Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER 8:03 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:34 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Bob Weber, Chair X Holland Saltsman, Vice Chair X Angel Venegoni X John Barr X Steve Zielinski X Abby Culleton X Rick Gerger X Emerson Smith, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Officer Ahmar Rasool – Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the July minutes was made by Angel Venegoni, seconded by Rick Gerger, and unanimously approved. ROOFTOP LIGHTING Quotes for rooftop lighting from Hoffman and Streib for the Hagan properties and the property housing Blue Dahlia/ Bijoux Chocolates/etc. are expected and should be available by next month’s meeting. DISTRICT LAMPPOSTS HOLIDAY DECORATIONS/LIGHTING • Over-the-Street Lighting (Skyline Lights) – Authorization needed to hang skyline lights on Ameren Electric’s poles across St. Louis County’s road (Big Bend Boulevard) is being pursued but will not be successful in time for use this season. As a result, ordering skyline lights will be put on hold until early next year. • Nine New “Electric-Accessible” Lampposts (Big Bend; east of Oakwood) – Input received from Commission Members included candy cane, wreath, and fleur-de-lis wreath styles. However, an alternative option was put forth to wrap the poles with garland and lights instead of the decorative lights. Commission Members decided to go with the garland and lights option. • Existing “Non-Electric-Accessible” Lampposts – To complete the look, Commission Members also decided to add garland (without lights) to the other lampposts on Big Bend. A decision to add unlit garland on any other poles in the District will be made in the future if needed. DISTRICT EVENTS • 2023 Gazebo Series –Everything is set. Sponsorships have picked up; now have 28 sponsors. The over-the-street banner will be going up soon over Lockwood at Summit. Social Media promoting the event is kicking up. An updated sponsor sign will be displayed during performances. Fully closing E. Lockwood adjacent to Gazebo Park is confirmed with Nerinx Hall to occur at 5:30PM. Page 1 of 2 • Holiday Event – Commission Members continued their discussion of plans for the December 2nd District Holiday Event. o Santa’s mailbox will be available in Gazebo Park and will remain for the season. o Santa and Mrs. Claus from Noon to 2PM in the Gazebo, candy canes for the kids will be provided. o The Show Starters youth group (Gateway Center for Performing Arts) will perform holiday songs in Gazebo Park; after Santa leaves (time to be determined). o Toys for Tots collection boxes inside District businesses (optional). o Food drive for Operation Food Search; blue barrels inside District businesses (optional). o Possibly carnival rides on E. Lockwood, a Ferris wheel on Summit; options and pricing are being pursued. o At “dusk” hit the switch and light up the Gazebo Park; light-wrapped tree trunks, gazebo, the new live evergreen tree, other items to be determined. o Encourage retailers/restaurants/store fronts to light up their windows, etc. with holiday lights/decorations. o Engage District business to participate in and promote the day in some manner during the day and/or culminating with lighting up the District at dusk. o Co-brand with the Summit Avenue synchronized light show block party known as “Miracle on Summit.” o ACTION ITEM: Naming/Branding – Members will brainstorm with their “creative” peoples for a name to brand the event and further discuss at next month’s meeting. Ideas suggested thus far include: Northpole, _____land, Holiday Stroll… o ACTION ITEM: A graphic artist will be needed to create promotional deliverables for the event. If an Old Orchard business has expertise that could be tapped at no charge that would be ideal. If not, the graphic artist used for the Gazebo Series could be used; Fran Sudekum will confirm their availability. CHESS/FITNESS IN THE PARK A letter supporting the idea of putting chess tables in the parks and having fitness sessions available in the parks was sent to the Parks and Recreation Department (see Appendix A). BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (BDC) UPDATE • BDC Business Coffee – The next Coffee is scheduled for August 30th at the Rec Center. The BDC is planning to host two coffees a year going forward; February and August. • Work in Webster Groves Job Board - The job board is still operating; Members were encouraged to continue posting their open positions. • Green Dining Micro Grants – The BDC is working with the Sustainability Commission on their Green Dining District Initiative. Micro grants will be available to businesses trying to get certified and will be available soon; Council approval is pending. CITY/COUNCIL UPDATE • City Council has approved the $11.8M aquatic center option that will go before the voters on the April 2024 ballot. It is a no-tax increase. • The Charter Review Commission is hosting an open house-style event at the Rec Center on August 9th to get input on changes they are recommending to City Council. • The City has established a hiring incentive for the Police Department. Information can be found on the City’s website. • The final session of the Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship webinar series will take place this evening; the series was funded by a grant. All three webinar recordings are available on the City’s website. Next Meeting – September 12, 2023 Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:34 AM. Page 2 of 2