Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 25, 2018 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita Leary (Chair) Lorenzo Marshall (Chamber of Commerce) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Sean Moriarity (Police Department) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Tom Marano – (Planning Department) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Gary Nagler (Commissioner) Police Report – Sean Moriarty Sean reports Wesleyan University launched a new bikeshare pilot program for the campus community. Spin, Wesleyan’s partnering company, has placed 100 orange dockless bikes at multiple locations throughout campus. Anyone with a Wesleyan.edu email can rent a bike. We are experiencing some issues with the bikes being left around the city, there is a recovery team from Wesleyan that will be picking them up, Sean will be getting us that contact information. The police department is gearing up for spring. They are aware of soliciting, panhandling and loitering is on the rise, due to the nice weather and will be working with the NEAT. Public Works – None Parking Report - Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports the parking department have now returned or implemented some 130 spaces to public access and by June that number may rise to 180 which would offset day upper Arcade loss. Court Street will remain two -way. The Parking, Public Works and Police departments are actively working to install all necessary signage.  The City is leasing approximately 75 spaces from a variety of valued community partners.  The parking department will add 25 “permit” only parking spaces on DeKoven Drive. These spaces will then be for public use parking.  We are working with Wesleyan University regarding day usage of a site on Broad Street from June 1st – September 1st adding 50 spaces.  Geen spoke to Middletown Housing Authority about its Spear Park location for a longer term solution as needed.  There was a brief discussion ensued regarding permit parking at Harbor Park. Demolition of the Arcade lot started by, a Middletown firm and its Middletown subs, with fencing now up, light posts down & power shut off. Planning- Tom Marano Tom Marano reports things are on task.  Fed Ex is on time, Looking for C.O. July 1st and October 1st to begin operations.  The location of the new medical marijuana dispensaries, still to be determined. Health Department – None Chamber of Commerce – Lorenzo Marshall Lorenzo reports the summer downtown events will be starting up. Cruise night on Wednesday, June 13th and Motor Cycle Mania, Wednesday August 15th.  The Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast, keynote speaker Mark Ojakian, President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities systems, at the Red Lion Hotel (formerly Radisson Hotel) in Cromwell from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  The 35th annual golf tournament will be held next Friday, May 4th at the Portland Golf Course from 8:30am – 5:00pm. The Youth Summer employment program begins Monday, July 2nd – August 18th. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce. Minutes –  Motion to approve made by Mike DiPiro  2nd by Marc Levin  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Mike DiPiro Mike reports everything is looking good. Our 2nd installment from the City of Middletown has been received and deposited. The contribution to the historical society has been received.  Motion to approve by Marc Levin  2nd by Gary Nagler  Financials accepted Board Member Update – Marie Kalita Leary The spring/summer 2018 edition of our downtown brochure is underway. Our 12 downtown commercials are up and running through June on Channels 3 & 8; with the possibility of adding radio after Labor Day. The flower pots have been planted with early spring flowers and look great. Jen is working on marketing and social media for the downtown. New Business – Jen Alexander brought an idea of a “key card packet” that would be used for guests staying at the Inn at Middletown. It would be a two part; having your key card to your room along with a copy of our downtown map within the key card holder. More information to follow.  Motion to adjourn by Mary Ann Perrotti  2nd by Gary Nagler  Adjourn accepted