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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-20 Economic Development Committee Minutesv Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2014 -08-20 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Maria Higgins lack Russell George Rio - Vice Chair Meghan Young Sandra Popaja Members - Not Present: Kar Weld Sheila Clarke Others Present: IIdiF3WK11r7lul RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ;DING. MASS. 2014 SEP 11 A11:05 Location: Berger Room Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. Approval Of EDC Minutes 7/23/2014 The EDC reviewed the amended minutes from Ms. Young- Tafoya's minor edits. Ms. Higgins makes a motion to approve the motion to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Young - Tafoya seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Downtown Maintenance The EDC reviewed the invoice for the alleyway maintenance. Mr. Russell expressed concern over the invoice and thought that the Town was going to take over maintenance of the alleyway. He did not agree that the EDC should have to be responsible for the costs of maintenance. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that she believes an EDC member authorized the work, but the Invoice is over the approved budget amount by the EDC. The EDC previously set aside about $500 for alleyway maintenance and the invoice is over by $150. She also felt that the EDC should not be responsible for routine cleanup, but noted there should be some procedure in place to take care of issues like this. Ms. Young - Tafoya moved the EDC to add an additional $150 to the alleyway maintenance line item of the EDC. Page 1 1 Ms. Higgins asked how much was previously allocated from the EDC. Ms. Wilson said that in 2013 the EDC allocated $500, none of which has been spent. Mr. Rio seconded the motion and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Mr. Russell made a motion to write a memo to the Town Manager, with a copy to the DPW to reinforce the idea that the Town would be responsible for all the cost associated with the alleyway maintenance as needed. Ms. Young - Tafoya explained the history of the alleyway, noting that the EDC raised money to Improve the alleyway. The raised funds paid for the painting of the mural, the Iron details, planting, Iron chain /bollards and the lighting. The Town paid for the new brickwork out of capital funding. Ms. Young - Tafoya also said that Michele Williams waters the plants every summer about once a week. In addition, Ms. Young - Tafoya said that she would like to understand who would maintain the Iron details because if they are not painted and maintained, they will begin to rust. In regards to the motion on the table she would recommend that at least once a week the alleyway be evaluated. Motion revised. Motion to write a memo to the Town Manager, with a copy to the DPW to reinforce the understanding that the maintenance agreement of the alleyway Is Town responsibility and that the alleyway should be Included with regular downtown maintenance. Mr. Rio seconded the motion and motion carried 3 -0 -0. Ms. Wilson said that Staff has been thinking about some form of wayfinding for businesses that are tucked in the rear of buildings or cut off from the main street. Ms. Young - Tafoya noted that the EDC previously looked at that idea in Wayfinding Signage Study. She noted they even have drawings from that past study. Ms. Wilson said maybe the EDC would want to partner with the Town and offer some funding from the Building Fagade and Signage Improvement Program. Ms. Higgins said that It Is Important to be Inclusive of all businesses. Ms. Young - Tafoya also expressed concern with the businesses on the other side of Main Street and "Upper" Haven. She said that the visibility for those businesses is challenging, but also agreed that we need to be inclusive as to not exclude businesses that want to get this type of signage. Ms. Popaja suggested having the sign that is more generic stating the type of business and not necessarily the business name, such as "Pizza ", "Hair Salon ". Zonina Advisory Committee (ZAC) Ms. Wilson updated the group on the ZAC including the Special Town Meeting and November Town Meeting. She said that the ZAC would be moving forward with 5 articles at Special Town Meeting in September. This Includes the medical marijuana zoning, update of Section 1 - Authority and Purpose, Section 3 - Establishment of Districts and the deletion of Section 4.5- Wetlands Protection District Overlay and Section 4.6 - Mixed Use Overlay. The remainder of the zoning update with go before November Town Meeting. She said that at this point, Staff and the ZAC are thinking it would be under 1 article, but that the moderator would be scripted to only debate sections that are called out for debate. She also said that the ZAC would be reviewing the Signs section on September P, but that the CPDC will be reviewing the Sign section on Monday, August 251h. Update on Cultural District Plan Ms. Higgins said that the working group has been compiling an inventory of all the cultural resources /assets in the Town. The goal would be to investigate whether or not the Town would qualify for state designation as a Cultural District or find out what other type of Page 1 2 organization that may benefit the cultural assets and businesses in Reading. She said that the next steps for the working group are to create a survey for the downtown businesses and cultural groups to find out what they see would benefit them. The EDC also discussed how other towns had adopted Main Streets programs. The Town of Wakefield received a major contribution for the first year, and Ms. Wilson explained that a large portion of time with the Main Streets initiatives Is spent on fundraising to support the continuance of the program. Ms. Wilson said that the next meeting of the working group Is on Tuesday the 26th at 5:30PM. Ms. Young - Tafoya suggested checking with the Fall Street Falre to see If there are any local artists that have signed up and to get them included In the inventory. Update on Economic Development Plan Ms. Wilson provided an update on the Economic Development Plan. Staff Is working through the contract and there is more to come on that. In addition, the Planning Division has secured some general planning services from MAPC that will help with the development of Flow charts, permitting applications, visioning, etc. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that the EDC should be included in that process. Work Plan Updates Ms. Wilson provided an update on the Building Facade and Signage Improvement Program and that Pure Fit reimbursement is forthcoming as well as reimbursement from Salon on Haven. The Butcher Shoppe still has not submitted their application to the CPDC. Ms. Young - Tafoya said that Ms. Popaja and she are working on updating the Passport. Ms. Popaja reviewed her evaluation and said that there are some things that are out of date, but there is still some good information that is still relevant In the Passport. Ms. Popaja said that the EDC could keep It as a Passport to doing business In Reading, but make It more clear and user friendly. The EDC discussed the Summer Ave project in which the historic home at 186 Summer Avenue is proposed for demolition. The demolition delay has been Imposed, but the proposed use would have to go through a limited Site Plan Review under the Dover Amendment. Economic Development Activity Update Ms. Wilson provided a few updates on Perfecto's Caffe, Bunratty Tavern, and Grumpy Doyle's. The EDC agreed to meet next on September V. Ms. Wilson said she would have to cover the ZAC meeting, but that the EDC was welcome to come to that meeting to review the Sign language. Adiournment Ms. Young - Tafoya moved the EDC to adjourn at 8:57PM. Ms. Higgins seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Fay, I s