Winchester Old Time Advancement Commission met July 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
Attendees: Holly Redding (Chair), Drew Van Laeken (Vice Chair), Greeley Myers, Elizabeth Minor, Kimberly Sowers, and Downtown Manager Jennifer Bell. Absent: Charlie Fish
Guests: Development Services Director Shawn Hershberger, Corporal Mark Lahman.
(Notes taken by Sarah Acuff Chapman)
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
• Approval of June meeting minutes – Unanimously approved. Officers’ Reports
• Chairperson’s Report – Holly Redding
o Report from Corporal Lahman addressing recent free speech concerns on the mall. Protected by First Amendment
o Expenditures Report–review June expenditures– There will be additional June report next month.
New fiscal year started July 1. Question about Greatness Videos. Twelve of the original thirteen were completed because one business declined.
o City Ordinance Update – Not unanimously approved by City Council during Work Session. Will need to go to three meetings. Next meeting is July 10
o FY19 Budget –Question about Halloween crayons. Jennifer explained that those funds are for trinkets to hand out at the downtown Spooktacular event. Question about Special Events funds. $75,000 is the maximum contribution for the retainer from OTDB funds. $143,000 includes the increased retainer amount, Holly Jolly event, and other events expenses. Question about bathroom attendant for Farmers Market. Jennifer explained that an attendant is required by the Winchester Parking Authority agreement. Have not found one yet this season.
• Vice Chairperson’s Report – Drew Van Laeken
o OTWAppmaintenance-Budgeted$1200.BradVeachfromMMESsaidthattherewillbeincrease because of changes with Apple. Veach will speak at the next Promotions Committee meeting on July 24 at 11am in Council Chambers.
o Safety Barricades – Would the board like a presentation from the City? Yes. Jennifer will send inviteto Perry. Board would like to see a mock-up.
Standing Committee Reports • Design – Liz Minor
o “NO”Signs–Need to have them prominent to enforce code. Amy Simmons created alternatives. Sample displayed. Friendlier. Question about size requirement. Already have signs on the mall. Up to the Police Chief. Eight plus entrances to the mall would need signs to enforce the first time. “NO” signs were added to address business owners’ concerns about bikes and skateboarders. Welcome to work with Amy on a design. Board can make a recommendation/request to chief about the size, etc.
o Signage Clutter – Not sure how to resolve. Maybe scheduling use. Open to ideas. Jennifer said that having banners on the outside of the archways was discussed at one point. Have not seen appropriate brackets though. Perhaps heavy metal signs and change out inserts.
o Treelightsonthemall.Photosshowntoboardoftreesilluminated.
o NextMeeting–Will coordinate with Jennifer. • Economic Vitality – Holly Redding for Charlie Fish
o FirstFriday–Posters and Rack Cards distributed.
o Greatness Videos complete - Watched two during the meeting. Videos are all posted online and boosted from the same amount and number of days.
o Drew suggested having the videos played before the Family Movies on the Mall while people are waiting. Good idea.
• Organization – Greeley Myers
o MetJune26.
o History & Architecture Walking Tour completed. Final version distributed. Next potential brochure is the Civil War Years. Dated and running out. Will reach out to SVBF about partnering to update.
o DC News Fox 5 Zip Trip on Friday, July 20, 6-11am. Reaching out to non-profits. Need to reach out togroups
o Rt. 81 signage. Researching impact of signs in other communities. Reaching out to SU – may be interns to study.
o Develop website top 10 lists of things to do in Old Town..
• Economic Vitality – Holly Redding
o Greatness Program – Budget now $5,000 instead of $20,000. Movie ad for the Fall/Winter discussed.Limited time to decide for 1st tier placement right before the national ads. Could be approximately$4,000. Almost the entire budget. This past year, $15,000 went to videos, radio ads. Greatness funds came from event revenue and could be spent outside the assessment districts. No action taken.
• Promotions – Drew Van Laeken
o Lastmonth’smeetingcancelled.
o Traipse – Handout with usage numbers. Drew noted that a recent customer said she saw Traipse at a restaurant on a table card. Token idea is being developed by Traipse.
Downtown Manager’s Updates
• Rockin’ Independence Eve – Huge success. 5000+ people. Many departments involved.
• Farmers Market – Continue to promote. Two new vendors joining the Thursday market. World of Healing and Harrison’s Fresh Fruit. EDA partnership on having insulated tote bags with purchase. Bag displayed for board. Distributed at two Midday Market days and will do another day for Farmers Market Week. Question about getting bags for merchants to sell and proceeds benefit the market. Jennifer explained that it is not easy for the City to do. Could possibly do with a partner organization like OTWBA or WMSF. There has been an increased demand for Winchester branded items. Market Banners – Eight banners are up. Photo example displayed for board. Logo sticker distribution continues.
• August 22 VA Main Street Hospitality Workshop at Winchester Brew Works. 8:30a.m. Presenter has asked for input – What do businesses or customers say could be improved? Can send comments to Jennifer.
• Jennifer will be out of the office on Monday for the iEARN conference. Attendees will be downtown on Tuesday July 10.
• Jennifer will be attending the Virginia Main Street conference July 16-18 and participating in the $5000 pitch contest.
• Virginia Commission for the Arts Grant – Awarded $4,500. Will notify recipients. First Night Winchester $3,000. Shenandoah Arts Council $3,000. Skyline Indie Film Fest $3,000. Arts Chorale of Winchester $500.
• Jennifer will be on vacation July 23-27.
• June Newsletter – Handouts. July FNL poster displayed.
• Upcoming events include Classic Movies and Shape Up Sunday. July 12 Fire & Rescue Appreciation Day and Max 2 White House Hero family movie.
Old Business – none.
New Business – none.
Public Comments
• Bonnie Landy – OTWBA. Asked about the number of trees receiving lights. Initially four, but able to do a couple more. Hopefully will do more as budget allows.
Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Unanimously approved 5/0. Adjournment 6:41 p.m.
https://www.winchesterva.gov/sites/default/files/documents/otdb/meetings/2018-7-5-minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up