PBIA Advisory Board

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia WA 98501 Contact: Brian Wilson Meeting Minutes 360.570.3798 PBIA Advisory Board Thursday, May 8, 2014 6:00 PM Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Corso called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Chair Mary Corso, Vice Chair Sarah Adams, Boardmember Ken Adney, Boardmember Janis Dean, Boardmember Bobbi Kerr, Boardmember Connie Phegley, Boardmember David Rauh, Boardmember Phil Rollins, Boardmember Jeffrey Trinin, and Boardmember Sunday Williams Excused: 2 - Boardmember Cynthia Collins, and Boardmember Ruthann Goularte 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 14-0432 Approval of the March 13, 2014 PBIA Board Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 3.B 14-0433 Approval of the 2014 PBIA Board Retreat Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Jeannine DeBray owner of the downtown business Belleza Ropa spoke about her perception of the Parking Business Improvement Association (PBIA). She has been approached to sign a petition circulating to abolish the PBIA and requested greater information dissemination to downtown business owners about the budget, how decisions are made to spend the mandatory tax proceeds, and voiced concern about focus and continuity when the board is all volunteer. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS * The roadway repair for the overlay of 5th avenue from Water Street to Capitol Way. * The secret shopper program. City of Olympia Page 1 PBIA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 8, 2014 * The Olympia Police Department will expand its downtown walking patrol ahead of an expected summertime increase in criminal activity. Discussion: Challenges of being identified with the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA) when fundamental goals and priorities are different from the PBIA. The distinctions and overlaps between the PBIA and the ODA. 6. AMBASSADOR UPDATE - None 7. BUSINESS ITEMS 7.A 14-0434 2014 PBIA Annual Meeting Update The rate payer's newsletters have been emailed with information on the upcoming meeting. The Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA) executive director has been invited to speak and committee chairs will give presentations. Meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. and will replace the June meeting. Discussion: Challenges of communicating/outreach to local Asian restaurants as they are not sufficiently represented. Developing at least two meetings a year with ratepayers to help clarify PBIA budget and responsibilities. The discussion was completed. 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS Clean and Safe Committee: Vice Chair Adams reported on the Committee Work Plan and quarterly goals. She and other committee members discussed disseminating the bar reports, the May 16, 2014 Summertime Clean and Safe meeting, artesian well programming, graffiti abatement, and Lakefair. A prototype for sharps disposal has been developed and once perfected will be mounted on public poles/posts with accompanying program guide and posters for how to use. The PBIA will be providing the paint and the Fire department will donate plywood for the new mural on the Griswold Building. Business owners are reporting to the PBIA the Artesian Commons project is not aesthetically appealing, appearing to be just more black asphalt. There is a concern about the $175,000 cost. Community Youth Services is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to handle problems at the Artesian Well. Marketing Committee: City of Olympia Page 2 PBIA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 8, 2014 Boardmember Janis Dean handed out notes from the retreat. She shared examples of messages created with the help of a professional copy writer about Olympia: - STUBBORNLY INDEPENDENT. 400+ locally-owned businesses. Downtown Olympia - LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE ALWAYS. Downtown Olympia is home to over 400 independent businesses. - Downtown Olympia - IDEPENDENTYEST - 400+ locally-owned businesses - OLYMPIA IS DOWNTOWN. Over 400 locally-owned independent businesses. She reported on the Pride parade poster, website efforts, getting more businesses on the downtown Oly mobile application, creating a handheld visitor map with directions, the Girls Night Out event, and the arrival of flower baskets on May 22, 2014. Other discussion included: The need for more business to business discussion about common problems. The role of a welcoming committee. Developing a process for new downtown business to get connected. Opportunity for interns to work on committee projects and development of program with The Evergreen State College. A request to Boardmember Collins to email the report on partnership. Timeline for bylaw review. 9. OTHER TOPICS Sponsorship to the 2014 Pride Festival - $500.00 Sponsorship for Girls Night Out 2014 - $500.00 which includes 800 free parking tokens. Secret Shopper Program - $100.00 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3