HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.12032008COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2008
Vice-chair Mark Goodman called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Bill Dinsmoor, Andrew Kole, Roger
Haneman. Excused where Terry Butler, John Starr, Don Sheeley, and Fred
Ayarza.
Commissioner comments:
Andrew said Chad Weave, the owner of Ambient Technologies is leasing a
store on Mill Street. He is not allowed to do use ambient lighting per the
code. My argument is that since the product is a TV he should be allowed to
put the TV in the window. He isn't putting an ad on the TV. He is just
demonstrating what the product is. I suggested showing skiing etc. and in
the summer put outdoor adventures on the TV.
My suggestion is that the code needs rewritten regarding window display for
modern technology. To some limited degree you should be allowed to use a
TV if it is your product.
Mark pointed out then Gorsuch could show TV shows, and for that matter
anyone else.
Andrew also said there are two new coffee shops in town. One by Mistique
who didn't need a building permit and the other one took over Ben and
Jerry's who had to get one. There seems to be some discrepancies. The fact
that you can't use technology to promote technology is wrong.
Mark said he feels the CCLC should be more involved with advertising and
getting involved with Aspen.
Bill said his idea is a business improvement district.
Andrew said the Limelite was sold out at $55. per night. If businesses are
not being supported by the town why not give them the freedom to do a little
more freedom to do advertisements.
Motion: Andrew made the motion that we invite Chris Bendon to our next
meeting and see if he would entertain a code change, motion second by
Mark. All in favor, motion carried.
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COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3.2008
Andrew said window shopping in New York is a big deal and we need to
help businesses in any way we can.
Expansion of market onto E. Hyman:
Mark suggested that we invite all businesses on the street to a CCLC
meeting to discuss the possibility of the expansion. He also suggested that
we give the businesses a printed letter indicating the pros and cons.
Kathy suggested we have the fire marshall and Tim Ware come to the next
meeting to discuss the expansion first before we invite the businesses. We
need the support of staff first before proceeding and asking council what
they think about the expansion.
Market update.
Kathy pointed out that Food & Wine starts June 20`h. Should we start the
market at that same date.
Bill said food and wine makes a lot of sense as the kick off date. All agreed.
Andrew suggested we raise the fees. Keep the booth fee at $460. and charge
$100. for a marketing fee for the season. That comes to around $6.00 a
Saturday.
Bill said the fee should be driven by the needs.
Kathy pointed out that at the last meeting we discussed raising the fees with
Dave Whittlesey and we all agreed that they should not change. There is
$3,000 to $4,000 left in the checking account. Sue Whittlesey and our
attorney are going to work on our non-profit status. Kathy also pointed out
that if we get the expansion that will give us additional funds for advertising.
All agreed.
ARA booth:
Mark said he tried to get into the ACRA booth last year and there wasn't any
room. Splitting the booth is not marketing the ACRA.
COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3.2008
Kathy pointed out that the booth was split because the year before the
ACRA could not keep it full and the decision was made to alternate the
booth with another vendor every other week in order to keep it full. As a
gesture the ACRA in the past has not been charged for their booth.
MOTION: Mark made the motion to keep the ACRA booth a single booth
for the 18 weeks, motion second by Andrew. All in favor, motion carried 4-0.
Andrew and the board members suggested the ACRA pay for the booth and
get reimbursed from their vendors. Kathy pointed out that all other booths
including the reserve list pay. If they pay the fee they can get reimbursed
from their members. Kathy said she will send Eric an application.
Roger pointed out that if they pay $25 for the booth they probably will show
up.
MOTION: Andrew made the motion to charge the ACRA the regular booth
fee; motion second by Bill. All in favor, motion carried.
Mark and Andrew will meet with Eric and Debbie to discuss booth and
advertising the booth more effectively.
Goals:
1. BID involvement
2. Marketing sales increase. Business promotions.
3. Rethinking and evaluating the malls. The lighting and trees are bad.
Be more proactive in town mobility. Address parking, carbon, cars
and bikes.
Bill said there is the legitimacy for the ACRA to partner with this. Bid's are
all over the county and have a marriage to do it. It also provides for a
business to get involved and you can't get out. That has a multiplying effect
and creditability of the BID.
Mark asked if we could get seed money from the city.
Andrew proposed a sales marketing tax.
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COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3.2008
Andrew asked Kathy to find out what the total sales tax was for last year.
Andrew said the marketing tax would be for downtown only. Bill pointed
out that a lot of people who have businesses don't vote. The board
suggested that Don Taylor come down in January to talk about a marketing
tax.
4. Bill said CCLC was the mall the commission. We are long overdue
thinking how the malls should be rethought. What do they serve, how
they serve and do they do it well.
5. Parking mitigation -cash in lieu have a fund for seed money for
electric cars etc.
6. Create a public transit alternative in the form of bicycles, golf carts
etc. Low tech.
7. CCLC increase the business vitality. Think of ways to increase
business vitality. The city is not business friendly.
Kathy pointed out that after our goals are finalized they should be presented
to council to make sure they are in favor of them.
8. Facilitating special events but CCLC is probably not the venue.
MOTIOIN: Bill moved to adjourn; second by roger. All in favor, motion
carried.
Meetin adjourned at 1030 am.
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Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
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