Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:06 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:03 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Joe Fichter, Chair X Angel Venegoni X Claire Winkler X Mary Jane Armstrong X Steve Scheipeter X Holland Saltsman X Robert Weber X John Barr X Vacancy Frank Janoski, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Angela Foley – Webster Groves Farmers’ Market Manager Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the May minutes as was made by Angel Venegoni, seconded by Holland Saltsman, motion was unanimously approved. NEW COMMISSION MEMBER Introduction of new Commission member, John Barr. GAZEBO SERIES UPDATE  The first night was lightly attended; the bands are the big draw, the more popular the band, the more attendance; future bands are more expensive and have a bigger following.  Mara Perry requested whoever is handling the administration of the stand-alone Gazebo Series Facebook page to create an event so it can be shared.  So far, $6,000 has been committed in sponsorship money; additional potential sponsors may be found outside of the District. HOLIDAY PLANNING UPDATE  Date of Event = Saturday, 11-19-16  Angela Foley, the Webster Groves Farmers’ Market Manager, has been hired to coordinate this year’s Holiday event.  Planning items were discussed: o Last year’s graphic will be used again for this year with the date updated and a lighter color background used – Mara will handle. o Will keep the same basic format as last year; same Santa and his entourage. o Music: Angela will contact Webster Groves High School (WGHS) (orchestras/bands/choirs) and St. Louis Caroling Association to perform.  o Mailbox Repair: John will contact WGHS for potential student talent for this endeavor. o District and Lamppost Banner Holiday Decorations: The Parks and Public Works Departments know the date of the event and will handle along with the lights for the tree. o Promoting the event will start earlier this year:  “Xmas in July” Save the Date Announcement at the Farmer’s Market  Media Save the Date Announcement – 10-1-16  Start Promoting – 11-1-16  Fall Ads in the Webster-Kirkwood Times – 2 weeks prior to event  Sign on the Gazebo ahead of the event. Mara will work with Angela on cost estimates and bring to the August meeting. CITY UPDATE  No update on the “Quonset Hut.”  Have received positive feedback on the new gas station at Big Bend and Murdoch.  Parking changes on Big Bend at North Old Orchard are working well.  Before July 1, Webster University will have full permits for Phase I construction of their new Interdisciplinary Building. NEW BUSINESS Freeze-Que Event – Bill Kunz, Highway 61 Roadhouse, will hold his annual BBQ competition in January and would like to engage the whole District; possibly make it a District event and is looking for feedback on the idea. The event is now the second largest BBQ competition in the region and is held over an entire weekend; proceeds go to a charity. Commission members were interested but need additional details, such as the date of the event, which charity, how would District businesses be involved, stats on the number of people it would bring into the District, etc. Commission members would like to invite Bill to the August meeting to further discuss. Where’s Waldo “Scavenger Hunt” – Up to 25 businesses can participate; designed to get people into business; runs thru the first Saturday in August with a celebration at the close; Holland Saltsman is coordinating and has seven remaining slots for participants; Claire Winkler said Commerce Bank would participate. Old Orchard Apple Sculptures – When the apples needed repainting, the District allocated money to the Parks Department to get the job accomplished who in turn hired Auto Beauty to do the job because it required a specific type of paint application that Auto Beauty handles. However, the new color of the repainted apples is a dull rust color and not a red color and has received numerous citizen complaints; discussions are now taking place with Auto Beauty to fix the color. Business Development Commission (BDC) – Commission members received a letter letting them know the budget for the BDC and its PR activities has been cut. Members were looking for additional information on the issue and the role of the BDC. City Council is still discussing and debating the issue. Angel Venegoni made a motion to go into an Executive Closed Session regarding personnel per Missouri Statute 610.021 (3). Motion was seconded by Robert Weber, all members were individually polled and motion was unanimously approved. AUGUST MEETING (No Meeting in July) Bill Kunz – Freeze-Que Event Angela Foley – Holiday Promotional Gazebo Park Signage Grant Consultant – Streetscape Phase II ADJOURNED Meeting adjourned at 9:03 AM. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on August 9, 2016 at 8:00 AM – City Hall.