Westside Association Meeting Minutes - April 1, 2010

Meeting called to order by President Connie Drexler @12:00

Approval of Feb minutes tabled until the May meeting

Treasurer’s Report- postponed until May meeting

Chamber Report:

• Workshops
  • April 29- Google Analytics
  • May 5- compliance and credit cards
• Business after Hours
  • Schneck – May 19
  • Buffalo Wild Wings- June
  • Citizens First – July
• New restaurant will be locating in the Landmark Plaza
• Sonex drive in ( old Copps parking lot)  breaking ground
• Mahoneys has reopened on 6^th and Knapp
• Gardiners Restaurant/Wine Bar- open on Main Street
• Waterfest begins June 3
• 3 major commercial brokers met with Rob for land on the Westside

Feedback on annual meeting

• moderator- should have more control
• people liked the new format
• keep the answers shorter

New Business:

• Website
  • revamping the website- will be more user friendly
  • send your company logo to either Jeff Nelson or Kathy Hanson
  • should have a minimum of 5 links
• sign project for construction
  • met with city and DOT
  • identified Witzel as priority
    • signs to get from either side of the highway to businesses on the opposite side
    • Mark will be meeting with city hall to streamline sign permit process
    • Fritz checking on sign design costs
      • 4 x 8 signs
      • exclusive for members

Guest Speakers:

Maureen Lasky- Business Improvement District- Main Street Reconstruction

• began meeting with business owners in November of 2007 to plan for construction
• formed 2010 committee (property owners/business owners/DOT/city)
  • meet monthly to discuss project, signs
• closed from March 15- Nov 1
• replacing aging infrastructure
• adding safety enhancements
• project area- from Main Street Bridge to Irving
• Cross streets open throughout the projects
• Otter/Pearl closed the entire construction period
• Wider sidewalks
• Room for trees on the sidewalks – over 100 trees will be planted
• Brick pavers
• Tree grates- has 2 medallions on the grate- showcase the city
• Had Blue Door Consulting design “tool kit” of information for the businesses
  • Main Street Max- mascot
• Face book page for the downtown as well

Bill Bertrand- Wisconsin Department of Transportation

• detours from highway 45
  • Jackson roundabout work begins April 5- complete by early July
• On site field office at 530 Main (Mainview Apartments)

Meeting adjourned at 1PM