Downtown Improvement Committee

Downtown Improvement Committee Meeting Minutes March 14, 2014 1. Call to Order and Welcome A regular meeting of the Nashua Downtown Improvement Committee was called to order at 7:31 a.m. on March 14, 2014 in Room 208, Nashua City Hall by Chairman Marylou Blaisdell. Present: Marylou Blaisdell, Rich Lannan, Alderman Brian McCarthy, Tom Galligani, Sy Mahfuz, Ron LaFleur, Ben Clemens, Tia Phillips Absent: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, Alderman Jim Donchess, John Koutsos Others Attending: George Durante, Barbara Pressley, Alderman David Deane, Alderman David Schoneman 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2014 MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 8, 2013 MEETING MADE BY S MAHFUZ. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY R LAFLEUR AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. New Committee Member Tia Phillips was welcomed to the Committee. M Blaisdell introduced each Committee member. 4. Review of Proposed Ordinances that Impact Downtown M Blaisdell outlined the ordinances that are pending for downtown. They include an ordinance to create free parking downtown from December 10-25th and an ordinance to integrate angled parking on Main Street. Alderman Dean shared comments from the last Infrastructure Committee meeting, which ultimately concluded that the parking ordinances would require further consideration before advancing beyond the Committee. R Lannan and J Koutsas contributed their perspective on the ordinance as individuals and not representatives of the Downtown Improvement Committee. S Mahufuz asked how much revenue would be lost if the free parking ordinance passed. T Galligani stated that approximately $30,000 would be lost for the Downtown Improvement Committee to provide suggested uses for. Alderman McCarthy reported that there is a discussion taking place to explore the option of just making parking zones 2 and 3 free. M Blaisdell expressed her concern that there would be confusion among patrons because zones are not clearly marked. S Mahfuz introduced the idea of having retail owners paying for their customers’ parking as a form of advertisement and encouragement to shop downtown. R Lannan stated his support for making the parking garages free. B Clemens agreed with the parking garages, but also wished to include the parking lots, noting that he did not see $1.50 as prohibitive to patrons of downtown who use street parking. T Galligani added that it comes down to salesmanship and goodwill and a better job has to be done to market these types of programs. Alderman McCarthy expressed his support for a combinations of S Mahfuz’s idea in conjunction with the free lots and garages. T Galligani remarked that there will be some money for the Committee to advertise and this should be used to change the perception of downtown and how revenue from the parking meters is used. M Blaisdell asked 1  the Committee where they stood on the ordinance. B Clemens moved to recommend to the Infrastructure Committee to make the parking lots and garages free from December 10th to the 25th. M Blaisdell asked for any additional discussion or comments. It was voiced that there were concerns that people would park all day. MOTION MADE BY B CLEMENS TO RECOMMEND THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE CONSIDER ONLY MAKING CITY PARKING GARAGES AND PARKING LOTS FREE BETWEEN THE DATES OF DECEMBER 10TH AND DECEMER 25TH. MOTION SECONDED BY ALDERMAN MCCARTHY AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Alderman McCarthy provided a brief update on the angled parking ordinance, reporting that it has warranted more discussion in the Infrastructure Committee , but any work would be done simultaneously with the sidewalk improvements. 5. Update on Meetings Regarding Panhandling Downtown and Police Presence M Blaisdell provided an update on panhandling in downtown, which continues to be an issue, but there has been an increased police presence in the area. R Lannan reported that his tenants have provided positive feedback on the efforts of the police. M Blaisdell saw the problem as getting worse and sees the problems from Temple Street beginning to move to Main Street, but noted that a few meetings have been held to address the issue. T Galligani reported that they have been working on identifying a few strategies during the meetings and collaborative work is continuing between the continuim of care group and the social services group. They have been made aware of the situation and are speaking more with their clients. S Mahfuz asked if other cities have experienced success with this problem. T Galligani replied that other places have had some success, but it is unclear how success is defined. He continued that the police have done research regarding the legality of the public being able to move panhandlers along. R Lannan added that there was a card distributed at the meeting with a list of phone numbers for businesses to call in order to deal with the issue. T Phillips commented that for her, it is an education process that needs to be targeted towards her residents. Currently, they are required to put a no trespass on disruptive individuals, but questioned if that was the right approach to deal with the problem. Alderman McCarthy added that people are sympathetic to the panhandlers when they come downtown and don’t’s understand the entire backstory. he wondered if there was a way to discuss the issue on the City website. 6. Discussion on Spending Money from Parking for Calendar Year 2013 M Blaisdell presented her calculations and estimated that there is $105,000 for the Committee to recommend for spending downtown and that beautification and decorations have come up as possible options. B Clemenes stated that he would like to see a good portion of the money go to marketing downtown and coordinate with the branding campaign, with the focus being on day tourism. He recommended that this be accomplished through different media, with Mesh in charge of the initiative. S Mahfuz voiced his support for this idea. R Lannan asked when the money would be available to spend. Alderman McCarthy replied that it would be available for FY15’. B Clemens added that it could be distributed over several budget line items and administered by the City. S Mahfuz asked if the money could be set aside for a larger project in the future. Alderman McCarthy replied that this could be done, but it would require a vote from the Board of Aldermen and added that some activities, like maintaining planters, may be done by having surrounding businesses adopt the responsibility of care. B Clemens added that a comprehensive plan can be made that includes general maintenance, but the City should have a chance to perform. R Lannan asked when the recommendation should be submitted. T Galligani responded that there is one more meeting where the details can be figured out, but a plan should be in place by the April meeting. The idea of a survey was presented and M Blaisdell and T Galligani stated that they would work on it. 2 7. Sidewalk Project Moving Forward Business owners are concerned that the project will stall or stop completely. M Blaisdell reported that the Finance Committee opted not to approve some of the sidewalk change orders. She then requested opinions from the Committee and Aldermen who were currently present in the room. Alderman McCarthy voiced his support for the sidewalk improvement project but reminded the Committee that the Finance Committee is the ultimate deciding factor on the matter. R Lannan asked if the Finance Committee votes no, is the change order dead or can it be taken back up by the Board of Aldermen. Alderman Dean added that there is a philosophical difference in opinon about the roles and responsibilites of the Finance Committee and that there will be more discussion regarding the sidewalk improvements at the next Finance Committee meeting. He offered his opinion that the sidewalk project would continue, but issues with the administration would have to be resolved. Alderman McCarthy asked what the pending questions are within the Finance Committee about the projet. Alderman Dean replied that they were told not to ask any questions by the administration and hence the change orders were simply rejected. M Blasidell sought clarification on the matter, in that the Board of Public Works has approved the change orders, but they must go through the Finance Committee before work can begin. She spoke on behalf of the business owners whom are wondering if work is going to commence in the spring or not. Alderman Dean replied that they would have an answer after the next Finance Committee. 8. Next Meeting Date/ Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:oo a.m. The next general meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. APRIL 11, 2014 in City Hall Room 208. Minutes submitted by: G Durante 3