DIDA Moves Sign Program Forward & Welcomes New Member

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, March 28, 2008 - The regular monthly meeting of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) was held yesterday in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

The meeting was called to order by newly-appointed DIDA Chairman George Goerig at 12:00 PM CST.

DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. Mayor Bruce Noren and Vice-Chairman Joe Karius were excused. Elaine Erickson and Don Hitt resigned. Present at the meeting were Chairman George Goerig, Eva-Smith Furgason, Jackie Powers, Wayne Ozark, and Louise Demasi.

Prior to the meeting Ms. Demasi took the oath of office. Louise previously served on the Ironwood City Commission, and is the owner/proprietor of Pizza King Joe's in Ironwood.

Chairman Goerig introduced Ms. Demasi to the Authority. And the first official order of business was to approve the minutes from the January 24, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes. The last two attempts to hold a meeting failed to produce a quorum.

The Authority then accepted and placed on file the resignations of Don Hitt, Elaine Erickson, and Rachael Hubbard.

Kim Kolesar from the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce addressed the Authority proposing the possibility of holding some sort of business workshop that would be jointly sponsored by the DIDA and the Chamber. She said the workshop could be anything from a customer service workshop to a technology workshop that would be available to Chamber members and Downtown Business District businesses. She told the Authority that it would take a commitment of time as well as a financial commitment from both entities

Kolesar pointed out that co-oping such events are much easier that trying to do them independently, and she stated how important it is for both agencies to work together. She said she would like this to be, at least, an annual event. Kim told the Authority that she would like to see a joint committee formed that involved two members of the DIDA and two members of the Chamber to organize the workshop. She indicated that Chamber members and DIDA businesses could attend the meetings either free of charge or at a very low cost.

Louise Demasi questioned Kolesar about her proposal. "When you talk about slitting the finance, what kind of finance are you talking about?" Demasi asked.

Kolesar responded that it would be up to the group to decide what exactly they wanted. She told Demasi that a speaker would more than likely need to be hired, and refreshments would probably have to be purchased.

Goerig injected "It probably wouldn't be an astronomical cost though!"

And Kolesar agreed. She said it might be best to start off slow, and if the group believed it was something positive for the attendees it would be something to build upon. She said, for example, that the first seminar could be a half day and if it was successful and it seemed to make an impact, it could be bumped up to a full day next year.

Demasi asked Kolesar if she will have to go back to the Chamber Committee with whatever was decided. Kim told Louise that she would like to have the workshop committee be given the authority to hash out all of the details so that approval of the Chamber or the DIDA would not be needed. Demasi immediately rejected the idea saying, "Nope! I would vote no on that. We're in this together! Either we all know what's going on and have a right to say `Yes, we're going to go on ahead and spend $1,000, $20,000, whatever it is, or we're not going to do it at all.'"

Kolesar said, "That's okay too!" Goerig and Kolesar stated that the workshop committee can work out the details and then present their plan before both boards. Kolesar said she would like to see a workshop by about the end of June.

Eva Smith-Furgason told the Authority that she would like to see a more complete proposal. She would like to know who would be the speaker; what would be the costs; and a more thorough proposal.

Kolesar said, "That's what the workshop committee would decide." She indicated that she would like to work together from the beginning as a cooperative effort.

Smith-Furgason told the Authority that she believed it would be better for an individual to establish a plan and then present it to the board. She pointed out that committees and blended ideas often stall progress. "It's just when one person does it, you're plugged into the area people and you probably have a pretty good idea, and I don't think it requires a committee. Because once you have a committee everyone on the committee with have a different idea of what they want to present."

"I won't do it unless we have a committee from both sides!" Kolesar insisted, "We both really need to put input on this one!"

It was pointed out that the Chamber funds are generated voluntarily by Chamber members and that DIDA funds are taxpayer funds. It was said that most successful communities have Chambers that work closely with City government, and that I like the idea of a cooperative effort. Ms. Kolesar was asked what percentage did she expect the DIDA to pay compared to the Chamber. She told the Authority that an equal split would be fair because the Chamber also has a very tight budget, and she finds ways to make things work as cheaply as possible. She told the Authority that she may have another source that would help cover the costs but she didn't want to give that information out at this time.

Kolesar was asked how many downtown businesses make up the Chamber membership. She indicated that about 1/3 of the Chamber members were located in downtown Ironwood. She said the remaining 2/3 were pretty much equally split between highway businesses and out-of-town businesses.

Smith-Furgason asked Kolesar if the workshop would be available to only downtown businesses. Kolesar said it would be available to downtown businesses and Chamber members, however any business could participate. Businesses that didn't belong to the Chamber or were not in the downtown TIF district would have to pay a minimal charge for attending.

Lou Bonagura told the Authority that the Master Gardeners hold a huge annual conference at the College and they usually get government people to speak. He said most of them charge only for their transportation so the entire conference, including a large luncheon, doesn't add up to a lot of money. He said the speaker is the key to a successful workshop.

Chairman Goerig agreed that the Chamber and the DIDA should be working together, and he suggested to the Authority that a committee be formed at the next regular meeting. Then, the newly formed workshop committee can come back to both boards with a more complete proposal.

Kolesar then asked the Authority if they were making any effort to provide public rest rooms downtown. She indicated that the Chamber members and visitors have both complained about the lack of facilities.

Goerig asked Jane Bowman if this was ever an issue before the DIDA. Ms. Bowman indicated that the issue has come up before and she listed several of the facilities available – the library; the Public Safety building; and the Memorial Building.

Kolesar told the DIDA that she was aware that there are public rest rooms, but people are unable to find them, and that it is more of a signage issue. She said many businesses have been placing signs in their windows stating that their rest rooms were only for their paying customers. She pointed out that it looks bad and its bad for business.

It was brought up that several years ago the City of Ironwood build a brand new Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Aurora and Lowell Street (currently the Chief Oil Company). That building provided public restrooms for the downtown. Once the Chamber moved out of that building, it was sold and those restrooms are no longer available to the public. "Now you are coming to the DIDA saying we need public restrooms?"

"Yes!" Kolesar responded.

"You're part of the problem!"she was told.

"That's why I'm here." she explained.

"Okay, so what is your solution to fix it?" she was asked.

Kolesar suggested that the City try to pursue some kind of MSHDA or other grant to provide facilities or to purchase a building or build one.

Eva Smith-Furgason suggested that maps be printed up and that they be handed out showing where restrooms are available. She said the Chamber could distribute them when people come in complaining about the lack of available facilities.

Kolesar told Smith-Furgason that the Depot is not always open. She told the Authority that she is the only employee of the Chamber, and that she is often gone for meetings.

Steve Frank suggested that the DIDA find out how much it would cost to purchase standard signs that feature the international symbol for restrooms. He suggested that a sign be placed on every City-owned building that has public restrooms. He also suggested that local businesses that are willing to open up their restrooms to the general public be given a sign as well. At the most, Frank reasoned, the signs would cost $50 a piece. If ten signs needed to be purchased it certainly is a cheap fix of the problem.

City Manager Scott Erickson told the Authority that printing "pee maps" was a good idea because the people that would need the map are not just driving by. When they stop into a business and they ask if they have a public rest room, the business owner can hand them a map and tell them where to go. "I think that could be done very quickly, and get it down to businesses. Then the people that are shopping will know how to get to the Memorial Building or the Public Safety Building."

Erickson said he would have the maps composed and then they can be distributed to local businesses.

Goerig, Erickson, and Powers agree that it was a good start to correcting the problem.

Smith-Furgason then asked Kolesar why the Depot is closed on the weekends. Kolesar told Smith-Furgason that the Depot is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but after Labor Day it is closed on the weekends. Smith-Furgason stated that most of the winter visitors to the area are here during the weekends. She suggested that it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Kolesar reminded Eva that she is the only employee, and that there are two other visitor centers in Ironwood.

The next item on the agenda was the Pocket Park and the Flower Baskets. Jane Bowman pointed out that the Master Gardeners handled the Pocket Park last year and that they did an outstanding job. She said that they were paid under contract $275 per month to maintain the park. Ms. Bowman indicated that much of the money spent with the Master Gardeners comes back to the park – for example, they buy more flowers and they paid for a fountain in the park last year.

The flower baskets are paid for by donations gathered from downtown businesses. A balance remains in the flower basket account due to the generous support of the program last year. DIDA funds are used to pay for the Pocket Park maintenance and to water the flower baskets. Ms. Bowman indicated that the watering equipment the DIDA has will need to be replaced soon. A suggestion was made to appeal to the downtown businesses once again, but this time let them know that a portion of their donation will go towards the purchase of watering equipment.

After a somewhat lengthy discussion about the Pocket Park and the flower baskets, it was decided to table the issue for the time being. Ms. Bowman indicated that the Authority had until May to make a decision on the matter.

The next item on the agenda involved the meeting time. George Goerig explained that it has been very difficult to produce a quorum for DIDA meetings as of late. He indicated that the noon meetings might be part of the reason why most business people were unable to attend. After weighing out all of the options, the DIDA decided to keep the same day for the meetings, but beginning next month, the meetings will be held at 8:00 AM CST.

The wayfinder signs were the next item on the agenda. Chairman Goerig told the Authority that the signs needed to be ordered. He told the members that five signs will initially be ordered. Jim Saari provided a paper sample of the signs so that the DIDA could get an idea what they would look like.

There was considerable discussion on the signs; their placement; and their purpose. Placing a sign in the Pocket Park may be problematic for the DIDA. Lou Bonagura warned that placing a sign in the park may result in the loss of the Master Gardeners.

It was mentioned that more signs and signs in both directions needed to be placed throughout the City – not just in the downtown. A sign by Wal-Mart and signs along Ayer Street need to be erected. It was brought up that the purpose of the signs is to create traffic through the downtown. Having signs solely in the downtown served little purpose. It was also mentioned that wayfinder signs are meant to be individual and different. Having every sign say exactly the same thing defeats the purpose of the signage system.

In the end, it was decided that four signs would be ordered and more thought would be given to the Pocket Park sign.

The DIDA decided that their next meeting would be mainly devoted to their Objectives and Goals. Chairman Goerig told the Authority that he contacted several municipalities that have implemented the Blueprint Program and he got mixed feelings about its effectiveness. Although most of the cities believed it was a good program, he said some felt that it didn't offer any solutions. Goerig believes that the Program could open the door to grant opportunities, but he feels it is best to devote more time towards studying the plan and any options available.

Eva Smith-Furgason presented a copy of her Business Liaison Process Form and it was decided to table the issue for further discussion until the next regular meeting.

Once again the DIDA is faced with the problem of pigeons downtown. Eva Smith-Furgason asked why this item is forever appearing on the DIDA docket. She pointed out that pigeons are not a DIDA issue – they are a pest control or blight issue. It was pointed out that the pigeons are roosting mainly in three buildings downtown. Smith-Furgason and Wayne Ozark suggested and the entire DIDA agreed that those building owners need to be cited for blight, and aggressive action be taken against them. One of the buildings is the theater, and Jackie Powers explained that the Theater Board was addressing the problem.

Steve Frank addressed the Authority regarding several issues: (1) the fact that six months ago the DIDA presented the women who painted the Ashland murals to see if Ironwood could do the same – and nothing was ever done; (2) Ashland's website features a podcast of their mural project. People can go to their website – download the podcast onto their MP3 player – and take a "guided" tour of the city's murals; (3) Hurley historic plaques and plaques in other communities that point out historic buildings; (4) Ashland lists all of their historic structures on their website. It's free to list them, and it is good for business; (5) Ashland participated in a "Main Street Graphic Design Program" with graduate students from Iowa State University similar to the Facade Program; (6) Michigan Senate Bill 972 just passed the Senate and is now before the House. The Bill would allow DDA boards to create, operate and fund loan programs for building improvements in downtown business districts. Frank suggested that this is something that people should be calling their representatives about – urging them to pass the bill. "Whether you choose to pursue it and use it for Ironwood, I don't know;" and finally (7) Frank told the Authority that he was at the recent skate park fund-raising meeting and the possibility of raising funds at Festival Ironwood was mentioned. "It kind of came out that `We don't want competition with the person that runs something!'and whatever. I know it's been traditional that the DIDA has paid for the dance. I kind of have some reservations if that's kind of turned into a `one-man-show' for him to make money and we're kind of keeping other businesses out or other fund-raisers out, then I really don't think we should be having public money to support that!"

Jackie Powers told the Authority that the Theater programs are soon to be printed. She said that two 1/8 page ads were never purchased, so Deb Gotham suggested printing something like "Downtown Ironwood is Great!" on them. Jackie suggested something should be printed about the DIDA. The ads typically cost $125, but the Theater was willing to give the DIDA free message space. The DIDA gratefully accepted the generous offer.

Louise Demasi made a quick last statement that a fifth wayfinder sign should be placed near the exit of Wal-Mart that says "Come visit our Downtown Shopping District! That's it! Done!"

AUDIO 

Jim Albert