Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.12062006 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2006 Meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairman Bill Dinsmoor. Commissioners in attendance: Mark Goodman, Stan Hajenga, Shae Singer and Terry Butler. Excused were John Starr and Don Sheeley. Staff present: Jackie Lothian, Deputy Clerk Mall lighting in general and Christmas lighting on the Malls was a topic for discussion ranging from not enough lighting in general to looking like a child did it. Mark said twigs were lit and stuck in the ground. Why wouldn't you go overboard and spend money on fresh clean lights. Mark said both malls are "weak". A number of merchants have come to Mark asking what was going on with the lighting. A descent lighting program needs put together. Stan wanted to know who approves the lighting and is it one person who is involved with the XMAS lighting. Stan felt that the lodges and people on the mall should be involved with the lighting program. Mark said the Mill Street blue LED lights were too monochromatic; he suggested more of a Christmas look for the Cooper and Hyman Malls as well as the Galena Mall by Independence Square building. Mark suggested we re-visit mall lighting downtown in general. Shae suggested hiring Mr. Christmas to hang lights. He can also add ribbons and bows and he isn't very expensive. Terry said that the Gazebo was light very nicely as was the Sardy House Christmas tree. Mark said that Rubey Park was lit well. Mark requested revisiting the entire city lighting. Shae suggested a lighting contest for next Christmas like Parks did in the summer with "flower power". Let the individual stores do dynamic creations and let Parks extend their lighting from the store fronts. Shae called Jeff Woods regarding the mall lighting for Christmas; Jeff Woods directed Shae to Tom Rubel from Parks for the possibility of adding 600 more lights on each mall. Jeffwill check with the Electrical Dept. to make sure there is enough electricity. Shae said Jeff agreed that safety lighting needs to occur on the mall. I COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2006 Terry commented that the fire pit on the Cooper Mall was being used by teenagers and she suggested a heavy bench for people to sit around the fire pit. Shae and Stan pointed out that there are always people around the fire pit. Bill asked Shae get with Debbie Braun, ACRA and get feedback on additional seating around the fire pit. Possibly those who work in the kiosk will have some information. Bill and Stan discussed the last ABIL meeting and there was a meeting this Friday at the Mountain Chalet from 1-3. The discussion will be the Entrance to Aspen. Stan said that there were focus groups at the Rio Grande Plaza today, tomorrow and Friday on the Entrance to Aspen. Bill spoke about Jeffrey Evans and the modified direct which is two lanes of cars and two lanes dedicated for transit only. It is a 4 lane corridor but two exclude cars. That is the record of decision. With Burlingame coming the traffic situation is only going to get worse. We have a traffic jam problem. We haven't had a significant traffic increase of cars and we haven't had an enormous increase of bus ridership. Shae pointed out if we don't vote for CDOT's recommendation it will be 2010 before it gets to go to vote again and it would take at least 5 years to build. Bill talked about the last meeting and the request from the City Manager and Mayor to talk to businesses, ACRA etc. and find out what the community wants regarding moderate affordable businesses. Bill said some members on council are trying to look into some kind of rent control or deed restricted areas for local businesses. Stan said that is something ABIL could get involved with. Bill spoke about the Council decision making on the code and requested a meeting with Council, ACRA and ABIL regarding the retail code changes for development and re- development; deed restrictions or rent controls. Shae said a work session is necessary to discuss this issue. This issue will have a huge impact on landlords and businesses. Terry said she is for infill and three years ago recommended no more real estate firms on the first floor. It all seems so nebulous as to what they are talking about. 2 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2006 Jackie Lothian contacted Joyce Allgaier in Community Development who referred Jennifer Phelan as the point person on the code change work sessions with Council. Jennifer would follow up with CCLC informing them of the upcoming work sessions. Stan stated the work sessions on lodging worked very well with so many of the lodges taking part in the sessions. Stan brought up the ice problems on the sidewalks and crossings. When the tractor sweeper clears the snow it leaves an ice residue, which becomes very dangerous. Stan also said that it was very icy on the street comers. Mark agreed with Stan about the street comers being very dangerous. Street crossings are very slick. Shae feels that our minutes should be sent to Debbie Braun and ABIL. Instead of being three separate entities we need to be three separate committees working toward the same thing. It is important that we communicate. We would have a better impact if we were all on the same page and had one voice. M:~g adjourned at 10:00 a.m. 5~LJ~ 15. een J. Strickland, ChIef Deputy Clerk 3