HISTORIC RAILROAD SQUARE ASSOCIATION                                                                                   Community Benefit District

RRSQ Association Meeting : Thursday, July 18, 2024

Courtyard Marriott – 8:30 AM

Attendees: Mike Montague, Pauline Block, Tom Buckley, Marianne Neufeld, Curt Nichols, Noelle Hermann, Jim McCalligan, Florine Ellingson, Dee Richardson. Guests: Jerry Wilson, Ellen Bowen, AJ Trombetta, Ann Galliton, Anna Prono                                                                            Absent: Paul Quattrocchi, Rafael Rivera, Theresa Tommasi, Danielle Nelson

MINUTES

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS                                                                                       

President Mike Montague opened the meeting at 8:35

  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS                                                                                      None at this time
  2. CONSENT ITEMS

None

  1. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Mike Montague

4.1 District Updates

  • Mike attended a meeting with Caritas Village who shared current challenges including loitering and problems with younger groups.
  • Caritas has started a 2x/week cleanup program in RRSQ and CHS with hopes to expand the effort
  • The Prince Greenway completed the Artstart project Phase 1 with a mural on the concrete oval space near the bridge. Grants and help from the City made this possible.
  • Members of the Board toured the Cannery Building and Mike made a proposal to the Cannery to help irrigate the Greenway adjacent to its property.
  • Mike was asked if he would coordinate a Walking Tour for RRSQ. Details to follow.
  1. Executive Director Report: Amanda Janik                                                                                                 

 5.1 Updates

  • 2025 Board vacancies – Board members are being contacted to confirm their interest in remaining on the Board.  Marianne will complete her 2025 term and retire, but would like to pass on the treasurer role for 2025 before term ends.
  • Wayfinding signs: most positions are filled. RRSQ needs to design new header to meet City requirements. Signorama will work with the City on this.
  • Noelle mentioned that pole on 3rd and Morgan had been broken. Paul working with Signorama to fix.
  • Railroad Square Music Festival (RRMF) will now be held on Sunday Sept 22. More to follow.
  1. FINANCIAL REPORT:   Marianne Neufeld
  • Budget on track, but tree replacement expenses will go up
  • Current funds in account are generating good interest
  1. AD HOC PROJECT UPDATES –

7.1 Tree Removal and replacement- Mike Montague:  

On track to remove specific trees on 4th and 5th and replace with Crepe Myrtles. The company prefers doing removal (Phase 1) and replacement (Phase 2) at the same time. A straw vote indicated that the Board was interested in doing them together to save money. The final vote on doing it simultaneously with SavaTree Service will be an action item in August.  Phase 1 was approved earlier.  There should be minimal impact on businesses during this time.  Proposal does not include any sidewalk repairs which is the responsibility of the property owners.    

7.2   4th Street Lighting project- Curt Nichols

Structural issues have been addressed. Public Works has OK’d the project. Concept Review with Cultural Heritage Board upcoming in August.

7.3  Window Display/Utility boxes – no report at this time

7.4  Security – Tom Buckley

  • Increase in graffiti in district – reminder to paint it over within 3 days. 
  • Inferno Nightclub continues to be an issue. Tom will meet with them
  • Question on when to report incidents to City …answer Call Police when you see it happening. City will remove shopping carts. There is a Camping ordinance in the City to prohibit sleeping/tenting on Depot Park…

7.5 Marketing – Amanda

  • Committee met with TIV to review website issues 
  • Business are being contacted to update their listings on the site
  • Social media outreach- several free workshops have been presented to help our businesses be more effective in getting the word out about their business and RRSQ.
  • Board members will be visiting businesses to offer assistance as needed 
  • Committee reviewing budget projects for next year
  • Tom mentioned that the website needs to be mobile-friendly
  • Map is being revised to be more interactive and accurate
  • Chamber membership discussed and will be revised to take full advantage of what they are offering business districts and small business owners.

7.6 Events – Amanda

  • RRSQ Summer Mixer – Thursday, July 18 at Hotel La Rose Event space. Reservations @ 50 currently.
  • Summer Music Series well received
  • Light Up a Life – Memorial Hospital event to be held in Depot Park in Dec. Details still being worked out.

7.7. Business development initiative – Pauline 

SantaRosa-now.com, a project designed to reach out to potential developers in the downtown area, is online now.  Google  SantaRosa-now.com to see the report.  She also reported on the Depot Park initiative, Park and Rec development fees and that Pullman funds are on hold for the time being. Pauline mentioned 2 ballot measures that are concerning: business tax license increases and TOT proposed increases. 

7.8  – Planters – Marianne

Additional new planters are on hold because they are out of stock.  Business owners are welcome to add their own flower choices to the existing planters and to keep an eye on watering.  The Rescue Mission will be coming by once a week to clean trash cans and water planters as well.  Suggestions are being solicited for ideas about other options to keep plants watered….

  1. Other discussion/Updates 
  1. ADJOURNMENT 10:15 AM

NEXT BOARD MEETING: 8:30 AM Thursday, August 15, 2024 – Courtyard Marriott