March 2025 BID Meeting Minutes

MONTHLY BID MEETING
(March 18th, 2025)
MINUTES
WYNDHAM GARDEN KENOSHA HARBORSIDE
5125 6th Ave, Kenosha WI 53140

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL –
Executive Committee: Chairperson Jeanette Kelly, Vice Chairperson Alex Kudrna,
Treasurer Kevin Ervin, Secretary Sharon Rossow
Board Members Present: Brett Bjorn, Rob Greskoviak, Maria Caravati,
Gus Harris, Mark Wistar, Tina Warner, Ben Trecroci
Non-Voting Members: Dennis DuChene, Laura Gregorski, Donny Stancato, Alderman Bill Siel
Call to Order – 8:32
1. Minutes Approval
First – Mark, Second – Kevin

2. Citizens’ Comments
Riki Tagliapietra – Complements about St. Patrick’s Event.
Francisco Loyola – Kenosha Mural Project Launch at KCS today, presentation at 5.
Also brought up People asking Hispanic families for IDs on Saturday,
PLEASE Contact Non-Emergency if you see anything like this happening
Bill Siel – Looking for feedback on Open Container Policy, any issues?
Update to garbage pickup Downtown, alerting landlords about
proper night for tenants to put out garbage,
Tuesdays Downtown, Sundays Harborside
Lee Drane – CAJE DeeZigns, next to Millie Bo Peep
Personalization of items, Workshops, with focus on Veterans and Autism

3. Director Comments
● Updates from the Chairman
o State of the Downtown Update
o Proposal with Siebert’s Signed, 6 Baskets ordered to replace old
o BVIP – Businesses making Updates
o Parade Update – About 12K in attendance
o Send out Survey to Downtown Businesses for Feedback and Suggestions

4. Treasurer Report
● Updates from the Treasurer

5. Marketing Updates
o We have brought on a volunteer to assist with some data entry for the BID website. Cross referencing the magazine directory, website and BID list from the City.
o Working on Spring/Summer OTT/PPC campaign. Will schedule spring video shoot with Backyard Dream to continue video production.
o Third Thursdays and Sidewalk Sales – will kick off in May. Will need proof of insurance from participating venues.
o Blog suggestions for the upcoming season? Anything we want to see?

6. Committees Comments

● Outreach & Retention
o Assigned block captains to update business owners on upcoming events to reach out and make sure everyone is in the loop on everything.
o Handed out flyers to committee members to give to downtown business owners so they know about upcoming big events that may affect their businesses.
o Talked about the State of Downtown and my team will spread the word to get everyone invited and involved.
● Streets & Beautification
o Soul Space hosting spring clean-up event separate from Downtown.
o BID to do cleanup after 4th of July.
o Use Block Captains to report graffiti
● Events & Promotions
o Bunny Hop will be held April 12 – John Fox will be back to help lead a stroll from Library Park to the Rhode. Volunteers coming next week to stuff eggs. VK staff will deliver to signed up venues.
o Wisconsin Marathon – update provided in Business Owners Facebook Group. May 3 is race day. City will send out street closure notices.
o Go Downtown Kenosha Chalk Walk – Sidewalk Sales and Sidewalk Art Spring Celebration? Come up with “festival” name about SIDEWALKS? Kick off on a Third Thursday and run through the weekend in May. Events committee is working on concept and plans.
o State of the Downtown – Jeanette to provide update. Invitations will be out before Thursday (three weeks lead time).

7. New Items of Business
o Harvest Dinner (Fall), Wine and Food Pairing outside Southport Lighthouse – Mark & Donny
o Sunday, August 24th, 100 Year Celebration of the Kenosha County Court House – Bill Siel

8. Next Meeting/Agenda

9. ADJOURNMENT 9:22
First – Mark, Second – Kevin

Dates to Know
March 26: Bowls & Books
April 10: State of Downtown
April 15: Next BID Meeting
June 5-7: Little Shop of Horrors at Equinox