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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-04 Economic Development Committee Minutes0 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2013 -09 -04 Time: 6:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Sheila Clarke - Chair Meghan Young - Tafoya Maria Higgins Camille Anthony Karl Weld George Rio Members - Not Present: Jack Russell Others Present: Location: Berger Room Jessie Wilson - Staff Planner Bob LeLacheur - Town Manager Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson RECEIVED TOWN CLERK aE,,OING. MASS. 1013 OCT 1b PR31 Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Minutes: On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya, seconded by Ms. Clarke, the EDC voted to approve the minutes from the August 7, 2013 as amended. Motion carried 4-0 -0. Board of Selectmen Meeting Preparation: Mr. LeLacheur reviewed the draft agenda for the Board of Selectmen (SOS) meeting scheduled for September 10, 2013. He mentioned there is going to be a planning workshop session which will review a number of topics including affordable housing, permitting software and then the EDC has the floor. It was discussed whether the EDC should wait to December to present to the BOS because one member of the BOS will not be in attendance and the agenda for the BOS is quite extensive. Mr. LeLacheur replied that the EDC may not get another opportunity to get before the BOS until December. Ms. Clarke said she would like to get some materials to the BOS in advance of the meeting so that they understand what the EDC has worked on in the past. The EDC and the Town Manager continue a discussion about the BOS meeting. Mr. Weld pointed out that the Town currently does not have an Economic Development Strategy and the Master Plan is 7 years old. He suggested it may be time to think about updating the Master Plan and then taking a look at developing an actual Economic Development Strategy. Ms. Young - Tafoya agreed, noting there may be differences within Town Government on what economic development means. The Downtown was the pnmary focus of the EDC as called for by the Master Plan. However, this may not be the case Page 1 1 today. She also stated that the town is about 91 % residential and there are limited areas for economic growth and they include downtown, South Main Street and Walkers Brook Drive. Mr. Rio asked about the other side of the depot and he felt that it may be a good opportunity to expand economic growth across the tracks. Mr. Weld said one of the big challenges with the downtown is the fact that Main Street is a 4 lane highway. He said that economic development should include all types such as retail, professional services, commercial. It was agreed that there is a more fundamental question that needs to be asked —what does the Town want for economic development. Mr. LeLacheur told the EDC that the zoning bylaw update will not cause major map changes and zoning changes, but that it may be a good time for the EDC to look at this sort of issue. Ms. Young - Tafoya agreed, but pointed out it is a huge undertaking. The EDC continued to discuss the upcoming BOS meeting. It was agreed that there is concern for lack of funding from the DIETsince booth rentals from the Fall Street Faire (FSF) were down this year. The EDC also agreed that there can be other avenues for funding such as the meals tax. Mr. Weld said increasing funding and having consistent funding is key to expand the EDC programs. Mr. LeLacheur said that earmarking funds, such as the meals tax is a great idea, but there is always contention on the floor of town meeting when up against the School Department In regards to the presentation at the upcoming BOS Meeting, Ms. Clarke put together a slide identifying various'buckets' of EDC strategies. If something does not fall into one of those 'buckets', then the EDC should not focus on it. Mr. LeLacheur did ask the EDC about the loan they received from the Celebration Fund years ago. He mentioned the Town Accountant noticed that out of the $10,000 which was borrowed, only $5,000 was paid back. Ms. Clarke recalled they did borrow from the Trust, but that the remaining $5,000 would be an on -going gift from the Trust. Mr. LeLacheur asked if he could get the meeting minutes which agreed to that loan. Ms. Clarke told the Town Manager that she worked with the Staff Planner to develop some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for the development and maintenance of a Facebook Page for the EDC. Mr. LeLacheur saitl he has not reviewed it yet, but there are a few things in which will need to be reviewed and address by Town Counsel. He also mentioned in regards to the DIET Funding Plan concern for the tier levels and how that would work out. The EDC continued to discuss the DIET and funding options. It was agreed that funding outside of the FSF is necessary and maybe something like the athletic boosters is something the EDC should look into. Building Facade and Sianume Improvement Proaram IBFSII Update, Ms. Clarke told the EDC that the Co-Op is onboard for this year's program. She also confirmed with Nick Salina and John Weston of the CPDC that they can participate on the BFSI Committee. She is still awaiting confirmation from the James Bonazoli from the BOS. As for a Design Student, Ms. Clarke is going to reach out to Michel's friend to see if he can participate in the program. Another option is to have Robyn Parker assist. Mr. Weld updated the brochure and invite. Ms. Wilson will have the invite printed and mailed out. Retail Visioning: Ms. Higgins provided an update on the Retail Visioning (RV) program. She said that 5 additional businesses decided to partake in the free design services offered by the Internship. She is in the process of meeting with those businesses with the Intern to discuss various ideas. The Intern can provide sign design (interior and exterior) and also other window ideas. He is willing to assist in any manner he can. Page 1 2 The final Reports from the RV Program will be emailed out to everyone. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that a few of her recommendations were not allowed under the current sign bylaw and this is something to think about as the bylaw is updated. She said Chris will even forward some information about building size and how signage relates. On a motion by Mr. Weld, seconded by Ms. Young - Taloya the EDC voted to adjourn at 7:05 PM. Motion carried 4.0.0. Respectfully submitted, Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Page 1 3