Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 24, 2019 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita Leary (Chair) Gary Wallace (Police Department) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development Group) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Brenden Kelly (Harding Development Group) Gary Nagler (Commissioner) Ann Marie Cannata McEwen (Buttonwood Tree) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – Gary Wallace Gary reports with the increase of warmer weather, that there is an increase of activity in the downtown area. Pan handling is on the rise. The beat officers have been making a presence within the downtown businesses. Parking Report – Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports  The prefabricated stairway for River Center is being built and looking to install within the next 6 weeks.  Public parking will be available during the day in the Arcade parking lot.  Panhandling is on the rise at the parking lot kiosks.  The new bump outs need better signage for pedestrians crossing the street.  The Parking Department is looking at installing an upper deck behind the Bob’s building adding approximately 100 more spaces. Planning- None Public Works – None Marie reports, Kim O’Rourke has ordered the trash receptacle and will be placed in the North end. Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports the following via email:  Abysinnian Ethiopian Restaurant at 100 Main Street is finally ready to open soon! (within the next week or so). The name is actually changing to Merna Restaurant.  A Jamaican Restaurant called Caribbean Flavaz will be opening soon at 560 Main Street (former Feng's Place).  There are new owners at Tandoor Indian Restaurant on 170 Main Street.   There is a new owner of 0 Degree Thai Ice Cream. The current owner is selling the business to concentrate on Prince House.  New owner of Nail City at 310 Main Street. They are changing the name of the business. (I think it is Y&J Nails)  Eloise and Josef from Brew Bakers are now running the cafeteria in the MiddleOak Building.  Jennifer Sparks from our office gave birth to a baby boy on April 12th. Mom and son (Colton Sparks) are doing well! Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports  Monday, April 29th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker Michael Roth, President Wesleyan University at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell from 7:00-9:00 a.m.  Tuesday, April 30th Business After Work, hosted by The Shops at Main Street Market, Middletown from 5:00-7:00p.m.  Thursday, May 2nd - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m. CT DOT & Paramount Construction update on bump-outs.  Wednesday, June 12th – 22nd Annual Cruise Night on Main Street  Saturday, June 15th – Middletown Pride Festival  Wednesday, July 17th – Citizen’s Bank 5K Summer Fun Run and Bed Races Minutes –  Motion to approve Annual Meeting minutes made by Marc Levin  2nd by Patrick Harding  Minutes accepted.  Motion to approve Regular Meeting minutes made by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Gary Nagler  Minutes accepted Treasurer’s report – Marc Levin Marc reports everything is on task. Our 2nd installment for FY2018-2019 has been deposited. Jen is requesting we reach out to Buds and Blossoms to replace flowers/grasses that did not make it and replace ones that have been removed.  Motion to approve by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Marc Levin  Financials accepted Board Member Update – Marie Kalita- Leary  Marie reports - Wednesday, May 1st – Website committee meeting at the DBD office for 9:00 am  Marie reports Wesleyan University offered to pay the DBD tax on the 291 Main St. property, starting July 1, 2019.  To enhance the look of vacant store front buildings along Main Steer the DBD Office/Marketing will be looking into purchasing decorative signage/cling for the windows.   Marc reports the DBD marketing package is all set until June 1, 2019.  Diane reports the gift cards are continuing to sell well. Looking into the possibility of purchasing more efficient and updated planters for downtown. The Commissioners agreed to order a sample planter.  Lisa will reach out to Ellen from Maurer design and Young’s printing in designing window coverings for vacant store fronts along Main Street. (3-4ft. rolls of plastic cling with the DBD logo/graphics)  Diane reports thru Joel Gervais (our volunteer IT consultant) the cost for a new computer and software for the DBD office would between $2,500 and $3,000.00. Up to $3,000.00 was approved.  Motion to approve by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Marc Levin  New computer accepted New Business – Marie Kalita-Leary turned the meeting over to Vice Chair, Diane Gervais and left the meeting, so that we could discuss and vote on an increase in our rent from our Landlord. The new proposed rent effective July 1, 2019 will be $550.00 per month and increase of $50.00.  Motion to approve – by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Patrick Harding  Rent accepted  Motion to adjourn by Jennifer Alexander  2nd by Marc Levin  Adjourn accepted