03-22-17 DDP Board Minutes

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES MARCH 22, 2017 at Inner City Cultural League 7:30 AM ATTENDANCE: Anita Evans, Lucy Findlay, Diane Laird, Gregg Moore, Tim Slavin, Todd Stonesifer, Ann Marie Townshend, Donna Mitchell and Mike Harrington STAFF: Joan Cote, Tina Bradbury OTHER ATTENDEES: Ruben Salters, Kristin Pleasanton, Tonda Parks Gregg introduced and thanked Mr. Ruben Salters for his service to the City and to brief the Board on the success and challenges of running their various programs that support approximately 150 children daily at the Inner City Cultural League. http://www.icclarts.org/ Members of the Board present were handed the Agenda, Meeting Minutes, Financials. The meeting was called to order and no quorum confirmed by Mr. Moore. Gregg asked Captain Spicer to start off with the Dover Police Department Update. Police Department Update Captain David Spicer, Operations Division Commander Dover Police Department briefed the Board the Department is now down to 5 Cadets including one of them currently pursuing a career with the Delaware State Police. There are 2 Officers on FPO Program including Captain’s son. There are currently 3 vacancies in the Department with several interviews conducted to fill those positions. $18K left in the JFC funding which will be redirected in foot patrols on Loockerman Street and at the Library due to the shortages in the Cadet Program. They have at least 5 good Cadet Candidates but at this point they aren’t sure the new budget will support the program. The Department is still conducting research into the Body Camera Program and strongly believes in the program which benefits everyone both outside and within the department. Gregg asked what the expenses were and Captain Spicer stated the cameras were about $400-500 each with the major expense being the Cloud Storage at $75 per Officer per month with the potential of it being included in the FY19 Budget. Both Officers and Attorney General’s Office have access to watch the videos on www.evidence.com. The Department is working with the Capital School District to expand their PAL program on the east side of Dover. Captain Spicer went over the various statistics to date with emphasis on 26 illegal guns off the streets and 17 of 19 robberies cleared with 94% clearance rate. Gregg inquired on why additional Cadets have not been hired and Captain Spicer stated the Department didn’t want to bring them on board without the financial funding to continue with the program and potentially have to release them in July. Gregg expressed DDP and David Clendaniel’s (Restoring Central Dover) concerns on the level of crime still happening in the New Street area that have been renovated. Dover PD is still conducting saturation patrols but having manning issues because of annual in service training. Diane Laird and Ann Marie briefly reviewed the DPD’s portion of the recent grant application and the new process with bottom up request reviews. The Department sadly lost Patrolman Robert DaFonte, a two-year-veteran and Cadet James Watts, a 6- month member of the Special Enforcement Cadet Unit In a private vehicle crash in late February. Recognition Gregg introduced and recognized John Kelly, who volunteered to serve as our St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Chairman. John was very pleased with the support DDP received from the Community from our MC to Grand Marshall. He thanked the Irish God’s who watched over us and gave us clearing skies!

Todd Stonesifer stated that as an Observer thought the parade was an enormous success. Joan and John also thanked James Valentine for being such a valuable asset to our Team. James came to us through Interfaith Mission and has worked hard on several community projects with the DDP. Staff also expressed our appreciation to the City of Dover and the Police Department for their outstanding support. Gregg heard from several people how impressed they were with the parade and expressed his appreciation for the challenging work Joan and Tina did to building the Parade from the ground up. John was presented with an engraved shamrock paperweight for his service. Introduction Tim Slavin introduced and Gregg welcomed Donna Mitchell, City Finance as the Acting City Manager. Property Update Phil McGinnis updated that he is working hard to vacate 680 of the tenants and assistance in attempting to find new locations for them. DDP will work with Herb/Interfaith on potential new agreement when/if the demolition takes place. Phil is working with Joan & Tina on putting together a draft agreement with Mike Marasco on utilizing the Santa House for a summer season with his ice cream business. But after our initial meeting with him, wanted to confirm some of the verbal agreements that neither his office or DDP Staff were part last year. Phil also stated that DDP will incur additional POD storage expenses since table, chair & supply inventory used for the Farmer’s Market and Special Events each week will need to be kept nearby. Gregg stated the intent was to use the Santa House as a temporary economic development stepping stone to obtaining a storefront location in Downtown. Mike would need to comply with all health department regulations, additional expenses for modification, secure his own water requirements and permits. Inquiries were made by several members on why he doesn’t use his food truck vs having all the startup expenses and permits for use of Santa House. Mike Harrington explained that he attempted to work out an arrangement for the business in his property but believes he just wants the free rent. Mike was informed by Hersey Ice Cream that Mike has the rights in this area for their products. He attempted to contact him 5 times with no response, since it didn’t work out, he is working out ice cream products with the Owner of Petite Sweets. Gregg stated this arrangement was approved by the Board last year so a vote was not required but asked if anyone had concerns. Tonda expressed concern that the DDP was giving away something and competing against a for profit business and becoming a permanent Landlord in a temporary building. Gregg stated he wanted DDP to be welcoming but we are not in the business to spend money on something outside of our expertise especially with health code issues and for a temporary business. Lucy asked if this arrangement coincided with the Lighthouse agreement which Gregg confirmed. Even if the contract was implemented it would take months for it to begin. McGinnis is working on striping bids for all of our property and updated our new lease agreement with EZPass including parking spot modification. Gregg discussed that he and Anita had signed the PNC 3-year refinance for both properties (4.547 and 4.546 rates) and thanked the City for again being the loan guarantor. We have 6 years remaining on the extended lease but Gregg stated we may need to be prepared for any changes in the need for their service. Ann Marie said they have indicated that they planned on growing with over 100 Employees within this term. Anita confirmed they are sending a new representative to her Parking Committee Meetings. Phil confirmed the annual rent increase and that the lease was guaranteed by the State Department of Transportation.

Phil will do a walk through with Staff to address our maintenance concerns on Loockerman Plaza. Gregg said he would like the broken Light Pole replaced as soon as possible to avoid any DDP liability with upcoming warmer weather events. Ann Marie said the City will need to replace the pole. President’s Report DDP Financials: The closing revenue for New Street property have hit our financials. They will have to be reviewed next month since we cannot vote for approval without a quorum. Main Street Dover Financials have stayed the same with no activity to report. Minutes from January, February and March will need to be approved in April. Executive Director’s Report Joan thanked Donna Mitchell and her Staff in the Finance Department for being so gracious during the transition. Our Private Property and No Loitering Signs have been installed on all DDP property including Plaza and Parking Lots. With the signage, the Police Department now has leverage to enforce the loitering ban. Joan asked for feedback on whether the benches should be put back into the Plaza after we removed them. Gregg stated he felt they shouldn’t be for the time being. Mike Harrington said there was nothing but positive feedback from their removal and Irish Mike’s followed suit with removal of their benches as well. Joan will be visiting with the Wilmington Downtown Visions Program soon. DDP was notified that the application for NBBF grant for $10K was approved with conditions. We may not be in the position to provide the requirements for the Community Garden within the District. Mayor’s Comments Mayor Christiansen was not in attendance Legislative Update Senator Bushweller and Representative Lynn were not in attendance Planning Department & Restoring Central Dover Soft Opening for Blu Vintage with Theresa Owens opening every other weekend. Diane Welch will be extending the south side of Golden Fleece into the former Artsy Fartsy location. With Ann Marie’s departure from the City of Dover and onto City Manager for Lewes, Gregg wanted to extend our sincere appreciation for her outstanding support of not only him personally but the Partnership and the entire City of Dover. Ann Marie’s energy, positive attitude and dedication to the City will be missed but we miss her much luck. Ann Marie said that she will still be committed to the Downtown Dover area though her professional career will take her to Lewes. The Partnership presented her with a beautiful plant for her new office. Bylaw Update Gregg stated that any discussion on the Bylaws should be pushed to the next Board Meeting. Diane marked up the Bylaws with changes and commentary. Gregg asked that document be pushed out prior to the next Board Meeting.

Committee Updates Parking & Safety – MPO is still working on the Parking Study and will be hosting a Public Input Session at the Dover Library. Joan sent out the notification and will send it out a couple of days prior. Organization – N/A Design – Kristin Pleasanton ~ Photos of the new Spring/Summer Banner were passed around with 4 designs (outdoor activities, history & patriotism, arts & culture, nature) should arrive soon and will be installed once the Fall/Winter Holly Banners are taken down. We asked for placement to begin on the west end of Loockerman as a priority but were told due to time of day and parking they couldn’t get their truck in place safely. We are working closely with Public Works/Streets Management to juggle their requirements with our installation and to also address the broken devices. Tim Slavin asked DDP to come to Senior City Management if we need to get the priority of this project addressed. Staff is working with the Department to get an annual calendar written up to coordinate a cycle for our banners and those of Old Dover Days. Todd asked if the trees were obstructing the banners. Anita said the trees are a concern with blocking the parking signage. Gregg said the trees are causing many serious problems from plumbing, sewer, street, sidewalk buckling, code requirements and ADA concerns. Tim Slavin said there were programs through Dept. of Ag to replant Main Street with trees that are harvested for wood every so many years. He will be looking into revisiting the project again soon. Gregg pledged support from Becker Morgan Group and the DDP with any assistance he may need. Gregg said he received documentation from Todd Stonesifer and he would be meeting with Kristin off site to discuss his concerns with the façade grant application process. 4 applicants were reminded by Joan that their submissions were approved but pending due to lack of proof of execution and payment. Economic Development & Revitalization – Mitch apologized for lack of meetings due to his unusual work schedule in New Castle. He will be working with Diane Laird to redefine their mission under Main Street guidelines. Marketing & Promotions – Tonda and Tina presented a Pop-Up Proposal to the Economic Development meeting. Have the Committees collaborating and working together will benefit everyone! Merchant Committee – Tom is working with the Merchants on a potential military discount program. Community Updates City Economic Development – Gregg stated they are just getting off the group with new appointments and lack of a quorum. Their next meeting will be next week. Wesley College – excused Bayhealth – excused Schwartz Center – Todd said they are interview for the new Executive Director and hired 3 new Staff Members and have started. Kent County Tourism – Wendie wasn’t present, but Tina informed the Board of their new website and community calendar. Public Comments: Members were frustrated with a lack of quorum which wastes their time. Gregg asked for us to now get an RSVP to the Board Meetings and will be followed up by personal phone calls if they are not received. The meeting was adjourned 9:20 AM