Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 2019 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:02 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:50 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Joe Fichter, Chair X Angel Venegoni X Claire Winkler X Mary Jane Armstrong X Holland Saltsman X Robert Weber X John Barr X Steve Zielinski X Vacancy Bud Bellomo, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Detective Fred Bell – WGPD Community Resource Officer Police Officer Ahmar Rasool – WGPD Traffic Unit Ian Van Dam – Civil Alchemy Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the March minutes as was made by Angel Venegoni, seconded by Steve Zielinski, motion was unanimously approved. VISITOR COMMENTS Ian Van Dam, Civil Alchemy – Civil Alchemy is planning to hold their 2nd Annual Fall Festival in October on the same day as the annual Trick or Treat event; Saturday, October 26th. Last year’ inaugural festival was a huge success and they hope to build on that for this year. They are looking to explore the scope and scale of the event and engage the rest of the District. They would like input from the Commission and District business to expand and improve the event. Last year the event took up one lane in the public parking lot, they’d like to look at options to expand while not hampering parking needs. A suggestion was made to use the Commerce Bank parking since the event takes place after banking hours. Event parking signs for patrons was also suggested. GAZEBO SERIES • The Gazebo Series is the biggest event held in the District; it brings in large crowds to the area. The Series will start June 14th and run on Friday evenings thru July 26th, skipping the 5th of July. • No movies will be shown this year. It was felt by the Gazebo Series Committee of organizers that the movies were not as well attended as the music, and with sponsorships down, felt the funds should be focused on the music; bands will play longer as a result, 7:00 – 8:45 PM. • Dale Ashauer, Committee Member, handles the event’s production and is currently pursuing securing six bands to perform; he will M.C. the event as well. • The event is looking to fund $8K in expenses with sponsors. Sponsorship packages are available in $100, $240, and $500 levels; each giving the sponsor different levels of exposure. Claire Winkler will use the Webster Groves et al. Chamber mailing list to send out the sponsorship package. Committee members need to do personal follow-ups to help secure sponsors. John Barr will follow up with sponsors from previous years and Bob Weber will approach previous major sponsor Kräftig Lager. • Amanda Cook has been secured to help with the event again this year, but her role and activities have been reduced. STREETSCAPE UPDATE The WG Public Works Department is in the process of securing the last two easements to move utilities and once that is complete, they will move to the next steps in the preparation process. BDC UPDATE • The Business Development Commission (BDC) has been looking at long-time vacant first-floor store-front commercial businesses in the business districts endeavoring to find options to further addressing filling those vacant spaces. They are trying to answer the question whether the current commercial vacancy ordinance can be improved to help in this endeavor. They are looking for input from business owners and property owners alike. • To help with the connections and working relationships of businesses within the community, the BDC is looking for a representative from each of the business districts to sit on their commission; they currently need a rep from the Old Orchard District and the Crossroads District. COUNCIL UPDATE Bud Bellomo encouraged Commission Members to be informed and read the St. Louis City-County merger document and its amendment proposed by Better Together. He also encouraged members to find out about the Freeholder petition being put forth by the St. Louis Municipal League. CITY UPDATE • Blue Dahlia in the former ScholarShop location is moving forward. • The Rolling Ridge Development is on hold. • Historical tax credits are being pursued by the project at the former Auto Beauty location; parking plan is still in the works. • The Gerber Chapel building has been demolished, grading to ground level follows, and construction plans should be received soon. • After the asbestos is removed from the former YMCA building, demolition will take place and putting in the parking lot will be the first order of business after that. • Guerrilla Street Food will be opening soon in the former Tropical Moose/Crimson Petal location in Old Orchard. • Story Seven will be opening in the former HoopLa location in Old Webster. • Residential Care Group Homes public hearing will be before the next City Council meeting. • Ever Love Adult Day Care in Crossroads is moving to a location on Watson Road. Medical offices will be moving into the location vacated by Ever Love and by the surgery center. • With the passage of the Prop E Bond Issue, construction on the new 6th Grade section of Hixson Middle School should have shovels in the ground by spring. • With the passage of the Prop F Bond Issue, Webster Groves Fire Station #2 will undergo new construction. • The City Council is discussing affordable housing. NEXT MEETING Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 8:00 AM – City Hall. ADJOURNED Meeting adjourned at 8:50 AM.