DDP Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Minutes

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP ECONOMIC VITALITY & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES June 16, 2021 — Online Zoom Meeting DRAFT MEETING OPEN: 7:35 approx. ATTENDANCE: Jonathan Street, Councilman Ralph Taylor, Dave Hugg, Clint Robertson, Mike Harrington, Mayor Christiansen, John Van Gorp, Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird Diane noted that there would be one, possibly two, Executive Session items, and also made a recommendation to move the master plan presentation to the end of the meeting. The chair acknowledged. AGENDA AND APRIL MEETING MINUTES: Motion to accept agenda (with items noted above) was made by Mike Harrington, seconded by Dave Hugg; carried unanimously. Motion to approve minutes was made by Mike Harrington, seconded by John Van Gorp, and carried unanimously. Public Comments: None Executive Session: Motion made to enter Executive Session by John Van Gorp, seconded by Mike Harrington, Mayor Mike Harrington seconded, carried unanimously. 1. Property discussion 2. Property discussion Move out of Executive Session discussion: Motion was made by Councilman Taylor and seconded by Mike Harrington to exit Executive Session, and unanimously accepted. 1. Motion: Approve two architectural grants for upstairs (residential) and downstairs (food establishment) for property at 108 W. Loockerman Street, amount consistent with award letter in accord with the written guidelines to be reimbursed upon receipt of C/O (Certificate of Occupancy). Councilman Ralph Taylor moved and Mike Harrington seconded; unanimously approved. 2. Motion: Extend a retention grant offer in the amount of $2,000 as an incentive for an existing business owner to open a new space within a certain timeframe. DDP shall provide a letter with grant offer and requirements for receipt of funds to be provided to business owner. The offer and requirements must be within guidelines to be formulated and agreed upon by DDP EV Committee prior to extension of letter. Mayor Christiansen moved and Mike Harrington seconded; unanimously approved. Business Recruitment: e Rebel Cove held a soft opening for one evening (planned) and then closed to work through kitchen, staff, and other operations and attend to several other tweaks. Diane and DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: June 16, 2021 DRAFT 1

Mike attended the soft opening. There is no liquor license yet. Opening celebration(s) are anticipated soon but dates are not set. e Artisan market is still moving along, but slowly. Diane indicated things are underway but electrical contractor issues have recently impeded progress. She will follow up for an update. ¢ Coney Island Hot Dog (soon to be in 108 W. Loockerman) is targeting November opening. Sold out product on first two First Fridays at which owner was present. e Pineapple Kale (targeting location in 136 W. Loockerman) is proceeding. John Van Gorp met one of the owners during Frist Friday and also toured the building. John indicated that the First Friday event was very good, and the Pineapple Kale ladies were excited to be coming to downtown. John hopes that with the energy that they are exhibiting, the business will be very successful and that they have a good product and he is hoping that it will register with folks. e Tina shared that DDP is beginning another season of the farmers market, and she anticipated doing more recruitment to downtown from the businesses that launch and operate successfully in the market. FY 2022 Economic Vitality Workplan e Full workplan is available upon request, budget and list of projects overview was reviewed. e Recruitment and retention continue to be overall DDP priorities and $15,000 is allocated toward those areas. ¢ Development of a downtown Dover strategic master plan is a priority project, if funded by +/- $75,000 grant funds. If it is funded, $15,000 in matching funds would be sought from this committee and is listed as such in the workplan. e A Revolving Loan Fund will be created if DDP is successful in receiving $30,000 from USDA requested funds. If it is received, $5,000 in matching funds would be sought trom this committee and is listed as such in the workplan. Staff will seek and recommend additional DDP funds from other committees/sources the funds currently allocated in the workplan are expended, assuming we are successful in retention and recruitment efforts and need more than the stated budgeted amounts in the workplan. Safety portion of the Safety & Parking Committee: Tina has reactivated the Safety portion of the S & P Committee. Initial goal is seeking three small wins to establish rapport and gain buy- in from the community. A press release will go out near term when there are several accomplishment(s) from the committee. Dave Hugg mentioned the significant investment of funds into LED lighting downtown and opportunity to ensure that the city is highlighted and commended near term. Mayor asked about the stepped area at bus stop (for planters or otherwise to limit people from loitering) in front of Colonial-owned building at Loockerman and S. Bradford, and Tina indicated that it is now under Safety Committee purview. This committee is robust and eager to accomplish these kinds of safety measures. Design Committee Update: There have been few facade awards in most recent years. During 2020 there were only $2,500 in grant funds approved, due to COVID pre-occupation. Six facade improvement grants very recently approved in the amount of $30,000, including a grant to Val DiRocili for vandalism at his space. Several others approved include Kim Adams for wrought iron fencing/painting; Schmittinger and Rodriguez for wrought iron rails and brick DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: June 16, 2021 DRAFT 2

improvements; Chris Raubaucher for new awnings and additional smaller signage improvements. Properties at S. Governor’s Ave/Loockerman intersection, and State, Loockerman and S. Bradford Streets will also see improvements by these recent approvals. Additional vinyl wraps will also be adhered to vacant and underutilized property windows, including visuals of Paint Dover! plein air paintings and inspirational, positive sayings to all people. All of this is beautification and messaging is very important toward creating a perception of safety. John recommended that we ensure that we document with before/after photos for record-keeping and publicizing these wins broadly. Tina and Diane noted that these processes are indeed within the current DDP process. Summer EV Committee meeting schedule: Criteria for retention/expansion assistance is a priority. Diane recommended that we plan for the meetings in July and August and cancel if there is not a need to meet. The committee agreed that the 7:30 a.m. timeframe on third Wednesday of the month is still good going forward. Other business: Tina asked for an update from Dave Hugg regarding the Lighthouse Construction development of Loockerman Way Plaza. Dave will follow up with an update. Presentation of Master Plan RFP (Request for Proposal): Diane presented a +/- ten-minute overview of the proposed development of the Master Plan. The presentation was made publicly at the Council of the Whole meeting on June 16. This plan will provide an opportunity to look at bigger picture and large-scale transformation of downtown. Clint and Mike expressed very positive sentiments about the proposed process. Adjournment: Mike Harrington made motion; Clint Robertson seconded; unanimous agreement. Meeting was adjourned approximately 8:50 a.m. Next meeting date: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 DL DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: June 16, 2021 DRAFT 3