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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - CCC Minutes 11/27/2017MI NUTE S CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY COMMISSION Conference Room 235 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Monday, November 27, 2017 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Karin Chitty. Members present were Eric Abrams, Cody Smith, Tom Lindsley, Meghana Akella, and Evelyn Beavers. Pete Englin and Warren Madden were not present. Staff liaisons Brian Phillips and Tasheik Kerr were also present. Approval of Minutes from October 23, 2017 Meeting Tom noted he was not present at the meeting, though he was listed as present. It was moved by Eric, seconded by Cody to approve the minutes from the October 23, 2017, Commission meeting, with the correction as noted. Motion carried unanimously. Public Forum Cody introduced Meghana, who was the new Commission member replacing Rob Bingham. Meghana explained she was a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. The Commission members introduced themselves. Campustown Plaza: Karin suggested reviewing the feedback from stakeholder groups related to the Campustown Plaza. Tom inquired of Cody what feedback was received at the student forums. Cody noted that the ideas seemed reasonable. He noted there were no objections heard. Cody noted that Warren was going to get information regarding the T-Galaxy building. Brian noted he had been copied on an email from Warren regarding that building, and he read the email. Evelyn raised the concern Pete had raised regarding the bar close crowd in Campustown, and the things that might be planned for a space to help prevent large crowds from gathering. Eric said the way the elements ultimately in the space would not be designed by the Commission, but could be evaluated by the designer and City Council. Tom asked if it would be helpful to identify the primary purpose for the space, and then the secondary and tertiary uses can be explored. Eric noted he didn’t have any input from a Downtown perspective, but he did discuss the idea with some interns in his business. One of them proposed expanding the community gardening idea that was implemented Downtown this year. More seating at chairs with backs was also proposed. He asked about public restrooms, but it seemed to not be a critical need among those he asked. Evelyn sensed that public restrooms would be an issue for security. Eric suggested identifying the space and a comprehensive list of potential things to include in the list, and then take the list to stakeholder groups and have them score what is important. Cody asked about Kum & Go and whether it would be a possibility for the City to propose allowing the proposed Kum & Go development on the east side of Welch to proceed contingent on the existing Kum & Go site becoming a gathering space. Karin asked if the T-Galaxy building remained, whether the Commission felt the existing parking lot space was sufficient to make an enjoyable space. At Cody’s request, Brian’s reported that the parking lot and Campustown Court combined were 7,200 square feet. Eric summarized that he heard an interest in day and night gathering space and space that supplements events. Karin suggested eating space. Cody agreed with eating as a purpose. Cody suggested vending. Tom suggested permanent games and activities, such as permanent chess boards, ping pong tables. Eric suggested seating. The Commission discussed the purpose of the space. Cody suggested it should be to allow people to gather for diverse activities. Eric agreed and asked what the space should provide to accomplish that: shade, gardens, and so on. Karin suggested splash pad. The discussion turned to the winter uses. Cody read a purpose statement he had prepared based on the discussion: “The Commission wishes to create a gathering space in Campustown to facilitate the positive interaction between pedestrians in Campustown.” Evelyn added that she had discussed with others the idea of music in the space. She thought music could be an amenity in the proposed space. Eric proposed inviting a specific group of people and asking them for the ideas they would like to see in this specific space. He suggested perhaps 10 people representing the community should be invited to attend. Since the next scheduled Commission meeting is on Christmas, Brian suggested the Commission could meet in the next couple weeks to plan the focus group, and then hold its focus group in January. Cody proposed meeting at 6:00 p.m. on December 11 to plan the focus group, then having the focus group on January 22. The Commissioners will bring suggestions of who should attend the focus group and suggestions for a focus group format. Commissioner Comments Cody noted at the last meeting, Pete had suggested the idea of a resolution for support. Cody will bring this up in the future. Meghana said that she had been in discussion with the Graduate and Professional Student Senate about having a stall at the Farmer’s Market staffed by students where there could be games or activities that highlight Iowa State activities. Eric suggested contacting Lojean Peterson, who organizes the market. Adjournment Eric moved the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.