Downtown Board

FINAL - MINUTES OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS DOWNTOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pat Butler called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Butler, Jenny Wilson, Matt Gandrud, Robin Jeffers, Paul Schaefer, and Chris Snider Absent: Michael Agnese, Jon Dalton, Dani Hensley, David Kneuper, and Angie Martinez 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) Approval of corrected minutes for the meeting on October 18, 2022. Mr. Gandrud moved to approve the corrected minutes of the October 18, 2022 regular meeting. Mr. Schaefer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 4. CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATIONS This time is for citizens to address the Board on issues and items of concerns not on this agenda. There will be no Board action at this time. None 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION A) Discussion and possible direction to staff on a workshop to prioritize any proposed amendments to the TIRZ 3 Project and Finance Plan with the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board # 3 - Downtown. Chair Butler read the aforementioned item. Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director, introduced the item noting that a meeting of both boards would facilitate the identification of specific initiatives and action items related to Downtown. The TIRZ 3 Board have agreed to meet with the Downtown Board after their next meeting. The following dates were selected: February 28, February 21, and March 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Staff will coordinate with the TIRZ 3 board to finalize one of Tuesday, January 17, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting  these dates. B) Presentation and discussion of the 2021 Downtown Action Plan. Chair Butler read the aforementioned item. Mr. Jewell introduced this item and shared a PowerPoint presentation of the Downtown Action Plan. The Plan, completed by Ash & Lime in 2021, is a guiding document for downtown improvement. The Plan gives a project overview with detail about the physical environment, defined uses, activity, people, and action items. He noted that some projects identified in the Plan are very expensive and others are not possible. He noted progress at Market Plaza including power that has been installed to activate the area, the city’s investigation into super block cut-throughs to improve accessibility, and increased pedestrian safety at new bulb-outs. Mr. Jewell also highlighted the Activation Elements in the Plan and answered questions from the board. C) General update on Downtown New Braunfels initiatives. Chair Butler read the aforementioned item. Mandi Scott, Economic and Community Development Coordinator, shared an update on Castell Avenue construction by NBU’s contractor, the Land Development Ordinance project, replacement trash cans, the Landa Street retaining wall, bike rack installation, public restroom signage, a Downtown parking enforcement study, initiation of downtown right-of-way improvements scope of work supported by the NBEDC, and wayfinding. No updated was provided on the NBU downtown property. Staff will provide an additional update on wayfinding at its next meeting. D) Presentation and possible action supporting a proposed Economic Development Corporation project expenditure in Downtown New Braunfels. Chair Butler read the aforementioned item. Mr. Jewell introduced this item and shared a PowerPoint presentation giving an overview of project policy justifications, underwriting evaluation, and project benefits. He answered questions from the board. He stated the City Council is seeking input from this board as to their support of the project as presented. The board gave Tuesday, January 17, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting  consensus of support for the project and did not have objections. E) Downtown Association update. Chair Butler asked if the board had time for this item to which they agreed they did. Ms. Scott shared an update from the last Downtown Association board meeting that included banner replacement plans, interest in hosting a summer concert series at Market Plaza, attendance at the Texas DTA conference and desire to continue their membership, need for more active volunteers and potential outreach to downtown residents for their help and feedback, a request for downtown cleaning particularly in the fall, interest in a larger public restroom sign, a request for the number of downtown businesses, that they will be drafting a new marketing strategy for 2023, an interest in extending lampposts further on San Antonio Avenue to extend the look of downtown, and an event update for Downtown Lighting, Wassailfest, and Dia de los Muertos. Ms. Scott answered questions from the board and added that an Event Impact Survey was being finalized and will be shared in person and online with downtown businesses in an effort to better understands their needs. Also, a new initiative to communicate with businesses through text is being planned. 6. ADJOURNMENT Chair Butler adjourned at 9:38 a.m. By: ______________________________ PAT BUTLER, CHAIR Tuesday, January 17, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting