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GO
TO TOP
December
1, 2005
In
attendance today: Jerry Breiner - Re/Max Gold Coast Realtors,
Sid White - EDR Manager City of Ventura, Ed Warren - Downtown
property owner, Chris Peterson - DVO, Glenda Lewis - DVO, Kari
Gialketsis - Interim Planning Manager City of Ventura, Project
Manager DTSP, Loretta Merewether - Downtown property owner, Barbara
Evans - Downtown resident, Christy Weir - City Councilmember,
and Neil Andrews - City Councilmember
Approval
of Action Notes for November 17, 2005
Motion - Ed Warren 2nd - Loretta Merewether - Approved
Updates:
" Still waiting on approval for Website name change and to
transfer information to new site.
" Robin Elander still needs to get information to Jerry Breiner.
" Holiday Lighting is up!
" Restroom schedule from Dori Boyer
" Main Street patching underway
" Trash Enclosures - Out to bid last week.
Kari
Gialketsis - Interim Planning Manager, Project Manager - Downtown
Specific Plan (DTSP)
DTSP Draft - Consultants responses due back mid-month. Will then
release for public review and comments. Draft may not have full
detail for all issues; goal is to have all issues addressed/mentioned.
Parking Master Plan - New report released in October based on
study made 2 years ago, inventory of all public lots and usage.
New study will address site of future garage, policies and goals,
and recommendations to move forward.
Enforcement of regulation of parking lots is not covered in parking
study. Should be addressed in the DTSP
Lighting - Streetscapes were a component of the earlier parking
study.
Parking lot lighting was not addressed in earlier study will be
added to policies and programs to bring issue forward.
Newspaper & Magazine Racks - should have encroachment permits.
Fees should be used to provide enforcement.
Bike
Racks - grant to provide new bike racks of various designs.
Downtown
Paving Plan to Council in January '06.
Goals
and Requests - Review former DVCC/DOT task list
GO
TO TOP
November
17, 2005
In
attendance today: Jerry Breiner Re/Max Gold Coast Realtors, Sid
White EDR Manager City of Ventura, Loretta Merewether Downtown
property owner, Ed Warren – Downtown property owner, Barbara
Evans Downtown resident, Jim Montgomery Bombay Bar & Grill,
and Christy Weir – City Councilmember
Approval of Action Notes for November 3, 2005
Approved without exception
DVCC website
- Still
waiting for approval to change DVCC website to GoVentura.com\DOT
for posting of minutes and other DOT related information.
Update
on Kiosk
- Need
updated Business Listing for kiosk from Robin Elander
- Note
of Thank-You to Variety Lighting for supplying light bulbs for
the kiosk and Abbey Carpet Warehouse for donation of services
in repairing floor and carpeting at the Storefront. Barbara
Evans to contact Ventura County Star to offer a public thank-you.
Update
on Holiday Lighting
- Slaven
Group contract states Holiday lighting to be installed during
timeframe of Nov. 1 – Dec. 1. Would be great to
have lighting up before Thanksgiving Holiday. Loretta
to contact Jerry Slaven
Update
on Rope Lighting
- Shipment
of bulk rope lighting arrived yesterday. Chris and Russ
Bennett to assemble lighting strands.
- Darryl
Wager and Mike Montoya have arranged to have a cherry picker
and two operators available this Saturday for installation of
rope lights on Main Street. Will begin work 6:30 am, need
cable ties before that time. Source – Avenue Hardware
need 488 pieces. They will be attaching the strand to
the top of the trees. Volunteer crew will wind them around
the trees and attach at the bottom. Volunteers to meet
in the Bank of America parking lot 8am. Expect trees to
be completed by noon
Update
on Restroom Schedule
- Sid
White to provide updated schedule of Restrooms participating
in the Public Restroom Pilot Program to Jerry Breiner.
Update
on Storefront
- Space
planner to provide floor plan for entire area of Storefront.
- Mark
Hartley has office space available, 2 - 800 sq ft offices –
option for expansion plan
Update
on Re-Paving Project on Main Street
- Patching
has begun on Main Street, not causing much disruption of traffic
and shopper flow.
- Vicki
to provide quotes on uplighting of palm trees.
Update
on Trash Enclosures
- Dan
Fredrickson and Mark Hartley
to work with Vicki Musgrove and Ray OlsonScheduled
to go out to bid on November 22, 200530-60 days to get contract
in place, then to Council.Suggestion to consider using Public
Art funds to beautify enclosures. Barbara Evans to contact
Denise SindelarSuggestion that 400 block trash enclosures should
be fitted for sewer hook-up, water source, drainage and maintenance
- Need
detailed trash plan for Downtown. Should be part of Downtown
Specific Plan. Sid White will confirm with Kari Gialketsis.
Goals
and Requests – Review former DVCC/DOT task list
- Jerry
Breiner handed out listing of goals and responsibilities of
former DVCC and the DOT.Need to bring to DVO finance committee,
within the next 6 weeks, a proposed budget for next year, need
to supply listing of items to be considered for the budget ASAP.
Jerry requests that everyone log onto website GoVentura.com\DVCC
to review listing, then e-mail him your opinion as to what items
should be considered for next years DVO budget.
- Suggest
additional columns to listing detailing status of item, funding
source (current and future), funding amount needed.Listed items
should be included in the Downtown Specific Plan
- Streetscape
plan part of DSP – lighting of Oak St. should progress
past Main St. up to Poli St. Sid White to verify extent of lighting
plan for Oak St
Other
Items
Suggestion
to look into possibility of opening up blocked area in Ventura
Inn facing California St. (old barbershop), make proposition to
have area to be used for a Public Restroom facility.
GO
TO TOP
October 6, 2005
In
attendance today: Sid White – EDR Manager City of Ventura,
Jerry Breiner – REMAX Gold Coast Realtors, Barbara Evans
– Ventura Architecture Weekend, Loretta Merewether –
Downtown property owner, Clarey Rudd – DowntownVentura.org
– Bank of Books, Ed Warren – owner of Busy Bee Café,
Jim Ludwig – K&L Associates, Jim Luttjohann – Ventura
Visitors & Convention Bureau, Glenda Lewis – DowntownVentura.org,
Linda Peterson – DowntownVentura.org, and Chris Bennett –
DowntownVentura.org
Approval
of Action Notes for September 22, 2005
Motion
to approve – Barbara Evans
Second
– Clarey Rudd
Approved
with corrections
Recap
of DOT/DVO combined meeting
Responsibilities
transferred from DVCC to DVO
DOT to become a committee of DVO
Jerry Breiner named chair of DOT
Make recommendations of projects to move forward
Main Street Approach 4 Areas of Interest:
1)
Organization 2) Design 3) Promotion and 4) Economic Restructuring
Recommendations
that DowntownVentura.org take on responsibilities of:
Police
Storefront
Clean-up parking lot – Pick up trash and weeding along perimeter.
2 people 30 minutes. City Sweeper cleans parking lot on regular
basis (Vicki Musgrove) .
Liability
insurance needs to be renewed by 10/31/05 – blanket with
kiosk, flowerpots, special events, etc.
Organizational
Insurance
Change name on lease from DVCC to DVO Funding source is in place.
Keep positive public perception, police presence in Downtown.
Potential to build up as more fully utilized resource. Suggestion:
Have Dave Wilson invite Pat Miller (or other officer of his choosing)
Both to attend next meeting to offer input on issue to committee.
Motion to keep storefront 90-180 days. For Oct 25th meeting of
DOV – Ask for volunteers for parking lot clean up and get
in line to staff (go through training program) assigning leasing/insurance
to finance committee. Clarey Rudd, 2nd Jim Ludwig – approved.
Kiosk
Change over license - Update panels as needed – updating
in process now
Christie Weir asked DVCB cover coast of replacing Plexiglas. Performance
Paint is storing the touch-up paint for the kiosk. Loretta to
put owner in touch with Jim Luttjohann Motion to continue with
kiosk Linda Peterson 2nd Ed Warren approved.
Downtown Flower Pots
39 Pots - Need to re-negotiate contract with landscaper –
$250/month presently, Loretta Merewether to contact landscaper
to get a proposal for new contract (1 year), Chris Bennett to
get comparison quote and draft an Adopt-A-Pot Program.
Fundraisers – Sponsor Program – contribute money to
provide maintenance by service not merchant. Need to maintain
control of care/planting of pots. Motion to continue maintenance
of Downtown Flower Pots. Jim Ludwig, Linda Peterson 2nd. approved
Rope Lighting on Palm Trees/Holiday Lighting
Falls under category of Security and Marketing - Need to purchase
soon, seasonal item, will be hard to find soon, very expensive
via Internet. Will need to purchase ample supply for replacements.
Maintenance – monthly replacement needed due to vandalism.
Previously, replacement has been done by volunteers. City responsible
for maintaining electrical boxes Suggestion made that this be
the last year that the rope lights are in place. Need to begin
study immediately for options for enhanced lighting to replace
rope lighting. Slaven Group to give Loretta a bid for installing
Holiday Lighting as well as replacing white rope lighting. Motion
to keep rope lighting in place for 1 year. Purchase 200 replacement
rope lights. Enhanced lighting options to be investigated. To
develop a Permanent Lighting Plan. Barbara Evans Ed Warren 2nd
approved.
Insurance
Motion that DVO should handle general liability insurance. Jim
Ludwig, Ed Warren 2nd approved.
DOT
Accomplishments
Jerry Breiner handed out a listing of DOT accomplishments with
a suggestion that this be included with presentation on Oct. 25
Goal of listing to keep attention on items & issues so that
they do not fall of f the radar. Suggested some changes to format
to avoid confusion of various names and organizations. Discuss
with Christie Weir and Greg Smith re: incorporation of information
into PowerPoint.
GO
TO TOP
September, 22, 2005
In
attendance today: Saul
Aguilar; City Managers Office - City of Ventura, Robin Elander
ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural Affairs - City of Ventura, Christie
Weir City of Ventura Councilmember, Sid White EDR Manager City
of Ventura, Dave Wilson City Manager Office - City of Ventura,
Jerry Breiner Downtown Community Council and Ventura Architecture
Weekend, Barbara Evans Ventura Architecture Weekend, Rene Feresi
Downtown resident, Doug Halter Ventura Chamber of Commerce, owner
of Villa Tasca, Loretta Merewether Downtown Community Council
& downtown property owner, Clarey Rudd Greater Historical
Downtown Association Bank of Books, Ed Warren owner of Busy
Bee Café, Jason Collis DowntownVentura.org, Glenda Lewis
DowntownVentura.org, Linda Peterson DowntownVentura.org, and Greg
Smith DowntownVentura.org
Approval
of Action Notes for July 14 & August 11, 2005
Motion to approve – Jerry Breiner
Second – Ed Warren
Approved
Overview
of DVCC
Downtown
Ventura Community Council – has made decision to disband
and give support to DowntownVentura.org. (DVO) Would like to hand
over projects and responsibilities to DVO.
Hand
out listing of Annual Expenses - $16,000 and Responsibilities,
Mission Statement, and By-laws of DVCC
Storefront
- Initial
goal was to develop Downtown Community CenterRent $700 ($100
discount if in by the 3rd of the month) DVCC has
paid rent up through October. Loretta to contact anonymous
donor pays rent 3 months at a time, DVO must be able to accept
a check have account established - Responsible for cleaning
parking lot, weed abatement and building maintenance ; doors,
plumbing, etc.Need to change name on lease by end of OctoberNeed
to provide insurance by end of OctoberOwners of building Bush
Trust require 60 notice
- Storefront
staffed by volunteers – coverage is sometimes spotty
Kiosk
- Keep
windows currentReplace Plexiglas as needed - $200-250 per panel.
Maintenance – remove graffiti, light bulbs, etc.Need to
maintain insurance
- VCB
& Jerry Breiner have keys to kiosk
Potted
Plants
- Tend
to twice a week – water and cleaning
- DVCC
has given 30 day notice to landscaping company – Feldman
Landscaping will consider continuing contract with DVO
Rope
Lighting
- 115
treesRope lights seasonal item – available in October
– good idea to purchase back-up supply for replacements
- Jamie
Kuhl has work-order to check and repair all electrical boxes
Holiday
Lighting
- Need
to sign new contract – contract covers installation, take
down and storageNeed to schedule installation
- Still
have many lighted poinsettias for sale – fundraising item
Insurance
- Paid
through November 30th Great American Insurance Co.
– Broker Eric Strassforth Tolman & Wiker Co. –
General Liability $1674. Premium – $1000.
Deductible
- Coverage
on Storefront – Flower Pots – Kiosk – Lights
– Special Events
DVCC
Donation Parting Gift
- Cowtown
Mile raised $5,000 purchased 4 state of the art bike from Shoreline
Bicycles
Loretta
willing to continue efforts as storefront liaison, help transition
Holiday Lighting contact with Jerry Slaven, serve on Finance Committee
and serve as an Advisory Resource. Doug Halter (after December)
and Jim Ludwig also available as advisory resource.
DOT
Accomplishments – working with City on various projects
-
Focus
on 4 categories: Promotion – Finance – Fundraising
– Operations Ventura
Beautiful, Hillside Conservancy, etc. use DOT as sounding board;
suggestion not to completely dissolve DOT. Dave
Wilson propose that he take lead as City Staff liaison between
DOT/DVO – Bring to meetings other Departments and staff
as needed (CD-PW) Need
to appoint DOT Chairman
-
DVO
to take on responsibilities of former DVCC
Focus
Topics
-
Peter
Brown wanting to give presentation on Program Housing and Artspace
Project Downtown
Specific Plan – Form Based Code – get comments to
Kari Gialketsis Wayfinding
– Signage Issues
-
Connecting
Downtown to Harbor – covering freeway
Cops
on Bikes program
GO
TO TOP
August
11, 2005
In attendance today: Jim Ludwig – K&L Associates,
Interim Chair for DOT, Sid White – EDR Manager City of Ventura,
Clarey Rudd – Greater Historical Downtown Association –
Bank of Books, Jerry Breiner – Downtown Community Council,
Seanna-Marie Weaver – Weaver Wines, Christie Weir –
City of Ventura Councilmember, Robin Elander – ArtWalk/Alive
After 5 Cultural Affairs City of Ventura. (May not be a complete
listing of all in attendance – Roll call not on tape)
DowntownVentura.org
– Clarey Rudd
Financial group met Tuesday – goal to raise $250,000 by November
Need to decide which non-profit format 501-3C, 501-4C etc. –
will discuss further next Tuesday.
Marketing Task Force forming
Discussion of DOT becoming a subcommittee of DowntownVentura.org
Discussion of roles and involvement of members of DOT in DVO –
discuss appointment of sub-committee chairs (trash enclosures,
marketing, lighting)
Plans for another large community meeting to be scheduled possibly
in November.
Full meeting not recorded – complete notes are not available
GO
TO TOP
July 14, 2005
In attendance today: Jim Ludwig – K&L Associates, Interim
Chair for DOT, Sid White – EDR Manager City of Ventura, Clarey
Rudd – Greater Historical Downtown Association – Bank
of Books, Robin Elander – ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural
Affairs City of Ventura, Loretta Merewether – Downtown Community
Council & Downtown property owner, Rick Stewart – Palermo,
Dustin Duran – ED&R City of Ventura, Christie Weir –
City of Ventura Councilmember, Jim Luttjohann – Ventura Visitors
& Convention Bureau, Seanna-Marie Weaver – Weaver Wines,
Barbara Evans – Ventura Architecture Weekend, Jerry Breiner
– Downtown Community Council, Jim Montgomery – Bombay
Bar & Grill, Renee Feresi – Downtown Property Owner,
Ken Rose – Greater Historical Downtown Association, Ed Warren
– Busy Bee Café, Glenda Lewis – Coldwell Banker,
Tom Mericle – Engineering City of Ventura, Dave Wilson –
Ventura Police – City Managers Office City of Ventura.
Approval of Action Notes for June 30, 2005
Motion
to approve – Jim Ludwig
Second
– Ed Warren
Approved
Downtown Operations Team – Discussion re: Appointing New
Chair
Doug
Halter resigned with regret his Chair on the DOT. Jim Ludwig has
agreed to sit in as Interim Chair.
Nominations for Chair – more detailed conversation at later
meeting. Give time for recruitment, discussion, and thought. Should
be in Downtown area daily, ready to give commitment of time, and
continuity of attendance.
Possibility of DOT being absorbed into Downtown Inc. maybe to
serve as a sub-committee to Downtown Inc.
Do not want to loose momentum of DOT
Downtown, Inc. – Clarey Rudd
Adapted
Main Street Program to Ventura – Program gives clear direction.
Sid to give additional copies of Professional Guide to Downtown
Main Street Approach to Dave Wilson for Tuesday meeting. Have
been offered free office space & office equipment. Attorney
has offered some legal aid.
Official name: DowntownVentura.org
Structure for Board of Directors:
15 member board – 5 Merchants, 3 Property Owners, 2 Residents,
2 Professional, 1 City Council, 2 At-large Members. On a 1-2-3
year cycle. Potentially 5 new board members per year. Slate of
16 names: Cynthia Bowman (Fusion), Clarey Rudd (Bank of Books),
Jason Collis (Jonathans), Keith Richardson (Things from Heaven),
Jack Carter (Antique Collector), Greg Smith – property owner,
Glenda Lewis – resident/professional, Christy Weir –
City of Ventura Councilmember, Mark Hartley – property owner,
Dan Fredrickson – property owner, Ed Warren (Busy Bee), Seanna-Marie
Weaver (Weaver Wines)/professional, Linda Peterson, Jerry Breiner
– at-large, Jim Luttjohann – at-large, Chris Bennett
– professional. Received 75 names or interested parties from
the 6/14/05 meeting, notices of election/meetings were sent to
all and only a few responded.
DOT Approval for listing – Motion – Clarey Rudd. Unanimously
approved.
SCAT Bus Design – Jerry Breiner
·
Jerry passed out proposed designs for SCAT Bus that is to go into
play in October.
Fare
1.25 one-way. 40-minute loop from Harbor to Downtown and back,
7-days per week. Stops are timed with interface with other bus
routes not Amtrak. Concern that stops are not where people are
and where they want to go. Route has already been approved, 6
If bus proves successful may be able to get trolley or second
bus added with different schedule. Give listing of preferred locations
for stops and input on bus designs to Dustin Duran dduran@ci.ventura.ca.us
before next meeting. Group was split on Design #1 & #2
Bike
Racks – Tom Mericle
Continue
use of ball rack - standard bike rack for City of Ventura. 200
racks for Downtown, Mid-town, and Westside. Looking for input
on specialty racks. Design and placement. Would like to have about
3-4 racks per block. Will circulate draft plan to DOT when complete.
Big fish at California Plaza and on Pier – Running Man at
Promenade in various locations – Music Notes (assortment)
at Mini Park & Cultural areas – Biker at Patagonia –
surfer design at Surfer’s Point – Artist Pallet near
Fiore’s – larger rack under canoes at parking structure
– additional ball racks outside Weaver Wines. E-mail comments
on designs and placements to Tom Mericle at tmericle@ci.ventura.ca.us.
Downtown
Ventura featured in Eating Magazine;
Specifically
they reviewed Café Fiore, Jonathan’s, Westside Cellar,
71 Palm, Café Zak, and Austin’s at Pierpont. Upcoming
Agenda Items:
Program
Housing to be on agenda at later meeting, no specific date set.
Will need to have time to line up Community Services – Peter
Brown and Inspection Services – Brian Clark. Downtown Parking
Strategy – Patrick Siegman presentation scheduled for next
meeting 7/28/05.
GO
TO TOP
June
16, 2005
In
attendance today: Doug Halter, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Redevelopment Committee and owner of Villa Tasca, Sid White –
EDR Manager City of Ventura, Clarey Rudd – Greater Historical
Downtown Association – Bank of Books, Robin Elander –
ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural Affairs City of Ventura, Loretta
Merewether – Downtown Community Council & downtown property
owner, Rick Stewart – Palermo, Jim Ludwig – K&L
Associates, Dustin Duran – ED&R City of Ventura, Christie
Weir – City of Ventura Councilmember, Jim Luttjohann –
Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, Seanna-Marie Woods –
Weaver Wines, Barbara Evans – Ventura Architecture Weekend,
Jerry Breiner – Downtown Community Council, Jim Montgomery
– Bombay Bar & Grill, Renee Feresi – Downtown Property
Owner.
Approval
of Action Notes for June 2, 2005
Motion
to approve – Jim Ludwig
Second
– Jerry Breiner
Approved
Downtown,
Inc. – Clarey Rudd
·
Great turn out @ meeting.
·
Positive feedback
·
We’re left with where do we go from here???
·
How do we organize & operate
·
Funding is part of the foundation for operating Downtown, Inc.
·
Taken a few month’s up to this point
o
The process was a good foundation
o
Next few meetings will be able to tie everything together
o
Combination of issues that need to be incorporated to get a common
consensus:
·
By July – rough draft of structure for management –
includes funding options.
o
Discuss boundaries, issues that need to be addressed, etc.
·
Need to pick and choose which by laws and organizations have worked.
·
Grassroots will be a big help to get this organization off the
ground – everyone recognizes something needs to happen now!!!
·
Good results from small groups on Tuesday’s public meeting.
Downtown
Subcommittee - - Trash Talk” Update – Dustin Duran
Trash Receptacles
·
State Department of Conservation received our grant application.
We are not eligible to receive funding.
·
Receptacles are currently on the corners of Main & Chestnut,
California, and Oak. Each receptacle is a different hue (blue,
brown, and gray).
·
Receptacles hold twice the capacity as existing receptacles, can
be emptied with mechanical lever, and are currently being tested
for aesthetics and vandalism. Public comment is encouraged.
·
May be used at intersections only, since Harrison will not be
able to empty the receptacles between intersections due to parked
vehicles.
Trash Bins
·
Suggest mandating trash service for Downtown merchants –
will provide comments to Downtown Specific Plan Committee (DTSP)
scheduled for adoption in December 2005.
Trash Enclosures
·
Confirmed funding for enclosures – RDA funds available.
·
Engineering to design enclosures within a few months.
·
Environmental and Maintenance issues being addressed prior to
design.
·
Drafting letter and to help get merchants and property owners
on board – maintenance is the key issue to successful implementation
of communal enclosures.
DOT
Subcommittee - Lighting - Dustin Duran & Jeff Hereford
Rope Lighting
·
Facilities will fix any broken electrical boxes – DVCC to
track broken electrical boxes.
·
Will order stock of rope lights after July 1st for palm trees
along Main & California – DVCC will provide labor to
install lights.
Side
Streets
·
Edison will install 3 new lights along Oak St. between Main and
Santa Clara within the next two months.
Long
Term
·
Community Development Staff asked City Council to set aside $600,000
for Oak Street Improvements from RDA funds since improvements
are an Economic Development Strategy action item and is proposed
for Adopted Capital Improvement Project Plans.
Downtown
Specific Plan (DTSP)
·
Asked the group to think of guidelines, standards, or suggestions
to include in the DTSP, which is up for adoption in December 2005.
Program
Housing Discussion
·
Concerned about population in Downtown that has Section 8 housing
and affordable housing allocations, which is heavily distributed
in Downtown versus other areas in the City and County.
·
Research how motels have been allowed to stop paying TOT and have
become living space in downtown without RGMP allocations.
·
RGMP can be avoided by not building a “unit” –
where a unit is having a kitchen.
·
Motels avoiding TOT taxes as well as RGMP. Irony is that legitimate
homeowners are sometimes denied the ability to have a detached
room for fear that it may be rented out – however motels
are doing just that.
·
Staff still researching more about Motel issue. (Dustin Duran)
·
May find that motels are in violation.
·
Code Enforcement and whose precedent overrides – City or
Civic
·
It cannot discriminate and has to apply equally across the board.
·
Tracking this issue with new code that is going to come out with
the new Specific Plan.
·
Contact Point of Specific Plan is Ann Daigle, Urban Development
Manager. Need to get on paper any comments or concerns in order
to track communication regarding Program Housing and Downtown
issues and how they relate to Specific Plan.
·
Homeless and Section 8 housing – We want to help those that
are in need. We just want it done in a responsible way that doesn’t
impact the quality of life for the rest of the community. That’s
the issue.
Other
comments/discussion:
Sid
W. --- Flyer submitted of conference by California Downtown Association
being held in Palm Springs – September 2005. This organization
has been around for a long time. It would be very beneficial for
someone to attend.
These
conferences are extremely valuable because you don’t reinvent
the wheel as well as in terms of how Downtown Districts work.
Details
are available on website listed on flyer, will have more information
at next meeting. Sid suggested that the banks may have scholarships
available for Downtown meetings and he could have one of his staff
attend. It was discussed that it would be great that someone from
the Downtown Steering Committee (i.e. Clarey’s subcommittee)
attend to benefit from what has happened elsewhere.
Agenda
items for next week include:
·
Conditional Use Permit Update – Dustin Duran, Assistant Planner
·
Nelson/Nygaard Downtown Traffic Management Plan – Dave Armstrong,
Downtown Project Manager
Meeting Adjourned
GO
TO TOP
May
19, 2005
In
attendance today: Doug Halter, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Redevelopment Committee and owner of Villa Tasca, Sid White –
EDR Manager City of Ventura, Clarey Rudd – Greater Historical
Downtown Association – Bank of Books, Robin Elander –
ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural Affairs City of Ventura, Loretta
Merewether – Downtown Community Council & downtown property
owner, Rick Stewart – Palermo, Dave Wilson – City of
Ventura – Police/City Managers Office, Jim Ludwig –
K&L Associates, Dustin Duran – ED&R City of Ventura,
Christie Weir – City of Ventura Councilmember, Jim Luttjohann
– Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, Brian Haworth
– ED&R City of Ventura, Seanna-Marie Woods – Weaver
Wines, Mary Joyce Ivers – Fleet & Facilities Superintendent
City of Ventura, Vickie Musgrove – Maintenance Service Manager
City of Ventura, Barbara Evans – Ventura Architecture Weekend,
Kevin Colin – Senior Planner City of Ventura.
Approval
of Action Notes for April 21, 2005
Motion
to approve – Clarey Rudd
Second
– Rick Stewart
Approved
Vicki Musgrove
Parking
Structure Maintenance Mary Joyce Ivers – 652-4539
·Maintenance
janitorial services 7 days/week, trash pick up 6 days/week, site
inspection 5 days/week
·Cleaning
aspect of structure major concern – comment made that have
been bags of garbage left outside
the elevator, landings of staircases dirty (feces), elevator has
urine odor.
·Plans
to hire 2 ambassadors in place of 1 cleaning person to primarily
cover the downtown area on
weekends – slated to start July 1st.
·Suggestion
made that check to be sure that janitors who service facilities
are equipped with proper equipment
and supplies.
·ADSIL
concrete sealer – suggested for use in facilities to help
with cleaning and odor control.
·Plan
to meet with janitor staff to review supplies (do they have the
proper supplies to effectively handle
tasks) and procedures, review report of times in and out of facilities.
·Please
call Vicki if there are any concerns with service, street cleaning.
Sidewalk cleaning is done on
a schedule, but if there is a problem, spot cleaning is available
if they are called.
·Cannot
wash sidewalks and allow wastewater to flow into storm drains.
Per storm water regulations,
only storm water can go down the storm drains. Can only wash sidewalks
if
wateris recaptured. $10,000 fine for dumping into or allowing
other material to wash into storm
drains.
·The
City has received a grant to divert storm drains to the sanitary
sewer system for treatment.
Will be diverted during dry weather.
·Suggestion
that storm drain limitations should be incorporated into the Business
License process.
Provide suggestions for
·
June 6th Budget Discussion – offer response and/or alternatives
to proposed cuts to street sweeping Downtown.
155,000 cut from budget, approximately $100,000 is for downtown
street sweeping.
Downtown
Inc. – Update Clarey Rudd
·
Clarey handed out copies of survey
·
Survey has been walked to all merchants and professional individuals
downtown, mailing to 140 other
businesses that were listed as having a business license downtown.
·
Meeting to be held June 14th at the Bridge – American Legion
at Santa Clara & Palm
·
Doug Green will serve as facilitator of the meeting.
·
Downtown restaurants to provide food for the 6/14 meeting
“Trash
Talk” – Update Jim Ludwig
·
Grant in for specialty recycling bins. Expect response within
weeks.
·
Bigger trash containers for sidewalks have been ordered and on
the way. (trial basis)
·
Communal trash enclosures: parking garage, oak street, and the
alley in 500 block of Main Street.
·
Dustin is conducting an inventory of businesses who has trash
service and who does not. If not, how
is trash issue handled?
Downtown
Lighting – Updates Loretta Merewether
·
Rope lighting – total of 107 replaced in Nov/Dec 04. 73 need
to be replaced again. Many electrical boxes
damaged as well.
·
Need to look into alternatives to rope lighting. Downtown Specific
Plan will be complete by end of year.
Streetscape & lighting design will be part of the plan. Looking
for short-term option.
·
Comments addressing issues of street lighting should be in letter
form and be addressed to Ann Daigle
or Kari Gialketsis.
·
Need to mantain rope lighting and try to make electrical boxes
more vandal proof. Should do a regular
monthly check, repair and replace as needed.
·
Most vandalism occurs in the areas of Main Street between Fir
& Chestnut, Main Street between Palm
& Figueroa, and California between Thompson & Santa Clara.
·
Might consider turning off power after a certain hour, may help
with vandalism if they are not on.
·
3 cobra lights soon to be installed on Oak Street. Cost estimate
$30,000.
·
Loan payback – 1 million into the RDA budget. Funds will
be used for Oak Street improvement and Restrooms.
Downtown Projects Update Kevin Colin
·
Presentation of PowerPoint. Projects that are coming in the very
near term. Santa Clara Court, Palm
& Poli condos, Museum expansion and the Olson Project.
·
Santa Clara court project example of difference between traditional
zoning and form based coding. 27
condos with flex space at ground floor. Going to DRC next week.
Main Street architects.
·
Palm & Poli – Hartman House retained. 2 levels of underground
parking, 16 units of housing. Going
to DRC soon. Concern regarding internal corridor and cohesiveness
of elevations of buildings.
Tyson Cline design.
·
Museum expansion – archeological issues resulting in need
to move building footprint. Provide storage,
expanded gallery space.
·
Olson Co. Project. Road added thru center of project to help subdivide
project.
Incorporates 4 different building types, live/work, courtyard
housing, stacked housing and row houses.
Will provide true frontage, easy understanding of address. Underground
parking.
·
New office building near Café Fiore
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March
10, 2005
In
attendance today: Doug Halter, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Redevelopment Committee and owner of Villa Tasca, Sid White –
EDR Manager City of Ventura, Clarey Rudd – Greater Historical
Downtown Association – Bank of Books, Tyson Cline –
local developer, VC Green Building Council, Robin Elander –
ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural Affairs City of Ventura, Loretta
Merewether – Downtown Community Council & downtown property
owner, Rick Stewart – Palermo, Jerry Breiner – Downtown
Community Council, St. Patrick’s Day Committee, Dave Wilson
– City of Ventura - Police, Tom Mericle – Traffic &
Transportation City of Ventura, Jim Ludwig – K&L Associates,
Stephanie Foster – Ventura , Dustin Duran – ED&R
City of Ventura, Christie Weir – City of Ventura Councilmember,
Pat Miller – Chief of Police City of Ventura, Sgt. Chris
Hart – City of Ventura - Police, Officer Chris Landavazo
– City of Ventura - Police.
Approval
of minutes for February 10, 2005
Motion
to approve – Jerry Breiner
Second
– Rick Stewart
Minutes
approved.
Downtown
Inc. – Update Clarey Rudd
·
First meeting scheduled for March 22, 2005 Anacapa Conference
Room at City Hall.
·
5 people have accepted a position on committee.
Discussion
on Community Policing Pat Miller
and
Related Issues Chris Hart (805) 339-4369
Riverbottom
Sweeps
· Latest riverbottom sweep conducted in February. Over
the past 8 – 9mos officers have made contact with 100 people,
arrested 15, and issued several citations. Removed seven 40-yard
dumpsters of trash; refuse contained car batteries, empty paint
canisters, and syringes.
Downtown
Foot-patrols
· Nov – Jan. 6-8 hr/day, 700 hrs worked, 22 arrests,
172 field interviews, 80 citations, 184 business contacts, 178
clearance of parking structures. Overall impact on Downtown area
- 15% reduction of incidents.
·
Flip side – officers pulled from school resource officers,
gang enforcement officers, motor patrol officers – incidents
on campuses rose 17%
·
Will try to maintain random foot-patrol in the downtown area.
Will continue the Friday and Saturday night patrol with overtime
assignments.
Volunteers
in Policing Program
· Last year 84 volunteers donated 12555 hrs savings to
City $250,000.
·
Cost to residents of Ventura 0.69 for police service, they pay
0.63
·
Uniformed personnel create an environment of safety.
·
Volunteers in Policing Program – 7 people already in training.
Placing people in downtown, school, and in mall. Positions needing
high visibility, volunteers are not to engage in situations of
confrontation. Hope to have volunteers in place by May.
·
Volunteers will not be replacing officers; they are to assist
in various ways to ease the demands on patrol officers.
·
Assist with front desk, clerical services, traffic control, infrastructure
checks, vacation checks, ambassador programs, and parking programs.
·
Applicant requirements – at least 18 years old, valid Drivers
License, in good health, pass an extensive background check, and
give a commitment of 16 hrs per month.
·
Volunteers will be in uniform with special badge, flashlight,
radio, and be provided a specially marked car.
·
Volunteers will go through an 8-week training course, attend the
Citizens Academy, be instructed in report writing, direct training
with officers - ride-alongs.
·
Assignments at start-up will be citywide; goal is to have enough
to commit volunteers to specific areas.
“Trash
Talk” – Update Dustin Duran
·
Met Monday 3/4/05 with sub-committee: Vicki Musgrove, Ray Olsen,
Jim Ludwig, Loretta Merewether, and Stephanie Foster.
·
40 receptacles throughout Downtown – situated every ½
block.
·
Noticeable majority of street litter – Ben & Jerry containers,
movie drink cups, cigarette butts around Dargen’s
·
ABC licensing requires that business is responsible for collecting/maintaining
(cigarette) litter generated by their business.
·
Ashcan & recyclable trash receptacles needed in specific locations
throughout Downtown – example of receptacle at the Pier.
·
Many merchants are dumping their daily waste into the nearest
trash receptacle on the street; Harrison does not collect on Sunday.
This dumping has created an overflow problem. Vicki Musgrove will
be assigning 2 part-time workers to service the Sunday overflow
beginning in July.
·
Sub-committee to meet again in two weeks, goal to identify areas
for trash enclosures. Dustin Duran looking into suggestion of
a Trash Service Program, where City bills businesses for service
on a pro-rated basis (based on amount of refuse generated), and
funding sources for constructing and maintaining trash enclosures.
Downtown
Kiosk Info – Update Jerry Breiner
·
Kiosk panels are complete, should be installed tomorrow. Need
to verify correct locations for public restrooms.
Downtown
Bike Racks Tom Mericle
·
To be addressed at next meeting.
RDA
update Doug Halter
·
Meeting rescheduled to meet March 17th at EP Foster Library. Meeting
focus – Reviewing Form Based Code.
New
Items
·
NEW BLOG - www.VenturaVoice.blogspot.com
·
Suggestion - Would like to start getting periodic reports from
Downtown businesses and restaurants as to how they are doing.
GO
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February
10, 2005
In
attendance today: Doug Halter, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Redevelopment Committee and owner of Villa Tasca, Sheryl Lunsford
– Ojai International and Ventura Beautiful, Clarey Rudd -
Greater Historical Downtown Association – Bank of Books,
Robin Elander – ArtWalk/Alive After 5 Cultural Affairs City
of Ventura, Denise Sindelar - Cultural Affairs City of Ventura,
Rick Stewart – Palermo, Jerry Breiner - Downtown Community
Council, Loretta Merewether - Downtown Community Council &
downtown property owner, Brian Haworth – ED&R City of
Ventura, Sid White - EDR Manager City of Ventura, & Jim Luttjohann
- Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Approval
of minutes for January 27, 2004
Motion
to approve – Denise Sindelar
Second
– Sheryl Lunsford
Minutes
approved.
Mission of the DOT
Doug
Halter – distribute hand-out detailing structure – purpose
of DOT
Who
makes up the DOT? Is the DOT to be a recommending body or a task
oriented body? Both?
Leaning
more toward Advisory Council or to a Downtown Inc. Downtown Inc.
would need at least a ½ time staff person to manage
Volunteers
are vital, however not suited to manage long-term, larger issues.
Policy
recommendations, Suggestion that there should be an Agenda item
for every meeting regarding an Update from various organization
or individuals on pertinent issues not address by DOT. Can then
move into an task for DOT if seen to be a mutual concern.
DOT
should be a lobbying power to City Council
Downtown Organization – Downtown Inc.
Downtown
Charette
Suggest
RDA Budget – funding for staff person for Downtown Inc.
Concern
that if City staff person or City funded staff person – appearance
of conflict of interest, not impartial.
Will
need more than one funding source.
Problem
– no one as to date has stepped up with funding.
Downtown
Inc. – Steering Committee
Form
sub-committee to bring forth recommendations as to candidates
to serve on Steering Committee
City
funded consultant to head-up Downtown Inc. help set priorities.
Suggest
that representatives from museum and cultural arts foundation
need to be on the steering committee.
Sid
to offer up a couple of interns from City Managers Office to help
with research and various tasks
Sub-committee
to set up structure of how to move forward, timeframe, who to
outreach to and/or name potential people to sit on steering committee.
Report back to DOT – Agenda Item: update at every meeting.
Clarey
Rudd to chair sub-committee. Sheryl Lunsford, Jim Luttjohann also
to sit on committee.
Members
of DOT to forward names (with focus) to Clarey of persons who
may be interested in serving on Downtown Organization.
Will
need to consider which type of incorporation best suited; LLC,
C-3, C-6, Property Management
Jim
Luttjohann - distribute handout WACVB Quick survey Summary re:
BIDs/JPAs. Who has an established system in place, who is considering,
and who has researched the concept.
Sheryl
Lunsford to draft Mission Statement for DOT
Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings
Need
an update on Task List
Copies
of the Agenda and Approved Minutes to be sent to Shelly Brown
to distribute to the Councilmembers.
Loretta
to photograph areas of litter problems, trash receptacles and
areas. Need to base as to what merchants are currently handling
trash disposal, Vickie Musgrove may have information necessary.
Funding
from Economic Development for updating kiosk listing
GO
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January
27, 2005
In
attendance today: Doug Halter, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Redevelopment Committee and owner of Villa Tasca, Ray Olson –
Environmental Services City of Ventura, Denise Sindelar - Cultural
Affairs City of Ventura, Robin Elander – ArtWalk/Alive After
5 Cultural Affairs City of Ventura, Jim Ludwig – Downtown
Community Council and KL Associates, Vicki Musgrove – Maintenance
Services City of Ventura, Dustin Duran – ED&R City of
Ventura, Rick Stewart – Palermo, Brian Haworth – ED&R
City of Ventura, Jerry Breiner - Downtown Community Council, Barbara
Evans, Downtown Community Council, Ventura Architecture, Loretta
Merewether - Downtown Community Council & downtown property
owner, Sheryl Lunsford – Ojai International and Ventura Beautiful,
Sid White - EDR Manager City of Ventura, Peter Brown – Civic
Engagement City of Ventura, Elena Brokaw-Myles Community Services
City of Ventura, and Chris Velasco – vice-president Artspace.
Approval
of minutes for December 16, 2004
Motion
to approve – Jim Ludwig
Second
– Jerry Breiner
Minutes
approved.
“Trash
Talk” Vicki Musgrove 652-4518 vmusgrove@ci.ventura.ca.us
Ray
Olson 652-4525 rolson@ci.ventura.ca.us
Existing
Level of Trash Service (LOS)
Is LOS sufficient?
40
cans in core of downtown (California & Main) 60 cans outside
core. Placement of cans every ½ block throughout downtown.
City crews out daily to remove overflow of trash in cans. Crews
out every day, 5:30am, picking up trash from the night before.
Suggestion
that more recycle bins and ashcans be placed on the streets. Planters
often used as ashcans
The
City has about 8 recycle containers that could be made available
to downtown merchants. Container to be maintained by merchant.
City
is exploring options for ashcan/trash containers, must be very
sturdy, vandal proof and rust resistant. Cost of containers, $1200-1600
each (funded by grant money).
Trash
Receptacle Placement
Why the elimination of some receptacles?
Budget
Issues: Needed to cut cost to maintain budget. Maintenance cost
for each container is about $2,000/yr. Service provides daily
pick-up (Mon.-Sat.)
Is the existing placement sufficient?
If not, how can it be improved?
With
initial removal and replacement of cans, there were only 2 complaints;
both were addressed and resolved. No additional complaints have
been received.
40
cans in core of downtown (California & Main) 60 cans outside
core. Placement of can every ½ block throughout downtown.
Some
businesses generate more sidewalk litter. Dargan’s - noticeable
problem regarding cigarette butt litter – Movie Theater generates
a lot of cold drink cups.
Suggestion
that business that generate more litter should provide and maintain
own receptacle to ease problem.
Want
to keep consistency of appearance.
Encroachment
issues.
Bins
on Oak St./Other Problem Areas
Maintenance Responsibility
Owner vs. City vs. Harrison
City
agreed that 3-4 businesses to share bins located in city parking
lot. City crews maintain grounds around bin.
Hollywood
health spa dumps trash in front of bins. Several complaints have
been made, no citations ever given.
Suggestion
that in ordinance be passed that in order to rent commercial space
downtown, you need to have plan for tenant trash disposal.
Recyclable
trash program – Uni-cycle, no addition charge for service.
All non-recyclables need to be bagged to prevent contamination
of recyclable material. Ron Olson to contact Harrison to make
sure that bins are on Uni-cycle program.
Suggestion
that City develop program that bills merchants for trash services:
Regular
maintenance of bins – ie. routine steam-cleaning
Non-recycle
material to be double bagged
Daily
dumping
Equitable
charging to businesses – ie. restaurants to pay more than
gift store.
What can the City do to alleviate the issue? How can the DOT help?
Need
to form committee to discuss/evaluate short-term and long-term
options for managing trash/litter issues for downtown. Short-term
evaluate placement of existing trash containers and add cans where
needed. Long-term; acquisition and placement of special trash
receptacles, implementation of Trash Pilot Program and participation
from businesses, and funding source.
Doug
Halter, Loretta Merewether, Rick Stewart, Jim Ludwig, Vicki Musgrove,
and an EDR staff member (yet to be named) to serve on committee.
Committee to meet within next two weeks and report back to DOT
by end of February.
Move
forward with formation and implementation of a Downtown Trash
Strategy – Pilot Program. Invite merchants who generate a
large amount of waste to participate.
Convenience
or decorative containers; implement operational management of
these specific containers.
Live/work
space for artists and Transitory Living Center (TLC) Elena Myles-Brokaw,
Peter Brown, and Chris Velasco - Artspace
Working
to identify location to develop an affordable live/work space
for artist and possibly to include a transitory living center
(not a homeless shelter) 40 bed living facility.
Chris
Velasco – slide show presentation.
Affordable
units – permanent spaces.
20-year
lease to residents – infinite renewal option.
Buildings
never to sell buildings once developed.
Commercial
spaces on ground floor – pay close to or at market rate for
space – help to buy down the rents for the artists that live
above.
Economic
boon to community – draws people into area to live, work,
spend money. Artspace very creative in finding ways to fund projects.
Incorporating
a TLC into Artspace development does not drive down real-estate
values.
Mission
is to develop 50 live/work spaces, permanently affordable, ranging
for 800 –2000 square feet, 20,000 square feet of commercial
space, with space available for TLC, a community gallery, and
underground parking. Artspace has found a way to pay for project,
found a way to operate so that affordability is permanent, rents
to start at $485 per month.
No
usable or affordable site is available. May need to use a city
owned site.
Whether
or not to include TLC into live/work space will not impede progress
of locating and development of Artspace project.
New
Items - Open Issues
Hand out “Who to Call” listing for downtown businesses
- asking for input; any information that should be included. Responses
due back to Brian Haworth by Friday
Downtown
Projects List – out by February 10
GO
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