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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.min.040418 1 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION APRIL 4, 2018 Chairman Steve Fante opened the meeting at 8:36 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Steve Fante, Charles Cunniffe, Bill Dinsmoor, Terry Butler, Kiki Raj, Amanda Tanaka, Angi Wang. Staff present: Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk; Linda Manning, City Clerk; Mitch Osur, Parking Services Director. I read an email from Kathy Strickland to the board regarding the Saturday Market. Mr. Dinsmoor discussed the Aggie meeting in Redstone and said there was some new blood in attendance who had a lot a lot of enthusiasm. They know there is a lot at stake and they are eager. They all say we have the best market in the state and the farmers are the bedrock of the Saturday market. Mr. Fante asked if they turn away a lot of vendors and Mr. Dinsmoor said yes, a lot. Mr. Fante asked if they should have the same scoring sheet as we do or if they should come up with one. Mr. Dinsmoor said they do not currently have a scoring system that they use. Mr. Osur agreed that perhaps they can use a similar form to us so it is consistent. He also caught up Mr. Cunniffe on the fact that the City is trying to do better with RFP’s and get a scoring process in place before CCLC goes through the vendors for next year’s market. Mr. Cunniffe agreed that is a stronger way to go. Ms. Butler agreed that it was a great meeting and very professional. Ms. Raj mentioned that the Aggies don’t want to change the market day from Saturday to Sunday. They were strongly against it when the idea was proposed. MOTION: Mr. Dinsmoor moved to approve the minutes from March 21st, Ms. Butler seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Ms. Manning mentioned the board composition regarding who makes up the board from different areas of expertise. Mr. Dinsmoor said they’ve always tried to recruit from all areas. Ms. Manning asked if it should say in an ordinance that it would be desirous to have all sectors, etc. or add a statement, which says “ideally the board will have a broad representation of the community that serve the downtown core”. Mr. Cunniffe said that will help give an idea of who to target when we need a new member. Mr. Osur said he feels they need another person representing the restaurant business and Mr. Cunniffe agreed. Ms. Manning said it’s one more thing to think about that council will most likely bring up. She added that even the retired restaurant people are good because they have more time to give. It was noted that Mr. Dinsmoor has over 30 years of experience. Mr. Fante had everyone break up into their sub groups to discuss their topics. He asked Ms. Raj to be a part of the Saturday Market discussion with Mr. Cunniffe. Mr. Cunniffe mentioned that he received a questionnaire directly from ACRA regarding the Saturday Market and he would like for the board to help answer the questions. He explained that they are looking to see what they can play up about the market for their summer marketing materials and this is a good opportunity for us to respond with some positive info. He said CCLC needs to help the visiting public to understand the importance of the market and why it is so special. This is going out to the public this summer in their own literature. He said he will forward the questionnaire to the group later today and would like an emotional response from everyone. 2 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION APRIL 4, 2018 Mr. Osur worked with Mr. Dinsmoor and Ms. Butler on alleys; Ms. Wang, Ms. Tanaka and Mr. Fante discussed the outreach/basket ideas and Mr. Cunniffe and Ms. Raj discussed the Saturday Market. Mr. Fante brought the group back together so each group could present their ideas. Ms. Raj and Mr. Cunniffe listed the requirements they came up with for the Saturday Market: 1. A completed and on- time app, fees, photos, etc. 2. Locally made in CO 3. Good standing in prior markets/paid taxes/reports on time. 4. Not the same products in the market – some variation. 5. Previous year’s sales/highs-lows. 6. A great application, great photos, effort, packet. Ms. Raj said they are just clarifying for people so there are no questions. Ms. Manning mentioned rankings. Mr. Cunniffe said that all qualifying applications are still subject to a vetting process by the board. Ms. Manning suggested each person has points to justify them getting in and Mr. Cunniffe said we can’t make it so black and white. The people who didn’t get in, didn’t provide all necessary items. Mr. Fante suggested Mr. Cunniffe and Ms. Raj get together with Ms. Manning on their own to further discuss. Mr. Cunniffe said he will include on the ACRA questionnaire to let people know that applications are due in December and Mr. Fante said going forward, we can always put an ad in the newspaper too. Mr. Dinsmoor spoke on alleys and put into order of importance: 1. Who is in charge? 2. Cleanliness and sanitation issues 3. Parking – people park wherever they want and they don’t get tickets. 4. Trash removal and the equipment being used. 5. Illegal use of the alleys 6. Delivery trucks in the alleys – no efficiency with this. 7. Lighting and safety at night. 8. Having the alleyways being active for retail use. This is the end game for Ms. Raj to advocate the alleys for the mall renovation. Mr. Cunniffe mentioned they did a study previously for alley retail in 1980, which never went anywhere. He asked if this could be something to be played with again. Ms. Wang presented the outreach ideas: 1. Expectations coming from Mr. Osur for all local businesses. 2. Outreach on database 2800 business licenses – narrow down to core with Ms. Manning and Ms. Holman in Finance. Send out a newsletter on June 1st. Introduce CCLC and our purpose, mission, goals, etc. short bios of each person on the board, list the code of excellence. Every newsletter after has a featured business, which is free advertising and maybe an award at the end of the year, such as, business of the year. Mr. Cunniffe said we should have a market of the year award too. 3. Welcome basket 4. Survey on the newsletter and give an incentive for people to answer the survey. Welcome basket = swag from Wecycle, Aspen Tap, Jazz Aspen, ACRA, wellness, O2, some discounted yoga passes, etc. Mr. Fante moved to the ACRA questionnaire response for Mr. Cunniffe. The first question was regarding how we would describe the mission of the market. Mr. Dinsmoor said the genesis was six farmers and no crafts and the idea was to honor western slope veggie growers and ensure they had a viable business to pass on to the next generation. The next question was asking when it started and Ms. Manning said in 2002. The third question involved how the Market reflects Aspen’s local culture. Ms. Tanaka said residents and guests get together as a community gathering and social event that values good Colorado products. Mr. Dinsmoor said it’s a larger social event than Food & Wine. Ms. Tanaka said that private chefs shop at the market every week. Tourists can engage with all local people and this an advantage that Aspen has as opposed to Vail. There is full community integration and it still continues. The last question asked what a first timer should expect and Mr. Fante said don’t bring your dog. Ms. Raj said 3 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION APRIL 4, 2018 getting the chance to participate in it to find a unique piece of jewelry or a bag of cherries, listen to music, take home a souvenir. Get there early for best produce. Ms. Butler will be absent for the next meeting. MOTION: Mr. Fante motioned to adjourn, Mr. Cunniffe seconded at 9:54 a.m. _________________________________ Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk