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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_MSTAB_07.11.2014L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_07.11.2014.doc MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD MTG. MINUTES 8:30 A.M. – FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014 WILLIAMSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 710 S. MAIN ST. 2ND FLOOR NORTH CONFERENCE ROOM, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS Board Members Present: Cindy Harrington, Julie Laderach, Vicki Jackimiec, Amanda Parr, Marcy Urban, Jim Wilson and David Kellerman City Staff Present: Shelly Hargrove, Main Street Manager; Jack Daly, Exec. Assistant; Matt Synatschk, Historic Planner; Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 8:33 a.m. by Board Chair David Kellerman. 2. Amanda moved to approve the June 13th board meeting minutes, Jim seconded. All board members present approved (7-0). 3. Laurie Brewer asked the board for feedback regarding ways to improve the Historic and Architectural Review Commission (HARC). The City is currently taking a holistic look at the HARC process and procedures. A website has been setup to allow the public to view proposed changes and receive regular updates (harcamendments.georgetown.org). The public outreach will be handled much like the downtown master plan update. The goal is to look at areas where the unified development code (UDC) is conflicting or confusing, assess the process for listing properties on the list of priority structures, and revamping the demolition process. The hope is to have the new amendments in place by March 2015 to coincide with next year’s board appointments. The board requested a summary of HARC’s purview and mission. They also asked that there be an emphasis on HARC relying on staff’s expertise on the dais and not to use personal tastes and preferences when making decisions. Opportunities need to be made available for property owners who struggle to maintain their properties, and partnerships with nonprofits need to be cultivated. Finally, all City boards need to be seen as working together; specifically, the Main Street Advisory Board should only approve façade grants after applicants have received HARC approval, so HARC does not appear to be impeding progress. The focus needs to be on what is best for Georgetown. The board also supports the continued training of HARC and appreciates what they do to protect historic properties. Suggestions will be reviewed at the next meeting. Matt Synatschk gave the monthly HARC report. The July 27th meeting has no cases, but representatives from the Texas Historical Commission will be presenting an extended case study on best practices when evaluating historic resources. The 9th Street project is underway and will be done in conjunction with the 8th Street/Tin Barn Alley project. The process to expand the overlay district is currently underway, and rezoning of properties within the district will occur tentatively in October. Finally, L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_07.11.2014.doc HARC will be hosting a First Friday reception in August at the old Chupa Rosa building. Sweet Lemon will be catering. 4. Committee Reports: a. Economic Restructuring: Jim reported that Breakfast Bites was a success. Thirty-six people were in attendance. The numbers were a little low due to the Leadership Georgetown graduation and summer vacations. The idea for the September 17th Breakfast Bites is to host breweries and distilleries due to the high level of interest reported on the downtown survey. Julie is updating the brochure for new downtown businesses. The questions are rewritten and the process has been clarified. A cash mob is planned for November 29th to coincide with Small Business Saturday. The committee is working on identifying potential businesses to host the cash mob and would like to partner with the Chamber to increase participation. The Main Street lunch for July 21st will be at Ruby’s. The August lunch will be at El Charrito. Vicki elaborated on the Downtown Diva software, and that it would allow for a list of vacant buildings to be tied to WCAD information and professionally styled email blasts. The City Manager will present his budget over the next two weeks. The façade and sign grant photos need to be posted online. Next month the board will take photos with 600 Degrees, Pink Poppy and the Screen Door. The College Town Committee met on June 26th. They discussed Southwestern’s 175th anniversary, the Spanish Film Festival, Parents Weekend and the 10-year sidewalk plan presented to the committee representatives from the City. Finally, the board will be doing a site visit to Denton October 25th and 26th. b. Promotion: Cindy reported that the committee is already hard at work on Ladies Nite Out. The subcommittee co-chairs are Kay Briggs and Janice Parker. The theme concept will be snowflakes and diamonds. Ideas include a photo booth, swag bags, promotion of Small Business Saturday, a fashion show and man caves. For Swirl, the committee is looking at hiring a professional fundraiser and delving into specific planning in August. Tentatively, the committee is interested in having a VIP section and limiting the number of samples the restaurants need to provide. Finally, the committee discussed criteria for the Main Street Star Award. Draft criteria were presented, and the board asked that amendments be made, including: promoting Georgetown above and beyond one’s own business, makes a lasting impact on the downtown, meets Main Street’s goal of enhancing downtown vibrancy and historic preservation, and meeting a majority of the criteria. Amanda made a motion to amend the criteria as discussed and vote on the final criteria at the August meeting, Vicki seconded. All board members present approved (5-0, Marcy and Vicki absent). c. Organization: David reported the Texas Downtown Award nominations are due in July. The City will help nominate the Union on 8th, the Georgetown Art Center, the Most Beautiful Town Square marketing campaign, and potentially 600 Degrees. The committee also discussed an alternative fundraiser in May for National Preservation Month. The idea is to do a picnic basket fundraiser on the courthouse lawn. The Williamson Museum is also interested in a picnic basket fundraiser. This is an ideal fundraiser to involve restaurants because all the food is preordered. The Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation is hosting its Fast Pitch Award competition. This would be a good opportunity to secure funding for up-lighting the county trees year round. The board also needs to be looking for people to lead the fundraising efforts for the holiday lighting. L:\Global\Boards and Commissions\Minutes\MSTAB\2014\Minutes_MSTAB_07.11.2014.doc d. Design: Amanda reported that several businesses are interested in corner wayfinding signage . The board’s current position is to support the City’s current Wayfinding & Signage Master Plan. The plan can be found on the Main Street program website under “Work”. Should the plan be amended, the Main Street Advisory Board would like to be involved in the design of new signage. The board may also look at helping businesses off the direct square market themselves more effectively. The 2014 ornament mockup will be available in August. Staff met with property owners along the 8th Street Courtyard, and it appears that most are interested in a long-term lease with the City to develop the space. Periphery benefits of the project have helped sell the project, including additional signage and increased occupancy loads in buildings along 8th St. Uniform signage for vacant buildings has also been drafted and signs will be available to property owners. The committee is also looking at hosting realtor training, streamlined holiday forms, and utility box screening. The plaque for the mural has been ordered and will be centered underneath the existing mural. 6. Staff Report: Shelly reported that the board needs to invite their blocks to the Downtown Low Down Meeting. The Low Down has an extensive agenda, and several new businesses and prospective businesses have been invited. AccuBuild’s chamber ribbon cutting will be on July 28th. 7. The next meeting will be on August 8th. David adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ ____________________ Marcy Urban, Board Secretary Date ____________________________ ____________________ David Kellerman, Board Chair Date