Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER 8:00 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:23 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 14, 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 September minutes was made by Angel Venegoni, seconded by Abby Culleton, and unanimously approved. ROOFTOP LIGHTING Streib will be fixing the loose strands of lighting at The Novel Neighbor and finalizing the Hagan properties and the property housing Blue Dahlia. CHESS IN THE PARK The Parks Department will get quotes for installing chess tables in Gazebo Park. Installation will likely be in the spring of 2024. Funding could be augmented with a “sponsored by” or “in memory of” funding-raising campaign. DISTRICT EVENTS • 2023 Gazebo Series – The Series concluded with the rescheduled performance on Octobe 6th. The evening was chilly, but patrons arrived dressed for the weather and there was a full house as always. Overall, the Series had record attendance this year with a vast number of patrons taking advantage of Old Orchard eateries for they “picnic” dinners during performances. • Trick or Treat – Saturday, October 28th – This year 20 Old Orchard businesses are participating in the event which takes place from 3 to 5 PM. Printed posters, counter cards, and maps will be delivered to participants. The map will be updated by Novel Neighbor. Also taking place at the same time, the Webster Groves Arts Commission is presenting a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award to Bob Cassilly in Gazebo Park. Mr. Cassilly is the inspiration behind the apple sculpture chairs in the park. The award ceremony includes apple-themed snacks and kids activities. It was decided to add them to the Trick or Treat map. Page 1 of 2 • Holiday Festival – o Possible graphics were shared with Commission Members; Option A was chosen (See Appendix A). o Commission Members confirmed the event concept (see Appendix B). An email e-blast will be sent to Old Orchard businesses announcing the event and encouraging their participation. o Lists of businesses and their plans for the day will be shared on social media. o Commission Members confirmed utilizing their administrative support person to handle the logistics of the event. o City staff are set to light up Gazebo Park; wrapping tree trunks in lights, etc. o A member of the City Council will be enlisted to officiate flipping the switch to light up the park. o District lampposts will have garland this year in addition to their normal ornamentation, those that have access to electric will take advantage of same. o Santa’s mailbox will be available in Gazebo Park. o Toys for Tots white collection boxes and Operation Food Search blue barrels inside District businesses (optional) and in the park during the event. o Pet Food Pantry donation box will be available in Gazebo Park during the event. o Promoting the event will be through Old Orchard’s “gang page” in the Webster-Kirkwood Times, on both the Old Orchard and Explore Webster Groves Facebook pages, online calendars, as well as other avenues. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (BDC) UPDATE • The next Business Coffee will be held in February, 2024; it will possibly have a marketing educational theme. • The micro grants for the Green Dining program should be kicking off soon. CITY/COUNCIL UPDATE • The Parks & Recreation “Destination Webster Groves” bond issue will be on the April 2024 ballot. It is a no tax increase bond; the current debt tax rate that is set can support $22M worth of bonding. The Council has yet to decide what Parks & Recreation items to include, other than replacing the current aquatic center, and is looking for citizen input. Information on potential additional projects and to give input is available on the City’s website at the following URL – https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/717/Destination-WG. Commission members are encouraged to give input. • City Council recognized 14 “Good Neighbors” nominees during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. • Council Member Emerson Smith shared information about this year’s Webster-Rockhill Ministries annual program to provide holiday boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas to approximately 150 local families if any members wish to get involved. Next Meeting – November 14, 2023 Agenda Item: Council Member Smith will review guidelines to request City Staff services. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:23 AM. Page 2 of 2  APPENDIX A Old Orchard Holiday Festival Saturday, December 2nd Shopping-Dining-Santa Holiday Performance-Light Up Gazebo Park 10:00 AM – close = Shopping and Dining Noon – 2:00 PM = Santa & Mrs. Claus in the Gazebo 4:30 – 5:00 PM = Show Starters Holiday Performance 5:00 PM = Flip the Switch in Gazebo Park  APPENDIX B Old Orchard Holiday Festival Event Concept CALENDAR ALERT – We are planning a District-wide event for Saturday, December 2nd. Event Name: Old Orchard Holiday Festival Concept: A day of holiday shopping, dining, exploring, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus; all culminating with a holiday chorale performance and flipping the switch to “light up” Gazebo Park. Participation: Old Orchard businesses and organizations participate as they wish in a manner tailored to their business. Ideas: Make it a special day; have a vendor display a new line or talk about products, offer samples or refreshments, have live music, a raffle, offer day-of specials, demonstrations, or cross-promote with a fellow Old Orchard business, etc. Tying in with holiday lights in store fronts and second-story windows to “light up” the District would be a plus. Spirit: In the spirit of the season, businesses will be invited to “host” an Operation Food Search blue donation barrel and/or a Toys for Tots donation box in their establishment (if they wish). Organizers: Old Orchard Special Business District Commission Members