University North Park Business Improvement District Advisory Board Meeting

UNIVERSITY NORTH PARK BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES September 7, 2018 The University North Park Business Improvement District Advisory Board met at 10:00 a.m. in the North Park Boardroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center on the 7th day of September, 2018, and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted in the Municipal Building at 201 West Gray Street 48 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. PRESENT: Dan Quinn Mandy Haws Matt Clouse Mike Thompson Rex Amsler Austin Goodwin ABSENT: Bill Nemeth Guy Patton Jennifer Alexander STAFF PRESENT: Matt Hendren, Parks Superintendent Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Kathryn Walker, Assistant City Attorney Sarah Encinias, Legal Admin Tech 1. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 15, 2018 MEETING MINUTES After review, motion was made by Rex Amsler and seconded by Mike Thompson to accept the Minutes from the June 15, 2018, meeting as submitted. The vote was unanimous to accept the Minutes as submitted. 2. UPDATE ON LEGACY PARK EVENTS AND RESERVATIONS Jason Olsen said the Singer Songwriter Series is occurring in September. The events will feature Norman singers and songwriters and will be held every Thursday at 7:30 pm. Additionally, a sunset concert featuring the Norman Philharmonic is scheduled for Saturday, September 20. So far, $5,000 has been raised from sponsors with $1,500 contributed by the Norman Regional Health System, $1,500 by BancFirst, and a $2,000 grant received from the Norman Arts Council. Since it will cost about $10,000 for all the concerts currently planned, there remains a total of $5,000 in funding to be raised. A potential fundraising event discussed at the most recent Legacy Park Activity Committee meeting was to have a beer festival or Oktoberfest in October. Tickets will be $20 each with the hope to sell enough tickets to raise the remaining funds needed. UNP BID Advisory Board September 7, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Attendance has steadily increased from about 60 people at the first event to over 200 people at the most recent event. The concert featuring hip hop rapper, Jabee, was attended by 160 people and it helped bring a lot of younger people to the park. There was also increased media coverage at this event and since that time over 100 people have attended each event. Mr. Quinn asked members to help get the word out if they knew of potential sponsors for next year. Mr. Olsen handed out a few concert posters for upcoming events and asked members to let him know if anyone needs additional posters. 3. DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ISSUES Ms. Walker said there have been some issues with property maintenance, deciding how to involve the ARB and discussion on when to constitute the property owners association. Austin Goodwin spoke of an example where a restaurant went through the ARB and complied with landscaping rules but later removed shrubbery and trees so they would have highway exposure. The PUD zoning rules address this and code enforcement was notified but ARB’s only recourse was to send letters to the restaurant owner advising of the violation. The ARB was able to enforce the shrubbery rules only after the restaurant submitted their request for a new sign. It was at this point the ARB was able to hold approval of the permit for the sign until the shrubs and trees were replaced. Mr. Goodwin then spoke of a tire store displaying a large, inflatable gorilla and temporary signs without permits. Bill Nemeth monitors the Kite Realty Group properties with relative ease but for enforcement against other properties, compliance isn’t as easily achieved so the ARB has to wait until a request for permit is received from them in order to have leverage to enforce against the properties. The ARB meets to address these concerns however they wanted to see if the BID Board had any additional enforcement ideas. As of now, when the ARB sees a violation they aren’t sure who to call and so request a clarified and structured enforcement process. Ms. Walker said this is a common problem during the weekend because this is when most temporary signs are set out and it’s also when City code enforcement officers are not on duty. Hibdon’s has worked with staff and want to comply but there’s been less success with different stores. One last issue Mr. Goodwin spoke about was the ARB had to address was a group of homeless people camping behind the European Wax building. As the younger trees grew out, it created a wall of foliage between the building and the road and it was in this space human waste and trash was accumulating. The ARB requested the trees be trimmed back to allow for an unobstructed view into the area along with a request for increased police presence. This has so far solved the problem. Mr. Goodwin asked members to contact him and the BID Board if issues are observed in the future. Ms. Walker also asked that she be copied on these messages so she can circulate them as necessary as well. UNP BID Advisory Board September 7, 2018 Page 3 of 3 4. UPDATE ON THE 2019 ASSESSMENTS Ms. Walker provided a list of year 2019 property assessments that will be invoiced in November for payment by March 31, 2019, to be part of the budget process the following year. This year the TIF contribution is down to $75,000 so the property owners are paying $125,000 towards the $200,000 contribution goal. A number of new properties were very close to being on this year’s rolls but will instead be included in next year’s rolls and this should have an impact on the amount due next year. The biggest increase is expected to be from the apartment complex and the new office buildings. There are a few outstanding invoices from smaller property owners that we try to work with to get payment. If no payment is received, liens are filed. 5. TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION Matt Hendren confirmed there were enough Christmas lights from last year for use again this year. Mandy spoke of her concern about trash cans overflowing at recent Legacy Park events and asks that they be emptied more often. Mr. Hendren said Park maintenance comes out twice daily to check these and Jud Foster suggested that a couple more temporary trash cans be provided at events to help alleviate concerns. Mr. Quinn asked for progress regarding park water cannons. Mr. Hendren said he was speaking to vendors and Mr. Foster said they are having trouble finding long lasting lights and cannons. Also, typically the solenoid valves are not made to be fully submerged. 6. DISCUSSION ABOUT DATE, TIME AND LOCATION FOR THE NEXT HEARING The next meeting is set for November 16, 2018 at 10:00 am at Embassy Suites with the room TBD. 7. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION None. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.