MINUTES OLD WEBSTER SPECIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Advisory Commission Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2013
Board Members Present: Ron Clipp, Kerry Higginbotham, Phil Lindwedel, Amanda Payne,
Joe Rath, and Stacie Swederska.
Visitor: Dan Warner – Old Webster; Joe Schwab – Euclid Records
Others Present: Council Liaison – Mara Perry; Mayor Gerry Welch; Staff Liaison – and Ellen
Light, Secretary.
Presiding: Don Baumstark
Meeting began at 8:03 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Phil made motion to approve, Amanda seconded, all were in favor, Minutes for September 24,
2013, approved.
Mara – Budget
• Handed out updated budget report.
• Fifty percent of lighting came out of Operational Equipment budget.
Dan Warner/Joe Schwab – Parking Issue
• Here to appeal the thirteen (13) spaces that have gone from public to permit parking.
• They think it’s a really unfortunate change because retail change dynamics demand the
flexibility.
• Retail needs available parking to survive.
• Dan heard from Joe Rath that studies showed there were spaces available; but Dan noted
that during the year events dictate otherwise.
• Dan noted that sixty-nine (69) of the restricted spaces are on the bottom of the garage;
Gore Ave. parking is also on the bottom of the garage.
• Vast majority of those spaces go to Novus.
• Joe S. said they’re looking for a “fair split,” because of the parking garage lot and added
that one of the main reasons he moved to Old Webster was to have access to those spaces.
• Pointed out that ticketing discourages repeat business for retailers.
• Stacie asked where Joe S. has his employees park? He has spots behind his business for
employees and others park on S. Gore.
• Dan says tenants are leaving now because of lack of parking.
• Kerry asked when it would be possible to address City Council about Old Webster
Parking Ordinance changes.
• Mara said she would need a recommendation from the board that would go to City
Manager who would put on the agenda for future meeting.
City Report
• Mayor discussed Holiday programs.
OWSBD Minutes • October 22, 2013
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• Publicity on 102.5 FM which plays only Xmas music.
• First week of November, a one-page mailer is going to every address in Webster to drive
business from local residents.
• We do have wreaths for businesses, same ones as last year, to be put on outside of
business so they are most visible.
• The reindeer will be back!
• Continuing to look for media coverage opportunities.
Old Business
Pedestrian Signage
• Five businesses have turned in their paperwork.
• Some people wanted to be on the signs, but still haven’t submitted papers.
• The only one that has five panels is the one that goes to upper deck.
• Vitality, Milagro, Gateway Cleaners, Fizzies (so far).
• Amanda will talk to Leopard.
• The sign on Allen now consists of several businesses that are no longer there.
• Stacie will also do some research on what’s needed.
Lighting – Phil
• Working on Straubs, dentist, and moving along.
• Still waiting for PNC Bank.
New Board Candidates
• Nothing new has happened since last meeting, if anyone knows anything else they are
asked to let us know so that decision can be made.
New Business
Discussion of Parking Garage request from Businesses on Gore
• Last changes to any Parking Ord. Were in 2007.
• Last major change to garage ordinance was in 2002.
• Current one which was distributed at meeting has held up since 2003.
History
• City usually oversells permits between 15-20%… never had problems before, but starting
in January after new permits were sold there were complaints from permit holders who
could not find legal parking.
• To try to help alleviate the problem and also Novus request for another six (6) permits…
formal and informal studies were done, and a persuasive argument was presented.
• Joe and Don agreed that placement of the 13 additional spaces in garage were not what
had been envisioned.
• Mara said it was done in such a way that available parking (not permit) was first thing
people saw. Diane (parking officer) and Public Works discussed what would be most
logical spaces.
• Don discussed other configuration options that might be worth looking into.
• Phil asked how about if we were to make a recommendation to Council to move some of
the spaces to top, which would return spaces to the bottom without having to redesign
anything?
• Orange ($200) or other color permit would need to be used [yellow ($400) is for covered
parking].
• Amanda asked about spaces further on down Gore?
• Ron noted we have two things going on; first the immediate holiday season issue, and
then the long-term issue.
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• Mara stated that those who have permits are allowed to renew on Dec. 31--so to change
number of parking spaces (by taking back permits) would be difficult.
• Ron said it sounds like we need to have a separate group meeting…maybe Dan and Joe
Schwab’s input would be valuable…need to get more tenants’ perspective.
• Mara noted agenda is set already for Nov. 4th City Council meeting; Joe asked about work
session agenda?
• Mara said there needs to be a meeting to review (specific) needs for new ordinance; noting
how specific the old ordinance is, we should take the extra time to carefully assess what
needs to be done.
• Mayor asked about the Alcotek lot…is that available for holidays? Since it is a gravel lot,
Mara said Public Works would need to approve, and then there is the question of who
would be asked to park there?
• Kerry asked again about Bank of America lot…if they said we could rent the spots that are
always open for holidays? There had been no definite response.
• Mara asked if some of the funding for rental of spots could come out of advertising
budget?
• Stacie said the property management team that rents out spaces across the street might be
willing to provide some holiday spaces.
• Mayor Welch noted we need to make some calls to find special holiday parking.
• Mara stated she will call Bank of America regarding parking; Don will get Alcotek phone
number.
• Don summed up: we need to approach council on moving some spaces from underneath
to upper level.
 Does council set the fees…? Maybe they could be raised for more maintenance for the
garage, or partial rent for another parking area?
 Anything we can do to find additional temporary parking for at least the
holidays…and getting the space layouts changed.
• Mayor thought we need a comprehensive parking meeting to determine if there are
alternatives? We would know about locations and fees before deciding.
• Special open meeting is set for Friday, Nov. 1st at 8 a.m.
 Mara will post agenda.
 Ellen will send a reminder.
• Stacie mentioned sending email to business owners to remind employees not to park in
customer spaces.
• Diane (parking officer) can only ticket spots in areas that have problems; they should be
able to regulate parking anywhere signs are posted.
• Decision is to move garage signage immediately; Mara will talk with Paul (Public Works)
about that right away.
• She will email copy of garage diagram.
New Trash Cans/Placement and Disposal
• They have not gotten here yet, but will be here soon.
• Mara needs information on locations to put them.
• Stacie and Mara mentioned “Yo My Goodness;” Joe and Don will walk around and look
for the ones that have broken lids.
Other and Future Agenda Items
• Sculpture Park is under construction, becoming a Garden rather than a park.
• Structures will be placed in winter and planting will be in Spring.
Meeting adjourned at 9:12 a.m.
OWSBD Minutes • October 22, 2013
Next Meeting: Special Parking Meeting, Nov. 1.
Board Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.
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