20230511 - CBDAC Minutes

Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC)

Meeting Minutes – May 11, 2023

Virtual Meeting via Zoom 8:30 – 10:00 am

Members Present:    Glenn Carlough, Pam Perron (VC liaison), Jordan Kaufman (CBDAC Chair), Trish Manzo (Ridgewood Guild), Rebecca Tatlock, Phil Davis (Chamber liaison), Anastasia Bamberg, Stephen Del Percio, Stacy Tsapatsaris, Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke, and Steve Aspero.

Guests Present:  Jeanne Johnson, Michael Pickholz Sara Parra

Administrative Matters:   CBDAC unanimously approved the April 13, 2023 meeting Minutes.

Updates:

Pedestrian Plaza:  Pam Perron advised that the Pedestrian Plaza on portions of E. Ridgewood will commence on June 3, 2023.  Phil Davis expressed his concerns as to how the use of the Pedestrian Plaza by retailers will be determined including who determines what retailers can be invited to have a presence on the Plaza.  Phil mentioned that he is concerned that the Plaza’s use will be limited to retailers whose businesses are located inside the confines of the Plaza and he urged that whomever is going to be responsible to roll-out the Pedestrian Plaza that they will apply a “best practices” approach where one business will not be preferred over another business.  Phil discussed how social media will allow people to learn about Destination Ridgewood.       

Chamber of Commerce:   Phil Davis gave the Committee a brief overview of the Chamber’s planned activities and programs and mentioned that there will be a number of new Chamber committees established that will need volunteers.

Ridgewood Guild:  Trish Manzo advised that, like the Chamber of Commerce, the Guild is expanding its events offerings.  Trish invited and encouraged all CBDAC Committee Members to attend the Guild’s activity presentations.

Bump-out Additions:    Anastasia Bamberg advised that Citizens Safety Advisory Committee is pressing the County to install (better) traffic signals and bump-outs on Franklin Avenue.  Anastasia also discussed the need for new sidewalks on W. Glen and mentioned that discussions were on-going as to where to put the farmers’ market.

Special Improvement District (SID):   Michael Pickholtz advised that the SID subcommittee met twice and expects to be having introductory meetings with two SID consultants on May 23^rd, following which it is anticipated that the SID subcommittee will decide which consultant it prefers and advise CBDAC accordingly.  Michael also mentioned that the consultant costs can likely be generated privately.  Pam Perron mentioned that the two SID professional consultants the SID subcommittee will be meeting are Luther Flurry and Stuart Koperweis.  They will also will be doing a CBD walk-thru.

Gold Star Families Memorial:  at a Village Council meeting last October, Chris Stout of the Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 presented plans to the Council to change the placement of a proposed Gold Star Families monument in Van Neste Square.  Since then professional designers have come up with a new design.   Pam Perron advised that the existing WWI monument in Van Nest Square park has been cleaned and looks much better.  Stephen Del Percio advised that it was his understanding that 14 memorial trees were going to replace the aging trees at Graydon Pool. 

            Miscellaneous Matters:

Flexible Loading Zones:  Jordan mentioned that the installation of flexible loading zones have not resulted in any significant impacts on CBD retailers.

Tunnel Mural Project:    Jeanne Johnson advised that the selection of artists that will compose the jury to make a final selection of an artist to design the mural(s) in the pedestrian tunnel has been completed and that preliminary mural images will soon be presented to CBDAC.  The mural is expected to contain leaves that will be able to have the donors’ names printed on them.  Jeanne mentioned that State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) approval will ultimately be needed.

            Closing Discussion: 

                        Pedestrian Plaza:  The closing portion of the CBDAC meeting returned to implementation of the Pedestrian Plaza and who/what Village entity will have control and authority over the Pedestrian Plaza and what businesses will be invited and granted access.  Most members of the CBDAC acknowledged that much more thought is needed to determine what entity should control the Plaza going forward.  Glenn Carlough expressed his view that the Chamber of Commerce would not be comfortable handling cash-flows related to the operation of the Pedestrian Plaza. 

The next CBDAC meeting will be Thursday, June 8 in person at 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Submitted by: Steve Aspero