Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 23, 2019 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita Leary (Chair) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Gary Wallace (Police Department) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development Group) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Patrick Harding (Harding Development Group) Brendan Kelly (Harding Development Group) Trevor Davis (Commercial Real Estate) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – Gary Wallace Gary reports things are relatively quiet downtown. There is a recommendation asking for extra patrols; there is an increase of people hanging around the public parking lots and the downtown area. Parking Report – Geen Thazhampallath Geen report via email the following information:  Installed an added Kiosk and Booth (covering) in Melilli Parking Lot.  Opened the Arcade/Dingwall Lot and may reopen Dingwall to 2 way traffic if Police Department signs off (meeting with PD and Mayor on Tuesday)  Contracting to install prefab stairs to connect Riverview Plaza to Arcade/Dingwall Lot. Peter Harding recommends splitting the parking lot east to west moving the Police parking closer to the Superior Court building and Public parking closer to Dingwall; potentially making Dingwall a two way with parallel metered parking. The DBD will be sending an email/letter to the City in support of public parking in the Arcade Lot for the business community to enjoy the downtown area. Planning- Tom Marano Tom reports staffing in the Planning, Conservation & Development office has been filled:  Mark DeVoe – City Planner  Ron Beia – Zoning/Wetlands Enforcement Officer  Linda Mack – Community Development Specialist  Opportunity Zone – Lots of interest. From Union Street – North.  Developers continue to kick the tires for residential and mixed use projects at various sites across the City. Public Works - None Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports the fire on December 22nd at 41 Rapallo initially lost 8 units. The families are now back in their homes.  Whey Station looks to open next week.  Presto Pizza is now open.  Tuscany is under new management.  Feng’s went out of business.  EG Salon relocating to South Main Street. Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports the Motorcycle Mania has been cancelled. The Chamber of Commerce is looking to replace with another venue/downtown event.  Thursday, February 7th - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m.  Friday, January 25th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker Sam Kennedy, President& CEO, Boston Red Sox sponsored by Webster Bank, at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell from 7:00-9:00 a.m.  Friday, February 22nd– Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, sponsored by The Mohegan Tribe, at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell from 7:00-9:00 a.m.  Monday, February 25th Business After Work, Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill from 5:00- 7:00p.m.  Tuesday, March 5th – KeyBank Workshop Series - Social Media Marketing presented by Patrick Ganino, Social Tuna, from 8:00-10:00a.m.at the Chamber of Commerce.  Monday, March 18th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker Geno Auriemma, UCONN Women’s Head Basketball Coach sponsored by MiddleOak – Location TBA  Tuesday, March 26th – Business After Work, Auction & Taste of Downtown at the Italian Society of Middletown from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Minutes –  Motion to approve November minutes made by Marc Levin  2nd by Diane Gervais  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Mike DiPiro Mike reports everything is status quo. Budget committee to meet early February, to discuss financials for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.  Motion to approve by Marc Levin  2nd by Diane Gervais  Financials accepted Board Member Update – Marie Kalita Leary  Lisa received a letter of “thanks” from the Chamber of Commerce for the DBD participating with “Holiday on Main”.  Marc is working on a new marketing promotion for March.  Diane reports the new iron fence has been installed behind Amato’s, The Chamber of Commerce and Kidcity. The gift cards had a great response this holiday season.  Marie emailed the Mayor and Bill Russo regarding the trash issue on the North end of Main Street, and the potential of putting trash/recycle cans out for the public to use.  Jen recommends the Commissioners and City Officials to walk Main Street to look at the sidewalks and surrounding areas that are in need of repair. Most of the Wayfinding Signs are up and look great.  Budget committee (Marie, Diane, Marc, Mike, Jen) meeting early February to discuss 2019-2020 annual budget.  Marie passed out “photo release forms”. These forms will be used with our local downtown businesses in asking permission to use photographs in publications, including websites, social media sites without payment in our downtown brochures.  Marie would like to set up a sub committee to review “website proposals, and make a decision on which company will represent the DBD website. The following people have interest: Marie Kalita Leary, Diane Gervais, Jennifer Alexander, and Christine Graichen from Malloves Jewelers. New Business –  Peter Harding is inviting everyone to attend the Council Meeting on Monday, March 4th in supporting the re-location of St. Vincent DePaul.  Motion to adjourn by Marie Kalita Leary  2nd by Jennifer Alexander  Adjourn accepted