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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-10 ACE MINUTES• ALLIANCE F OR C OMME R CE IN ENGLEWOOD March 10, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :40 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room . Chair McDermott presided. Present: Absent: Staff: Guinther, Lonborg, Panetta, Schalk, Vasilas, McDermott City Council Liaison Olga Wolosyn Alternate Member Verbeck Councilman Woodward Cook Chamber Liaison Penning Economic Deve lopment Coordinator Hollingsw orth Ch air McDermott d ecl ar ed a quorum present. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February l 0, 2 00 5 • Chair McDermott stated th at th e Minutes o f Februar y 10, 2005 w e re to be consid ered for ap- proval. She asked if th ere were any changes or amendments to the Minutes. • Vasilas moved : Schalk seconded: The Minutes of February 10 , 2005 be approved as written. The motion carried . III. FOLL OW-UP ON FE BRUARY MEETING A. ACE "Profile" Chair McDermott stated that at the February meeting, there was discussion of a "group picture" for the ACE "profile", along with a two-line statement regarding the member and their business . She noted that Mr. Cook is absent , and asked if the members present wished to proceed with the picture . It was noted that this can be done at the close of the meeting. Chair McDermott asked that members submit descriptive information to staff as soon as possible. Mr. Hollingsworth sug gested th at m embers may e-mail descriptive material to him. B . ACE WEB Page The ACE WEB page will contain the 2005 Work program, goals, and contacts . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the new WEB page for the City, with linkage to ACE , will be launched this spring . H:\GRO UP\BOARDS \ACE\Minu tes \2 005\ACE 03 -1 0-05 .doc 1 • • • C . Business Directory Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the format for the Business Directory will include space for an e- mail address. D . Chamber of Commerce "Gala" Chair McDermott noted that Ms. Lonborg, Mr. Vasilas, and Mr. Panetta were award winners at the Chamber Gala. A newspaper article on Mr. Vasilas business was distributed to members. IV. NEW BUSINESS Swedish Medical Center 1001h Anniversary-Cooperative Promotion Ms . Lonborg reviewed the partnership proposal she had presented at the February meeting. Pro- posals include a window art competition for participating businesses . A business wishing to par- ticipate would be asked to purchase a "Dala package" for $150 and to display the Shorts for Tots information. They estimate that a minimum of 20 businesses need to participate for the program to be feasible. All window art will be required to comply with the theme of"lOO years of car- ing" in acknowledgement of the Medical Center 's 1001 h anniversary. Promotion of the Shots for Tots through the "Dala" sales was discussed . The participating busi- nesses will display information promoting immuniz ation clinics and support the immuniz ations either by a donation form to be returned to the hospital upon completion , or purchase of a paper Dala horse for $1.00 . Ms. Lonborg noted that all of the proceeds will be used in the Shots for Tots program, and not by the medical center. Ms. Lonborg reported that Swedish has joined forces with area Rotary Clubs to promote the immunization program for Colorado children. Ms . Lonborg stated that a formal request to the City to allow a display banner over Broadway during May and June to promote shopping in Englewood and to support the Shots for Tots pro- gram is also proposed. Ms . Lonborg discussed the various advertising aspects that Swedish plans to undertake to pro- mote the anniversary and attendant activities. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that staff will include information on the Shots for Tots program in the Englewood Citiz en, and also the monthly busi- ness fax . The cost to businesses interested in participating was discussed. Ms. Lonborg emphasized that Swedish didn't want to price the Dala package out of the reach of small businesses, and there is a need to include businesses of all sizes. Chair McDermott noted that the proposed cost is very nominal. Other members of ACE agreed. Mr. Vasilas asked that the Chamber of Commerce be requested to publicize the information on Shots for Tots and the Dala horses, either by fax to the Chamber membership or in the newslet- ter. Mr. Hollingsworth reiterated that the City will also include the information in the monthly Business News fax that is sent to all businesses ofrecord . H:\GROU P\BOA RDS \ACE \Minut es\2005\ACE 03 -1 0-05.doc 2 • • • Discussion ensued on the window art competition, and the end of school-year activities. It was suggested that possibly art instructors could be asked to choose students to do the window art rather than having a class-wide competition prior to choice of students. Mr. Vasilas stated that his business, Ted's Clothiers, will participate in the activities for the Swedish anniversary celebrations. V. OLD BUSINESS Business Visitation Program Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the Business Visitation Program was begun in 2004, and is an im- portant project of ACE. It is visiting face -to-face with other business people to make them aware of ACE, to make businesses aware of assistance such as the Enterprise Zone, the Catalyst Pro- gram, and to ask what ACE, and the City, can do to provide assistance . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that a "survey" was developed to be distributed to the businesses that are visited, as well a "re- quest for information" form , and a list of "interview tips" or policies for the ACE members. Brief discussion ensued. Chair McDermott noted that the Catalyst Program references "matching funding "; she suggested that fund limits be cited -so that visitation recipients will understand that the matching funding is available only to a specific dollar amount. Mr. Hollingsworth agreed that this was a needed point of clarification . Mr. Panetta noted that all forms pertaining to the Visitation Program need updating , citing cur- rent ACE officers and membership. Mr. Hollingsworth so noted. Mr. Panetta asked whether the visits conducted in 2004 were "cold-calls'', or whether the busi- ness was notified of the date and time of the visit. Mr. Panetta further suggested that ACE mem- bers might all be given copies of the forms that can be given out to other businessmen who might be in the ACE member's place of business. This would provide the opportunity of one -on-one discussions, and it might provide a more comfortable discussion atmosphere. Discussion ensued . Mr. Schalk suggested that the forms might also be located in the Library, at the Permit Counter in the Building Department, or other areas in the City governmental offices where businessmen frequent. Mr. Schalk also suggested that some of the information be converted to post-card size, with space provision for the name and e-mail address. This could be a means of beginning an up-dated business list. Mr. Vasilas noted that there were a couple of businesses that ACE called on last year, but were unable to talk to the owner or manager; they left the survey to be completed and returned to staff. He asked whether those businesses responded. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that they did not. Mr. Schalk commented that he is more likely to respond to an e-mail message than he is to fax a re- ply or to respond to a fax. Ms. Lonborg commented that in conjunction with the lOO th anniversary activities, Swedish has been contacting physicians to assist in the celebration activities . She suggested that this data base could be shared with the City for the business directory/Trackit business listings. Mr. Hollingsworth stated this would be most helpful. H :\GRO UP\BOARDS\AC E\Minutes\2005\AC E 03 -10 -0 5 .doc 3 • • • VI. ENTERPRISE ZONE Boundary Update Chair McDermott asked Mr. Hollingsworth to brief the members on the Enterprise Zone. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the Enterprise Zone boundaries along South Broadway have been modified to include all properties that have a commercial zone classification. It also eliminated . some properties along Acoma and Lincoln that did not carry the commercial zone classification. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that properties within the Enterprise Zone are eligible for tax credits each year when they file their tax returns. One property cited specifically by Mr. Hollingsworth is the site of the former Fratelli's Restaurant on East Hampden Avenue; inasmuch as this prop- erty has been vacant for a couple of years and will require a considerable amount of remodeling and improvement work to reopen as a restaurant, the new owner/developer should realize a con- siderable tax credit. The property is also eligible for assistance through the Commercial Catalyst Program. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that all property that carries a commercial zone classification in Englewood is in the Enterprise Zone District. VII. PROJECT UPDATES Chair McDermott asked Mr. Hollingsworth to discuss the "Project Updates" memorandum . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that is a monthly report that is prepared by the Public Works Department, submitted to the City Manager and to the City Cotmcil. The report provides information on vari- ous aspects of the CityCenter development, and other redevelopm ent sites, as well as on-going programs such as paving and concrete replacement programs. Members were pleased to receive the update, and asked that they receive this information on a regular basis. VIII. STREET BANNER Mr. Woodward reported that a new street banner will be going up across Broadway; the initial banner will promote the upcoming ladies' golf tournament in Cherry Hills Village . After that particular banner is removed, a second banner location is available for use for various City func- tions. Ms. Wolosyn suggested that a banner promoting the Old Tyme Englewood car show could be installed in the second location. The possibility of "tagging" the car show banner onto the bottom of the mid-block banner in the 3400 block of South Broadway was discussed . Mr. Panetta suggested a letter from ACE, signed by the Chair, endorsing a banner in support of the car show. Mr. Hollingsworth indicated he will prepare such a letter. IX. DEVELOPMENT SITES Mr. Schalk discussed his frustration with the City and the slow process of choosing and approv- ing development proposals for the 3400 South Acoma Street site. He stated that he submitted a proposal in 2004, and has people interested in going forward. There is an issue regarding park- ing for his proposal, and he is not pleased with the response he has received. Ms . Wolosyn H:\GRO UP\B OARDS \A CE\M inutes\2 005 \A CE 03-l 0-05 .doc 4 • • stated that part of this parcel is owned by the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority, and a small portion is owned by the City of Englewood. There is a "review committee" that studies all de- velopment submittals, and may request additional studies or information prior to rendering a de- termination. She assured Mr. Schalk she will look into this matter for him . Mr. Verbeck discussed efforts by Miller Weingarten to lease space to a "high-end second-hand store'', run by the ARC; this proposal had to be "shelved" and Miller Weingarten is now negoti- ating with a "simple foods" grocery store. This outlet will be similar in character to Vitamin Cottage. Mr. Verbeck stated that he hoped "higher powers" won't determine that this proposed lessee is not allowed. Ms. Wolosyn pointed out that if a use is not permitted in a particular zone classification, it cannot be approved . Such was the case with the second-hand store in the City- Center location. X. COMMENTS AND EVENTS A. Chamber of Commerce Chair McDermott noted that the Student Award luncheon is scheduled for March 23rd; sponsor- ships are being accepted at the present time ; these sponsorships provide assistance to students who find it financially difficult to bring a family member to the awards luncheon. B. ACE Members Mr. Vasilas briefly discussed the Old Tyme Englewood Car Show scheduled in July, 2005 . He stated that contributions are still needed to meet expenses. Mr. Vasilas emphasized that down- town merchants do not want streets or alleyv.r ays closed during this car show ; they want good automotive and pedestri an circulation to their businesses , hoping to capture business from visi- tors coming to see the various cars on display. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that staff is trying to schedule time on the City Council agenda for April 4 for an update on the auto-show. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that Mr. Colm , of the Old Tyme Englewood group , also wants to get approval for a sidewalk sale in conjunction with the auto show. Ms . Wolosyn stated that she had brought up an issue a month or two ago regarding a list of res- taurants. She has since determined that, while the City did the initial list, information was transmitted to the Chamber of Commerce via computer disc to keep the list up-to-date. The City will maintain a special file on restaurants that will be sent to the Chamber. C. Staff Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the Fire Department does periodic visits to all businesses in Englewood to determine if fire code violations exist. Staff has met with all three shifts of Fire personnel to advise them of the programs available to assist businesses . There was no further business brought before the Commission. The meeting was declared ad- • joumed. Members gathered after adjournment of the meeting for the Group Photo for the ACE Profile. H:\GROU P\BOA RD S\ACE\M inutes\2005\ACE 03 -1 0-0 5.doc 5 • • • Gertrude G. Welty, Recording Secre Action Items: • Include information on Swedish Medical Center Anniversary activities in next Business Fax • Staff to clarify the dollar limit of Catalyst Program "matching funds" on the Visitation in- formation • Staff to update all forms pertaining to Visitation Program; forms to be submitted to ACE members within one week • Prepare letter to City Council in support of street banner promoting the Old Tyme Englewood car show Agenda Items: H:\GROU P\BOA RD S\ACE\M in utes \2005\AC E 03 -10 -0 5.doc 6