Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes January 24,2024 363 Main Street, Suite 404 Middletown, CT 06457 Attendees: Jen Alexander (Chair) Chief Erik Costa (MPD) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Sara Mendillo (Chamber) Chris Conley (Commissioner) Maryellen Shuckrow (St. Vins Director) Matt Lefevbre (Commissioner) Rani Arbo (Wesleyan) Marie Kalita (Commissioner) Howard Weissberg (Dep Dir Pub Works) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Trevor Davis (363 Main LLC) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Ken Ahnell (Beautification Manager) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Cathy Duncan (Chamber) Sandra Russo-Driska (DBD Coordinator) Rob Lucheme (Tshudin Chocolates) Emily Ford (Hajjar Dev) Christine Marques (ECD Director) Carrie Carella (North End Group) Robert Lucheme (Tshudin Chocolates) Joe Banks (WESU Architect) Call to Order- Meeting was called to order by Chair, Jen Alexander at 8:31 a.m. CITY PARTNERS Mayor- Not Present Police-  Chief Costa reported they are in the hiring process of lateral officers  Attended the Downtown Stakeholders meeting where discussion on signage took place and he feels it could be helpful for businesses  Construction is not letting up during the winter months and PD is responding and resolving issues as needed  PAL Building is almost ready to for opening and waiting on boxing ring  SRO Program is very active with after school programs-currently doing crisis intervention and active shooter training  Citizens Police Academy starting up  Contact Chief or PD with any concerns or issues  DBD Minutes Pg. 2 Public Works-  Howard reported he walked Main St with Jane Harris and city engineer to review tree wells. Lots of leg work but should get back to us soon  Public Works is doing a signal inventory assessment to acquire funding to update  Evaluating roads, signage, handicap ramps, etc. to improve infrastructure  Rte 9 project is being coordinated through the Chamber with DOT to continue with conceptual designs to present to public in February  Purchasing Order for trash and recycling containers is moving forward but we need to take $30K from tree well project to complete purchase  Motion by Tom Ford to allocate $30k from ARPA tree well program to purchasing of containers  2nd by Chris Conley  All in favor Economic Development/Parking-  Christiine Marques said she knows parking is high on everyone’s minds and an email is going out on that  Positive feedback on Rapallo Ave parking lot with the new barriers  Roller rink building and Dominick DiMartinos projects are moving forward  Parking Commission now has Pam Steele as a member and chair and Jen Alexander, Dominick DiMartino, Trevor David and Carrie Carella Health Dept- Sandra read report submitted by Keving Elak:  Influenza, RSV, and Covid cases are slowly trending down  Covid home test kits available at city hall  Accepting applications for public health block grant from non-profits. Application found on city website COMMUNITY PARTNERS St. Vincent’s-  Maryellen reported the warming center is at Grace and Mercy and averaging 30 individuals per night  Working on triaging people into treatment or housing  Kitchen is open additional hours during winter months  New building has received an invitation from Dept. of Housing to apply for funding  Soup kitchen and Amazing Grace are both very busy  Uptick in immigrant families coming from NY. Mayor, Health etc need to formulate a plan locally, there is a plan statewide available  DBD Minutes Pg. 3 Chamber-  Sara announced several Chamber meetings happening over the next several weeks- available on Chamber website  Cathy noted CBB will meet 2/1. Ed McKean is hosting to discuss the new program coming in October called Middletown Pages NECD-  Carrie reported they are talking with Christine and Howard about walking the North End to identify issues and concerns next week in the evening  Rapallo Ave lot is actually functioning much better now that it looks like a lot  Stakeholders meeting take away was optimistic. Lots of work to do but conversation and working together makes things happen  Next meeting is February 7th Wesleyan:  Rani noted she is working with Middletown Pages  Students will be back in class this Thursday  Joe Banks gave an update of the art building construction at Hamlin Court staying focused on neighborhood and addressing any concerns and issues Minutes  Motion made by Diane to approve November minutes  2nd by Katie  All in favor  Motion made to approve January Special Meeting minutes  2nd by Katie  All in favor Treasurer’s Report  Motion to approve Treasurer Report made by Diane  2nd by Tom  All in Favor DBD COMMITTEE UPDATES: Advertising/Promotion- Sandra reported social media continues to go very well Gift Cards- Sandra program is doing extremely well Maintenance & Beautification- Sandra and Ken will continue to work with Public Works Special Projects- None  DBD Minutes Pg. 4 Jen noted that we need volunteers to serve on a Budget Committee to review budget for FY 24-25 Commissioners to be on committee: Jen, Diane, Chirs, Matt and Patrick 925 Report- Discussion took place regarding parking committee and concerns to be addressed. Jen thanked building owners that have allowed the storefront project art to be placed at their locations. Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn at 9:38 a.m. by Tom  2nd by Diane  All in Favor. Meeting Adjourned.