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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-09 Economic Development Committee Agenda"+ Town of Reading is "I Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2013 -10 -09 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Sheila Clarke - Chair Meghan Young - Tafoya Maria Higgins Camille Anthony George Rio Jack Russell Liz Krugman Members - Not Present: Karl Weld Others Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Berger Room TOWNECLERK E :DING. MASS. 2011 NOV 21 P 4: 13 Jessie Wilson - Staff Planner John Weston - CPDC Member and BFSI Committee Working Group Member Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Building Facade and Sionaae Improvement Program (BFSI): Ms. Clarke told the EDC that the BFSI Committee Working Group met prior to the meeting to review the applications and make a recommendation to the EDC for awards. She summarized the working group's recommendations: • Salon on Haven -They are seeking assistance for two awnings and new lighting similar to the new Cadres Building. The total cost of the project included 5600 for the lighting and up to $1,000 per awning for a total of $2,600. The working group recommends awarding he" of cost of lighting and half of the cost of the awnings for a total of $1,300. • Indigo —The owner of this business is seeking assistance for two wall signs per the approved Master Signage Plan. The total cost of the two signs is $5,072. The working group is recommends awarding half the cost of each sign or $2,500 for both signs. Should Indigo she only install one sign, she shall only receive reimbursement of half of that cost. • Leah's — The owner of the salon is seeking assistance for a blade sign at the cost of $1,125. It was recommended to award half of that amount at $563. CPDC is scheduled to approve the blade sign application on their October 14, 2013 meeting. Page 1 1 • Bolea —The owner s of the boutique are also seeking assistance for a blade sign. It was agreed to recommend half of the total cost of $950 for an award amount of $475. The blade sign has already been approved by the CPDC. • Raspberry Beret— The owner of the consignment store is seeking assistance for an awning sign. The sign has already been approved by the CPDC. There are two additional businesses in which the working group would like additional information. Those include the Dirty Doodle and Bed N Biscull. The Dirty Doodle would like to upgrade their pylon sign and do some additional lighting in the parking area/walkway as well as the overhang. The BFSI Committee working group would like to understand what exactly they have in mind. Bed N Biscuit application lacked details and the BFSI Committee would like to seek improvements to lighting, new front fence, awning and windows. It was agreed that a new front fence could make a huge impact, but the group would like to know the type of fence they are considering as well as the proposed location of the replacement fence. There was also an application from Danis Properties for 1 General Way. The working group is not recommending funding be awarded to this applicant. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that the recommendations support the small businesses in town and this is exactly in line with the goals of the BFSI Program. She also suggested that Ms. Robyn Parker work with the owner of Bed N Biscuit to think about a large scale improvement or a phased approach. It was agreed it may be worthwhile to meet with the owners and find out what is their long term plan. Mr. Weston pointed out she was seeking financing options with the Reading Co -Op Bank so they may already have a plan. On a motion by Mr. Russell, seconded by Ms. Young - Tafoya, the EDC awarded $450 to Bolea for a Blade Sign $563 to Leah's for a Blade Sign $2,500 to Indigo for two Wall Signs $750 to Raspberry Beret for Awning Sign $1,300 to Salon on Haven for half the cost of Awnings and half the cost of new lighting Motion carried 4-0 -0. The EDC discussed the Family Dental Project. Ms. Wilson reported they are working out some details on the window design. Ms. Clarke told the EDC that the Work Plan needs to be discussed and she recommended the EDC review it at the next meeting. She also reported that the Board of Selectmen meeting went well and they had limited commentaNeedback. The BOS did mention that it would be helpful to gain tracking and metrics such that the Town would better understand why businesses come to Reading and leave Reading. Exit interviews were also discussed. Minutes: On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya, seconded by Mr. Rio, the EDC voted to approve the minutes from the September 4, 2013 as amended. Motion carried 4 -0 -0. Board of Selectmen Meetina: Ms. Clarke reported that Mr. Rio, Ms. Young - Tafoya and Mr. Weld were at the Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting on September 10, 2013. She said she submitted to the BOS all the materials including the various reports they have engaged in over the years. She also provided them with the slide that outlines EDC's basic initiatives to move forward. She noted that the BOS were complementary on the EDC efforts, but did not provide much feedback and did not have Page 1 2 many questions. Ms. West talked about metrics. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that she wrote up a document for the Retail Visioning Program which summarized what worked /didn't work and what they would do different. She recommended doing that for each of their programs and providing it to the BOS regularly. Ms. Clarke also reported that she is still working with the Town Manager on the Social Media Plan for Facebook and that Town Counsel still has this in the queue for review. She noted that Calareso's has greatly improved on their social media marketing and their Facebook Page is now fully active. She also suggested that Joe Calareso should do a workshop for other businesses on how to use Facebook for social media marketing. It was also suggested that Leslie Leahy of the Hitching Post should do a workshop on how to use Constant Contact. Ms. Krugman noted that the Chocolate Truffle also does a great job with social media. Ms. Clarke recommended adding a new line item on the Work Plan for Business to Business Workshops. Downtown Research and Development Center Publications: The EDC discussed the publications provided by the Downtown Research and Development Center Publications. One of the optional publications is for Funding Sources for Downtown Partnerships. Ms. Young- Tafoya said it may be worth purchasing since they are still working on the DIET Funding Plan. Ms. Clarke agreed she would purchase the publication. WorkPlan Updates: The EDC reviewed the Workplan and the following is a summary of updates: DIET Funding: Ms. Young - Tafoya reported they would like to launch the plan at the end of the year. She asked if the financials for the Fall Street Faire have come in. Ms. Wilson said she has not seen anything to sate. Ms. Young - Tafoya said the EDC should review this plan in the November meeting and determine what actions are realistic. Ms. Wilson said she would request the Town Manager review the plan and provide any comments before moving forward. Best Retail Practices: Ms. Higgins reported the working group has hired the services of an intern to work with the businesses on implementing some of the recommendations from Christine Moynihan. Many of the businesses have opted not to move forward with his services and his work will be closed out by the end of the month. RCN Program: Ms. Anthony reported that you have to be trained by the RCN staff to operate a program on RCN. DRTs: Mr. Russell reported he attended the DIRT for 308 Main Street. The site is proposed to be redeveloped for the new Pizza World location. He said the DIRT was very effective. He also reported a DIRT was held for a proposed subdivision, but that has not much bearing on economic development activity. Ms. Young - Tafoya told the EDC that the SOS is reviewing an application for a "Sip and Paint" concept. This is a concept in which people would attend an art class and also be served wine or alcohol. The BOS are working out how to permit this type of operation. Mapping Project: Ms. Wilson updated the EDC on the progress of the Priority Mapping Project being done by MAPC. She said that the Development and preservation areas identified on the regional level will have certain status when applying for various state grants. The report will be finalized by the early December. Ms. Young- Tafoya asked about the alleyway, noting that some maintenance needs to be completed. She requested follow up with Ms. Clarke to see if the DPW can perform some maintenance on the alleyway. Ms. Anthony noted that the building at 95 Main Street looks great after the renovation. She suggested the EDC consider developing an award to give out each year to a business. Page 1 3 Ms. Young - Tafoya also recommended providing the BOS with the activity update quarterly so they keep in the loop. On a motion by Mr. Rio, seconded by Ms. Young- Tafoye the EDC voted to adjoum at 9:00 PM. Motion carded 40 -0. Respecdully submitted, Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Gage 14