20221013 - CBDAC Minutes

Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC)

 Minutes of October 13, 2022 Meeting[1]

Members present:  CBDAC held this meeting via Zoom.  Jordan Kaufman, Pamela Perron, Michael Pickholz, Glenn Carlough, Tom Hillmann, Anastasia Bamberg, Stephen Del Percio, Trish Manzo and Steve Aspero.

Guests present:  Dave Rosen, Justine Kaufman, Paul Vagianos, Kathryn Schmidt, and Jeanne Johnson.

Minutes:  Members present unanimously approved the minutes of the September 8, 2022 meeting.

Administration:  Members discussed whether to meet in person or via Zoom.  We agreed to meet via Zoom primarily and in person occasionally. 

Dave Rosen, an RHS graduate, has moved back to Ridgewood and is interested in the CBD.  He has worked in the restaurant industry in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.   He volunteered to work on the tunnel sub-committee. 

The CBDAC field trip to Summit, NJ will be Friday, October 15.  Nancy Adams, Exec. Director of Summit Downtown (a SID) will show us around town and answer questions. 

Village Council Update: a) Pam reiterated that the Village will be planting ~ 88 new trees downtown this Fall, plus additional trees funded by the Ridgewood Guild and Girl Scouts; b) A California winery will be distributing to restaurants in town.  Paul explained that a winery license is different and more limited than a liquor license; c) The Village is fixing Franklin Avenue curbs, and then the County will pave.

Ridgewood Guild Update: Trish reported that the Guild donated $2,250 for tree planting downtown.  Oktoberfest was successful, and the Guild actually made a profit.  There will be a cash mob on Oct. 22 and 29.  The Guild has scheduled Winterfest for Nov. 26 in Van Neste Square. 

Citizens Safety Advisory Committee Update: Anastasia reported that there is no obvious solution for the problem at the intersection of Broad Street and E. Ridgewood Ave.  Kathryn asked why not make it a 4-way stop.  Steve Del Percio responded that a 4-way stop requires state approval.  Anastasia further noted that Franklin Ave will be paved without bump-outs (a safety feature).   

Pedestrian Tunnel Sub-committee Update:  Jeanne wants to apply for a grant to pay an artist to paint murals on the walls of the ramps.  Kathryn suggested that the tunnel needs painting every spring.  Steve Del Percio and Trish thought it needs monthly cleaning, too.  Jordan thinks a plan is needed, and perhaps string lights would help in the interim.  Steve Aspero noted that the underside ceiling of the train trestle should also be a matter of concern. 

Parking Revenue Chart:  Pam circulated the chart that Village CFO Bob Rooney supplied comparing the Parking Utility’s revenues 2019 through 2022 for the months of July and August.  The committee discussed it at length but, as Michael observed, there were too many missing variables to draw any conclusions. 

Miscellaneous:  Jeanne reported that during the Car Show, the only people who came into WorldFlats were those seeking a bathroom.  She asked if the Car Show could be held on a Sunday during the day instead of a Friday night.  She also observed that the Parks Dept. uses P.J. Productions to bring in vendors for the Village’s Fall Festival.  Jeanne felt that bringing in outside food vendors is bad for existing food establishments.  The event also leaves garbage in the CBD.  She asked if the Parks Dept. could engage a different company to bring in higher quality vendors.

Stacey suggested that the Village allow only food trucks that sell food that our restaurants do not, e.g. German food or lobster rolls.  Don’t allow food trucks to park in front of restaurants. 

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Perron

CBDAC Approved Nov. 10, 2022