Chairman Chas Stevens called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm on September 9, 2024.

Kevin Sluka conducted roll call and the following Board Members were present:   

Present: Tania Althoff, Chas Stevens, RanD Pitts, Natalia Kleyman, Kevin Sluka, Mike Kerwin, Andrianna Popowych, Rick St. Pierre, Beth Akkaway

Late:

Absent: Ed Rebenack

Excused:

Chairman Remarks

Chas thanked everyone for joining and shared excitement about the upcoming fall and holiday events. Chas also reminded everyone that the Jazz Fest is happening this weekend.

Approval of Meeting Minutes
No meeting minutes were approved this month.

1. Committee Reports
   1. Infrastructure Committee
      1. EDA Asset Activation Grant
         Olivia shared that her application for an asset activation grant from the economic development department was approved, and the DSA will be receiving the full $50,000. This grant will support planning for activating Division Street and the Giardina, including tree pits and sidewalks. 

Olivia reiterated that the grant is for planning rather than executing the project and it will help them move forward with architectural plans and further preparation. She has a call with the EDA next week to discuss project steps and requirements. The grant program lasts about six months, and once PSE&G is finished, execution can begin.

2. Pocket Park Update- Corner of Vet. Memorial & S. Bridge
   Chas stated there’s a new pocket park being developed at the corner of Veterans Memorial Drive and South Bridge Street. He clarified that it’s a borough project, not a DSA project.
   
   Kevin Sluka added that the park is nearly finished, and the DSA can use it if needed.
   
3. Main Street Fire Building Status
   Kevin mentioned that the building owner plans to rebuild building number six (King Tut) and are expected to submit their plans by the 20th of this month. The borough hasn’t received any engineering details yet. A consultant advised that the properties with the yoga studio and the Japanese restaurant will need extra roofing protection to guard against falling debris, similar to a shock absorber. If anything were to come down, building number six will need to supply that to the other two properties.
   
   Kevin added that building number two (Mike’s Courtside) has permits and is already doing interior demolition and construction. The scaffolding has helped by providing the ability to walk through now.
   
   Olivia emphasized that the buildings will not be demolished.
   
   Kevin said the back of the building is currently being opened because the initial investigation wasn’t fully complete. The prosecutor’s office has obtained permits to open the back to continue the investigation.
   
   The borough hired a third-party engineering company that highly recommended demolishing the buildings. Ultimately, the decision is up to the building owners.
   
   Rick St. Pierre asked if the owners of Yoga Odyssey and Sushi Yokohama are making repairs to reopen the businesses.
   
   Chas assured that the owners are currently working on it.

2. Public Art Committee
   No updates for this month.
3. Promotions Committee
   Olivia shared the proposed social media guidelines with the board. The guidelines aim to manage the DSA’s social media accounts more effectively.
   
   It has been discussed that excessive story posting has negatively impacted the account’s success. If the DSA account isn’t performing well, it affects the reach and impact of the community’s promotions.
   
   To improve, the DSA will need to avoid excessive posting and keep the social media pages well-organized. The guidelines not only outline what content will be allowed moving forward but also offer tips on navigating the current algorithm and improving their own pages.

Olivia and Becky will also be providing learning sessions to educate businesses on effective social media use and how to reduce story posting in a positive way.

1. Artisan Market
   The market was a great success, and the DSA received lots of positive feedback. Olivia received feedback that people really enjoyed the saxophonist who performed. The DSA also had Produce Pete, who stayed an extra hour because he enjoyed it so much.
   
   The DSA also provided a rock-painting activity that was a huge hit with both kids and adults. They have been placing the painted rocks in the flower pots on Main Street.

Chas added that the recent cruise night was great. It was exciting to see new faces discovering the area.

2. Central Jersey Jazz Fest
   Olivia thanked Rick for all his help and also thanked Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for submitting their sponsorship again. The DSA is working on doing a final run-of-show.
   
   The mayor, Olivia, and RWJ’s Chief Administrative Officer, Deirdre Black, will say a few words at the start of the festival.
   
   There will also be t-shirts, vendors, and sidewalk cafes.
3. Haunted Horseman
   The event will be taking place on October 12. Each group has two guides and one group leaves every 15 minutes.

The DSA is seeking volunteers to act as tour guides. Guides will accompany the group and hold up a time sign to help the actor identify which group they belong to.

4. Spooktacular
   The event will be on Friday, October 25 from 4-6 pm. At 6 pm, there will be a movie screening of Beetlejuice on Division Street.
   

Rick asked if the DSA coordinated with the schools.
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Olivia added that they didn’t coordinate with the schools, but put a poll out to the public and 80% asked for the weekend before. Olivia will connect with the schools and the YMCA.

5. Somerville Holiday Pop Up
   Olivia shared that the owners of the space for the pop-up are very excited about it. They are charging the DSA just $1 per square foot instead of the usual $20 to $25. The pop-up will be located at 62 West Main Street.

She also mentioned that updates and repairs are in progress. The DSA is finalizing details for vendor sign-ups and will measure the space to determine how many vendors can fit.

Additionally, the DSA plans to hire some seasonal help with retail experience to support the workload. Olivia is also working on insurance for the space.

Natalia Kleyman asked about the vendor selection process.

Olivia explained that the focus will be on arts and crafts that fit into the gift-giving category and not compete with local businesses. The DSA will not host another market during the Holiday Jubilee.

6. Small Business Saturday and Holiday Jubilee
   Olivia said the DSA is working on the final details and will have more information soon.

4. Finance Committee
   Olivia mentioned that they spoke about the chart of accounts last time, but the auditor has asked to hold off on any changes until the audit is finished.
   
   The auditor visited last Friday and they are still working on the audit.
5. Recruitment and Retention Committee
   No updates for this month.
   
6. Director’s Report
   1. EDA Grant Program
      Olivia mentioned that several companies work with the EDA on a grant program that provides businesses and restaurants with free websites. Businesses simply submit an application, and the website is created at no cost.
      
      Somerville Pharmacy used this grant to set up their website for free. They also updated the Jazz Fest website without charge. The DSA plans to promote this program to encourage local businesses to take advantage of it.
      
   2. Business Mixer
      The DSA is organizing a mixer for Downtown Somerville businesses only on September 25. Fresh Restorations has generously offered their space for free.
      
   3. Garage Update
      The garages have been cleaned out, and the DSA can now access everything. Olivia expressed her gratitude to DPW for their time and assistance, saying they were very kind and helpful.
      
   4. Ride Wise
      Olivia mentioned that the Ride Wise walking audit is set for October 19. More details will be provided soon.
      
   5. Automotus
      Olivia noted that they previously discussed working with Automotus to do a study on parking and travel by foot/bike in town. Currently, it’s up to the borough to decide whether to work with that company or explore other options.
      
   6. Yiftee Program
      Olivia announced that the DSA is starting a community gift card program with Yiftee. The response has been positive, so they are moving forward. The program does not cost the businesses or the DSA anything.

Yiftee earns money from gift card purchases through a small activation fee from buyers. The entire amount spent in the store goes directly to the businesses. The DSA doesn’t profit from this program and it’s designed only to support the local business community.

Olivia added that the gift cards function like MasterCard, meaning there are no extra fees and it’s just like a regular credit card. The cards can only be used at participating local businesses.

3. New Business
   1. Office Evolution Agreement Renewal
      Olivia noted that the Office Evolution agreement was up for renewal on September 1st. There are no changes, and the cost remains the same.
      

MOTION to accept the agreement to renew with Office Evolution: Rick St. Pierre

SECOND: Beth Akkaway
Vote to Approve: 

Yea: Tania Althoff, Adrianna Popowych, RanD Pitts, Natalia Kleyman, Kevin Sluka, Mike Kerwin, Chas Stevens, Beth Akkaway, Rick St. Pierre
Nay: none Recuse: none Abstain: none 

2. Holiday Decorations
   Olivia noted that she received an email from someone who had spoken to a different DSA director and mayor last year about including Hanukkah in their holiday decorations and events. She has no issues with this idea but mentioned that it could lead to more requests for other religions.
   
   The current mayor supports the idea, but Olivia is unsure if there are any borough rules against such displays. In her previous town, there were restrictions on religious displays other than a tree since a Christmas tree is considered non-secular.

Rick expressed that individual businesses can express their religious beliefs any way they want to.

Kevin recommended discussing the matter with the Borough attorney since the DSA’s involvement means the borough is also involved.

3. Computer Update
   Olivia shared that she has been experiencing personal challenges with her computer. Both Chas and Olivia noted that there’s no budget line for office technology or related needs.

Olivia reached out to a MAC repair technician who informed her that the model her and Stacy both have is not worth repairing.

Rick mentioned that Apple now offers an internal leasing program for equipment. Olivia will explore this option.

Chas expressed concern that leasing might end up costing more in the long run. 

Rick reassured them that the leasing plan is designed for businesses, and after three years, they will check in to renew or replace the equipment.

4. Outstanding Items
   1. Main Street America
      Main Street America will visit on September 12-13. There will be board meetings to review the survey results, which received over 400 responses, and other data for future plans.

Mike Kerwin asked Olivia about the deliverable, and she explained that it will be a 3-5 year strategic plan. This plan will focus on the goals based on the data they’ve collected rather than assumptions. This will be a reporting session, not a learning one, aimed at gathering input and feedback.

The board agreed to hold the meeting with Main Street America on Thursday at 9 AM in person, and the second meeting will be held via Zoom at 9 AM on Friday.

2. Granetz Building
   Kevin mentioned that the Redevelopment Committee will present a concept review to the Planning Board regarding the Granetz Building, which is slated for demolition since it cannot be saved. They are looking to build condos.
   
3. Tree Update
   Kevin noted that the Environmental Commission will revisit the trees on Main Street, last visited in 2018, and will bring in a consultant. The ivy that was on the trees is being removed and cleaned up.

5. Comments from the Public
   Conlyn shared that she spoke with the Avalon community, and they are open to businesses hosting trunk shows and possibly other events.
   
6. Adjournment
   
   Chas Stevens made a motion to adjourn the meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7 pm.