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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_MSTAB_05.20.2004MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES 8 A.M. – MAY 20, 2004 CITY HALL MAIN FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM Attendees: Bryant Boyd, chair, Ellie Skross, Liz Atherton, Bob Weimer, Nancy Rister, secretary, Tim Thompson, Josh McClure, Shelly Hargrove, Main Street Manager Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager gave an update on the TIF district. 1. Called to order at 8:05 a.m. by chair Bryant Boyd. 2. Tom Yantis gave an update on the TIF District and distributed a map of the downtown area with the TIF district noted. It should be in place by 9-1-2004 and based on the 2004 valuation. He discussed the water quality master plan for the downtown overlay district and the pre- improvement of water drainage ponds at the end of Main and north of VFW park behind the baseball diamond. There is already been a pond on Rock Street. This would make it easier for developers to have pre-permitted ponds instead of each developer having to go through the process themselves which would take more time. There was some discussion regarding marketing dollars and a possible mid-year budget request. There was discussion concerning mid-year review of the budget for marketing money and review at the end of the year to insure that specific revenue items rolled over into the next year (Hotel motel occupancy tax money). Hewlett lot will be closed by June 14th with improvements to be made by end of the fiscal year. Nine proposals were received for signage. Staff will narrow it down to 4-5. 3. Bob Weimer made the motion to accept the minutes as presented with the correction of the spelling of Bob’s last name. Tim Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 4. Shelly Hargrove updated the Board on a budget review done by Micki Rundell and Paul Brandenburg. They cut $3,000 from the marketing budget in this year’s budget. The revenue from the Hot tax fund was moved to the façade fund. Shelly will discuss with Randy the Board’s wishes. The Board made it clear that we need the money back into those accounts as we were beginning to start our discussion as to what to do with the revenue and plans for the marketing money. Bob Weimer made the motion to ask the budgeting people of the city to put that money back into the historical preservation account as well as the marketing budget to support efforts brought forth by the Main Street Board and that any other changes be brought to the Board for consideration. Ellie Skross seconded. Motion carried. A formal memo from the Chair to the finance director, Micki Rundell, and “cc” to the City Council members. Shelly Hargrove stated that the expected revenue from the motel hotel tax was ahead of projections at this point in time. Next months agenda should have a follow up on the budget allocation of the Hot tax. 5.a. Poppy Fest is expected to net $6800 after all expenses have come in. The PR from the increased entertainment value will have longer term ramifications. Next month will have a final report and the report will be presented to the City Council by Liz Atherton this coming Tuesday, May 25th. Branding initiative RFQs were due last Monday. Six companies responded, two of which are Georgetown companies. Bob Weimer moved that the Board recommends that Liz Atherton and Bryant Boyd be included in the selection process with Bryant being notified in time to shift his schedule to attend. b. Wayne Bell, Main Street Architect, will look at Our House to Your House and Gold’s on Friday the 28th of May. Bryant discussed the January 1 deadline for application for the façade funds. He would like to review the applications and make improvements to it. He would like to make it easier for business owners to meet the deadline by changing the deadline and set up guidelines for applying. It applies to the downtown overlay district. He would like to review the cap also. This needs to be addressed on next months agenda. Bob Weimer reported on the downtown parking. He reported on the success of the plan but the lack of support by other boards and the public for needed volunteers as ambassadors. He wants to find 10 people who will volunteer. Suggestion was made to put in the Austin American Statesman Thursday edition of the Williamson County section. There will be a six month review of any problems to be reviewed. c. Bylaws and Ordinance #2.09.20 needs to be changed to reflect “Overlay District” instead of “Town Square.” The number of board members needs to be changed by adding another member at large and another member to represent the historical organizations. This was formulated into a motion by Tim Thompson and seconded by Bob Weimer to be brought before City Council. Ellie Skross wanted to present her ideas of using tourism promote Georgetown, downtown, and our other assets that are not given enough credence. She would like to see a business plan put together with facts and figures to promote the growth of the tourism industry to the chamber, the City Council and the Economic Development Board. Liz noted that tourism is to be included in the branding process. She proposes a committee to develop this or hire someone to put a business plan together. Shelly Hargrove to discuss with Scott Johnson he usage of the hot tax for this plan. There was discussion to recommend a committee of qualified individuals would focus on bringing tourist to Georgetown. Tim’s proposal was to take it to CVB to push a formal tourism plan. He also suggested using the $5000 allocated for marketing outside the city limits of Georgetown to possibly Time-Warner cable to promote Georgetown tourism. Bryant agrees that there should be a plan and maybe we need to advertise in Dallas. Shelly suggested that we make a formal presentation to CVB to show what a priority tourism marketing needs to be. Bryant suggested that the RFQ be reviewed for targeting tourism as part of a marketing plan that may be included in the branding process. It was suggested that we look at it during the next monthly meeting. Ellie Skross wants to work with Shelly to start putting together the facts and figures that will be needed. Bryant suggests that we talk about it next month, get a report based on what is currently being done, type of funds that might be available to be used toward this from all venues not just Main Street and add anything from the RFQ that might be learned. Shelly reminded the Board that March’s packet included the definitions and rules of what the hot tax can be used for. There was discussion that we should make plans for what the $10,000 will be used for next month. 6. Shelly doesn’t have the notes from our Strategic Planning Session but will have it sent out to the Board by next week by e-mail. 7. The Ethics Ordinance needs to be reviewed by the June 11th deadline. There was concern and discussion about the conflict of interest with regards to the Poppy Fest and the business owners on the board who would suddenly be in violation by their mere involvement in promoting any event that would increase their own business volume thereby creating an economic interest. It was suggested that all comments be e-mailed to Shelly. 8. Staff report was already covered except the information on the upcoming dates of events. 9. There was no new business. The Board adjourned at 10:10 a.m. Minutes of the Meeting of the Main Street Advisory Board City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, May 20, 2004 The Main Street Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , May 20, 2004. Board Members Present: Bryant Boyd, chair, Ellie Skross, Liz Atherton, Bob Weimer, Nancy Rister, secretary, Tim Thompson, Josh McClure Board Members Absent: Staff Present: Shelly Hargrove Minutes Regular Meeting Tom Yantis, Assistant City Manager gave an update on the TIF district. 1. Called to order at 8:05 a.m. by chair Bryant Boyd. 2. Tom Yantis gave an update on the TIF District and distributed a map of the downtown area with the TIF district noted. It should be in place by 9-1-2004 and based on the 2004 valuation. He discussed the water quality master plan for the downtown overlay district and the pre-improvement of water drainage ponds at the end of Main and north of VFW park behind the baseball diamond. There is already been a pond on Rock Street. This would make it easier for developers to have pre-permitted ponds instead of each developer having to go through the process themselves which would take more time. There was some discussion regarding marketing dollars and a possible mid-year budget request. There was discussion concerning mid-year review of the budget for marketing money and review at the end of the year to insure that specific revenue items rolled over into the next year (Hotel motel occupancy tax money). Hewlett lot will be closed by June 14th with improvements to be made by end of the fiscal year. Nine proposals were received for signage. Staff will narrow it down to 4-5. 3. Bob Weimer made the motion to accept the minutes as presented with the correction of the spelling of Bob’s last name. Tim Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 4. Shelly Hargrove updated the Board on a budget review done by Micky Rundell and Paul Brandenburg. They cut $3,000 from the marketing budget in this year’s budget. The revenue from the Hot tax fund was moved to the façade fund. Shelly will discuss with Randy the Board’s wishes. The Board made it clear that we need the money back into those accounts as we were beginning to start our discussion as to what to do with the revenue and plans for the marketing money. Bob Weimer made the motion to ask the budgeting people of the city to put that money back into the historical preservation account as well as the marketing budget to support efforts brought forth by the Main Street Board and that any other changes be brought to the Board for consideration. Ellie Skross seconded. Motion carried. A formal memo from the Chair to the finance director, Micky Rundell, and “cc” to the City Council members. Shelly Hargrove stated that the expected revenue from the motel hotel tax was ahead of projections at this point in time. Next months agenda should have a follow up on the budget allocation of the Hot tax. 5.a. Poppy Fest is expected to net $6800 after all expenses have come in. The PR from the increased entertainment value will have longer term ramifications. Next month will have a final report and the report will be presented to the City Council by Liz Atherton this coming Tuesday, May 25th. Branding initiative RFQs were due last Monday. Six companies responded, two of which are Georgetown companies. Bob Weimer moved that the Board recommends that Liz Atherton and Bryant Boyd be included in the selection process with Bryant being notified in time to shift his schedule to attend. b. Wayne Bell, Main Street Architect, will look at Our House to Your House and Gold’s on Friday the 28th of May. Bryant discussed the January 1 deadline for application for the façade funds. He would like to review the applications and make improvements to it. He would like to make it easier for business owners to meet the deadline by changing the deadline and set up guidelines for applying. It applies to the downtown overlay district. He would like to review the cap also. This needs to be addressed on next months agenda. Bob Weimer reported on the downtown parking. He reported on the success of the plan but the lack of support by other boards and the public for needed volunteers as ambassadors. He wants to find 10 people who will volunteer. Suggestion was made to put in the Austin American Statesman Thursday edition of the Williamson County section. There will be a six month review of any problems to be reviewed. c. Bylaws and Ordinance #2.09.20 needs to be changed to reflect “Overlay District” instead of “Town Square.” The number of board members needs to be changed by adding another member at large and another member to represent the historical organizations. This was formulated into a motion by Tim Thompson and seconded by Bob Weimer to be brought before City Council. Ellie Skross wanted to present her ideas of using tourism promote Georgetown, downtown, and our other assets that are not given enough credence. She would like to see a business plan put together with facts and figures to promote the growth of the tourism industry to the chamber, the City Council and the Economic Development Board. Liz noted that tourism is to be included in the branding process. She proposes a committee to develop this or hire someone to put a business plan together. Shelly Hargrove to discuss with Scott Johnson he usage of the hot tax for this plan. There was discussion to recommend a committee of qualified individuals would focus on bringing tourist to Georgetown. Tim’s proposal was to take it to CVB to push a formal tourism plan. He also suggested using the $5000 allocated for marketing outside the city limits of Georgetown to possibly Time-Warner cable to promote Georgetown tourism. Bryant agrees that there should be a plan and maybe we need to advertise in Dallas. Shelly suggested that we make a formal presentation to CVB to show what a priority tourism marketing needs to be. Bryant suggested that the RFQ be reviewed for targeting tourism as part of a marketing plan that may be included in the branding process. It was suggested that we look at it during the next monthly meeting. Ellie Skross wants to work with Shelly to start putting together the facts and figures that will be needed. Bryant suggests that we talk about it next month, get a report based on what is currently being done, type of funds that might be available to be used toward this from all venues not just Main Street and add anything from the RFQ that might be learned. Shelly reminded the Board that March’s packet included the definitions and rules of what the hot tax can be used for. There was discussion that we should make plans for what the $10,000 will be used for next month. 6. Shelly doesn’t have the notes from our Strategic Planning Session but will have it sent out to the Board by next week by e-mail. 7. The Ethics Ordinance needs to be reviewed by the June 11th deadline. There was concern and discussion about the conflict of interest with regards to the Poppy Fest and the business owners on the board who would suddenly be in violation by their mere involvement in promoting any event that would increase their own business volume thereby creating an economic interest. It was suggested that all comments be e-mailed to Shelly. 8. Staff report was already covered except the information on the upcoming dates of events. 9. There was no new business. The Board adjourned at 10:10 a.m.