PBIA Advisory Board

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia WA 98501 PBIA Advisory Board Contact: Hans Shepherd 360.570.3722 Thursday, September 10, 2015 6:00 PM Ramblin' Jacks 1. WELCOME COMMENTS Mr. Wilson welcomed the attendees to the mixer and had them announce the businesses they represent, which included Oly Federal Savings, Olympia Downtown Association, Encore Chocolates and Teas, and Solomon's Reef. 1.A INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS Chair Corso introduced the PBIA and the Boardmembers introduced themselves. 2. PBIA OVERVIEW The functions of the PBIA include: -Working between the City and the Council, the PBIA makes things happen downtown. -An email list of 275 ratepayers, which helps provide surveys, newsletters, welcome packets, and partnerships with downtown institutions. -Projects, such as the cigarette butt collectors, data collection, and the holiday window decorating contest. 3. MARKETING COMMITTEE REPORT Functions of the Marketing Committee include: -Branding downtown as a unique, locally owned, diverse location of over 400 businesses. -Utilizing various media, including: radio, magazines, and newspapers. -The purchasing, placement, and maintenance of the flower baskets around Percival Plaza and other prime downtown locations. -The holiday window decorating contest that draws people to look and shop, including advertising and coordinating with the Olympia Downtown Association. -The walking map of downtown, currently being distributed, which helps engage customers and direct to other businesses. 4. CLEAN & SAFE COMMITTEE REPORT Functions of the Clean and Safe Committee include: -Creation of the downtown cleaning schedule, which includes who to call based on the situation. -Helping pair artists in need and youth with spaces that need murals. -Supporting the Downtown Ambassadors and The Clean Team. -The cigarette butt bins, made by Zeiglers, with 16 distributed around downtown, and City of Olympia Page 1 PBIA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 10, 2015 maintained by The Clean Team. -Conversations and advocacy with the Olympia Police Department, including the walking patrol and bar meetings. -The ongoing conversation about public restroom availability in the evenings and everything clean when restrooms are unavailable. -De-escalation training sessions. -Bartender/owner meetings to figure out what they need and experience. 5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR PRESENTATION Renée Sunde is the first Economic Development Director for Olympia, whose functions will include: -Setting the stage for successful growth through planning, job creation, business support, and ensuring quality of life. -Bringing out the qualities of Olympia, with its good location, vibrant arts community, and low cost of living. -Interacting with the significant private investment and numerous planning efforts, such as the Action Plan, Downtown Strategy, and Community Renewal Area. -Including business owners through group efforts, business surveys, public participation, and utilizing resources of support. Her top priorities for her first year include: -Surveying downtown businesses. -Supporting business retention. -Outreach to major employers beyond downtown. -Supporting current development projects and responding to interests. -Working with regional partners. -Assimilating a working knowledge of market realities. -Ensuring eco-development strategies are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and City-wide planning efforts. -Creating strategies and methodologies that help mold new perceptions that Olympia is a great place for business. -Getting the word out and supporting a culture that ensures Olympia's most valuable eco-development assets. -Continuing to work with all partners to promote the team sport mentality. 6. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Questions mainly focused on support for businesses and what Ms. Sunde would be doing for them. The efforts described in response to this included: -Making people feel welcomed and appreciated for considering Olympia for their business. -Looking at a broader range of housing to then provide a more diverse customer base. -Supporting planning efforts, including review of viable options for business expansion. -Supporting the realities of the region, specifically downtown. -Connecting businesses with their best resources. City of Olympia Page 2 PBIA Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 10, 2015 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3