20201015 - CBDAC Minutes

Central Business District Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

October 15, 2020

 

Members in attendance: Jordan Kaufman, Kathryn Schmidt, Councilwoman Pamela Perron, Bill Gilsenan, Gary Kolesaire, Rob DeCalzo, Chief Jacqueline Luthcke, Philip Davis, Max viola, Michael Pickholz, Michael Velicu

 

Guests from the Public: Stacy Tsapatsaris, Jeanne Johnson, Gail Ghezzi, Joan Groome, Steve Aspero, Paul Vagianos

 

The minutes of the October 1 meeting were accepted.

 

Jeanne Johnson gave an update on the Octoberfest celebration planned for the West Side this Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 – 9:00. The event will include “hay rides” and a beer garden. Volunteers are needed to help staff the event.

 

Representatives from Downtown New Jersey presented on the concept of a New Jersey Business Improvement District including the benefits and process for implementation.  Stuart Koperweiss and Beth Lippmann, who have helped NJ municipalities set up about 40 -50 BIDs so far, provided information to help the CBDAC decide how they would like to proceed. This item was central to the October 15 meeting and took up most of the meeting time with formal presentation from Stuart and Beth and Q & A from members and guests.

 

CBDAC member are asked to share their ideas with Jordan, Pamela and Kathryn on the pros and cons of a BID in preparation for a fuller discussion at the October 29^th meeting.

 

The outdoor mall will continue through October.  Plans beyond that are still TBD.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kathryn Schmidt

October 26, 2020