Business Development Commission

Business Development Commission (BDC) MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Thursday, June 27, 2024 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:01 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:02 AM NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, July 25, 2024 Name Present Absent Tammy Behm, Chair (Business Owner) X Julia Leenig, Vice Chair (Crossroads Rep) X Mike Pincus (Citizen at Large) X Tim Delanty (Old Webster Rep) X Stephanie Skees (Old Orchard Rep) X Jerry Rosen (Chamber of Commerce Rep) X Stacie Swederska (Business Owner) X Eric Bowring (Citizen at Large) X Lindsay Thomas (Business Owner) X Jamie Hasemeier, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, Staff Liaison X Renee Tyler, City Liaison X Also in Attendance; Closed Session: Mark Spykerman – Gilmore Bell Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Also in Attendance; Open Session: Tiara Thomas – Public Affairs & Engagement Manager, City of Webster Groves Sgt. Jason Flanery – Webster Groves Police Department Dave Buck – Webster Groves Citizen Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the May minutes was made by Julia Leenig, seconded by Eric Bowring, and unanimously approved. Introductions • Councilmember Jamie Hasemeier is now the Council liaison to the Commission. • Renee Tyler, Deputy City Manager of Community Vitality, will be the City Liaison for the Commission. Eric Peterson will remain as the City Liaison for the Commission along with Ms. Tyler for a transition period likely through the end of the year. • Tiara Thomas is the new Public Affairs & Engagement Manager for the City of Webster Groves. 1 of 2 Executive (Closed) Session A motion to go into Executive Closed Session per Attorney-Client Privileged Communications with [MO. Statute 610.021 (1)] and Real Estate [MO. Statute 610.021 (2)] was made by Tammy Behm, seconded by Mike Pincus, and unanimously approved. The legal aspects of Community Improvement Districts were discussed. A motion to come out of Executive Closed Session was made by Eric Bowring, seconded by Tim Delanty, and unanimously approved. Community Improvement Districts (CID) Based on what Commission Members have learned, they feel a city-wide CID is not feasible. Julia Leenig will convene the CID Sub-committee in the next few weeks and share this determination. The BDC will provide information on CIDs to the Districts. Members discussed the possibility of looking at an Economic Development Sales Tax as a means to garner revenue for use in efforts to promote the messaging of the City’s business community as a whole. Members further discussed the need to regroup and focus on what the BDC should be pursuing. Business Coffee September 18, 8:30-10:30; Rec Center Language for the save-the-date e-blast to the business community is needed. The format for the coffee will be stations. 1. CID station to share what the BDC has learned. 2. Bludot interactive demonstration station. 3. Green Dining Alliance if available. Bludot Business Directory/Map/QR Code – The directory is public but not yet on the City website. A draft of the collateral materials will be available at the next meeting. Business Districts Updates Old Webster – The Summer Night Street Dance event was held. Old Orchard – The Gazebo Music Series will be held in August and September. Crossroads – The Charity Cornhole Tournament was held. Crossroads is looking at a “District” CID model in conjunction with their Streetscape Project. City/Council Update The new police chief has started his tenure. The City held a successful Juneteenth event. Mayor Arnold and Councilmember Hasemeier meet with the Webster Groves High School; they are starting a new civic program. The City Comprehensive Plan’s first report will be in September. Next Meeting – July 25, 2024 at 8:00 AM Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 10:02 AM 2 of 2