MINUtes

Present: Dean Woods, Dee Goodrich, Pat Hempel, Janet Jones, and Betsy Paterson

Guests: Jill Coghlan and Kirk Matson

Staff: Cynthia van Zelm and Kathleen Paterson

1. Call to Order

Dean David Woods called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.

2. Public Comment

Jill Coghlan introduced herself to the committee. She asked for clarification about the first parking garage and suggested an open discussion about the plans for Storrs Road. She believes it would be helpful to reiterate that there is no financial commitment from the Town for Garage 1.

Kirk Matson introduced himself to the committee as the new director of von der Mehden Hall at the School of Fine Arts.

3. Approval of Minutes

Betsy Paterson moved to approve the minutes from November 19, 2008.

Janet Jones seconded the motion.

The committee approved the minutes unanimously.

4. Update on Storrs Center Project including communications

Cynthia van Zelm reported on the progress made on Storrs Center. She explained that, although the final permit for Storrs Road is still outstanding, work has begun on that project. The Town released a call for RFQs and received thirteen, which a committee is reviewing. The release of the scope of work and solicitation for applications is the next step. Ms. van Zelm noted that all of the money for Storrs Road has been received in grants.

Ms. Jones asked how the RFQs are solicited.

Ms. van Zelm explained that the Town Public Works Department sends out a legal notice and also notifies their database of engineering firms, which is extensive.

Ms. Paterson asked for an update on the final permit.

Ms. van Zelm stated that the final permit is from the State Traffic Commission (STC). The plans for Storrs Road are currently being review by the Town and UConn after the initial STC review. She added that the Partnership will be asking for letters of support from various entities in town that will be affected by the changes to Storrs Road.

Ms. van Zelm updated the committee on the changes to the first phase. The first building (DL1) proved to be too costly to build with the intended use of housing some of the relocated tenants. The plan now calls for a larger building (DL2) that will house those tenants and new tenants. The new building is more cost efficient and will be part of the first phase of building, Phase 1A.

Ms. van Zelm also informed the group of two signs that will be installed in the coming weeks. One will be in the approximate area of the Town Square and the other in the approximate area of Market Square. They will both have the contact information for the casting and leasing team. She said that an email blast will go out once they are installed.

Ms. Coghlan volunteers to assist with adding links to the email blasts.

Ms. van Zelm updated the committee on the ongoing communications efforts. She said that she is looking into holding a public information session with the League of Women Voters. Also, Monica Quigley and her staff will be meeting with Ms. van Zelm and Kathleen Paterson in March to discuss future publicity and marketing plans.

Pat Hempel asked when the Town Paper would be updated and suggested that the display in the Community Center be updated.

Ms. van Zelm agreed and said she would discuss the Community Center display with Ms. K. Paterson and Ms. Quigley.

Ms. K. Paterson said that the Leyland team will be updating the Town Paper for distribution in April.

5. Update on Winter Fun Day

Ms. K. Paterson reported that Winter Fun Day will take place on Sunday, February 8 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in front of the Community Center. She said that the planned events include horse drawn wagon rides, ice sculptures, and the Wacky Hat Contest. She noted that it looked like ice skating would be available for the first time and that there will be three a cappella groups from UConn performing. She invited all of the committee members to attend and to volunteer.

6. Spring newsletter

Ms. K. Paterson informed the committee that the newsletter is scheduled to be published by the Chronicle in the newspaper on Tuesday, April 7 and in the “Shopper” on Thursday, April 9. She said that she has a tentative outline prepared and welcomed suggestions from the committee.

Ms. Hempel suggested that Ms. K. Paterson include a piece about the garage and the changes made to accommodate the available funding.

Ms. K. Paterson will include a piece on the garage.

7. Update on the kiosk

Ms. K. Paterson shared with the committee the quote she received from Joseph Merritt:

$400/panel; $100/heading; $25/literature holder (all prices include installation)

She said that she and Ms. van Zelm would be discussing the kiosk with the team from Leyland. She added that the costs would be weighed against several factors including potential changes to the concept plans, the location vis a vis construction of Phase 1A, and the future use of the kiosk.

Ms. Jones asked about the future of the kiosk.

Ms. van Zelm said that she had emailed Macon Toledano and is waiting to hear from him on the subject.

Ms. Goodrich commented that the leasing signs may bring extra attention to the kiosk and that it would be good to have up-to-date information available there.

Ms. Paterson suggested that the kiosk could be used to help promote events on the green in the future.

Ms. Coghlan suggested that Bank of America might like to purchase a panel for use as an ad, as their ATM is located nearby.

Ms. Hempel commented that it would be better to have panels that could easily be changed to update construction plans and event information.

Ms. Jones suggested that, if nothing else, the literature holders should be replaced. She thought it would be beneficial to have current handouts for people to take with them.

Ms. Hempel added that she thought the kiosk received the most attention from visiting parents on campus.

The committee agreed that the literature holders should be replaced. Other updates will be determined following Ms. van Zelm and Ms. K. Paterson’s meeting with the Leyland team.

8. Update on Communications Steps

Ms. van Zelm explained that she and Ms. K. Paterson have been holding monthly conference calls with Ms. Quigley, Stephanie Livolsi, Harry Lassiter, and Mr. Toledano, all from LeylandAlliance. In addition, she has been meeting with a group of Partnership members and the above team on a monthly basis. She highlighted ongoing communications efforts such as the monthly email blasts.

9. Other

Dean Woods reported that he attended the annual banquet for the UConn Marching Band and saw cakes from the Partnership thanking the band for their participation in the Festival on the Green. He said that the display was well done and the band members were very appreciative of the gesture.

Ms. Jones asked for an update on the Festival.

Ms. Paterson reported that she met informally with Ms. van Zelm and Ms. K. Paterson to discuss the Festival. She noted that Ms. K. Paterson will be scheduling a meeting for the committee in the coming weeks.

10. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 5.55 pm.

Minutes prepared by Kathleen M. Paterson.