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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAB-2015Page 1 of 3 Commons Advisory Board Minutes Friday, October 9, 2015 Present: Staff: Kris Lewis, Chair Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk Nancy Brooks Frank Nagy, Director of Parking Gary Ferguson Duane Ross, Commons Maint. Supervisor Tim Gray Kathy Servoss, Executive Assistant Michael Perehinec Mike Thorne, Supt. Of Public Works Joseph Wetmore Absent: Chris Georgaroudakis Alex Pape, Commons Officer Joseph Gaylord Stephen Smith, Councilman Comments from Members of the Public Jason Wilson addressed the Board on behalf of Pete Meyers, Tompkins Workforce, in opposition of the proposed tabling fee. Faye Gougakis addressed the Board regarding the “light pollution” that occurs each night. She would like Schooley’s to dim their lights in their display cases and Exscape to turn their neon sign off at night. She also protested that cleaning on the Commons began at 6 AM. Julie Holcomb responded signs were under the jurisdiction of the Building Department’s Sign Ordinance. Lou Cassaniti Vending Permit Kathy Servoss explained that on October 1, 2015, Lou set up his vending area on the Commons with just his free-standing gas grill. He had stated he was having his vending cart worked on and asked if he could use his grill with two shelved carts through the end of the vending season. Kathy explained that he would have to ask the Commons Advisory Board. Kathy also noted that the area that Lou vends had multiple grease stains and she had told Lou that he would need to get a tarp to put under his rug so more stains could not occur on the pavers. Mike Thorne stated that he spoke with Lou on October 6, 2015, and told Lou that he would have to return to using the vending cart according to the ordinance for Mobile Vending on the Commons. The Board agreed that Lou’s permit should be revoked immediately if he returns to the Commons without his vending cart for day-to-day operation. Proposed Commons Use Permit Fees Kris Lewis recommended splitting the vote on the fees by category, rather than voting on all them as a group. The Board agreed. Page 2 of 3 Michael Perehinec noted his opposition to the proposed tabling fee. Julie noted that the fees will not constitute enough revenue to support Commons maintenance costs. Bernie Milton Pavilion Moved by Nancy Brooks, Seconded by Mike Thorne RESOLVED, That the Commons Advisory Board recommends the fees for the Bernie Milton Pavilion be as follows beginning January 1, 2016: Monday – Thursday Friday – Sunday Up to 2 hours $15 $25 2 – 4 hours $25 $35 4 hours and up $40 $50 A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Ayes (7) – Kris, Gary, Nancy, Tim, Joseph, Julie, Mike Nays (1) – Michael Carried (7-1) Small Events Moved by Nancy Brooks, Seconded by Mike Thorne RESOLVED, That the Commons Advisory Board recommends the fees for Small Events on the Commons be as follows beginning January 1, 2016: Monday – Thursday Friday – Sunday Up to 2 hours $5 $10 2 – 4 hours $10 $20 4 hours and up $20 $30 (Fees are lower during the week to encourage more activity downtown) A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Ayes (7) – Kris, Gary, Nancy, Tim, Joseph, Julie, Mike Nays (1) – Michael Carried (7-1) Electricity Moved by Nancy Brooks, Seconded by Mike Thorne RESOLVED, That the Commons Advisory Board recommends the fees for the use of Electricity on the Commons be as follows beginning January 1, 2016: 7 days/week Per Receptacle/Bollard $20 (Fee covers staff time to unlock and lock electrical bollards) Carried Unanimously Information Tables Moved by Nancy Brooks, Seconded by Mike Thorne RESOLVED, That the Commons Advisory Board recommends the fees for Information Tables on the Commons be as follows beginning January 1, 2016: Page 3 of 3 7 days/week Per Table per day $5 (To cover the cost of reserving space on the Commons for tables & chairs) A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Ayes (2) –Julie, Mike Nays (6) – Michael, Kris, Gary, Nancy, Tim, Joseph Failed (2-6) The recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Public Works for their input prior to moving to Common Council for final determination. Apple Harvest Festival Debrief Apple Harvest Festival 2015 was the first large event held on the new Commons. Duane distributed multiple photos of stains from the vendors that were on the Commons. Kris acknowledged the stains and noted that the CRT (Compost, Recycle, and Trash) Stations created the biggest mess and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance has developed a plan to keep it from happening at future events. Frank noted that though the vendors had tarps in their area, the tarps need to extend out to the area that customers stand around the tables and tents. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether food vendors should be allowed on the Commons. Mike Thorne was very much against the banning of food vendors, stating there will always be stains, and proposed a few options, such as pre-staining the pavers. Julie expressed opposition to pre-staining, stating that she did not want the Commons to become a “gray canyon” and wanted it to have depth and warmth. Mike suggested increasing security deposit amounts from vendors to cover more of the actual costs for cleaning the pavers after an event. Kris agreed and stated that was part of the new plan for events. Proposed Changes to Commons Ordinance Discussion was held regarding the proposed changes to the ordinance, specifically the removal of the maintenance guidelines in §157-18. The Board agreed to the removal of the guidelines as long as the Superintendent creates a living document and made it available to others (i.e. business, residents, etc.). The Board agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss the ordinance at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015, in Council Chambers. New Business The Board began a discussion regarding lights on the Commons. Julie indicated that the Board should not hold a conversation without representatives from the Building Department or Planning. She noted that after business hours, the city does want some lights for safety purposes, but there is no need for flashing lights when the shops are closed. Adjournment at 10:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted by Kathrin Servoss.