BID April 10, 2023 Minutes

Posted on June 20, 2023 - Announcement

Point Pleasant Beach Business Improvement District

Monday, April 10, 2023

6:30 P.M.

Borough Hall

 

Minutes

 

6:30 PM Sunshine Law/Roll Call –

Present: Paul Kanitra, Debbie Lawlor, Joe Introna, Kim Allen, Shoana Terra-Nova, Kristi Monticello, Greg Gradel, Kristen O’Rourke (ex-officio for Christine Riehl)

Absent: Amy Montuoro

 

Prior to beginning the meeting, Mayor Kanitra discussed the importance of the BID and the benefits provided by cooperative programming. He discussed his desire to investigate and plan for parklets, specifically permanent parklets made of masonry, as well as a strung light canopy over the downtown area.

 

  1. Update on BID progress – 501c3 – paperwork has been filed with the IRS
    1. Funding Opportunities – grants, sponsorships – requires 501c3 status; KO discussed potential funding sources including community bank charitable funds, private foundations, T-Mobile, NJNG, MSA funding partners, plus possible private sponsorships.
  2. Survey Review
    1. Share feedback & links, encourage participation – participation is lower than we would like; discussed ways to boost participation/feedback; ST & KA suggested helping landlords submit feedback.
      1. Suggestion was made to create an open comment box, maybe hosted by google, as anonymous feedback. I.e., create QR code for guests to provide feedback on the downtown.
    2. Style Guide Review
      1. Debbie Lawlor to present – DL discussed the goals of the style guide in line with the historic palette approved by the PPBHC
    3. Downtown Initiative Options – Ideas for potential benefits from the BID
      1. Parklets – KO to investigate process, cost, etc.
      2. Light Canopy – KO, borough engineer, and borough’s construction official surveyed the downtown area for potential installation.
      3. Painted Planters with Artist/Biz Program – KM shared this program with KO. BID provides planters, artists are partnered with a business who sponsors and maintains the planters. Planters are painted consistent with the theme of the business, as a way to increase interest in windows and beautify the downtown area.
      4. BID Dinner – Potential dinner using local restaurants/vendors for a low-price ticket, on a public right-of-way as a family-style dinner.
      5. Small Projects – All discussed as potential benefits from the BID
      6.                                                      Sidewalk/Facade Cleaning
      7.                                                        Wayfinding Signage

iii.      Tree Pit Maintenance/Fencing

  1. Main Street NJ Program Overview – KO discussed Main Street America program briefly, coinciding with the four-point approach mentioned in the establishing ordinance. MSNJ members are eligible for funding from the NJDCA and other funding from MSA partners, plus technical assistance and other benefits.
    1. Main Street America affiliation
  2. Any other items for discussion
    1. KA mentioned that some store owners complain about parking, but park in the spot out front of their door on Arnold thus blocking others from parking and spending money. Biz owners should be encouraged to park in the train lot.
    2. JI suggested a paid parking program he saw in Beverly Hills CA wherein people pay for parking and their receipt has a QR code which can be scanned and the shoppers are issued credits for parking at every point of purchase.
    3. JI is also aware of a program in Sea Girt wherein the borough provided a parking specialist to present the financial losses associated with parking in front of one’s own business.
  3. Adjournment at 7:40PM