Chas. Stevens called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm on July 8, 2024.

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

Present: Tania Althoff, RanD Pitts, Ed Rebenack, Natalia Kleyman, Chas. Stevens, Kevin Sluka, Mike Kerwin

Late: Andrianna Popowych, Rick St. Pierre

Absent: 

Excused: Beth Akkaway

Chairman Remarks

Chas Stevens thanked everyone for joining and welcomed some guests from the public.

Approval of Meeting Minutes
June meeting minutes were approved this month.

1. Committee Reports
   1. Infrastructure Committee
      The contractor that had bid on a tree removal is on hold. The tree removals and replacements have gotten more expensive.
      
      Chas had a conversation with the environmental committee. There might be a possibility of shaving down the roots of the trees enough to re-level pavers.
      
      Kevin Sluka added that PSE&G will set up meetings in September to discuss the January, February, and March construction projects taking place on Main and Division Street.
   2. Public Art Committee
      Tania Althoff stated that the Robeson project is on hold for now.
      
      There will be no joint partnership with the borough.

There is a possibility of a private partnership and the DSA would be asked to handle all the fundraising.

3. Events Committee
   1. Juneteenth
      Olivia Manning mentioned that the DSA tabled at the county’s Juneteenth event. The entertainment provided by the DSA was a really nice addition.
   2. Pride Night
      Pride Night had a great turnout and the DSA has only received positive feedback.
   3. Vendor Markets
      Olivia reiterated that the Somerville Market is on Sunday, July 14, from 12-6 pm, and the Artisan Market is on Aug. 25th.
   4. Central Jersey Jazz Fest
      The DSA is currently working on updates to the website. The musicians have been hired.
   5. Starlit Cinema
      Olivia mentioned that the DSA was able to save some money on the movie rights and added three more movies to the lineup.
      
      There is a full sponsorship with the Guidepost Montessori School in Branchburg, which is $2,500.
4. Recruitment and Retention Committee
   Chas added that there are almost no vacancies in town and there will be possible redevelopments for some buildings.
   
5. Director’s Report
   Olivia presented the board with a Main Street program presentation.
   

Olivia spoke about the program being a framework the DSA can follow and modify it to make it work for Somerville.

The improvement districts are established by local and state legislation. The commercial district funds it and the intent of the programming is to provide that return on investment.

It’s managed within a specific jurisdiction so it’s a competitive application process to get into the program on the state level.

Olivia stated some of the DSA’s strengths:

• The consistency and long-term events
• Strong dining
• Downtown gathering space
• The support network
• Social media presence

Some of the DSA’s weaknesses:

• No defined strategy
• Not enough committee engagement from the community
• Spending that doesn’t support the businesses in the district
• A lack of trust from some of the businesses

Olivia suggested:

• Creating a stronger connection to the general community
• Switching up events to be more appropriate for some of the businesses
• Building more partnerships and relationships in other areas that will benefit
• Possibly creating some new marketing strategies and economic development programs’
• Doing more of a people first initiative so that we can get foot traffic into the downtown and having them feel safe, getting there, staying there and hanging out.
  

Some of the DSA’s threats:

• There may be some cultural organizations or individuals that don’t feel like they’re fully represented
• Less visitation which correlates to reduced spending in the district
• A general perceived lack of safety that some people are feeling

Olivia also recommended:

• Continuing with the events on the calendar for the year and not making any changes.
• Supplying the office team with branded shirts, tablecloths, pens, and other branded items to give away to the public during events.
• Reengaging an ambassador program and rebuilding the hype of Somerville.
• Creating a services kit so that the businesses know what they’re getting as a result of being a part of the improvement district.
• A networking event only for the Somerville businesses
• Creating an annual sponsorship kit
• Apply to grant opportunities
• Creating a work plan and a fundraising plan
  

Olivia created a community assessment survey to receive feedback from the community.

The Mainstream America will be visiting on September 12 and possibly do a transformation strategy session. They will want to speak with the mayor, borough departments, the board, and business owners.

Olivia added that Ride Wise would like to do a walk audit in the downtown area and it’ll be great data to apply for grants. The data can be used to repair sidewalks, take care of trees, further the Robson project, and more.

3. New Business
   1. Audit

Olivia and Chas started to gather the information for the 2023 audit. They are all getting compiled and sent in.

2. Bylaws
   Chas circulated the proposed draft of the bylaw amendment.
   
   Required language to the bylaws is being added to maintain a grant eligibility that deals with what happens to assets of the organization if the organization stops.
   
   It also incorporates the language for when a board member becomes ineligible for their position on the board midterm.

It includes the threshold for dual signatures on checks. The original bylaws had a set of a $500 threshold for requiring dual signatures. The new proposal is to increase it to $5,000.

Vote to Approve
MOTION: Rick St. Pierre

SECOND: Mike Kerwin
Vote to Approve: 

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

3. Outdoor Music System
   The DSA is using a new system for outdoor music called Sound Machine.
   
   Extras that were being paid before are included in the new system with a monthly fee.
   

4. Old Business
   1. Bookkeeper Update
      The search for the bookkeeper will be discussed in the executive session.
      
5. Payment Authorization
   

Vote to Approve
MOTION: RanD Pitts
SECOND: Rick St. Pierre
Vote to Approve: 

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

6. Comments from the Public
   Maria from Osprey Lane thanked the DSA and she is looking forward to the survey that Olivia will send out.
   
   Conlin and David Chan, local residents, advised on the DSA providing a big backdrop all year for marketing purposes.
   
   Conlin added that they moved from New York City to Somerville because they found it to be the most unique, charming, and strategically located. However, they had to discover it on their own and none of their friends knew about Somerville.
   
   David, from Waxing the City, is excited to start his business in Somerville and appreciates all the support. His business will potentially be opening at the end of August. It will be a basic body waxing company.
   
   To connect the farmer’s market with the downtown businesses, Conlin suggested implementing a wristband system. Market-goers could receive the wristband to enjoy discounts at participating businesses once they leave the market.
   
7. Adjournment
   
   Chas. Stevens made a motion to adjourn the meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:00 pm.