HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2018 Minutes CI OF BIA Committee of Rate Payers Meeting
A. BU August 9, 2018 — 1:00 PM
\\ -°, l i i\, i k}N Auburn City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:06 pm by Chairman DiQuattro.
Roll Call:
Committee Members present: Chair Giovanni DiQuattro, Vice Chair William Cowart,
Kelly Gordon, Bob Klontz
Absent: Darren Jones, Ronnie Roberts, Ruth Neil-Stover, Megan White
City staff present: Bill Pierson, Police Chief;Tanya Carter, Economic Development
Officer; Lorraine Chachere, Tourism Coordinator; Holly Ferry, Committee Secretary
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee Member Gordon moved and Vice Chair Cowart second to approve the
July 9, 2018 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
III. FINANCIAL REPORT
Chairman DiQuattro reported that nothing had changed on the financial report since
the June meeting.
Committee Member Gordon moved and Vice Chair Cowart second to approve the
Financial Report.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Disbursement of BIA Funds
This topic was addressed in the ADA Update.
B. Marketing and Branding
Economic Development Officer Tanya Carter explained that marketing on the Buy Local
Auburn website is being promoted through different social media channels.The website
is receiving several hundred hits daily and about 200,000 impressions a week.
C. Heritage Fire Update
Officer Carter reported that the demolition permits have been issued, asbestos
abatement has begun, and teardown has been planned. Chairman DiQuattro
reported that the contractor had informed him that asbestos abatement is
complete, fencing has gone up, and demolition will begin the end of this week
and will take around four weeks. Vice Chairman Cowart reported that there is a
buyer and a developer.
D. BIA Newsletter
Work is being done on obtaining all email addresses for businesses in the BIA
and putting out the next newsletter.
E. Update on Priority Projects Presented to City Council
1. Additional security lighting-APD
Chief Pierson was introduced and gave a brief history of his career with the
City and then explained the role the Police Department has with the business
owners and Economic Development. The focus is to get to know the business
owners and ensure safety. He gave opportunity for members to voice their
concerns.
Regarding the additional security lighting, the officers will go out when it is
darker outside and get back to the Committee when they have an idea of
where additional lighting could be needed and will provide a map to
Manager Lein.
2. Hanging plants and planters around the BIA
There was no update, but members requested that there be an update on
extending the area of the plants and planters and what the cost would be.
3. Lights in trees
Officer Carter reported that there have been discussions with Parks and
Public Works, and it was discovered that there is no power in the tree pits.
There is, however, power on the poles, but the question would be if the
weight would be a problem from an engineering standpoint. The lights could
either go across the street or along the street from light pole to light pole. It
was suggested that, if there were lights in the trees, electrical drops could be
spliced in and dropped down to light up the trees. Solar and battery powered
lights were also suggested. The Committee will wait to hear from the
engineers as to what is possible.
4. Added police patrols -APD
Member Gordon expressed concern about people that gather before their
meeting on the B Street parking lot and how it is intimidating for her tenants'
clientele. Chief Pierson said APD would reach out to the people who hold the
meetings and talk to them about conduct. Regarding homeless who are
loitering or camping around businesses, he stated the importance of telling
APD that you want the person trespassed. Persistence in reporting is
important. He asked if the members have noticed an improvement in the
decrease of the homeless population downtown, and members said that
they have. He also mentioned how, from a business perspective,the Ray of
Hope has made a huge difference.
He was asked about the amount of crime in general. Chief Pierson reported
that there has been a 14% decrease on all crimes combined; however the
crimes of thefts from vehicles and burglaries have gone up, and he stressed
the importance of taking everything out of your car overnight.
5. Christmas decorations
There was no discussion on this topic.
6. Banners
One hundred thirty banners are in production.
F. Update on 2018 Façade Grant Program
Officer Carter gave an update on the status within the next six to eight weeks,
based on her conversation with Community Development and Public Works
Director Jeff Tate. There is currently a substantial remodel of Parker Paints
underway. Renovation on the Driessen Law building is close. There are also a
couple applications going through the Façade program process for Vinifera and
Hidden Entity Tattoo. There are still funds available if there are any businesses
interested.
V. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business discussed.
VI. BIA PARKING SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE
Officer Carter suggested a three-prong approach, which would include 1) mobile
apps that identify where parking is available; 2) coordinating an effort to display free
parking banners; 3) develop a free parking website that would identify where all the
free parking is and would allow businesses to link to the page.
VII. AUBURN DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATE
ADA Secretary Brittiany Karlson reported that there are now eight board members.
They currently have Halloween and Christmas sub-committees and will work on the
Mardi Gras sub-committee after that. The website is nearly finished. They would like
to integrate the Buy Local information into the website and also give the businesses
the opportunity to submit some of their own information and photos so they can
have some control over what they want to do. The newsletter is finished and will be
sent out August 20. ADA activities that the sub-committees have been working on
were presented.
ADA Treasurer Kristina Driessen gave the financial report.
The ADA board members requested $30,000 from the Committee. The Committee
had already voted at a previous meeting to allocate $40,000 of the Committee's
funds to the ADA.
Vice Chair Cowart motioned and Member Gordon second to disburse$30,000 to the
ADA, knowing that the ADA may come back and request additional funds.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
There was discussion about having speakers downtown to play music to liven the
downtown area for pedestrians. It would be necessary to check with Engineering to
see if this is feasible.
VIII. TOURISM BOARD UPDATE
A. Final Tourism Map
Tourism Coordinator Chachere presented the updated Tourism map.
B. Auburn Adventure Film Festival
Coordinator Chachere informed the Committee that the Tourism Board
approved the first Auburn Adventure Film Festival, which would bring tourists to
downtown and help businesses during the shoulder season. It will take place
January 19 and 20 with more details to come.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting
adjourned at 2:49 pm.
APPROVED this 9th day of August, 2018.
. r
Giovanni DiQuattro, Chair Holly Ferry, Committee S cretary