barry Kroll, Madison Main Street Foundation Trustee MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 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 2020. Copies of said notice were made available to members of the general public. 5) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 19, 2020 MINUTES Motion to approve November 2020 Minutes as presented Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: J. Hoover Voice Vote: Unanimous 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT a) 2021 Budget Review: There was substantive discussion on the 2021 Budget and specifically on the MACA Arts Management Contribution, which specifically funds 40% of the salary of the Director of Arts & Events position. The 2021 budget and grant request have both been reduced significantly due to the drastic reduction of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting cancellation of Bottle Hill Day, Taste of Madison, etc. There is concern that everything was reduced except for the MACA Arts Management Contribution, thus increasing its percentage of the budget from approximately 18% to 31%. Mayor Conley believes that this arrangement should continue through 2021 and while most commissioners agreed, there were a few dissenting voices. Vice Chair Eric Range proposed a compromise. There was discussion regarding targeted fundraising in cooperation with MACA, etc. to help directly offset this expenditure. It had been initially proposed when the Madison Director of Arts & Events would be subject to quarterly reviews by the Arts & Events Committee, which includes representatives from the DDC, MMSF, 1|Page  MACA, and Borough. This has not been managed effectively, Eric proposed an agreement on the budget /grant request as presented with the caveat that the original plan/process for quarterly reviews of the Director of Arts & Events position be revisited, edited as necessary and formally followed. b) Introduction of 2021 MMSF Grant Request/DDC Budget Motion to approve DDC 2021 Budget with the inclusion of the stipulation that the original plan/process for quarterly reviews of the Director of Arts & Events position be reviewed, edited as necessary and formally adhered to and forward MMSF Grant Request for 2021 to the Foundation for review. Moved by: E. Range and Seconded by: J. Hoover Roll Call Vote: Yes - R. Conley, J. Hoover, R. Landrigan, S. Whitehorn, M. Tomaszewski, T. Honohan, P. Flemming, J. Morris, D. Starker. E. Range, R. Rocco No - C. Brady, J. Hollenbach Abstentions - B. Cramer Motion passes c) Nominations for Officers 2021: There were no nominations offered at this meeting. (1) 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. (2) 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 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. 7) TREASURER REPORT: Brad Cramer presented the monthly financial reports. 8) MAYOR REPORT: Mayor Conley thanked Brad Cramer, John Hoover, and Bob Landrigan for their years of service to the DDC. This is the last meeting for these three commissioners. They will be recognized at the Borough Council reorganization meeting on January 2, 2021. a) Operation Santa Video: https://youtu.be/430-8jplUTg b) R 298-2020 Resolution Of The Borough Of Madison In Support Of Liquor License Reform In The State Of New Jersey: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnwS_DqnT6nMjRIshd-riJD-3LY4?e=dbsplr 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Council Member John Hoover reported on some of the items from the Borough Council meeting of December the pending use of Open Space Funds for the proposed reconstruction of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Plaza and the renovation of the Hartley Dodge Memorial East Wing. He also noted that the EV Charging Station rates for 2021 have been set by the Borough Council and that the new flag design was approved. In addition, he mentioned that the Borough Council had authorized a Community Solar Study. 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Peter Flemming reported that the Planning Board had adopted the Madison Master Plan at their meeting on December 15, which served as the public hearing for the new plan. 2|Page  11) FOUNDATION REPORT: There is no report; the foundation is scheduled to meet immediately after the DDC meeting. 12) MADISON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT: John Morris reported briefly on the Chamber’s holiday programming including Rosie the Rose City Reindeer, which set new records for participation and the sale of Madison Gift Checks. 13) DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT: a) Holiday Shop Local Campaign and Activities Update: Home for the Holidays Shop Local Campaign, funded directly by the Borough, was well received, the highlights include the following:  11 x17 mailer sent to 10,000 homes and businesses  Holiday caroling was a tremendous success, five weeks of entertainment from noon - 3:00 pm added to the festive atmosphere downtown.  Madison Gift Checks, totaling $875.00 were awarded to 15 different recipients over five consecutive Saturdays between November 21 and December 21 in the first Secret Santa Giveaway. 14) STANDING COMMITTEES: a) Sign & Façade: (2020 Membership: Suzy Whitehorn, Eric Range, Peter Flemming, Tom Honohan, Karen Giambra) i) There was one applications reviewed and referred to the Borough Zoning Officer since the November DDC meeting. (1) Professional Physical Therapy, 20 Cook Plaza b) PIC (Public Improvement): (2020 Membership: Suzy Whitehorn, Chair; Russell Stern, Bob Rocco, Peter Flemming, Brad Cramer, John Morris, John Hoover) i) Potential Goals/Projects:  METC Park Design  Adopt A Space Program ii) Action Items:  The Committee is working on developing a proposal for formalizing the Adopt-a Space program in coordination with the Parks Advisory Committee.  Set-up a meeting with Square Acre Studio to begin process for concept design work for the METC Park.  Meeting Notes: The committee met on December 1 at 5:00 pm. Tom Salaki of Square Acre Studio attended the meeting. Tom presented a concept design for the park and there was substantive discussion and feedback given which will help him continue to refine the design options. (a) Highlights of the discussion included the emphasis on the following points: 1. Embracing the shadiness of the site 2. Engage the existing slope in some way. 3. Focus on beautiful but low maintenance plantings 4. Create a multifunctional space 5. Create a central allay featuring small, intimate nooks for art installations and gathering (b) The proposed Adopt-A-Space program was further tweaked and will be shared with the Parks Advisory Committee once finalized. iii) Next Meeting – TBD 3|Page  c) Marketing and Economic Development: (2020 Membership: Suzy Whitehorn, Eric Range, Bob Conley, Russell Stern, Deb Starker, Carla Brady, Melanie Tomaszewski, Jim Hollenbach, John Morris, Michael Pellessier, Karen Giambra) i) Potential Goals/Projects:  Gateway & Wayfinding Signage  Creation of Marketing Materials ii) Action Items:  The preferred flag design was adopted by the Borough Council at their meeting on December 14 (resolution included with liquor reform resolution in Mayor’s report): https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnwS_DqnT6nMjRDs6gfm7QYNd9eR?e=fxhhB3  The RFP for Gateway & Wayfinding Signage has been released by the Borough: https://www.rosenet.org/DocumentCenter/View/10062/RFP-NOTICE  Meeting Notes: The committee met briefly immediately after the DDC meeting on November 19. There was a brief discussion regarding the process for the evaluation of the RFP responses. The committee will expand to include more Borough representation for the review process and meeting will be scheduled as soon as feasible. iii) Next Meeting – TBD d) Arts & Events: (2020 Membership: Suzy Whitehorn, Deb Starker, Melanie Tomaszewski, Carla Brady, Bob Rocco, John Regan, Tom Honohan, John Morris, John Pietrowski, Jerry Vezza, Karen Giambra, Michael Pellessier, Eric Hafen) i) Potential Goals/Projects:  Sidewalk Art Gallery analysis and reinvention  Support of Madison Community Arts Center programming and fundraising  Explore public art projects ii) Updates from Eric Hafen: The traditional Madison Holiday Arts Festival could not happen this year. However, as they say, "The show must go on!" Through the cooperation of Farleigh Dickinson University in particular Todd Rosen, David Landau and film students, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Development Commission, and of course, MACA, we give you Holiday Arts Festival 2020 sponsored by @Adams Dental NJ! May your holiday season be happy and blessed! https://youtu.be/t_cgqyCBo9U iii) Next Meeting – TBD 15) AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT UPDATES: There are no planned reports for these items at this meeting except for those highlighted. a) Taste of Madison (March 22, 2021) b) May Day (May 1, 2021) c) Farmers Market (Thursdays, June 11– November 19, 2020 i) 2020 season overview and potential changes for 2021: Due to the shift of members from the DDC meeting to the MMSF meeting, it was decided to move this item to the January Regular Meeting agenda. d) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 2, 2021) e) Downtown Concert Series w/METC (2021 Dates TBD) 16) OLD BUSINESS: There was none discussed. 17) NEW BUSINESS: There was none discussed. a) Meeting calendar for 2021: Due to the shift of members from the DDC meeting to the MMSF 4|Page  meeting, it was decided to move this item to the January Regular Meeting agenda. 18) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no discussion. 19) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 8:22 pm. Moved by: J. Hoover and Seconded by: T. Honohan Voice Vote: Unanimous NEXT MEETING: TBD 5|Page