Loading...
05-09-2017 MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING May 9, 2017 A Regular Meeting was held by the Main Street Committee of the City of Schertz, Texas, on May 9, 2017, at 6:17 p.m. immediately following the Regular Council Meeting at the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers Conference Room located at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members present to -wit: Members Present: Mayor Pro -Tern Cedric Edwards Councilmember Scott Larson Staff Present: City Secretary Brenda Dennis Mayor Michael Carpenter Councilmember Mark Davis Executive Director Brian James Guests Present: Councilmember Robin Thompson, and Mr. Glen Outlaw Call to Order Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Consideration and /or action electing a Chair and /or Vice - Chair. Mayor Carpenter moved, seconded by Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards to appoint Councilmember Mark Davis as Chair and Councilmember Scott Larson as Vice Chair. The vote was unanimous with Mayor Carpenter, Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmemhers Davis and Larson voting for, no one voting no. Motion Passed. Mayor Carpenter turned the meeting over to Chair, Councilmember Mark Davis. Presentations: • Discussion regarding the Purpose and Charge of the Committee of the City Council. Chair Davis stated the first order of business is to decide when we want to meet and how often. It was the concurrence of the group to meet after every council meeting in the beginning and then they can decide later if they want to spread it out. Mayor Pro-Tern Edwards moved, seconded by Mayor Carpenter to meet after every council meeting. The vote was unanimous with Mayor Carpenter, Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmember Davis and Larson voting for, no one voting no. Motion Passed. • Discussion regarding Main Street Development. 5 -9 -2017 Minutes Page - i - Chair Davis stated that this is a very open -ended topic and recognized Mayor Carpenter who stated that he has a mailer he received from the Anice Read Fund, and it says the fund has granted over $100,000 to downtown communities. He went to the Texas Downtown.org website; we can become a member as a municipality of that organization for $315.00 a year and they will, once we are a member, send someone down to Schertz to look at our Main Street, facilitate a workshop with us, and bring all their expertise with them about doing Main Street and other downtown projects they have facilitated all over the State of Texas including finding grant monies and helping us through that process. Mayor Carpenter provided the flyer to Chair Davis so that he could look at the website and then we can make a recommendation to full Council to join that organization. Mayor Carpenter believes we could move faster if we had someone with that expertise. Members concurred. Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards brought up areas within San Antonio such as Durango and Cesar Chavez Streets and others that have been revitalized and revamped that could give them some ideas. He stated that it only takes one to start off and gain momentum. It takes investment in an area. He believes we need to start looking at some of these areas and get buy -in with some of the stake holders. Mayor Carpenter stated that soon we should invite all residents and business owners to join them and discuss their thoughts and their visions long -term. Several businesses have already revamped /redone their buildings down on Main Street. There are other things that are being done as well and it is beginning to happen. Mayor Carpenter stated that downtown Cibolo is a good model and referenced how they did their overlay district; it is coming along well. Look at the investment. Chair Davis recommends that for our next meeting we get some maps made up that show the layout and that show the businesses and property owners. Executive Director Brian James stated that he will have them available. Chair Davis also asked if we could schedule for a future meeting to have Executive Director of Development Kyle Kinateder come and provide information on the programs he spoke of that we could utilize for this area. Mr. James stated that he would have Kyle provide information on micro loan programs and facade programs and asked what others may be available. Chair Davis asked for him to provide information on possible property tax adjustments and sales tax rebates. Mayor Carpenter also asked for information on the flood zone designation maps in the area as well. Mayor Carpenter stated that he saw some plans of mock ups for the area that shows street lamps and archways; he would also like that information provided to the group. Mr. James stated that he has a meeting with the engineering firm that is currently doing the designs. Mayor Carpenter stated that later he would like to have the engineering firm come brief the committee. Councilmember Larson stated that he had driven the area and it has a great start and they don't want to do anything that would damage the businesses, specifically with the automotive businesses. One of the challenges there during the day is the parking issues. 5 -9 -2017 Minutes Page - 2 - Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards brought up the idea of the possibility of relaxing some of the building standards to allow a business to transform one of the homes in the area. We should set monies aside for this. We need to find the right tools. Chair Davis mentioned some of the businesses in New Braunfels, there are business types that are applicable to our Main Street area. He provided examples, like old buildings that were added on to and then they created a theme. He provided examples in Wimberly; he stated that we have places that we can go look at. Chair Davis stated that he will provide a link to a Texas Downtown site and agrees to get the Council to let them get outside perspectives from this group. He stated let's look at what we have, look at the plans the engineering firms have, and one concern is the traffic flow and the parking and see what they are addressing on that and let's look at the flood zone issues and then what we can do to come up with some incentives. Councilmember Larson stated that he would like to get the property owners and stakeholders input as soon as possible. Chair Davis agreed but stated we must have a plan/vision on what we are thinking about for Main Street first before we hold those meetings. Mayor Carpenter agreed. Mr. James suggested that the committee clearly define what their initial vision for Main Street is. Again, he suggested to make sure before the committee goes out and has these meetings, that you are clear, and if successful, what would Main Street look like to you. Maybe say what is wrong with it today, and what could make it better. This could help get everyone on the same page and help frame up where you want to go with it. Otherwise, we may talk about implementation ideas, but everyone is not on the same page on where we are trying to go. Some ideas the committee discussed involve: • Capitalize on the train tracks, see possible grants from Union Pacific • Research other sources of funds • Economic Driver • Develop possible incentives to locate or relocate to Main Street • Installation of gas lamps up and down the street • Create a roundabout, where we have a big intersection • Develop different environments during the day and evening • Create a social /gathering point • Possible Market Days — invite vendors — coordinate city special events to add to the draw • Pedestrian driven gathering place • Utilize Main Street during our parade events, bring in food trucks • Possible connection with Beck and Main Street together • Create an overlay District on Beck Street • Beck Street Festival • Possible clock tower installation for character • Sidewalk installations 5 -9 -2017 Minutes Page - 3 - • Look at acquiring land or partnering with the owner of land on Beck Street • Old fashion bandstand possibilities • List of impediments that we have on Main Street Discussions continued and it was in concurrence to come up with what we desire we want to see of Main Street. Chair Davis and Committee members requested information that we have currently on Main Street so we can start looking at it so we have knowledge of the area as well as information on Beck Street. Once we see this we may be able to set a vision. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by Councilmember Larson, seconded by Mayor Carpenter to adjourn the meeting. As there was no further business, Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Councilmember Mark Davis, Chair A T: sa. renda Dennis, C cretary 5 -9 -2017 Minutes Page - 4 -