Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2020-11-12

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — November 12, 2020 • The DDA approved the October meeting minutes. City Hall was scheduled to close to public access at 5 p.m. the following day because COVID-19 spread was rising. Board meetings could continue, but public participants would be expected to participate remotely. • Ladies Weekend was underway through Sunday with 49 participating businesses. Organizers said the goal was to spread shoppers among businesses and restaurants while encouraging masks and distancing. The holiday open house had been changed on the website to a Thursday-through-Sunday format, but organizers emphasized that plans could change as COVID-19 conditions evolve. • Members debated the planned Saturday, November 28 tree lighting. The proposed setup was outdoors, with no chili or hot cocoa at the church, a stage and PA system, street closures, and Facebook livestreaming. Several members said an in-person event could encourage crowding and present an unacceptable health and public-image risk. Others noted that the event could be redesigned or streamed without public attendance. No final DDA action was recorded; the proposal was to go to City Council for consideration. • On Marina Waterfront Park, staff said the Harbor Commission discussed a harbormaster-building rebuild on a timeline of up to five years, while Council hoped it could occur in two to three years. Staff are developing fuller estimates for the building, parking, utilities, shoreline-related needs, and park alternatives. Members said park planning should wait for Council's capital-improvement priorities. • The DDA will refine the downtown tree-grate project before seeking Council direction. Underground electrical work was described as too costly. The group discussed evaluating lamp posts, outlets, and lighting options and asked the Downtown Enhancement Committee to meet before the December DDA meeting. • Ice Fest contract collection needs follow-up: about five or six contracts had been received, while roughly 15 additional businesses had made verbal commitments. The DDA also reported that about half of its COVID reimbursement grant funds remained and planned another outreach push. A separate Small Business Regional Resiliency Program grant of $5,000 for eligible businesses with nine or fewer full-time employees was announced, with a November 20 deadline. Worth watching: • Whether City Council permits, changes, or declines the tree-lighting plan amid COVID-19 concerns. • Whether Council prioritizes Marina Waterfront Park and the harbormaster-building project in capital planning. • Whether businesses submit remaining Ice Fest contracts and COVID reimbursement requests. Upcoming: City Council was asked to consider the tree-lighting proposal on November 16; capital-improvements review was described as running from December 7 to December 14. Why it matters: The DDA is balancing downtown business support and holiday traditions against escalating public-health concerns and uncertain capital-project costs.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.