Town Business Liaison Committee

Town of Vienna 127 Center Street S Vienna, VA. 22180 p. 703-255-6300 TTY 8111 Meeting Minutes Town Business Liaison Committee Wednesday, November 10, 2021 7:00 PM Charles A. Robinson, Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center Street, South 1. Resolution TBLC-21125 Continuity of Government Resolution Chairman Leggett read into the record the Continuity of Government and called for a motion to accept. Motion, Committee member Robert Holland; second, Committee member Jennifer Kiefhaber. Motion carried unanimously 2. Roll Call Natalie Monkou, Manager, Economic Development called roll. Members present: Chairman Robert Leggett, Deepa Chakrapani (via ZOOM), Robert Holland, Peggy James, Jennifer Kiefhaber (via ZOOM); Mark Lander (via ZOOM). Staff Present: Natalie Monkou, Economic Development Manager (via ZOOM). 3. Approval of the Minutes: TBLC-21126 Acceptance of The October 14, 2021 Minutes Acceptance of the minutes of October 14, 2021 were postponed until December 9, 2021. 4. Regular Business TBLC-21124 TBLC Membership Update Various names of business owners were suggested as potential members including owners of home based businesses. Peggy James will provide Chairman Leggett and Natalie Monkou a list of these names. Jennifer Morrow, owner of Bard’s Alley has indicated interest in submitting an application. TBLC-21127 Ribbon Cuttings Update Chairman Leggett reported on five recent ribbon cuttings. He encouraged Committee members to attend whenever possible. TBLC-21128 Window Dressing Contest Chairman Leggett noted that the Contest has been well publicized. He is currently finalizing a process and score sheet. Deadlines were reviewed. TBLC-21129 Letter on Outdoor Dining to Town Council Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 7/15/2022 Town Business Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes November 10, 2021 Chairman Leggett recognized and thanked Jennifer Kiefhaber for submitting a memo on behalf of the TBLC to Stephen Kenney, Chair, Planning Commission in support of outdoor dining. Mayor Colbert acknowledged the effort by TBLC. Ms. Monkou has called on businesses to encourage attendance and comment at Public Hearings. Chairman Leggett called on Robert Holland to discuss new business contact effort. He reported that after two months spent calling on all new businesses the task was too extensive for one person. Following discussion, it was determined that he will create a spreadsheet assigning committee members to each new business. A list of talking points will be included. Chairman Leggett reported on his meeting with Mayor Colbert regarding the reformatting of the Carol Wolfand award presentation. 5. New Business TBLC-21130 TBLC Meetings & Quorums Chairman Leggett reported that the TBLC is unsure of the requirements for a quorum. Given the fluidity of the TBLC, a quorum would be dependent on the number of voting members currently on the board; as of this meeting that number is three. The TBLC continues to actively recruit additional voting members. 6. Economic Development Manager Update Natalie Monkou, Manager, Economic Development, reported that she is working with Lily Widman, Recreation Program Coordinator II, Special Events, Parks and Recreation to develop a list of business holiday marketing and promotions for posting on the Town website and the Vienna Voice. The list will be fluid, updated throughout the season. Ms. Monkou also reported on the Marketing and Strategy study presentation before Town Council November 8, 2021. Council recommended that the document remain active with a designated timeframe for review and discussion (i.e. annually, month of February); Ms. Monkou will prepare and distribute to Council a paper for ranking top three – five projects. It was suggested that the TBLC set an agenda item to discuss an annual priority list. TBLC-21131 Small Business Saturday & Holiday Business Marketing Promotions Natalie Monkou, Manager, Economic Development, reported that she is working with Lily Widman, Recreation Program Coordinator II, Special Events, Parks and Recreation to develop a list of business holiday marketing and promotions for posting on the Town website and the Vienna Voice. The list will be fluid, updated throughout the season. Ms. Monkou also reported on the Marketing and Strategy study presentation before Town Council November 8, 2021. Council recommended that the document remain active with a designated timeframe for review and discussion (i.e. annually, month of February); Ms. Monkou will prepare and distribute to Council a paper for ranking top three – five projects. It was suggested that the TBLC set an agenda item to discuss an annual priority list. TBLC-21132 New Business Luncheon Ms. Monkou reported that the upcoming Fall luncheon will include all new businesses licensed between January, 2021 and July, 2021 with the purpose of creating a network for new businesses throughout Town. The first event will include an agenda with brief presentations; future events will grow and evolve from this. Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 7/15/2022 Town Business Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes November 10, 2021 TBLC-21134 Parking Project Updates Economic Development and Public Works are preparing a presentation to Council with recommendations on parking. Cindy Petkac, Director, Planning and Zoning, Mike Gallagher, Director, Public Works, Marion Serfass, Director of Finance, Andrew Jenks, Traffic Engineer; Mercury Payton, Town Manager and Ms. Monkou have been meeting directly with Council Members to discuss the value of the proposed project. To date, overtures have been received positively. Chairman Leggett asked if Mark Lander might provide assistance and insight to the project. Ms. Monkou indicated that as the project moves to development of scope and parameters his assistance would be of value. Chairman Leggett encouraged utilizing Committee members where possible to assist with fulfilling various priorities of the Marketing Study and Strategies. TBLC-21135 Hiring Business Marketing Specialist Ms. Monkou noted that the position will likely be filled by the end of the month of November. A final reminder to all that Vienna Christmas ornaments are still available for sale. 7. Meeting Adjournment Chairman Leggett called for a motion to adjourn. Motion, Committee Member Robert Holland; second, Committee Member Jenni Kiefhaber. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 7/15/2022