Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-17 Economic Development Committee MinutesY _.. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Economic Development Committee Date: 2015 -06 -17 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: George Rio, Vice Chair Maria Higgins Jack Russell Meghan Young - Tafoya Members - Not Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Berger Room Sandra Popja Karl Weld Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Others Present: Barry Berman, Board of Selectmen, EDC Liasion Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Meghan Young Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: There being a quorum the Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05. Approval of EDC Minutes 5/13/15 RECEI•Vt.J TOWN CL.[Ar K READING- M „Sj S. The EDC reviewed minutes and suggested edits to the May 13, 2015 minutes. P b; 04, Ms. Young - Tafoya made a motion to approve the revised minutes from 5/13/15. Ms. Higgins seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Downtown Improvement and Event Trust (DIET) Review Prior to reviewing the BFSI applications the EDC reviewed the current BFSI balance. Ms. Young - Tafoya noted that she had reached out to Ms. Wilson prior to the meeting for clarification as the Town Manager had expended $6,450 on the 20th of May for "Watering of Hanging Baskets” without the direction from or notification to the EDC. This was unprecedented as all expenditures from the DIET had been previously voted and approved by the EDC as per the DIET Trust guidelines, which allow the Town Manager to expend funds at the direction of the EDC. In prior years, the EDC has purchased the flowers with the Town assuming the cost of watering. During the review of the balance sheet, EDC members were mindful of the desire to preserve some of the remaining balance of the BFSI for future improvements to businesses. Page 1 1 BFSI Applications The EDC reviewed two applications for the BFSI program: a revisit of 628 Main Street (Healthy Changes Pilates) and 6 Linden Street (Tread LLC). Healthy Changes Pilates Healthy Changes Pilates provided some additional information as requested by the EDC, Ms. Higgins raised the question that it was still unclear if the notations on the submission were those of the applicant or the vendor. EDC members worked with the information provided by the applicant and proceeded with a motion. Mr. Rio moved the EDC to award Healthy Changes Pilates located at 628 Main Street a grant in the amount of $850 toward reimbursement of their blade sign Ms. Higgins seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0 Tread LLC Tread LLC will shortly be occupying 6 Linden Street and locally known instructor, Lori Haverty and co- owner, Tiffany Freitas will be offering small group training and cycling. During the review of the application, it was noted that there was an invoice for one sign for $600, but a larger amount of $2400 for signage was stated in the application. The EDC decided to act on the basis of the only invoice provided. Ms. Higgins stated that the asphalt paving for handicapped accessibility fell outside the guidelines of a "fagade improvement" for the BFSI program. After reviewing the estimates, Ms. Higgins calculated that per the BFSI guidelines the total expenditures were $14,400 and that the EDC could consider up to $7,200 (up to 50% of the total cost) for the grant. Ms. Young - Tafoya felt that this project was worthy of the $7,200, as the building was definitely in need of repair /refinement. Other members felt that this project, compared to Family Dental project (which to date was the highest grant award at $5,000) did not provide the same impact as a project on Main Street and that if the tenant were to leave the BFSI provided the owner with building enhancements. After more conversation and debate the motion was moved. Ms. Young - Tafoya moved the EDC to award Tread LLC located at 6 Linden Street a grant in the amount of $5,000 toward facade improvements. Ms. Higgins seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0 EDC Discussion on Proiect Summary and Strate Mr. Berman kicked off the discussion by personally thanking the EDC for all the hard work and effort over the 9 years. He is excited about the opportunity to start the work of the Economic Development Plan, as he feels that the Town has to make the pie bigger by increasing the businesses and residents that live in Reading. Though he likes Mr. Russell's recommendations, he agreed with Mr. Sexton that there are currently no budget dollars that could support the economic development efforts. These new economic development needs will more than likely need a different skill set of volunteers including folks with business brokerage experience, zoning experience, etc. As for the "blocking and tackling" of retaining businesses in Reading, Mr. Berman thinks that perhaps this might be accomplished by a 501C. Mr. Berman commented that in the 9 years of the EDC's existence the Downtown has changed tremendously and that the EDC might think of our efforts as "Mission Accomplished." Though all EDC members agreed that a lot had been accomplished, Ms. Page 1 2 Higgins stated that it could be better termed "progress accomplished." But that the attention and efforts that the EDC had made on behalf of current businesses still needs to be maintained. Ms. Young - Tafoya shared that she had attended the Cultural Connection of Reading (CCR) meeting last week and was surprised to learn that Beverly Main Streets was not an actual member of the Main Streets program. Tina Cassidy shared with the group the woes of their funding dilemmas (about 5 years ago). The City of Beverly currently gives Beverly Main Street 15 -20K a year to fund a BFSI program. Mr. Russell, who was also in attendance at the CCR, shared with Mr. Berman the 501C4 experience of the Downtown Steering Committee (DSC.) Originally the DSC worked with Town Manager Pete Hechenbleikner on the plans for the Downtown revitalization. They had done marketing and received funding in the early days; after a long wait for State funding the Committee was inactive and paperwork hadn't been filed reflecting a similar caution for moving this work out of town government. Mr. Russell highly recommended to Mr. Berman that for next year's flower installment that the Town consider a multi - colored basket instead of the one dimensional pink flowers. (Pictured below: Jack Russell /Multi - colored basket - Canadian Rockies) After concluding this discussion and with the upcoming Board of Selectmen vote and the sunset of the EDC, the members agreed that this would more than likely be the last meeting of the EDC as it exists today, and the remaining agenda items were tabled. Adiournment Ms. Higgins moved the EDC to adjourn at 8:351PM. Mr. Rio seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. MINUTES APPROVED VIA INDIVIDUAL EMAIL APPROVAL (3 -0 -0) Page 13