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c. FY 16 – Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Fund – Applications and Applicant Presentations Ms. Riganti provided an overview of the EDRST Tax and outlined the uses of revenue. Staff estimates FY 16 revenue for programming and projects to be $520,000. Ms. Riganti summarized Section 2.41.050 of the Municipal Code, use of EDRST revenue. Mr. Winer invited each applicant to give a 10-minute presentation on his/her applications and funding requests. Mr. Joe Edwards representing the Loop Special Business District (LSBD) summarized the project requests from the LSBD. The LSBD is requesting $30,000 in funds for the Loop Ice Carnival, the biggest event in the Loop each year that draws over 10,000 people to the Loop. LSBD is requesting $10,500 for an official ad in the St. Louis Visitors Guide, a resource that is provided to thousands of tourists each year. The LSBD is requesting $50,000 for improvements to the Ackert Walkway. The funds will be used to match funding from Great Rivers Greenway to complete the plaza. The LSBD is requesting $120,000 to fence the city-owned parking lots (#3 and #4). The fencing could be wrought-iron and Mr. Edwards indicated the fencing is needed for additional security similar to the fencing provided at the Pageant. The LSBD is requesting $75,000 for security cameras in the city-owned lots (#3 and #4) – Mr. Edwards again discussed the importance of security in the Loop parking areas. The LSBD is requesting $80,000 to repair the tree well grates. The LSBD is requesting $9,000 for the preliminary design of a “Welcome to the Loop” sign that could be placed east of Kingsland across Delmar. Ms. Jodie Lloyd representing the City’s Department of Community Development (CD) presented the project requests from the Department. CD is requesting funds for 3 projects: Citywide marketing, an Incentive program, and an “Open for Business” program for the trolley construction. CD is requesting $10,000 for citywide marketing for the Lion Pages and for citywide marketing materials. CD is requesting $50,000 for an incentive program that would help expand the City’s toolbox of available incentives by offering forgivable loans to retail business on Delmar and all new, creative-type businesses on Olive Blvd. CD is requesting $25,000 for a program to help ensure that businesses in the Delmar Loop remain viable during the trolley construction. CD is partnering with the LSBD and the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District on an “Open for Business” program that will include giveaways, gift certificates, block parties, and more. Mr. Jesse Gilbertson representing U City In Bloom (UCIB) presented the project requested for UCIB. Mr. Gilbertson indicated that the majority of requests were similar to last year’s requests with a slight increase in the requested amounts for a few of the projects. UCIB is requesting $7,818 to continue maintaining the planters on Delmar Blvd and $79,023 for various streetscape projects on Olive Blvd including additional hanging baskets between Grant and I-170. Ms. Deb Henderson representing the Midtown Farmers Market presented the funding request from the Midtown Farmers Market, which is requesting $28,000 for events and marketing programs. Ms. Henderson indicated the funds will be used to expand the market music series, the market culinary series, and additional marketing efforts to increase the patrons at the famers market. Ms. Julia Li representing Create Space Generator presented the $50,000 request for a Make Space on Olive Boulevard. Ms. Li explained that a Make Space is a place where innovators can share space and equipment to help build a new generation of manufacturing entrepreneurs. The $50,000 will be used to jump start a Make Space to be located on Olive Boulevard. Ms. Gail Snider representing the University City Chamber of Commerce presented the funding requests from the Chamber. Ms. Snider indicated that the Chamber is still a relatively young 2