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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.min.062718 1 SPECIAL MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION JUNE 27, 2018 Commissioners in attendance: Kiki Raj, Amanda Tanaka, Bill Dinsmoor, Steve Fante, Charles Cunniffe and Angi Wang. Absent was Terry Butler. Staff present: James R. True, City Attorney; Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk; Mitch Osur, Parking Services Director. Councilman Ward Hauenstein was also present. ITEM III: Mary Catherine Vaughan of BJewel & her attorney, Chris Bryan of Garfield & Hecht. Mr. Bryan stated that Ms. Vaughan was given a space last year at the Saturday Market and that she had ordered a bunch of inventory to begin the market on the first day. He said she had received no notice that she would not be able to participate this year and that she was told by Ms. Strickland to send an email to CCLC. After sending the email, she was told she would be allowed to participate. Mr. Bryan said they have noticed the past two Saturdays, that there is ample space for her to participate and said her store is on the route of the Saturday market. The sign is out front and is blocked and has some dire financial consequences for her store. Mr. Bryan said it would be a win win for everyone if she could participate. Ms. Vaughan said she has been here for 25 years and over the years, she has been in several locations and a few years ago, moved to her current space due to rent and Hopkins would allow her to promote her business. If she can’t participate, she finds that it would be a hardship. Her participation was beautiful last year and this year, she bought all of the products in prep for participating this year once again. Mr. Fante said he understands their position, but informed her that we have a process the applicants go through to participate and everyone has to go through the process. He mentioned that Council passed resolution 154 which said that only street level businesses would be allowed. He doesn’t know the logic behind all of that and this board does what Council tells us to do. He also stated that we have tightened up the process for applications this year, she’s second tier, she’s not Colorado made products and she didn’t fill out the application. He also pointed out that Ms. Strickland had made an exception for her last year so she shouldn’t have assumed she would be let in again this year and told them we held a survey for all market vendors as to allow second tier spaces or not and everyone voted no, so we are honoring that determination. Mr. Bryan asked if there is a spot available, if the board would be willing to let her in again this year. Mr. Fante said he would like to hold an executive session in private to discuss. Mr. True said they can do that if they wish. Mr. Fante said that is what he would like to do after CCLC’s meeting with Council on July 17th. Mr. Bryan insisted on discussing now and said this doesn’t look good to a local business owner and said he doesn’t know why you won’t allow this. Mr. Fante informed Mr. Bryan once again that we have our process and this goes completely against everything we’ve tried to do to tighten up the market. Mr. Bryan said that in light of these circumstances, this justifies an exception and this would not counteract the bigger attempts you are making. 2 SPECIAL MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION JUNE 27, 2018 Mr. Fante disagreed and said it absolutely goes against it. Mr. Cunniffe said he isn’t comfortable having this conversation without Ms. Strickland since she is the market manager. Mr. Fante agreed with Mr. Cunniffe and said he wants to have a discussion that we will invite Ms. Strickland to on our next regularly scheduled meeting. MOTION: Mr. Cunniffe moved to allow Ms. Vaughan into the market as one time only exception, unless Council changes their rules about street level and second tier spaces. We are making clear to the public record that it is an exception. Ms. Tanaka seconded. Mr. True suggested they condition the motion on Ms. Strickland determining there is a space available. BOARD DISCUSSION: Mr. Cunniffe said he is sympathetic as there are a lot of second floor spaces that are challenged and the signage is bad too. These issues need some encouragement from us too to help out local businesses. Ms. Raj pointed out that this is a City Council resolution, which we don’t have control of. Mr. Fante said he doesn’t understand why signage and the Saturday market are being tied together. Mr. Dinsmoor said he wants to echo, before we march too far down the road, we need to talk with Ms. Strickland about whether there is space. Mr. Cunniffe said the farmers market is good for all businesses in the city and pointed out that more people come because of the market any given Saturday so that should automatically help all businesses in town. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ms. Wang, yes; Mr. Dinsmoor, no; Ms. Tanaka, yes; Mr. Cunniffe, yes; Mr. Fante, yes; Ms. Raj abstained. 4-1 motion carried to allow Ms. Vaughan into the market this year as a onetime exception. I stated that I will contact Ms. Strickland as soon as the meeting is over and follow up with Mr. Bryan. Mr. Osur mentioned that this is exactly why we need a scoring system in place because she’s the first of many who will bring lawyers in here to talk to us. Mr. Cunniffe suggested we post at the market how to apply so that people see the rules and how to participate. Mr. Osur said you guys made the correct decision because this was not going to go away. Mr. Osur printed out and handed Ms. Raj all of the new Colorado towing laws. Mr. Osur turned his attention to the upcoming meeting with Council and suggested they present three main items and then list off the next items they will be working on. As a group, they determined the top three topics to be: expectations/outreach/welcome baskets, alleys and the newsletter. 3 SPECIAL MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION JUNE 27, 2018 Mr. Fante said he feels pretty comfortable with the worksheets at this point. He said they need to discuss the presentations to council and who will be taking the lead on these. In our meetings, we tend to get off track and disjointed so we need to come to them with a clear message and maybe have one person only speaking. Mr. Osur suggested Mr. Fante does the overview and gives an idea of what each topic will be, then each separate person presents for the three topics and then Mr. Fante wraps up at the end with a summary. Mr. Dinsmoor said new people should do it and Mr. Cunniffe said he may or may or not be here on the 22nd after his birthday. Mr. Osur mentioned Mr. Fante presenting to Council on the previous Monday night regarding the sandwich boards and said he did a great job and made CCLC proud. Ms. Raj volunteered to present on alleys, Ms. Manning suggested Ms. Wang present on expectations. Ms. Tanaka volunteered to present on the newsletter. Mr. Osur and I will create the PowerPoints presentation and myself and Ms. Manning will create the memo. Ms. Manning reminded them that the meeting with Council is on the 17th of July. MOTION: Mr. Dinsmoor motioned to approve both sets of minutes from June 6th and June 20th, Ms. Wang seconded. All in favor, motion carried. MOTION: Ms. Raj motioned to adjourn, Ms. Wang seconded. _______________________________________ Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk