CITY OF RHINELANDER
SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dick Johns, Mark Pelletier, George Kirby, Joe Sturzl, Sandy Bergman and Russ Brown.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Leschke
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Blaine Oborn, Fire Chief Terry Williams, City Attorney Carrie Miljevich, Larry Frasier, Naletta Burr, Dan Kuzlik, Sally Latimer, Dawn Rog, Ken Krall, Joan Belongia, Tarsie Goes, Jo Hettwer, Linda Hutchinson, Janet Baer, Kathy Cutforth, Dana DeMet, Ray Dust, Bob Lappen, Steven Moe, Windsong, Jerry Shidell, Jim Hext, Michael Cheslock, Marcus Nesemmen, Michael Cinfio, Jane Banning, Chad Johnson, Ken Morris, Kathy Brick, David Schmitz, Charolotte Young, Forrest Millibrith, Diane DeiRossi, James Hardy, Pat LaPorte, Bill Freudenburg, Shrri Bellevieu, Steve Heise, Rhonda Jicinsky, Tom Jordens, Michael Denis, Virginia Roberts, Tina Werres, Pat Will, Mark Wittrock, DJ Hule, Tim Kingman, Joel Knutson, Christy Schneider, John Zenk, Ray Platik, Charlet & Jason Beirman, Ruth Hempel, Nancy Frasier, Jay Anderle, Brenda Shepherd, Ray Burg, Kurt Hildebrand, Brett Aylesworth and Pete Tenderholt.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dick Johns at 6:00 P.M., noting there was a quorum present to conduct business, the media had been properly notified and the agenda duly posted.
NEW BUSINESS:
BID DISTRICT – Public Hearing on the proposed termination of the Rhinelander Business Improvement District. Mayor started by reading Wis. Stat. §66.1109 (4m)(c) to everyone explaining to all the requirements and process that must take place and then opened the floor to those that wanted to speak.
*Natetta Burr, Wisconsin economic development, explained what she does and how the BID district benefits the City of Rhinelander, including streetscape projects, proper communication and any and all up and coming projects.
*Larry Frasier spoke of his history and devotion to the City and will do what he can to preserve this City. He feels as though the decision tonight can profoundly affect all within the BID District. He likes to see new store fronts and strategic plan to bring more businesses. He explained that when DRI started there were 11 businesses and now there are 30 and feels that it has helped our City and this is the worst time for this petition; he felt that the appearance of the downtown has improved and helps to attract more people and businesses to our area. Larry feels that no matter what decision is made in the end, this will have a very large effect on this town. From speaking with others, they felt that they were not given the proper information and would be removing their names.
*Cathy Cutforth, lives in the bid district, when her husband was offered a job, it was very important that this was a main street community and owns another home in another city and that too has a main street. Cutforth discussed further the history and commitment of this community and hopes that we can uphold the history and businesses that exist and that will come.
*Dave Heck, has a family owned business and part of BID district and spoke with Jerry Shidell why they would not sign this petition. He further discussed what the City of Rhinelander has as strengths and weaknesses and has been working with a group (that interviewed 30 people) that all felt that Rhinelander needs to create its own destiny. There are many things up and coming in the next 10 to 20 years and all need to work to make it great. All (n organized group) said that they want to see growth and feel the BID district should stay and need create our own town with our own destiny and bid district is a pillar and a key to move forward in our community.
*Dawn Rog, former City Council person that was part of voting in the BID district and on the state committee that picked Main Street communities, our application scored very high due to the historic value at the time. There were lots of obstacles in keeping the parking lots and the lots are still here due to a main street and the City of Rhinelander would have a hard time keeping the parking lots. Rog and her husband are business owners that are part of the bid district and hope to keep the bid district.
Janet Baer, president of the library board, they too are on the brink and former director left and have had to postpone future plans and are looking for future plans to come forth soon and feel that the Downtown Bid District and the Library all tie in to improvements and being attractive to the library and part of the community.
*Tarsie Goes, marketing coordinator for a car dealership, spoke from the heart, dealership believe the support of the community and that they give back to them and they believe in downtown and support for years and seen the outcome and also saw their doors open too because of the downtown. Speaking from someone who volunteers and supports the downtown, she hears great comments. She believes that the reason we are here tonight has been brought up in an unappropriated way and unprofessional to bring up misinformation to all. Rhinelander GM and Toyota support the BID and DRI.
*Jim Hext, a tenant in the City of Rhinelander and believes in the importance of the BID district. Feels as a business owner if there is a strong downtown, there are events and these brings a lot of people. These people may not be seen in businesses during the events, but they come back and shop when they see them during these events and is important to see a strong downtown and a strong BID district. Mode, his landlord, he agrees that the events bring people to the downtown and lets people see them and know that they are there.
*Bill Freudenberg, currently serve Oneida County board of supervisors and feels that the BID district is important as well as economic development to our area. He further discussed the improvements that have been made over the years and it does take time to see the benefits. He believes in the BID District and downtown business owners and supports the downtown businesses.
*Dana Demet, Department of Commerce, works closely with the DRI and BID District, like grants, loans and added people to the downtown area and downtown stores. Would have to make drastic changes in their operation to accommodate the services that DRI provides. You have to look at timing and what the future would hold. Felt Frasier was correct that we are in a cuff of seeing a boost in our commercial makeup and future businesses and looks to see dining and boutique shops that could come to our town in the future. Several businesses are slated to open in 2015 and the work that DRI has done to promote our area. It will be extremely difficult for the City to move forward on the Streetscape without the BID District and the DRI organization. Asked all in favor to talk with neighbors about the specifics and names can be added or removed within the next 30 days.
*Jerry Shidell felt it interesting that DRI says that they are saying that there were 30 openings in store fronts and that they are down to 11 at this time; he counted 35 openings this morning. Went past dental location that is no longer there. Feels that they should not accuse him of misinformation. He agrees that they need to have a strong downtown and it comes from guys like him and Tryge and work it out in their heads and decide if they want to do it and then reach in their pockets to pay for these improvements. Says that they he will pay back his full loan amount that he received from the BID. He reviewed and felt that he is being accused of being a liar and giving out misinformation. The BID district has had 9 years and they are still staying the same things “we are almost there” how many more years are we going to give them. He discussed where the money is going and how it is being spent. He further expressed that most landowners went out and got their own tenants. Government did not build this City, head and hand built this city and that is what we have to get back to. He completely shares that the downtown be strong and be a vibrant community. But we do not have to get there with a BID district and DRI organization. “This is a bad time to do this?”; Well then when is a good time? Most signatures asked to sign, do not accuse him of being a liar. This does not sit well with him. Yes, there were two, himself and Mike Denis that started the petition with 76 signatures when they handed in the petition. All signatures are public knowledge. Thanked all for letting him speak. Hildebrand, Carpetiers, stated that Jerry told him that if he wants parking for his business, pull out your wallet and pay for it, this is difficult for him to do. There are many that use that parking and that it is for Hildebrand to figure out. If City sells parking lots, he is out of luck and if he has no parking, he has no customers. The reason that this BID and DRI was started was for the parking. They didn’t want parking meters and did not want City to sell lots and will now be back to square one without the DRI and BID district. We all have to be together, cannot be done by themselves.
*Jane Vanney, community member, I shop downtown, at Trigs, at Mels, etc.; she is retired and is involved in her church and community. When she came here, she learned that there are good people here and feels that all should work together and the beauty is free speech. When she looks at downtown, parts are beautiful and parts are not. Very interested in Rhinelander building a brand, we have a mascot, but need a brand like other small communities that thrive with store fronts. She lives here now and wants it to succeed and wants all to work together.
*Joan Belongia, used to own a bookstore for 18 years was supported by so many people in Rhinelander. She closed due to the internet and E-Readers that slowing her business. Supported Rhinelander downtown when Main street began and downtown businesses banded together, all of them, supported each other, then the BID came along and really appreciated that as a renter, however, a business owner volunteered hundreds of hours for the downtown and appreciated the money from DRI and paid the additional for the support and put a lot of her money and time and appreciate all those that have and it is worth it. What would Rhinelander downtown be if we did not have BID district or Main Street, please think of that before sign the bid.
* Brent Ayleworth, President of the Chamber, involved heavily with the Rhinelander Ice Arena. The DRI and BID District hold a lot of family events. Without all these events what do we have? This is not just about money.
*Dan Kuzlick, president of DRI for 2 months, talked about what has been done in the last 60-days; has seen future stores interested in coming to Rhinelander, moving into a store that has been donated to them and future plans for DRI. These are things that were part of the strategic plan and are moving forward with that plan. He too owns property in the BID district (315 Oneida) asked to be part of the BID district when lines were being drawn. What a good organization to speak and promote for you. The low interest loans can go on with or without the BID district.
* Rhonda Jicinsky –Chef Tom Jordens partner in future business, stated that downtown was the most logical place to open their business and want to build the communities. If downtown DRI goes away, we have heart, but we don’t have money and want to know how to help finance those that want to come and will work with everyone to promote each other. Feels that all should work together and needs everyone’s help to succeed and needs DRI and BID district.
*Ruth Hempel, Forth Floral, historical outlook, they are one of the oldest businesses and families in the same location and feel they are part of the downtown. Part of the BID district and being part of the committee and Chamber of Commerce. Downtown has struggled with development on the outside of the town. Once Main Street and DRI and BID district we saw people and movement and feels sad that this would go away and asked not to give up and asked all those that signed to band together and work together and things are starting to pick up and keep this going.
*Nancy Frasier – simply stated, you don’t know what you GOT till it’s gone – go Rhinelander go!
*Sandy Bergman, former council, current planning commission, stated that she was in this room when this BID district was started and felt that this was the last chance to make a change to downtown. She volunteers and is not going to give up on downtown.
Mayor stated that he has worked with Frasier and others and took the parking meters out and has been behind the DRI and works closely with them and cooperates together to succeed. We started BID district, TIFF districts and this is the 1st time he has ever had a crowd like this that did very well in discussion. Bergman thanked all for attending and asked for applause for honest viewpoints. All applauded.
There was a 5-10 minute recess for attendees to leave or stay.
Reconvened at 7:25 PM
PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE – Approve/Disapprove/Discuss proposed ordinance change for 5.07.11 (9) Automobile service stations. Currently stating in part “No service station shall be constructed on any lot, any boundary line of which is less than 300 feet from the nearest lot line of any existing service station.” Mayor read letter request from Concrete Products requesting ordinance 5.07.11 (9) be removed or changed. Oborn stated that another business called in favor of this change (Don Eisenberg, owner of property located at 304 Lincoln Street). Oborn stated that the history of this seems to stem back when there were issues with curb and gutter’s, etc. This seems to be a unique ordinance that is not seen in many places. Bergman questioned Miljevich for recommendation and conversation with past attorney for 30 +/- years and it predated him (Parkinson), at the time understanding was that filling stations were smaller and were concerned with curb cuts. Today, gas stations and convenience stores are much larger than they used to be not as much of a concern as it used to be. Williams stated that everyone here knows that curb cuts are not that much of a big deal as we have more planning and site plans than there used to be and are now taken care of in the proper planning. Pelletier stated that years ago, there were very small lots with one or two pumps and there were once gas stations located across from each other on Lincoln. Bergman return to Inspection Department for recommendation as to either eliminate or have a wording change in the ordinance; Williams stated that this ordinance pertains to only gas stations; there are other businesses like bakeries, department stores, etc. that are not restricted by ordinance as to the closeness of them and felt that this should be removed from the ordinance. MOTION BY BERGMAN SECONDED BY KIRBY TO REMOVE 5.07.11 (9) (Automobile service stations.No service station shall be constructed on any lot, any boundary line of which is less than 300 feet from the nearest lot line of any existing service station. For the purpose of this Subsection, automobile service station is defined as one that dispenses or sells gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel. This provision shall not prevent maintenance of any gasoline station on premises lawfully used for such purpose prior to June 1, 1965, butSection 5.07.04shall apply.) FROM THE ORDINANCE. 6 AYE, 0 NAY, 1 ABSENT (LESCHKE). Oborn stated that the issue will have its first reading at Council in March and then the final at the April Council meeting for approval. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED.