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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2022 03-10-22BIA Committee Rate Payers Meetings March 10th, 2022 – 1:00 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 1:01 pm by Chairman Rottle. Roll Call Committee Members present: Chairman John Rottle; Ronnie Roberts, Giovanni DiQuattro, Brittiany Karlson and Katy Selden Absent: Bob Klontz, Bill Cowart and Darren Jones City staff present: Jenn Francis, Economic Development Manager and Abid Rahmani, Economic Development Coordinator Downtown Auburn Cooperative present: Cheryl Rakes, Executive Officer Auburn Area Connect Executive Director absent: Kacie Bray II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was not a quorum of Committee Members that had been at the February BIA Committee Meeting to vote on the approval of minutes. The vote was tabled and will be held at the next meeting to approve the February and March Meeting Minutes. III. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman John Rottle introduced Brittiany Karlson the owner of Vinifera, Smugglers Deli and A Street Pub and Katy Selden the owner of The Classic Farmhouse. Appointments to these new positions took place on Monday, March 7th,2022. IV. FINANCIAL REPORT Economic Development Manager presented the Financial Report. There were no questions. V. CITY UPDATE Old Business A. Downtown Electrical Improvement & Lighting Project: Economic Development Manager Jenn Francis gave an update of the project. The lights have been hung on all 12 trees scheduled for Phase 1 of this project. There is still an on-going issue with the outlets in the B St Plaza. A contractor has been selected, and they have indicated that work will start on March 16 and be completed by the end of the day March 18th. B. Outlet Collection Marketing Campaign: Economic Development Manager Jenn Francis gave an update on the status of the photoshoots for the Outlet Collection Marketing Campaign. The photographer has been scheduled to take pictures of the remaining businesses on Friday, March 18th, Thursday, March 24, and Friday March 25th. C. Downtown Banner Update: Jenn Francis provided information about the status of the Banner Replacement in the BIA area. There will be a walkabout on Friday, March 25th at 10:00 AM to look at the current banners and mark the post that need to be fixed before banners could be hung. Ronnie Roberts, Cheryl Rakes, Kacie Bray, a member of the Public Works Department and Jenn Francis will walk through the area making notes about what needs to be done. D. Downtown Security Update: Jenn Francis explained that she would be contacting B Force Security for a cost estimate for Downtown Security. That information will be brought back to the Committee for review. Chairman Rottle said that he had a conversation with the Bicycle Policemen about the requirements for NO TRESSPASSING signs. New Business A. Mask Mandate Update: Jenn Francis informed the Committee that the mask mandate will be ending on March 12th. City staff will no longer be required to wear masks internally but may choose to while working at the front counter. Staff may also encourage members of the public to wear masks while working with City staff. B. Return to In-Person BIA Committee Meetings: Jenn Francis informed the Committee that BIA Committee Meeting may return to in person meetings beginning in April. There was a short discussion on whether or not the Committee would like to continue to have virtual meetings and most Committee Members agreed that in-person meetings were preferred. C. Status of Heritage Building: Jenn Francis explained that there was a pre- construction meeting today for the project. The applicant still needs to provide information on parking for construction workers, staging locations, sidewalk/street closures, and communication plan with surrounding businesses. The project does have permits issued but they have not been granted a Notice to Proceed yet. This will unfold over the next month. VI. DOWNTOWN AUBURN COOPERATIVE UPDATE Executive Officer Cheryl Rakes gave an update regarding the DAC events scheduled for March and April. The DAC office is relocating on March 22nd. The DAC is starting a new networking event (DAC Meet & Greet). The first one will be held at Vinifera on March 24th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. VII. AUBURN AREA CONNECT UPDATE Executive Director Kacie Bray was unable to attend the meeting. Jenn Francis informed the Committee that the Business Connect Networking events have been successful and the next one is on Wednesday, April 6th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Iron Horse Casino. VIII. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION John Rottle will not be at the meeting in April, Jenn will contact the Vice Chair to see if he is able to step in, otherwise Committee Member DiQuattro will lead the meeting. Committee Member Roberts and Committee Member Karlson asked about additional hanging baskets or planters for this spring/summer for the other side of Main Street as well as beyond Main Street for those business owners within the BIA area. Jenn Francis agreed to contact the Public Works Department to obtain additional information prior to the meeting in April. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 1:56 pm. APPROVED this 14th day of April, 2022. ________________________________ ________________________________ John Rottle, Chair Jeff Tate, Director