Old Webster Business District Advisory Commission

Old Webster Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 LOCATION: City Hall & Zoom CALLED TO ORDER: 8:15 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:33 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 NAME PRESENT ABSENT David Smith, Chair X Ron Clipp, Vice Chair X Dan Warner X Frank Romano X Karen Drexler X Tim Delanty X Stacie Swederska X Emerson Smith, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, City Liaison X Also, in attendance: Joe Rath – Former Old Webster Commission Member Officer Ahmar Rasool – Webster Groves Police Department Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the January minutes was made by Ron Clipp, seconded by Karen Drexler, and unanimously approved. Rooftop Lighting Update – Frank Henning, Webster Groves Public Works Department, will handle working with Streib Electric on the installation and maintenance of the rooftop lighting program going forward. Decorative Parking Signs Update – no report Parking/Parking Permits – Yellow parking permit spaces are on the lower level of the Old Webster parking garage; they were oversold by 120%. The majority were purchased by large businesses that reside in the Novus Building. It appears there are open permitted parking spaces in the lower level of the garage at various times, occasionally patrons without parking permits are parking in permitted spots. Commission Members decided to monitor the situation for three months to gauge pre-summer usage; then continue monitoring for another three months followed by a usage review, and determine if any action should be taken to change a few permitted spaces to non-permitted public spaces with the goal to be completed prior to the holiday shopping season. Sentiment Expressed: Setting expectations of employees to park intelligently when at work is needed. Employees taking full advantage of employee lots thus leaving spots open for patrons would help address parking issues in the District. 1 of 3 District Pedestrian Signs – Dan Warner and Tim Delanty will get together to determine what vinyl signage would look like on the available blank sections of the pedestrian signs for such items as District recurring events. Budget Discussion – Commission Members reviewed the FY25 Old Webster Budget Request Worksheet; Budget Year 2024 (see Appendix A). • Revenue – Property tax revenue is expected to increase approximately 1%. Business license revenue appears to be down $25K; an audit was performed which caught many businesses not in compliance and some revenue splits misapplied. The method of processing business licenses is changing from manual to online this year which is projected to increase the accuracy of the process. Note: By state law, several professions are exempt from paying a business license fee; therefore, retail and restaurant businesses are the main source of revenue. A small amount of interest income at 4% on the fund balance is received. Monthly real-time tracking of Parks Department services allows quarterly adjustments of the revenue “transfer out” as the year progresses. • Expenses – Expenses for established or contractual items such as street lighting are projected to remain the same. Status of the Land Rental expenses for the two parking lots designated for employee parking: 1.) The lease for the Moody lot is locked in; 50% paid by the District and 50% by the City General Fund. 2.) The lease for the First Congregation lot is currently under negotiation; it was paid 80% by the District and 20% by the City General Fund. Changing it to 50/50 would reduce the expense to the District. The Advertising category is focused on the expense of events and destination advertising. The rooftop lighting program expense falls under the Contract Area Maintenance category. Expenses are projected to exceed revenue if no changes occur. • Options – Commission Members brainstormed possible options (and their pros and cons) to cut expenses and/or increase revenue. Members will continue to pursue possible avenues to increase revenue, decrease expenses, and bring them to the table at next meeting. Discussion at this meeting included: o Increase Revenue: aggressively pursue unpaid business licenses, sell parking permits for the employee lots, increase the fee to participate in events, increase outside sponsorships of events, institute a special assessment, aggressively pursue unpaid business licenses, increase the business license fee, increase the percentage of property tax rate surcharge to the District, look into a Community Improvement District (CID). o Cut Expenses: decrease advertising expense, decrease District sponsorship expense, eliminate the rooftop lighting program, eliminate leased parking lots/change paid employee parking, cut beautification services performed by the Parks Department • Member Recommendations: o Category 730-Operational Equipment; Bench Replacement – from $8,400 to $0 o Category 814-Land Rental; Employee Parking – Renegotiation Reserve – from $1,000 to $0 o Category 814-Land Rental; Employee Parking – Congregational Lot – from 80% to 50% o Category 830-Advertising; Holiday Advertising – from $4,500 to $0 o Category 851-Contract Area Maintenance – Façade Light Program – from $2,500 to $0 District Update • Old Webster Summer Night Street Dance – Planning is moving along well. Perhaps a beer sponsor could be solicited. • Bench – A reconstructed “old” bench is now in the area near Regions Bank and 23W on Lockwood. 2 of 3 BDC Update – The Business Coffee was held on February 7, 2024 at the Webster Groves Rec Center. An informational presentation about Community Improvement District (CID) was presented. The Bludot application was also shared at the Coffee; the program includes the online business license process which is slated to launch in Mid-March. The BDC is determining next steps to; the next coffee will be held in August. City Update • Beginning in March there will be educational sessions on Prop W, “Destination Webster Groves” the no-tax bond issue for the Parks and Recreation Department on the April 2024 ballot. • City Council is planning a retreat on April 30th; items discussed will be Council Liaison responsibilities on City boards and commission, Council priorities for the next two years, and determining how to focus on the Strategic Plan. • All Commissions and Boards will make their annual report to City Council at a special meeting on May 15th. Next Meeting – March 26 at 8:00 AM Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 9:33 AM 3 of 3  APPENDIX A FY25 Old Webster Budget Request Worksheet Budget Year 2024 2019 Actual 2020 Actual 2021 Actual 2022 Actual 2023 Actual Account Account Description Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount 2024 Budgeted Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND REVENUE Department 00 - REVENUE PROPERTY TAX 401 REAL ESTATE TAXES -CURRENT 42,151.57 44,536.54 40,776.44 41,023.00 43,609.88 42,246.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Est. 3% Increase 1.0000 42,246.00 42,246.00 Final Totals $42,246.00 407 INTEREST ON PROPERTY TAXES 4.40 .00 .00 .04 55.78 .00 PROPERTY TAX Totals $42,155.97 $44,536.54 $40,776.44 $41,023.04 $43,665.66 $42,246.00 LICENSES 420 BUSINESS LICENSES 44,527.58 39,741.59 37,812.45 49,799.47 24,877.31 45,000.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Est. based on 2022 Results 1.0000 45,000.00 45,000.00 Final Totals $45,000.00 LICENSES Totals $44,527.58 $39,741.59 $37,812.45 $49,799.47 $24,877.31 $45,000.00 OTHER INCOME 470 INTEREST INCOME 1,695.46 1,693.70 269.90 46.87 .00 1,175.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final COUNCIL ALL-1 INTEREST INCOME ESTIMATES 1.0000 (825.00) (825.00) Final Est. Interest Return from Investment Strategy 1.0000 2,000.00 2,000.00 Final Totals $1,175.00 490 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 254.12 .00 .00 6,156.81 .00 1.00 OTHER INCOME Totals $1,949.58 $1,693.70 $269.90 $6,203.68 $0.00 $1,176.00 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) 999 OPERATING TRANSFERS OUT (37,980.00) (39,322.00) (43,324.00) (40,950.00) (42,644.00) (44,298.00) Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Est. from FY23 Actual 1.0000 (44,298.17) (44,298.17) Final Totals ($44,298.17) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Totals ($37,980.00) ($39,322.00) ($43,324.00) ($40,950.00) ($42,644.00) ($44,298.00) Department 00 - REVENUE Totals $50,653.13 $46,649.83 $35,534.79 $56,076.19 $25,898.97 $44,124.00 REVENUE TOTALS $50,653.13 $46,649.83 $35,534.79 $56,076.19 $25,898.97 $44,124.00 Run by ERIC PETERSON on 01/05/2024 13:48:28 PM Page 1 of 4  FY25 Old Webster Budget Request Worksheet Budget Year 2024 2019 Actual 2020 Actual 2021 Actual 2022 Actual 2023 Actual Account Account Description Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount 2024 Budgeted Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND EXPENSE Department 01 - GENERAL GOVERNMENT Program 77 - OLD WEBSTER MATERIALS & SUPPLIES 730 OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT .00 .00 .00 .00 15,298.26 8,400.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Bench Replacement 6.0000 1,400.00 8,400.00 Final Totals $8,400.00 MATERIALS & SUPPLIES Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $15,298.26 $8,400.00 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 803 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES .00 .00 .00 .00 6,715.85 6,000.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Admin Support 12.0000 275.00 3,300.00 Final OWTA Admin Support 12.0000 150.00 1,800.00 Final Special Events - Admin Support 1.0000 900.00 900.00 Final Totals $6,000.00 810 DISPOSAL SERVICES .00 .00 .00 .00 3,877.01 2,616.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Recycling Services 12.0000 218.00 2,616.00 Final Totals $2,616.00 814 LAND RENTAL .00 .00 .00 .00 19,667.94 17,428.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Employee Parking - Congregational Lot 80% 12.0000 1,029.00 12,348.00 Final Employee Parking - Moody Lot 50% 12.0000 340.00 4,080.00 Final Employee Parking - Renegotiation Reserve (for possible increase) 1.0000 1,000.00 1,000.00 Final Totals $17,428.00 823 STREET LIGHTS .00 .00 .00 .00 1,184.61 1,500.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Electricity for Lights 12.0000 125.00 1,500.00 Final Totals $1,500.00 Run by ERIC PETERSON on 01/05/2024 13:48:29 PM Page 2 of 4  FY25 Old Webster Budget Request Worksheet Budget Year 2024 2019 Actual 2020 Actual 2021 Actual 2022 Actual 2023 Actual Account Account Description Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount 2024 Budgeted Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND EXPENSE Department 01 - GENERAL GOVERNMENT Program 77 - OLD WEBSTER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 830 ADVERTISING .00 .00 .00 .00 26,203.79 25,300.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final COUNCIL OW-1 Holiday Open House Sponsorship 1.0000 5,000.00 5,000.00 Final COUNCIL OW-1 WalktoberFest Sponsorship 1.0000 2,500.00 2,500.00 Final General Advertising 1.0000 700.00 700.00 Final Holiday Advertising 1.0000 4,500.00 4,500.00 Final Jazz & Blues Festival Sponsorship 1.0000 5,000.00 5,000.00 Final PaintWebster Sponsorship 1.0000 200.00 200.00 Final Street Dance Sponsorship 1.0000 4,100.00 4,100.00 Final WKT Advertising Package 1.0000 3,300.00 3,300.00 Final Totals $25,300.00 851 CONTRACT AREA MAINTENANCE .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 2,500.00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final COUNCIL OW-1 Facade Lighting Program 1.0000 2,500.00 2,500.00 Final Totals $2,500.00 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $57,649.20 $55,344.00 CAPITAL OUTLAY 901 OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT .00 .00 .00 .00 2,379.99 .00 CAPITAL OUTLAY Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $2,379.99 $0.00 Program 77 - OLD WEBSTER Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $75,327.45 $63,744.00 Department 01 - GENERAL GOVERNMENT Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $75,327.45 $63,744.00 Department 05 - PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Program 50 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT MATERIALS & SUPPLIES 701 MISCELLANEOUS 4,500.00 .00 .00 505.00 .00 .00 730 OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT 3,491.98 13,261.50 2,886.13 8,821.54 .00 .00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Trash Cans 4.0000 .13 1.00 Final Totals $1.00 MATERIALS & SUPPLIES Totals $7,991.98 $13,261.50 $2,886.13 $9,326.54 $0.00 $0.00 Run by ERIC PETERSON on 01/05/2024 13:48:29 PM Page 3 of 4  FY25 Old Webster Budget Request Worksheet Budget Year 2024 2019 Actual 2020 Actual 2021 Actual 2022 Actual 2023 Actual Account Account Description Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount 2024 Budgeted Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND EXPENSE Department 05 - PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Program 50 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 803 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 4,366.00 3,016.00 5,488.62 5,563.51 .00 .00 810 DISPOSAL SERVICES 1,419.82 1,487.87 1,594.79 2,074.87 .00 .00 814 LAND RENTAL 12,780.00 13,204.55 13,226.28 15,135.75 .00 .00 823 STREET LIGHTS 1,171.77 1,149.79 1,147.87 1,148.23 .00 .00 830 ADVERTISING 21,309.33 19,012.43 24,567.49 17,161.58 .00 .00 Budget Transactions Level Transaction Number of Units Cost Per Unit Total Amount Final Trade Association Open House 1.0000 .50 1.00 Final Totals $1.00 851 CONTRACT AREA MAINTENANCE .00 .00 .00 325.00 .00 .00 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES Totals $41,046.92 $37,870.64 $46,025.05 $41,408.94 $0.00 $0.00 CAPITAL OUTLAY 906 CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION .00 .00 .00 1,792.50 .00 .00 CAPITAL OUTLAY Totals $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $1,792.50 $0.00 $0.00 Program 50 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT $49,038.90 $51,132.14 $48,911.18 $52,527.98 $0.00 $0.00 Totals Department 05 - PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Totals $49,038.90 $51,132.14 $48,911.18 $52,527.98 $0.00 $0.00 EXPENSE TOTALS $49,038.90 $51,132.14 $48,911.18 $52,527.98 $75,327.45 $63,744.00 Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND Totals REVENUE TOTALS $50,653.13 $46,649.83 $35,534.79 $56,076.19 $25,898.97 $44,124.00 EXPENSE TOTALS $49,038.90 $51,132.14 $48,911.18 $52,527.98 $75,327.45 $63,744.00 Fund 12 - OLD WEBSTER TAXING DISTRICT FUND Totals $1,614.23 ($4,482.31) ($13,376.39) $3,548.21 ($49,428.48) ($19,620.00) Net Grand Totals REVENUE GRAND TOTALS $50,653.13 $46,649.83 $35,534.79 $56,076.19 $25,898.97 $44,124.00 EXPENSE GRAND TOTALS $49,038.90 $51,132.14 $48,911.18 $52,527.98 $75,327.45 $63,744.00 Net Grand Totals $1,614.23 ($4,482.31) ($13,376.39) $3,548.21 ($49,428.48) ($19,620.00) Run by ERIC PETERSON on 01/05/2024 13:48:29 PM Page 4 of 4