Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Annual & Regular Meeting Minutes March 27,2024 363 Main Street, Suite 404 Middletown, CT 06457 Attendees: Jen Alexander (Chair) Chief Erik Costa (MPD) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Rob Lucheme (Tschudin Chocolates) Chris Conley (Commissioner) Dep Chief Rich Davis (MPD) Matt Lefevbre (Commissioner) Howard Weissberg (Acting Pub Works Dir) Marie Kalita (Commissioner) Cassandra Day (Press) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Dept) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Ken Ahnell (Beautification Manager) Maryellen Shuckerow (St Vincents) Sandra Russo-Driska (DBD Coordinator) Christine Marques (ECD Director) Emily Ford (Hajjar Development) Joe Banks (Architect WESU) Property Owners Present and Voting: Marc Levin (404 Main Street) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce Property) Chris Conley (505 Main Street) Diane Gervais (395 Main Street) Tom Ford (213 Court and several other properties) Matt Lefebvfe (440 Main Street) Patrick Harding (Riverview Center) Riccardo Airo (346 Main Street) Annual Meeting Call to Order- Meeting was called to by Chair, Jen Alexander at 8:31 a.m.  Chair called for discussion on the budget that was sent to all property owners in the District several weeks prior to the meeting for review.  No discussion followed. Motion-  Motion made by Marc Levin to approve the FY 2024-2025 DBD for $165,900 with a mill rate of 2.1  2nd made by Diane Gervais  All members present, and voting approved unanimously Motion-  Motion to adjourn Annual Meeting at 8:36 a.m. made by Marc Levin  2nd made by Diane Gervais  All in favor. Meeting adjourned.  DBD Minutes Page 2 Regular Meeting Call to Order- Regular monthly meeting called to order at 8:36 a.m. by Chair Jen Alexander Note: Commissioner Marie Kalita did not attend Regular Meeting. Election of Officers Marcy 2024 - March 2025- Motion:  Motion made by Dian Gervais to nominate the following slate of officers: Matt Lefebver, Chair Jen Alexander, Vice-Chair Patrick Harding, Secretary Chris Conley, Treasurer  2nd by Tom Ford  All in favor. Slate presented is approved Matt thanked Jen for all her guidance and hard work as Chair the past 3 years and proceeded with the meeting. CITY PARTNERS Mayor- Not Present Police-  Chief Costa stated he is grateful for the partnership with the DBD and downtown community. Thanked all business owners for treating officers well, and feeling valued  Hiccup in the dedicated phone line to PD for downtown businesses is fixed. Dial 860-638-4001 PRESS 9  Down 13 officer at present time, asking for 15 more in budget. Feels 135 is right number for Middletown  Active recruitment for entry level officers. Maintaining schedules and overtime is leading to burn out  Doing best to meet obligations, however more officers are needed  Planning 2 extra patrols on Main Street as summer approaches when pedestrians pick up  Increase pedestrian strikes in our state  Addressed the multiple car break ins that happened in the North End and are actively seeking people responsible  Public Spaces/Nuisance Ordinance gives officers may more tools for making arrests but also to work with individuals for getting support with proper groups  Chief and Deputy went to Ft. Worth to honor Officer Carly Travis into the National Police Hall of Dame for her work in August 2023 incident  Thursday at 6pm at High School are PD Awards Ceremony. All are welcome to attend Jen wondered about cameras on businesses and city cameras and asked if PD is aware of those and if there is a way the Chamber and DBD can ask properties to have cameras on a list. Discussion followed. Sandra will work with Sara at Chamber and Chief to begin a program.  DBD Minutes Page 3 Public Works-  Howard noted he is now Acting Director of Public Works  Tree Project is moving forward, almost ready to go out to bid in next week or so  New containers should be in soon and we will plan and discuss installation  Rte 9 workshop comments were very well received, and many are under consideration  Public Meeting on Rte 9 planned at Wesleyan for April 30. Details to come. March noted that Main Street need faster and better clean up after storms. Also that light at Liberty Bank blinks all the time. Howard noted he will address both issues with tree warden and appropriate staff. Diane asked why lights in front of Holy Trinity on the tree are no longer lit. Sandra will look into. Economic Development/Parking-  Christiine Marques gave an update on 80 Harbor Drive. Crossin the finish line to building  The old drycleaner building on William Street has been taken down and will become parking  Close to receiving a $12million grant for the river front  Signed a lease for parking with St. Johns Church  Parking Advisor Committee meeting coming up and presenting departments expenses and revenues Health Dept-  Kevin reported he is working with community partners to address the challenges of homelessness and opiod over doses. There is a robust task force including the Chief, Maryellen and others  City has received funding as part of a national settlement to work on a plan for the community for opiod addition. We are fairing better than most communities in this area due to our aggressive approach  Distributing drug deactivation pouches to safely destroy medication. 5,000 for hand out. COMMUNITY PARTNERS St. Vincent’s-  Maryellen gave an update on the Liberty Street building which was demolished and now has a fence around the property.  Bids will be going out for general contractors to bids/Dept of Housing funding April 26th  Warming Center will be closing April 1st. 30+ per night. Working with social worker to get housing for some individuals  Soup Kitchen and Amazing Grace are very busy. Finalizing renovations at Amazing Grace Chamber-  Cathy discussed upcoming events including Narcan training and Yard Goats events.  Career Fair will be April 4th at Courtyard in Cromwell  Comedy night is April 20th at Elks  Business After Work next event in May  CBB is April 4 and being held hybrid  DBD Minutes Pg. 4 NECD-  Carrie sent an email report noting the following: Pleased urban green house project at CHC is moving forward, Middletown PAL has a grand opening planned June 14th, Public Works informed NECD they are getting an overhead crosswalk light back on the Grand and Main St crosswalk, Economic Dev securing St Johns parking lot for more parking Jen noted that Vinny’s Jump N Jive will be opening in new location at 635 Main Street thanks to ARPA funding. Wesleyan-  Rani sent email noting that the Public Art Show was a resounding success with over 2,000 community members visiting Zilkha Gallery during that week  Architect Joe Banks reported on 56 Hamlin project and noted that the construction crew is aware and addressing any idling issues and noise issues. Added to please contact him with any issues. Minutes-  Motion made by Jen to approve February minutes  2nd by Diane  All in favor Treasurer’s Report-  Motion by Chris to approve Treasurer Reports  2nd by Jen  All in Favor DBD COMMITTEE UPDATES: Advertising/Promotion- Sandra reported social media and website are being used well and having great response Gift Cards- Sandra reported the program continues to do well and is being used by groups such as the City, Middlesex Health, and Board of Education for gifts to employees and boards. Maintenance & Beautification- Sandra reported the new containers for downtown should be in soon. Jen asked that we follow up on location placement using map we devised. Sandra said she will be sure to discuss placement with Public Works and added she will also be sure a maintenance program is in place. Tom noted they do garage scrubbing maintenance late May/early June and may have staff that can help with this project. Special Projects- Matt asked for volunteer to serve on a task force or committee to address the taxes collected and assessment issues with the City of Middletown. Jen, Diane, Marie, and Chris volunteered. Chris volunteered to be Chair. Sandra will try to get the report from the City on collections to the DBD since 2021 and set up first meeting of committee.  DBD Minutes Pg. 5 925 Report- Tom shared that 3 office tenants will be going into the tower. 1. Flood Law Firm 2. Fuchs Financial 3. Environmental Engineering Company Discussion followed. Adjournment-  Motion to adjourn @ 9:28 am made by Jen  2nd by Diane  All in favor.