Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Annual/Monthly Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 27, 2019 The Inn at Middletown Meeting Room 70 Main Street, Middletown, CT Attendees Marie Kalita-Leary (Chair) Gary Wallace (Police Department) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Patrick Harding (Harding Development) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Brendan Kelly (Harding Development) Gary Nagler (Commissioner) Ann Marie Cannata McEwen (Buttonwood Tree) Marilyn Mills (Property Owner) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Annual Meeting Budget for 2019-2020 fiscal year: The budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year was approved by the current Board of Commissioners, setting the mill rate at 2.21 mills.  Motion to accept – Jennifer Alexander  2nd by – Marie Kalita-Leary  Budget accepted Election of Commissioners: The elected 2019-2021 DBD Commissioners are as follows: Marie Kalita-Leary (LEKA, LLC) Vice Chair – Diane Gervais (Amato’s Toy and Hobby) Marc Levin (Malloves Jewelers) Mike DiPiro (Guilmartin, DiPiro, Sokolowski LLC) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Tom Ford (Alternate Commissioner) Gary Nagler (Alternate Commissioner)  Motion to adjourn Annual Meeting by Marc Levin  2nd by Marie Kalita-Leary  Ajourn accepted Monthly Meeting Police Report – Gary Wallace Gary reports the police department is looking for a smooth transition in moving St. Vincent de Paul Middletown from Main Street to Green Street. This move will allow the community many more services at their new location. The police department is supporting the North End businesses/customers working together to resolve issues in a positive manner. Public Works – William Russo (not available) Parking Report - Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports the parking department is replacing the solar panels on the parking meters which are not working. Professional engineering and design services have been contracted to install prefabricated staircases adjoined to Riverview Plaza to both Court Street and the Dingwall parking lot. Parking meters and kiosk are being installed in the Dingwall lot, for public use. Dingwall Ave. will be a one-way street. There are new parking meters being installed along College Street and Broad Street. The parking department, city officials and building owners are having general conversations regarding a concept of installing a two deck structure behind Pedal Power adding approximately 200 more parking spaces. The parking department is enforcing/issuing tickets to business owners/employees from parking on Main Street. Planning- Tom Marano (not available) Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports the health department has been very active with new business coming into Middletown.  There is a new owner at Public Market; keeping the employees and food items the same.  A&D Hair Salon will be changing over to a Barber Shop & Academy School for Hair.  The warming center will be closing on Sunday, March 31st for the season.  Dr. Joseph Havlicek is back to work part time. Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Business after work Auction and Taste of Middletown – “March Madness” theme at the Sons of Italy on Tuesday March 26th was successful.  The Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast, featured speaker Michael Roth, President, Wesleyan University, will be held on Monday, April 29th at the Red Lion Hotel from 7:00a.m. – 9:00a.m.  The CBB meeting at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 4th from 8:00-9:00 a.m. the DOT will be speaking on behalf of the bump outs along Main Street, all are invited to attend.  Business after work will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at the shops in Main Street Market from 5:00-7:00p.m. Minutes -  Motion made by Mike DiPiro  2nd by Marc Levin  Minutes accepted Treasurer’s Report – Mike DiPiro Mike reported we are on task. The second installment from the City of Middletown has been deposited into our money market account and will be reflected in next month’s financials.  Motion made by Marc Levin  2nd by Tom Ford  Financials accepted New Business: Ann Marie from the Buttonwood Tree gave a shout out to Harding Development Group, Middlesex Music Academy & O’Rourke’s Diner supporting the Benefit Concert for The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center and Oddfellows Playhouse on Friday, April 5that First Church. Marie passed out Art Coordinator, Kisha Michael’s first Arts & Cultural Newsletter. The Slate of Board Officers for the next two years is as follows: Chair – Marie Kalita-Leary (LEKA, LLC) Vice Chair – Diane Gervais (Amato’s Toy and Hobby) Secretary - Marc Levin (Malloves Jewelers) Treasurer – Mike DiPiro (Guilmartin, DiPiro, Sokolowski LLC)  Motion made by Diane Gervais  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Board Officers accepted Board Member Update:  Gary Nagler mentioned towing is on the rise between the Inn at Middletown and Metro Square parking lot.  Marie mentioned Kim O’Rourke has ordered a new outside garbage receptacle and will be placed in the North end.  Marc will be representing the DBD at the CBB meeting on Thursday, April 4th; DOT will be discussing installing bump outs along Main Street  Comcast Business Upgrade - Diane checking with Joel; going to table until April’s monthly meeting.  Marc has a proposal for the marketing campaign with Channel 3 and Channel 8, starting April 15th – June 30th. By updating the original DBD commercials with our DBD Gift Card, in flights/spots where businesses are no longer on Main Street. This would be funded using the remaining of this fiscal year’s budget.  Jen is putting together financials for updating the downtown map twice a year in regards to the wayfinding signs project.  Tom Ford reports 34 apartments have been rented at Midd-Town. Brew Baker will be the new baker for the corporate center under the name of Café Salzburg.  Motion to adjourn by Marc Levin  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Adjourn accepted