TOWN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Audrey Beck Municipal Building

Council Chambers

4:00 pm

Minutes

Present:          P. Barry, M. Beal, T. Callahan, B. Clouette, J. Hintz, E. Paterson, S. Rhodes, J. Saddlemire, W. Simpson

Staff:               M. Capriola, J. Jackman, G. Padick

1.  Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None.

2.  June 9, 2009 Meeting Minutes

The minutes of June 9, 2009 were passed unanimously, with the motion made by Clouette and seconded by Rhodes.

3.  Committee Membership Proposal

Mayor Paterson and Mr. Rhodes announced that the revised Committee membership proposal has been executed by the University and the Town.  They provided an update on member appointments. 

4.   Preparations for Fall Semester 

Mr. Saddlemire, Mr. Hintz, and Mr. Jackman provided an update regarding preparations for the return of students.  There will be a “soft opening” next week with approximately 3,000 students returning to campus i.e. athletes, band members, first year students.  MCCP will conduct their annual door-to-door community visits; the visits educate students about how to be a good neighbor/member of the community.  MCCP will pilot a new program in which community members host cook-outs for their neighborhoods; the purpose will be to provide an opportunity for residents and students living off campus to get to know their neighbors.  Town and University staff are meeting with apartment complex property owners and managers to discuss expectations and strategies for managing behavior.  Staff will also conduct orientations with landlords and students living in off-campus single family homes. 

5.   University Spring Weekend

Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Jackman provided an update on the draft report that will be jointly issued by the Town and University regarding Spring Weekend 2009.  The Committee discussed efforts from Spring Weekend 2009 to manage the event.  One success noted was that stakeholders were able to prevent Spring Weekend from expanding to a fourth night (Wednesday).  Members discussed the need for the Committee to identify goals, objectives, and measures for determining progress and whether or not the event management was successful. 

6.   Other

Mr. Padick provided an update on the proposed Ponde Place Development.  The project has received a permit from IWA; if the developers drill and prove that the wells can provide an adequate water supply they will be able to move forward.  The state Department of Public Health has not yet approved Phase I so they can not drill the wells. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:15pm.

Next Meeting:  September 9, 2009  

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria E. Capriola, Assistant to Town Manager

Town of Mansfield