Downtown Development Commission

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Committee Room - Hartley Dodge Memorial Building Date: November 18, 2021 Time: 7:15 pm – Via Zoom MEETING MINUTES 1) CALL TO ORDER: This meeting was called to order by Chair Suzy Whitehorn at 7:17 pm. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Hollenbach, P. Teshima, S. Whitehorn, M. Tomaszewski, T. Honohan, S. Tindall, J. Morris, D. Starker, R. Rocco, R. Stern MEMBERS ABSENT: R. Conley, D. Coen, P. Flemming, E. Range, M. Fabyanski, Michael Pellessier ALSO PRESENT: Lisa Ellis, Director of Business Development Events MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None present 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 2021. Copies of said notice were made available to members of the general public. 5) APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 21, 2021 MINUTES Motion to approve October 21, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented Moved by: T. Honohan and Seconded by: P. Teshima Voice Vote: Unanimous 6) CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT a) Idea Exchange & New Business: i) It was noted that all the lights on the lampposts have been installed. A thank you to Suzy Whitehorn, Chuck and Lisa Ellis was shared. ii) Congratulations were given to long time DDC Commissioner and Vice Chair Eric Range on his recent election to Borough Council. He will be missed on the DDC. b) Christmas Parade: The parade was discussed. It was decided to forgo giveaways this year and that the DDC Commissioners would march with the Chamber. Everyone is to meet at 5:00 pm at the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps parking lot. 7) TREASURER REPORT: Tom Honohan gave the monthly financial report. 8) MAYOR REPORT: There was no report. 9) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: There was no report. 10) PLANNING BOARD REPORT: There was no report. 11) FOUNDATION REPORT: The foundation will meet on November 29 to finalize the grant request to the Borough Council. 12) MADISON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT: Council President John Morris reported that the “Find Rosie the Reindeer” scavenger hunt would return to Madison this holiday season. Participation  cards can be picked up at Madison Pharmacy and or Tons of Toys. Madison Gift Checks are available, as always, at Provident Bank and make great holiday gifts. 13) DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Here are the websites for two organizations to which the Borough belongs. The offer a lot of different resources that I thought you may find of interest: a) Downtown New Jersey: https://www.downtownnj.com/ b) Main Street America: https://www.mainstreet.org/home c) Downtown Redevelopment Pipeline: i) For your information, all meeting information can be found through these links: (1) Zoning Board of Adjustment: https://www.rosenet.org/505/Zoning-Board-of-Adjustment (2) Planning Board: https://www.rosenet.org/457/Planning-Board d) New Business Report: i) Commercial Property Worksheet e) Misc. i) Cook Avenue Parking Lot Reconstruction: No update. ii) Waverly Place Reconstruction: No update. 14) STANDING COMMITTEES: a) Sign & Façade: (2021 Membership: Eric Range, Tom Honohan, Suzy Whitehorn, Peter Flemming, John Morris, Jim Hollenbach, Barry Kroll, Karen Giambra) i) There was one applications reviewed and referred to the Borough Zoning Officer since the October DDC meeting. (1) Butter & Jam, 30 Cook Plaza b) PIC (Public Improvement): (2021 Membership: John Morris, Russell Stern, Suzy Whitehorn, Melanie Tomaszewski, Peter Flemming) i) 2021 Potential Goals/Projects:  METC Park Design  Adopt A Space Program ii) Action Items: TBD iii) Meeting Notes: The committee met on Wednesday, November 10 at 5:30 pm via Zoom. There was substantive discussion regarding next steps on both the METC Art Walk and the Adopt A Space program. It was decided that due to the delay in the American rescue plan funding and other logistical issues, both projects would be put on hold until early next year. Russell Stern shared that while attending the NJLM Convention in Atlantic City, he spoke to three =lighting companies in regard to the METC Art Walk Project. He will share materials with the committee at their next meeting. That current schematic plan for the METC Art Walk can be viewed here: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnwS_DqnT6nMolFiEuUMOCLYfg1j?e=puHL4y iv) Next Meeting – TBD c) Marketing and Economic Development: (2021 Membership: Eric Range, Deb Coen, John Morris, Russell Stern, Peter Teshima, Suzy Whitehorn, Jim Hollenbach, Bob Rocco, Melanie Tomaszewski, Deb Starker, Karen Giambra) i) 2021 Potential Goals/Projects:  Gateway & Wayfinding Signage  Creation of Marketing Materials ii) Action Items:  Gateway And Wayfinding Signage System Evaluation Project (a) Kick-off meeting was held May 10 at 5:00 pm via Zoom. Stakeholder meetings were held on June 15. Currently a survey is in progress. The survey was sent to the stakeholder groups, via direct email (600+ addresses) and was circulated on social media. It will remain live until July 20. An in-person tour with, Lisa and Suzy serving as  guides was completed on July 23. A preliminary meeting with Merje was held on August 24 at 4:00 pm. (b) The committee met with Merje on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 pm via Zoom to review the concept designs created. The presentation can be accessed here: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnwS_DqnT6nMoxQ5ITAD5qvReto-?e=Kx1lKo iii) Next Meeting – TBD d) Arts & Events: (2021 Membership: Stephen Tindall, Deb Coen, John Morris, Peter Teshima Tom Honohan, Suzy Whitehorn, Bob Rocco, Melanie Tomaszewski, Deb Starker, John Pietrowski, Jerry Vezza, Karen Giambra) i) 2021 Potential Goals/Projects:  Sidewalk Art Gallery analysis and reinvention  Support of Madison Community Arts Center programming and fundraising  Explore public art projects ii) Updates:  A vendor has been identified for the lighting grid installation. The next steps are proceeding.  Fall performances are ongoing for ticket information please click here: https://www.madisonartsnj.org/maca-events/ iii) Meeting Notes: The Arts & Events Committee will reconvene once the new Director of Arts & Events is officially hired. iv) 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 21, 2022) b) May Day (May 7, 2022) c) Farmers Market (Thursdays, May 20 – November 18, 2021 i) Intern Gift: Lisa Ellis and Suzy Whitehorn shared their experience over the course of the 2021 season with a young man, Ryan Hock who had reached out to volunteer at the market. He went above and beyond, volunteering for 27 of 28 weeks and proving himself a dependable and pleasant worker. He will be asked to return as a paid employee for the 2022 season. It was felt that a gift to recognize his service is in order. It was proposed that he be sent a check for $1,500.00 as gift in appreciation for his efforts. Motion to approve the expenditure of $1,500.00 as a gift to Ryan Hock for his work during the 2021 Farmers Market season. Moved by: R. Conley and Seconded by: M. Tomaszewski Voice Vote: Unanimous d) Bottle Hill Day (Saturday, October 2, 2021) e) Downtown Concert Series w/METC (2022 Dates TBD) 16) OLD BUSINESS 17) INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC 18) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 7:41 pm. Moved by: P. Teshima and Seconded by: D. Starker NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 16 at 7:15 pm, via Zoom