Downtown Improvement Committee

Downtown Improvement Committee Meeting Minutes September 11, 2015 1. Call to Order and Welcome A regular meeting of the Nashua Downtown Improvement Committee was called to order at 7:34 a.m. on September 11, 2015 in Nashua City Hall Room 208 by Vice Chairman Rich Lannan Present: Vice Chairman Rich Lannan, Alderman Brian McCarthy, Tom Galligani, John Koutsos, Ron LaFleur, Tia Philips, and Others Attending: none 2. Approval of July 10, 2015 Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE BY J KOUTSOS TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM JULY 10, 2015 SECONDED BY B MCCARTHY AND ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. O-15-060 – Parking Meter Bags for Weddings T Phillips asked for clarification about this pending piece of legislation sponsored by Alderman Moriarty: If the church hosts the weddings, does this legislation entitle them to keeping a bagged meter for up to two weeks? Who is responsible for removing the bags? T Galligani clarified what the process is. He indicated that right now, if a meter needs to be bagged, City staff provides the bags and then removes them. This proposed ordinance would not change this. It also would require businesses that request a bag because of the construction to check in after two weeks with the Parking Department. Weddings would only be for the day. B McCarthy would like to see a limit on the number of spaces that a wedding could tie up. He suggests only two, which would be enough to park a limousine. J Koutsos suggested that this legislation should be clarified and perhaps broken down into two separate pieces of legislation. B McCarthy indicated that his can be done. J Koutsos suggested that this legislation is too open-ended for weddings. The City should specify a length of time to limit the use and not negatively impact other Downtown businesses. B Mcarthy agreed. There was a general discussion among the present members about what a reasonable time limit should be. There has been past concerns when weddings that occurred at two in the afternoon would lock up spaces first thing in the 1  morning and block them all day. There was a consensus that this should be limited to a few hours prior to a wedding and some reasonable time period afterwards. Along Main Street, three hours appears to be reasonable— which would allow enough time to before and afterwards. MOTION MADE BY R LAFLEUR TO RECOMMEND THAT O-15-060 BE MODIFIED TO LIMIT THE TIME PERIOD FOR WEDDING-RELATED METER BAGGING TO THREE HOURS SO AS TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHER DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY R LANNAN AND ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY. There was a brief discussion about placing limits on funeral. However, it was agreed that most funerals occur in the morning and don’t adversely affect most Downtown businesses owners. No change is recommended to the ordinance. 4. O-15-054 There was discussion about a proposed ordinance to eliminate parking meter fees two weeks during the upcoming Holiday Season (December 10-27). J Koutsos is opposed to this as he feels as though monthly permit holders would cancel their permit in December and simply park on the first floor of the parking garage. He thought that we should abandon this type of political pandering. B McCarthy feels as though we should address some of the challenges that exist that make existing free parking options known to the public, particularly in leased spaces. T Galligani said that new signs have been going up in the leased spaces over the past few months to clarify this. R LaFleur mentioned that the hedges next to the High Street Parking Garage are too high and restrict visibility in the first floor of the garage. T Phillips mentioned that changing the rules for a few weeks and then changing them again make it confusing, unless public relations can be more effective. T Galligani indicated that he might be supportive of free parking for one week if it is coordinated with a “shop local week” that Great American Downtown is organizing. This way, the power of all of the marketing initiatives can be utilized to actually make customers aware. J Koutsos indicated that the Spring Street lot has been taken over by monthly pass card holders. This is one of the most accessible lots, especially with the building demo that took place this year. Perhaps more metered spaces should be created here and closer to the Main Street side. MOTION MADE BY R LAFLEUR TO RECOMMEND INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY RICH LANNAN AND WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. Downtown Projects Update T Galligani spoke about the status of some of the projects that have been funded by the parking revenue:  Hanging Flowers: sample flowers have been installed at three locations in Downtown. Please take a look at them and let us know what is preferred. Once selected, a series will be purchased and hung next spring. 2   Public Art: A contract has been signed with CityArts Nashua. They are beginning to implement the program.  Downtown Signage: Staff is finishing an RFP for a wayfinding sign program and expects to have bids back for the design and implementation by the next meeting. T Galligani feels that the price will likely exceed the $40,000 that the Committee has approved. Perhaps 2014 funds could be used to complete this work. R LaFleur asked about the status of the Downtown Sidewalk improvements. T Galligani said that the weekly updates indicate that good progress is being made. The project should be completed by the end of the season. T Galligani also suggested that the Committee meet next month to discuss a potential budget for the 2014 funds. The Committee hosted a public forum in June and the Board of Alderman discussed the prior budget soon thereafter. T Galligani will summarize the findings and have it ready for the Committee. Also, the 2010 report should also continue to be a reference. T Galligani reminded the Committee of other potential worthy projects, including a Downtown Performing Arts Center Feasibility Study, which the City is seeking prices for. Also, the Mayor spoke during recent meetings about lighting up the outside of the parking garages with LED up lighting. Committee members may have other suggestions to make. The goal is to develop a budget and submit it to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen soon after the October meeting. B McCarthy said that the Committee should be keeping a running list of funding projects and completed tasks 6. Adjournment The next meeting will take place on Friday, October 9, 2015. Motion to adjourn made by T Phillips and seconded by R LaFleur at 8:47 a.m. Minutes submitted by: T Galligani 3