Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 22, 2020 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita (Chair) Rich D. Carella, Esq. (Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Roger Beliveau (Operations Leader Parking Department) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Chris Holden (Public Works) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Steve Ciskowski (Chamber of Commerce) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Trevor Davis (Commercial Real Estate) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Brendan Kelly (Harding Development) Anne-Marie McEwen (The Buttonwood Tree) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – None Public Works – Chris Holden Chris reports during the winter season, downtown businesses are asked to push the snow off the sidewalks into the street. The Public Works Department will take it from there. Any concerns with the sidewalks contact Chris Holden at 860-638-4850. Parking Report – Roger Beliveau Roger reports he is the Acting Director of the Parking Department during the transition period. Geen Thazhampallath has taken the HR position at the BOE. There will be no changes downtown for approximately 6 months. The City is planning a parking study for the downtown area. Planning- None Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports the following:  The Health Department and City Departments are working with Bob the owner of Mikado, in opening a second restaurant named “Juicy Cajun Seafood” in the old First and Last building on Main Street.  Tuesday, January 28,2020 from 1:30 – 4:00pm at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street in Middletown. All are welcome to join “Community Conversation” about key health and health related issues in Middlesex County and surrounding towns. Jen Alexander is requests that the zoning officer talk to the various business that have flashing signs in their windows and request that they change it to the still setting. Chamber of Commerce – Steve Ciskowski Steve reports the following:  Thursday, February 6th - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m.  Friday, February 7th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, special guest speaker Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and CEO Kamon Corporation at the Sheraton South Hartford Hotel 100 Capital Boulevard, Rocky Hill at 7:00 am.  Tuesday, February 10th – Keybank workshop series; The fundamentals of search engine optimization, from 8:00 – 10:00am at The Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.  Tuesday, February 12th – Mew’s presents Collision at LaBoca restaurant from 6:00-9:00p.m.  Monday, February 17th – MEWS presents Cyber Security for Businesses; Risk and Prevention, from 11:00 to 1:00 @ Middlesex Chamber of Commerce  Tuesday, February 25th – Business after Work, hosted by Sheraton Hartford South Hotel from 5:00 – 7:00.  Friday, February 28th – Legislative Breakfast, hosted by Courtyard Marriott, 4 Sebethe Drive in Cromwell from 8:00 – 9:30am. Steve reports for Cathy Duncan stating the light bulbs on all our downtown snowflakes will be replaced. Minutes –  Motion made by Marc Levin to approve monthly minutes  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Mike DiPiro Mike reports the financials are in standing order. Lisa will fix the line moving the money spent from special projects to marketing campaign, for the holiday commercials.  Motion to approve by Marc Levin  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Financials accepted Board Member Update –  Patrick reports he will be working with Tom Ford from Hajjar Management on the window clings for vacant store front windows.  Mary Ann reports the downtown planters are continuing to look good during the winter season.  Diane reports gift card sales are going well. We will continue to offer a gift bag/tissue with card purchases year-round.  Jen reports the new website design is moving along. Jen also reports the plan of conservation and development for the North End is in final draft stage.  Marc reports the TV commercials, Better CT segment, CT Style segment and Radio commercials had a great impact on promoting downtown Middletown, during the holiday season. New Business –  Steve Ramchandani owner of Ramani Clothier introduced himself as the new building owner of 124 Court Street and 330 MainStreet.  Ann Marie reports the Middletown Arts Co-op at 650 Main Street has sold. The new owners are making many improvements to the building and continue to put on events in helping the Arts. The City of Middletown and the St Vincent De Paul project is back on the table and under negotiations.  Tom Ford motion to approve the language changes in the draft revision to the local ordinance under Collection of levy. See section G.2.b. by Attorney, Richard Carella. This revision changes the levy of taxes which the DBD may seek to have the City implement annually as being based upon the actual assessment, consider into account any reductions or abatements to the assessed value of real property.  Motion by Tom Ford  2nd by Marc Levin  Motion approved  The recommendation for Attorney Rich Carella to continue taking the next steps through the City’s General Council office, other City offices if need be, before going to the Common Council.  Moving forward Rich will be looking at our past and present By-laws.  Motion to adjourn by Marie Kalita  2nd by Marc Levin  Adjourn accepted