12 Dec 2020 DDP Board Minutes draft

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES December 2, 2020 – Online Zoom Meeting DRAFT ATTENDANCE: Mayor Robin Christiansen, Councilman Fred Neil, Councilman Ralph Taylor, Kim Adams, Pete Bradley, Alan Grinstead, Mike Harrington, Matt Harline, Dave Hugg, Maxine Lewis, Todd Stonesifer Jonathan Street, John Van Gorp, Carla Wilson, STAFF: Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird COMMITTEE CHAIRS, PRESENTERS AND OTHER ATTENDEES: Officer Aviles Patty Cannon (Division of Small Business/Delaware on Main), Cassie Semyon (WBOC) Call to Order: Todd opened the meeting at 7:33 a.m. Agenda and Meeting Minutes (October 2020): Councilman Neil moved to adopt agenda; Maxine seconded; motion passed. Councilman Neil moved to accept minutes; seconded by Pete Bradley; motion passed. Dover PD Update by Officer Aviles: Confirmed that CDPD will provide services for December’s First Friday. Also advised two cadets will again be serving in downtown beginning next week. DDP Executive Committee Report: Motion to entered Executive Session duly made and accepted unanimously. Motion to exit Executive Session duly made and unanimously accepted. • Mike Harrington moved to authorize repairs to EZ Pass building, in an amount up to $25,000. Fred Neil seconded. Motion unanimously approved. Property Update: No updates Committee Report: • Parking Update: Todd discussed that the DDP has requested and has been given the authority to develop a parking solution for the future of Downtown Dover. The media has mis-assessed the situation by saying that Dover will be getting meters. However, the DDP has not yet decided on this or other aspects of the parking solution, which has yet to be developed. DDP was only given the authority to develop a plan/solution for the future, in conjunction with any associate they deem necessary. As of right now, DDP is working with Colonial Parking. In this six-month process, there will be at least three meetings open to the public to allow all vested parties to offer their comments, questions, and work together for a reasonable compromise, in addition to monthly meetings open to the public. If there is a possibility that the plan would be more destructive than helpful for the small businesses, then the DDP will not move forward with it. They have already had one meeting so far. Councilman Taylor asked about the general consensus of downtown December 2, 2020 - DPP Online Zoom Meeting 1

merchants. Todd explained that they have heard many complaints of “no parking available in Downtown and that with each new development project, the parking problems will only get worse, if it is not addressed. There needs to be a lot of education and debate before any decisions are made. But we have to begin the process today. Organization: • Diane introduced Patty Cannon, the Main Street Coordinator at the Division of Small Business. Patty talked about the new annual assessment processes mandated by the National Main Street Center (NMSC). The NMSC provides a model, guidance, best practices to empower their downtown corridor to become economically vibrant. The aspiration is to be accredited. There are nineteen Delaware communities active in the Main Street working to some degree, and there are four accredited communities: Dover, Downtown Visions in Wilmington, Milford and Rehoboth. There are five things that NMSC requires to be accredited: passionate volunteers; committed elected officials, strong board oversight; strong staff; and sustainable funding. Patty shared that it will be easy when she receives the DDP report in January. The challenge will come in 2021 when they raise the bar. Next year they will be asking for more board involvement. Ms. Cannon asked for input on a poll, which will be part of the 2021 assessment. This information was shared for the Board to be prepared. Diane added that the assessment will be more comprehensive and require a much deeper review in 2021. Legislative Update: No updates. Representative Paradee reached out to EZ Pass and no decisions have been made with regard to vendor or location beyond the current, which shall remain in place for another couple of years, at least. City Update: • Mayor Christiansen: Advised they are moved forward with the Home for the Holidays Celebration to spotlight downtown. He is looking forward to the health and success of downtown in 2021. • City Council: Councilman Neil said they interviewed a number of candidates for City Manager and should have a new manager soon. Councilman Taylor encouraged everyone to band together and that we will get through the COVID challenges. • City Manager: Matt advised that staff have had a few COVID infections and have had to shut down the physical offices significantly, through at least January 25. Looking forward to First Friday. Encouraging days are ahead. • Planning: Dave reiterated Matt’s comments that the city is working with limited staff. Other Business: Diane thanked Tina for all her hard work on Small Business Saturday. Reminded everyone that this Friday is First Friday. 33 West’s Brandon’s Pelton will be serving food from his new food truck, Santa will be driving through downtown, the Fig Tree Band will be playing outdoors, stores will be open late. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 a.m.: Motion made by Councilman Neil and seconded by John Van Gorp. Unanimous approval. December 2, 2020 - DPP Online Zoom Meeting 2