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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-05 Economic Development Committee Minutesf, .. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2014 -11 -05 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Karl Weld Sheila Clarke George Rio Sandra Popaja Meghan Young - Tafoya Members - Not Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Berger Room Maria Higgins Jack Russell Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Others Present: RECEIVEO IOWN CLERK :SUING. MASS. 1014 OEC I l P s 20 Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Meghan Young Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Approval Of EDC Minutes 9/3/2014 The EDC reviewed minutes of October 1, 2014 Ms. Young - Tafoya made a motion to approve the revised minutes from 10/1/2014. Mr. Rio seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Ms. Clarke announced that the next EDC meeting would be her last as a voting member. She Is willing to do projects for the EDC, but due to her schedule, can not commit to attending meeting as a voting member. She will be submitting her resignation to the Town and resubmitting as an Associate. Ms. Popaja was encouraged to submit her application as a member of the EDC. The EDC noted that they would send a note to the Board of Selectman indicating their support of these changes. Ms. Clarke recommended that after our December EDC meeting that we celebrate the season and her `retirement' together. Calendars were consulted and the EDC meeting has been moved to Thursday, December Vh. Page I 1 ral District Plan (Per Ms. Wilson's agenda notes)The final meeting with the Consultant was held on October 21. The next steps are for the Working Group to continue to meet and review the recommendations from the consultant on how to move forward with creating a district for Reading. The next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2015 at 5:30PM at the Police Station. Mr. Weld suggested that now that the consultant is no longer a part of this group that the Cultural District Working Group meetings be moved to later in the day to provide for more participation for Interested parties who are unable to attend due to work obligations. Work Plan Updates Building Fagade and Signage Improvement Program - The EDC reviewed the Family Dental submissions to the CPDC, the changes were well received by all members. Discussion continued about plans for the 2015 BFSI program, and whether the possibility of open enrollment' throughout the year would be a good option. The EDC still would like to make an effort to contact specific businesses that would be well suited for this program. Ms. Young - Tafoya made a motion to approve a DIET appropriation of $15,000 for the 2015 BFSI program from January - December, 2015. Mr. Rio seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. All members agreed that additional discussion on the 2015 BFSI program will continue In subsequent meetings including setting up charrettes in the spring and fall to encourage participation. Social Media -Mr. Weld has successfully transitioned to administrator of Facebook. The EDC discussed how the Facebook page could help promote this year's BFSI program. He will be submitting changes to Jessie for Town approvals in the future. Economic Development Master Plan - (Per Ms. Wilson's agenda notes) MAPC will continue work on gathering information for the plan. This step also Includes the market analysis and alternative development scenarios. It was agreed the check in calls are necessary and the first call is scheduled for December 2, 2014 at 1PM. An email invite has already been submitted to the EDC. To avoid Issues with Open Meeting Law, it is recommended a maximum of 2 voting members and 1 associate member be on the call. Please Inform Planning Staff who would like to attend the call. The next in- person meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13`^ from 3- 4:30PM at the Police Station. During the meeting, Ms. Young - Tafoya let the EDC know that she had spoken to Ms. Wilson and there Is no limit on the number of associate attendees that can attend the call. Ms. Wilson had indicated to Ms. Young - Tafoya that as the meeting was going to be on a conference call that a majority of the EDC would not be allowed. Though Ms. Clarke, Mr. Weld and Ms. Young - Tafoya could all attend, Ms. Clarke opted out of attending the call. Passport - Ms. Popaja received the PDF of the Passport from Ms. Clarke and has converted it to Word. She has made a first pass on revisions based on feedbacklinput and recommended design changes (modeled on Dedham's Business Guide.) Mr. Weld Is onboard to help out with the layout and design. Ms. Young - Tafoya has attended a number of the CPDC meetings for the revised By -Law and during one of those meeting asked the CPDC about the Development Review Team (DRT) Meeting inclusion in the by -law. Ms. Delos Indicated that the DRT Is not a mandatory requirement of the Town; therefore, it is not Included in the By -Law. Mr. Weld asked how that decision was made, and Ms. Young - Tafoya assumed that It came from a recommendation of the ZAC/Town Counsel and consultant. Page 1 2 EDC members expressed concern that the DRT Is not a part of the By -law as It has proved to be a successful step for developers as they get counseled by Department Heads on policy and regulations as well as recommendations /comments before the applicant proceeds to CPDC. Downtown Idea Exchange - Ms. Wilson let the EDC know that the subscription for the Downtown Idea Exchange was expiring in December. Ms. Young - Tafoya moved that the EDC expend $236.50 to renew the subscription for the Downtown Idea Exchange for 2015. Ms. Clarke seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Outbound Marketing - Ms. Clarke recommended that we contact the editor of The Readings to discuss EDC projects (BFSI) with the thought that the Spring Issue might be a great way to promote the BFSI program to businesses in the community. Streetscape - Ms. Clarke shared that a coworker of hers had been looking for the past two years for a home. They visited Reading, went to D'Amici's for coffee, sat outside and her husband looked across the street at the Flowers and said to his wife, "this Is where we should live!" Though the Flowers have been a beautiful part of the streetscape this year, Ms. Clarke will be contacting George (DPW) to check In on their removal. Economic Development Activity Ms. Clarke commented on how well the Healthy Changes Plates blade sign "pops" from the Main Street side of the building. Mr. Rio reported that Bunratty's Tavern has had to cancel some November /December gathering due to the building not being ready for occupancy. Ms. Young - Tafoya shared that Grumpy's Tavern has stepped it up a notch with both the new ddcor and chef. All EDC members noted that it was good to see that the Perfecto's foundation has been laid. Adfournment Ms. Young - Tafoya moved the EDC to adjourn at 8:10PM. Mr. Rio seconded and the motion. carried 4 -0 -0. vase I :,