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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-09 ACE MINUTES• • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD APRIL 9, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER ~ The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE ) was called to order at 11 :45 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chair Schalk 'presiding. Present: Schalk, McDermott, Guinther, Vasilas, Lonborg (ente re d 11 :55 ), Espinoza Absent: Panetta Also present : Joe Jefferson, City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Mayor Staff present: Alan White, Community Dev elopment Director Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 12, 2009 Chair Schalk stated that the Minutes of February 12, 200 9 were to be considered for approval. It was determined there was a quorum. Chair Schalk asked if there were an y changes or adjustments to the Minutes. There were none. McDermott moved : Espinoza seconded : THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12 , 2009 BE APPROVED AS WRITIEN . The motion carried unanimousl y . 11. ACE BUSINESS El ~ ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2009 It was determined there was a quorum . Chair Schalk asked for nominations for Chair. McDermott moved : Vasilas seconded: TO ELECT JULIE LONBORG AS CHAIR. The motion carr i ed unanimously. Chair Schalk asked for nominations for V ice Chair. Vasilas moved: McDermott seconded : TO ELECT JEANNETIE ESPINOZA AS VICE CHAIR . The motion carried unanimously. 1 • • • COMMERCIAL CATALYST PROGRAM fill-· Mr. Hollingsworth noted most of the ACE members have participated in the Englewood Catalyst Program. He said every year Staff takes a look at the program to evaluate what is and what is not working. He stated Staff would like ACE's feedback today on the program. He referenced the Commercial Catalyst Program Application and Commercial Catalyst Policies information included in the meeting packet. The program is an award winning program. It has been recognized by the Governor's Office of Economic Development and by the Colorado Community Revitalization Association. The program was initiated about 10 years ago and is a true public/private partnership that funds beautification projects for businesses. To date, approximately 100 businesses have participated in the program. The program started off with an annual budget of approximately $30,000 and has grown to $100,000 per year . As a result, the City's matching ability is based on a businesses' frontage on Broadway up to a maximum of $15,000. The program initially focused on the Broadway and Old Hampden corridors . This program now funds projects in Englewood's commercial districts MU-B-1 and MU-B-2 . The industrial areas have not been touched since the program is meant to enhance the commercial appeal of Englewood. The program also provides design assistance for facades , signage, landscaping and site planning. The program is funded entirely through the City so there are no Federal guidelines to meet. It's a very user friendly program. He presented a power point presentation of "Before" and "After" pictures of various properties that have participated in the program. Eleven projects were completed in 2008 and there are six projects currently being worked on . Ms. Lonborg asked if the City responds to calls for assistance and if Staff also goes out knocking on doors of people who may want to utilize the program. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that Staff does both. He also noted if any ACE members had ideas, comments or referrals Staff would be happy to take them. Ms. Lonborg asked if any type of satisfaction survey and/or "did your sales increase" type of metric is asked by Staff to use when you talk to other people. Mr. Hollingsworth said Staff currently does not formally survey businesses that have participated in the program. Mr. Schalk stated his businesses took advantage of the entire package and felt it is a great program. He also felt it encourages businesses to spend as much as they can to get as much as they can out of it. Ms. Lonborg felt a one-page survey would be very simple to do and would be very powerful. Mr. Vasilas stated he used the program about 12 years ago and without the assistance of the program he would never have been able to make all the improvements he did. He offered to speak to anyone interested in the program. Ms. Guinther said she thought the program was fantastic and very user friendly. Mr. Jefferson stated almost all of the money allocated each year is spent. Ms. Espinoza stated her job at the bank is to go out and solicit business. She said being on ACE has been helpful. When she goes out to visit businesses she promotes the program and shares feedback with Mr. Hollingsworth . 2 • • • Mr. Hollingsworth reviewed the application and criteria for using the program. He discussed what the stipulati on 's are if a business decides to relocate after using the program. The program is open to both owners and tenants . Ms. Lonborg asked if the 2009 budget was the same as for 2008. Mr. Hollingsworth stated yes, it is $100,000 . Mr. Jefferson stated he would like to see an increase in that number in the future . Ms. McDermott stated she knew of someone who might be interested in the program and would give their name to Mr. Hollingsworth after the meeting. Chair Schalk asked if the Riverfront project has had any affect on the retailers in the City ..... has anyone moved? Several members remarked about the poor design of the project (nothing is walkable ) and the sales tax surcharge that is being added to purchases. Ms. Lonborg asked if Staff had a target list and is there some method to what Staff is doing. Staff said right now we rely mostly on businesses contacting us . Mr. White said that relates to some of the thoughts Staff has about the program ... should we be looking at targeting a block per year and march down Broadway? He said right now there is a limit of $15 ,000 per project....for a total of $30,000 worth of improvements. For a large user that doesn't necessarily bring a whole lot. Should we raise the cap we currently have? Ms. Lonborg said that's exactly why a target list would be helpful. You would know how many large users you have and be able to allocate the money accordingly. Mr. Jefferson said he likes the idea that the program is open to everybody and not just to one specific area. Ms. Espinoza agreed with Ms. Lonborg in having specific targets. May or Woodward said he liked the idea of having a focus block, but also allowing others to apply. Chair Schalk didn't want restrictions placed on the program, but would like to see the cap on the dollars raised. The owner of the business has to be enthusiastic and want to make the improvements . If the owner doesn't have the matching funds they will not be able to take advantage of the program. Ms. McDermott said she feels it is just as impactful to have businesses throughout Broadway sprucing up. Then the neighbors talk and they want to make improvements . We don't want one big retailer using the entire allocation. Mr. Jefferson said he sees the program more for the small business owner rather than the large retail stores . Mr. Hollingsworth said the 11 projects done in 2008 used $92,000 of the allocation . There is no shortage of interest to spend the money . The challenge for the program is: How do we make the most of these limited dollars going into the community? Several members said peo p le have remarked about how much South Broadway has changed in the past few ye ars ... it is looking very nice . Mr. Jefferson said people do notice changes . Chair Schalk said these small dollars are going a lot farther than the "stud y dollars " do . Mr. White said right now the program is geared toward exterior improvements. Would you like to see the program include interior improvements or for bringing the building up to code? Several liked that idea. Chair Schalk said he doesn't feel the budget is large enough 3 • to include interior work. After discussion, the members felt the program should be limited to exterior improvements only . Mr. Jefferson said let's say City Council provides $150,000 next year. Would you like to see more and larger projects? Mr. Hollingsworth said right now, depending on frontage, the projects can qualify for $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. Is there an opportunity to look at something other than frontage on Broadway to determine the grant? Ms. McDermott said she would be careful about making exceptions. Everyone is a citizen, everyone pays taxes, etc. She suggested if Staff wants to let business owners know about the catalyst program send them a postcard every month. She would not target anyone or start making exceptions to the program. Would we want to look at encouraging "super projects" which are not linked to business frontage ..... for large projects? Chair Schalk said hopefully City Council will provide $150,000 next year for the catalyst program. Last year there was $8,000 left in the program. Could that money be used for other improvements such as the entry portals? Mr. White said any unspent funds must go back into the General Fund. All members said "then set the priorities and spend it". Mr. Hollingsworth thanked the ACE members for their comments and said Staff really appreciates your feedback. Ms. McDermott thanked Mr. Hollingsworth for bringing the item to ACE for discussion. • Mayor Woodward asked if the program could be used in th e Federal and Belleview area . Mr. Hollingsworth said it could .... all B-1 and B-2 commercial districts . Chair Schalk thanked Mr. Hollingsworth for his presentation. 111. COMMENTS & EVENTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE fj] Ms. Lonborg asked if Mr. Morton was no longer with the Chamber. Mayor Woodward said he has been gone since the first of the year. Randy Penn has taken over as chair and interim Executive Director. Mayor Woodward stated the Gala was held a week ago . The next event will be the start of the Farmer's Market on May 2°d. The Women in Business program held its first event in March. The golf tournament flyer is out; the event will be held on June 12 1h . ACE COMMENTS l)] Mr. Vasilas congratulated the new officers. He offered his help should they need anything. Ms. Espinoza stated she liked the format of the Agenda for today's meeting noting it • focused on one issue only rather than several. Ms. Lonborg also liked today's format. 4 • BID MEMBERS e Mr. Vasilas said from the end of April through the end of May sixteen flower pots with art will be installed along South Broadway . Also, eight large green bike racks will be installed from Bates to Floyd. The completion of those projects will use up the current budget. Assessments for this year are due by April 30 th. There was a special Board meeting on April 5 th to discuss advertising and marketing. Members had an idea to sponsor some type of festival combined with art like they do in Cherry Creek and Arvada . The BID will work on that idea for 2010 . We'd like to hold it in the west parking lot of the 3400 block of South Broadway. Mr. Jefferson asked for an update regarding the proposed business directory signage for South Broadway. Mayor Woodward said we are trying to direct traffic toward Wal-mart, Hobby Lobby, etc. Mr. Vasilas said he did not believe that would hurt downtown business . Mayor Woodward asked if information could be provided to ACE in a future packet. Mr. Vasilas said the BID was working with Mr. Hollingsworth to relocate several of th e green benches that are currently located in areas where they would like to place the new planters. STAFF COMMENTS ~ Mr. Hollingsworth said the next agenda will include the ULI video presentation. No further business was brought forth for consideration . The meeting was adjourned at • 1:17 p.m . The next meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2009 . • 5