HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-2018 Minutes (2) cu nr of BIA Committee of Rate Payers Meeting
UNovember 8, 2018— 1:00 PM
10.A\I I I N Et.)N Auburn City Hall Council Chambers
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:04 pm by Chairman DiQuattro.
Roll Call:
Committee Members present: Chairman Giovanni DiQuattro; Vice Chair William
Cowart; Committee Members Kelly Gordon, Darren Jones, Bob Klontz
Committee Members absent: Ronnie Roberts, Ruth Neil-Stover, Megan White
City staff present: Doug Lein, Economic Development Manager;Josh Arndt,
Economic Development Senior Officer; Holly Ferry, Committee Secretary
ADA Board Members present: Brittiany Karlson, Secretary; Kristina Driessen,
Treasurer;Jeremy Hubbell, President
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee Member Klontz moved and Member Gordon second to approve the
October 11, 2018 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4-0
III. FINANCIAL REPORT
Manager Lein gave the Financial Report. He reported that by the end of the year
most of the 2019 assessments will have been collected. Funds have been allocated
for ADA activities, holiday lighting, and sample security lighting.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Disbursement of BIA Funds
This topic was discussed during the Financial Report.
B. Marketing and Branding
There was no update on this subject.
C. Heritage Fire Update
The building is no longer under contract. It was decided that this topic will be
removed from the agenda.
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D. BIA Newsletter
There was discussion about what should be included in the newsletter and how
often it should be sent out.The point was made that members of the BIA are still
confusing the roles of the BIA and The Auburn Downtown Association, and it was
recommended that an explanation should be added to the newsletter each
month to educate them about the difference between the two. It was also
suggested that the newsletter should be sent out monthly.
E. Update on Priority Projects Presented to City Council
1. Additional Security Lighting
Economic Development Officer Arndt reported that he and Chairman
DiQuattro worked with American Lighting to obtain some sample security
lights.They will not be installed until after the holiday lighting. Anything
having to do with Puget Sound Energy(PSE) poles had to go through PSE.
Economic Development Officer Arndt and the City's operations engineer met
with PSE to talk about what could be done.They said the best way to do it
would be to switch out the existing sodium lights for new LED lights, which
would better illuminate the area and also save on power. PSE will compile a
lighting analysis that will show the light spread as well as the cost for
switching to LED, which will be less than $200 per light. Because it is on a
separate power system from the City's, work can move forward on it.
Regarding the City's poles, it will be necessary to work more with the City's
engineer.The question was raised about why there was a cost for it when it
is a necessary upgrade that will save PSE money. Economic Development
Officer Arndt responded that he would find out more details about it.
Economic Development Manager Lein stated that PSE owns and maintains
the lights, but the City pays the power.
2. Christmas decorations
Economic Development Officer Arndt reported that 50 sets of rope lights
were purchased that will cover every City pole from A St. NW down Main
Street to Auburn Way South for the first year, and the area could be
expanded next year. Because the electrical system in the downtown area is
so old,there will be an effort made to find out the electrical capacity of the
grid around the BIA.
Vice Chair Cowart joined the meeting during this discussion.
3. Banners
The new banners will go up after the Veterans Parade.
F. Update on 2018 Façade Grant Program
Economic Development Manager Lein reported that Community Development
processed three grants, and they are looking at a couple more applications.
Although the City's 2019-20 budget has not yet been approved, the 2019 grant is
in the budget.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Vacant Rate Payer Committee Member Discussion
John Rottle has confirmed that he would like to be on the Board.
B. Traffic Cabinet Wraps
Economic Development Officer Arndt explained that the traffic cabinets located
around the city are frequently tagged with graffiti; however,when traffic
cabinets are wrapped with a decorative wrapping, a study has shown that they
are 98% less likely to get tagged.The wrap is made from a material that paint
does not easily adhere to and can be washed off easily. Code Compliance and
the Parks Department are taking the initiative to eventually wrap all of the
cabinets in the city, and an inquiry was made to see if the BIA would be willing to
participate.The Parks Department is putting out a call to artists to come up with
a design, and Parks will pick up the fee to do that. A committee will be formed to
choose the designs. It was asked whether the Committee would be interested in
covering the cost of wrapping the cabinets that are located within the BIA.
Vice Chair Cowart moved and Member Gordon second to approve up to $5400 to
wrap the traffic cabinets that are within the BIA.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5-0
C. Newly Identified Non-Exempt BIA Businesses
Manager Lein reported that around 240 businesses have been identified within
the BIA.There will be an increase in 2019 assessments. By the January meeting,
there should be a complete list of email addresses and pertinent information,
and hopefully everybody will be included in the Buy Local program as well.
D. Advisory Board Training
The City's legal department has stated that any person holding a board position
is required to go through training to learn their role and responsibilities in
regards to the Open Public Meetings Act. After completing the training, each
member must notify the City Clerk. Secretary Ferry will send an email to all
Committee members with a link to access the training and a link to notify the
City Clerk when they complete their training.
VI. BIA PARKING SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE
It was decided that this topic should be taken off the agenda. Manager Lein gave an
update on parking construction throughout the BIA.
VII. AUBURN DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATE
ADA Treasurer Kristina Driessen stated that, when their budget was presented to the
BIA Committee, there were several ADA-sanctioned and BIA Committee-approved
events on which they were allowed to use the funds and not just for the ice skating
rink and/or the tent; however, the current contract states that the ADA is only
allowed to spend the money on the ice skating rink and the tent. She requested that
the wording be changed.
Member Klontz moved and Member Gordon second that the ADA has been granted up
to $50,000 that can be used on ADA-sanctioned events that have been previously
approved by the BIA.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5-0
ADA Secretary Brittiany Karlson reported on the difficulty they had with the
permitting process. Due to some of the engineering restrictions the City has placed
on the ice rink and tent,the tent will now cost an additional $10,000 to have it
installed in compliance with City code; however,the permit has not been approved
for the tent because it does not meet Washington state code, so the tent may not
happen.The ADA board members asked for advice on whether they should move
forward on purchasing the tent, knowing that it would require an extra $10,000 to
install it.
Community Development Director Jeff Tate and Public Works Director Ingrid Gaub
will be attending ADA meetings, and they will also attend a BIA meeting every
quarter to avoid permitting issues in the future.
VIII. TOURISM BOARD UPDATE
Tourism Coordinator Lorraine Chachere reported that the film festival is up and
running and coming to downtown in January.There is a dedicated website.The
programming and event schedule should be completed within the next couple
weeks.
Tourism is in week two of a digital Q4 ad campaign. Metrics were provided.
The first Tourism Open House was held on November 7 and was open to the
community.The keynote speaker was Camilla Clark from Brand USA, a public/private
destination management organization that markets travel to the US to international
markets. A video highlighting Auburn will be produced by Brand USA.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:37 pm.
APPROVED this 10th day of January, 2018.
Giovanni DiQuattro, Chair Holly Ferry, jommitteecretary