DDP Packet

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 7:30 AM AGENDA ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/94354164330 Meeting ID: 943 5416 4330 Additional Zoom instructions next page. 1. Agenda 2. Approval of Minutes – March 2021 3. Police report –Officer Aviles, Community Policing Unit 4. Executive Committee Report/Action Items Executive Session: i. Item 1 ii. Item 2 Move out of Executive Session 5. Property Updates - N/A 6. Committee Reports i.Parking ii.Organization 7. Legislative Updates i. Trey Paradee ii. Bill Bush 8. City Updates i. Mayor ii. City Council iii. City Manager iv. Planning Director 9. Other Reports i. Kent County Tourism ii. Wesley College iii. Bayhealth 10. Other Business 11. Public Comment 12. Adjourn Next DDP board meeting: May 26, via Zoom

Time: March 24, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94354164330 Meeting ID: 943 5416 4330 Every month on the Fourth Wed, until Jun 23, 2021, 6 occurrence(s) Jan 27, 2021 07:30 AM Feb 24, 2021 07:30 AM Mar 24, 2021 07:30 AM Apr 28, 2021 07:30 AM May 26, 2021 07:30 AM Jun 23, 2021 07:30 AM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJAucu2pqD8pGdTuVBeG8Rs- 4jnXTNjUHSGW/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCsrT4uG9KRsxqHRowIA4_4LOvwpilejadpiSnHBgcLUBC7Yuh MCoZRGu34 One tap mobile +13017158592,,94354164330# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,94354164330# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 943 5416 4330 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acr80Kr1or

Downtown Dover Partnership - Board Meeting 3/24/21 DRAFT Attending: • Kim Adams, Jonathan Street, Carla Wilson, Pete Bradley, John Van Gorp, Todd Stonesifer, Maxine Lewis, Councilman Ralph Taylor, Councilman Fred Neil, Officer Aviles, Alan Grinstead, Bob Clark, Randy Robertson, Matt Harline, Senator Trey Paradee, Representative Bill Bradley, Dave Hugg, Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird 1

• Agenda Additions/ Deletions a. Todd Stonesifer opened meeting b. Laird moved to delete Item #2 from Exec Session on Agenda c. Approved by Street, seconded by Maxine Lewis; unanimous approval. • Approval of Feb 2021 Minutes a. Approved by Street, seconded by Maxine Lewis; unanimous approval. • Police Report a. Officer Aviles signed on to report in and mentioned "heat map" of crime and other incidents, showing general area. b. Stats: 16 paper complaints (full reports), 5 were accidents, 2 were DUI, 2 weapon/ disorderly, 2 theft/ shoplifting. Other complaints were traffic stops, alarms, trespassing c. Officer Aviles signed off. • Executive Committee Report/ Action Items- Transcription Stopped a. Motion to go into Exec. session made by Street, Van Gorp seconded b. Motion to come out of Executive Session by Neil, Street seconded. c. Stonesifer made motion to approve Item 1 from Exec Session Van Gorp seconded, motion carried unanimously. d. Investment Policy Update: Approx. 850K in DDP Saving Account, with 350K to invest, earning 0%. i. Stonesifer advocating for policy to spell out the level of risk to take. Everyone received policy in advance. ii. Brought to Board to adopt in order reach out to financial advisors to bid on work. Annual review of financial advisor. iii. Bradley gave overview, short term volatility ok, ability to withdraw all funds within three business days if need be, listed asset classes up for consideration. Overall objective is to be prudent and conservative. iv. Question raise of level of risk v. reward of investment, Bradley discussed 6-9 months in operating expenses held to minimize risk. Van Gorp reiterated conservative plan. v. Neil suggested investing in companies that own lease land communities. vi. Stonesifer asked to approve. Paradee motioned, Street seconded. Motion unanimously approved to move forward to request proposals. Will discuss at next meeting. • Property Updates- N/A 1. Committee reports a. Parking Committee update- Stonesifer i. Had several meetings with stakeholders (merchants, property owners, residents, shoppers) and Councilmen have attended and aware of challenges. ii. Tried to address all concerns in some shape or form. 2

iii. Public Survey dispersed, 280 respondents to date. Presentation based on survey results, supports something changing to create a new solution. iv. Next parking meeting, Colonial Parking will propose a solution. Once Parking Committee reviews, community members will be given a chance to review, then Board. Hopefully by June meeting. b. Organization- Laird i. We are making good progress in looking at vacancies, understanding why they are vacant, and recruiting accordingly. Will continue this process but need to look at the big picture and “package” downtown for investment. Need to look at all stakeholders (Bayhealth, DSU, DAFB) and consider a vision to be realized on/about 2030. DL would like to have an exploratory RFI (Request for Information) for vendor proposal. No comments. ii. DPD has created two ads, one is economically driven- Why to locate to Downtown Dover? for publication with the Kent Economic Partnership and one ad for events/activities for the Chamber of Commerce publication. Both are full page. (Visuals provided.) 7. Legislative Updates a. Senator Trey Paradee i. Echoes Clark in his sentiments (9 b.) ii. Lot going on at Legislative Hall. Opportunities coming in few months, Delaware is in a good position and we anticipate federal money to invest in State and downtowns. Will be working with City executives and others. iii. Passed legislation in Senate (Senate Bill 15) to raise minimum wage to 10.50 as of January and have it to $15.00 an hour within five years. Possibility to have it be amended in House in reference to small businesses. iv. Introduction to Recreational Marijuana Bill, gives counties and municipalities power to zone and restrict cultivation and sale of pot as they see fit. b. Rep. Bill Bush- Senator Paradee asked Rep Bush to offer an update i. House Bill 88 also a minimum wage bill. Discussion around time minimum wage increase would be implemented and small business exception. ii. Bills in House focus on Brew Pubs and other businesses focusing on alcohol. Hoping this will lead to expansion of downtown businesses, such as Iron Hill. iii. House Bill 64- proposing to increase personal income tax for over $125,000.00 iv. Upcoming Bill for alcohol delivery from liquor stores in an effort to stimulate local business. Other Bills also coming up soon by Rep. Bush to stimulate local business. v. Senator Paradee followed up with Gun Laws and Social Justice bills will also be forthcoming. 8. City Updates a. Mayor Christiansen is traveling, not available at the meeting. b. City Council- Ralph Taylor i. Body cameras are on their way for police officers. Mental health workers to being working with law enforcement. Sustainable private/public collaboration to market Dover as a safe and clean environment. ii. Suggested ideas for community beautification, such as a Riverwalk. c. City Manager- Robertson and Harmon 3

i. April 29th- Having a Job Fair from 10am-1pm. 11 large and small companies are attending, Board members are welcome to have a complimentary table. ii. Starting free online city newsletter, coming out every few weeks on Tuesdays. Light and lively forum for the Dover community. iii. LED lighting project downtown winding down with downtown installation nearly completed. iv. Beginning to receive applications for 5G wireless hubs. d. Planning Director- Dave Hugg i. Hugg reiterated need for comprehensive plan brought forth by Laird and Taylor and simplifying new business process brought forth by Sen. Paradee. 9. Other Reports a. Kent County Tourism- Bradley having technical trouble b. Wesley College- President Clark i. Wesley/ DSU merger a positive opportunity to solidify and accelerate desires to enrich the city. Three-year journey to create a sustainable model for opportunities to expand. ii. Wesley name will remain with focus on Health and Behavioral Science. iii. No issues with accreditation. Looking at what to change, what to keep, what programs will continue and what will end. Hopefully process complete by the end of academic year, June 2020. iv. COVID accelerated change, thankful to the local and State leadership for supporting change. c. Bayhealth- Van Gorp had signed off due to another commitment. 10. Other Business a. Neil moved for adjournment, Street seconded; unanimous approval. b. Stonesifer thanked everyone for their work and time. Adjourned meeting at 9:01 CH/DJ 4