MSD Advisory Committee Meeting – August 18, 2022
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MSD Advisory Committee Meeting – August 18, 2022
The Municipal Service District (MSD) Advisory Committee met on August 18, 2022, but was unable to establish a quorum, leaving only four members present. Despite the lack of a formal quorum, members held informal discussions on several agenda items, including the sale of an MSD truck, tree well installation delays, WDI updates, and budget concerns. A motion to sell the truck was approved, and the meeting concluded with departing member Clark's farewell remarks emphasizing the need for greater committee engagement with City Council.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the April and May meetings were approved by voice vote.
Discussion Items
- Quorum & Attendance: Only four members (Chris, Ray, John, Elizabeth) were present; two more were needed. Members expressed frustration with repeated cancellations due to lack of attendance. The clerk's office tracks attendance, and council will address reappointments after the summer hiatus.
- MSD Truck Sale: Christina (WDI) proposed selling the 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 (162,000 miles, some suspension issues). Estimated value ranged from $3,300 (trade-in) to $8,000 (outstanding condition). Original cost was $5,298.60. Members discussed private sale vs. public auction; determined WDI could conduct a private sale. A motion was made to list the truck for $6,000 with a minimum price of $5,300, after removing WDI/MSD decals. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Tree Well Installation (Old Business): Chance reported that contractor Jim Co. had not started the contracted work due to material delays and staffing shortages. The item will remain on the agenda until work begins.
- WDI Updates: Christina reported: (1) New MSD truck leased from Block by Block is active; monthly lease $15 + $6 management fee; wrapping costs covered by Block by Block. (2) May MSD report: 105 maintenance requests closed; hospitality escorts up 78%; 155 hanging baskets deployed. (3) Facade improvement grant for Drift Coffee ($5,000) closed the fiscal year; three applications already for 2022-23. (4) Executive director search – no update; chair Dev Hayes handling.
- Jack (Ambassador Program) & Rumors: Members quashed rumors that Jack would be let go; his position is part of the five-year contract with Block by Block. Members requested Jack appear quarterly for updates. Some called for more resources for the ambassador program given increased downtown activity.
- North Front Street & Bijou Park: Project on schedule; 200 block to wrap early July, then 300 block. Bijou Park opening delayed pending installation of lights (expected late May/early June, still not arrived). DBA running cash drawing promotions ($100 business/$200 customer) to drive traffic during construction.
- Budget & Police Funding: City Council adopted the manager's recommendation to increase the MSD tax rate by one cent to fund two WPD officers, without consulting the committee. Departing member Clark criticized the decision, urging the committee to consider reallocating existing funds to offset the increase and to communicate directly with council members. The tax increase was approved on second reading on the Tuesday prior to the meeting.
- Clark's Farewell: Clark, leaving the committee after long service, encouraged members to be more vocal and proactive with council. He warned against the city using MSD funds for general services without stakeholder input.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to sell the MSD truck for $6,000 (minimum $5,300) passed; funds to be returned to MSD fund.
- April and May meeting minutes approved.
- Tree well project to remain on agenda until completion.
- Committee will request Jack (ambassador program) attend monthly or quarterly updates.
- Meeting adjourned without further formal action due to lack of quorum.
Meeting Transcript
Hey, who do we have on here calling from Nuno two hundred two six seven seven? Elizabeth, good afternoon. Hey Elizabeth, how are you? Doing well, hope you are. Yes, ma'am. So waiting on Tom number one. Um he was notably going to be possibly a few minutes late. And second, we're waking up waiting on a quorum here. It looks like we're still down what three members from right now I'm counting Chris, Ray, John, and Elizabeth. Um looks like we are not going to have a quorum today, unfortunately. So while we got everyone on here, I don't know if it's anything uh anyone would want to discuss unofficially, um, or we can just call it and reconvene next month. Yes, sir. Now we've mentioned this three or four months ago about people not showing up to these meetings and if they miss several meetings in a row, uh that should be addressed. Is that still valid? Yes, sir. We are sending active attendance to the clerk's office. Um that comboed with some of the uh recent expirations. We we're gonna have some some temporary interim placements, such as uh Ray and Elizabeth, who are actually with us today. We we're gonna have some temporary interim placements, such as uh Ray and Elizabeth, who are actually with us today, and uh we are assumed to have some new appointments by council here here shortly. I think once they meet next time, I think there's two, maybe three applications that have been submitted to them. Um but I believe uh during the summer months that appointments committee has not met. So that kind that might be our current challenge. Yeah, okay. Appreciate that. But noted, yeah, Chris. We send the we send the uh we send the minutes over, we send the attendance over to the clerks. I think it's three or more in a calendar year. Uh they kind of become they're placed on notice with the clerk's office, and uh if there's further, then it's really council's discretion to to reappoint. Yeah, I I just find it interesting. And I I had a long corporate life, and you scheduled things ahead of time, and it didn't matter. I traveled around the world, and it didn't matter the calendar day or the time of day. If one was calling for a meeting, you you made presence with today's zoom and telephone and all the other factors. It's kind of kind of a sad case compare to see so many meetings being canceled for lack of quorum. Absolutely. I agree with you there. Um maybe behooves us again to put another agenda notice, another agenda item next month. Um hopefully we can reconvene with quorum and potentially have some new members have some new members on board as well. Yeah, I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Sir, thanks for joining us, Chris. For the members who have joined, could I just quickly introduce um Mark and Jonathan with uh Pierre. They have joined us on the call. I just I just wanted everybody just to meet them and and say hello and um with no no no further action needed. Well, uh no no further discussions. Uh I just wanted them to at least say hello to everyone and join it. Hopefully join in on the call next time. Cool. Thanks, Rusina. Hey, uh, does it behoove us to send committee members in writing any any anything from their presentation just so they have some meat to look at for next month if we reconvene that item? Um as far as the MOU is concerned, yes, they could have that ahead of time so they can give feedback on the MOU.
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