From the Chair:
Our First event of the Downtown Benicia Alliance is Sunday, November 9, 2014, being held at City Park. The time is 1 to 5, and The Purple Haze cover band for Jimmy Hendrix is featured. We are looking for businesses to donate a raffle prize, or, let us know what you may be doing to say thank you to the Veterans and Service Men and Women who have given so much. Please contact any one of the Board members with your information.
We are looking for high resolution photographs for our website of our downtown. Please send them to:
Leah Shelhorn, Chair, at princessleah@studio41.com. We look forward to your entries.
Ah, the October light. What a show of color. Take the time and soak in all the yellows, oranges, and the ever changing blue sky.
Stay in town, bring your friends, and
See You on First Street, and See You at our Veteran’s Appreciation Day.
Leah
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Board Meeting Monday, October 13, 2014:
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Notice to the Public:
You are welcomed and encourage to participate in this meeting. Public comment is taken (3 minutes maximum per person) on items listed on the agenda when they are called. Public Comment on items not listed on the agenda will be heard at the meeting as noted on the agenda. Comments on controversial items may be limited and large groups are encouraged to select one or two speakers to represent the opinion of the group. The order of Agenda items is listed for reference and may be taken in any order deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The Agenda provides a general description; however, the Board of Directors may take action other than what is recommended.
Brown Act Notice:
Government Code Section 54950 (The Brown Act) requires that a brief description of each item to be transacted or discussed be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting. Action may not be taken on items not posted on the agenda. Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require special assistance to participate in the meeting, notify Leah Shelhorn at 707-745-0254 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Board of Directors:
• Leah Shelhorn, Chair, Studio 41, Capitol District (1 yr.term)
• Renee Marie Jordan, Vice Chair/Treasurer,Jordan Real Estate, Park District (1 yr.term)
• Jim Morgan, Secretary, Sailor Jacks, Waterfront District(2 yr.term)
• Jeanne Steinmann, Benicia Magazine, Capitol District(2 yr.term)
• Frank Cassese, Courtyard Customs, Waterfront District(1yr.term)
• James Long, Pups n Purrz, Waterfront District(2yr.term)
• Carl Lucca, Lucca Restaurant and Bar, Waterfront District(2yr.term)
• Thomas Hamilton, The Rellik Bar, Capitol District(1yr. term)
• Tom Gavin, Gavin and Schreiner, Capitol District, 2nd Floor(2yr.term)
Beginning Second Year of DBA:
Park District: I Street to Military (no more than 4 members)
Capitol District: F Street to I Street (no more than 4 members)
Waterfront District:F Street to Water Front (no more than 4 members)
2nd Floor (at least 1 member)
Advisor:
Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Manager, City of Benicia
Board Meeting Agenda
Monday, October 13, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
1. Call to Order:
2. Public Comment: Members of the Public are invited to comment on any item related to the affairs of the Downtown Benicia Alliance. Each member has up to three minutes to address the Board. The Board is not allowed to discuss matters brought up during public comment.
3. Approval of the Agenda: The Chair will seek approval of the Agenda. Only items already on the Agenda may be discussed. Approval of the Agenda allows for adjustment of the order in which items are discussed.
4. Approval of Minutes: The chair will seek approval of the September 8, 2014 minutes. The minutes should be approved if they meet the adequately and accurately the decisions and action made at the previous meeting. If a board member was absent for a meeting, they should abstain from voting, unless their vote is necessary to make a quorum, at which point they may vote on the item.
5. Update on BID Assessments for 2014: Leah will provide the Board with an update on assessments. Discussion and action of the Board.
6. Treasurers Report: Renee Marie will provide a budget update.
7. Promotions/Veteran’s Appreciation Day: Finalize our Upcoming Event.
Tom H, Frank, and Jim to report. Discussion and action of the Board.
8. Art Walk: What will the role of the Downtown Benicia Alliance be? Discussion and action of the Board.
9 . District Reports: What’s new in each District.
Waterfront: Frank, Carl, James Long, and James Morgan
Capitol: Tom Hamilton, Tom Gavin, Jeanne, and Leah
Park: Renee Marie
10. Agenda items for next meeting: Board Members will suggest items to discuss at future meetings.
11. Adjourn
Minutes
September 8, 2014
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Minutes: Monday, September 8, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Board Members Present: Leah Shelhorn, Chair; Frank Casesse; Thomas Hamilton; Tom Gavin; James Morgan, Secretary; Carl Lucca; James Long; Advisor Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Director, City of Benicia. Absent: Renee Marie Jordan; Jeanne Steinmann.
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Leah Shelhorn, Chair, promptly at
9:00 a.m.
2. Public Comment: No public comment was made.
3. Approval of Agenda: Tom Gavin moved to approve the Agenda, Carl Lucca seconded and the Agenda was unanimously approved.
4. Approval of Minutes: Tom Gavin moved that the Minutes be approved, Frank Casesse seconded and the Minutes were unanimously approved with Carl Lucca abstaining.
5. 2014 BID Assessment Update: Mario Giuliani indicated that approximately six businesses have not paid after receipt of three notices are in collection. In addition, he noted that two businesses that formed after the 1st of January had not paid but they had not yet received more than one Notice and, therefore, have not been sent to collection.
Mario Giuliani further indicated that the City of Benicia would cut the DBA a check on the balance of the monies that have been collected thus far. This was thought to be substantially all of the monies except for those accounts in collection.
It was discussed that, with the remaining money, the DBA would be able to pay-off a $15,000 invoice from the City and then be debt free except for ongoing operational expenses such as obligations to All That Glows and State Farm Insurance.
6. Treasure Report: Renee Marie Jordan, Vice-Chair & Treasurer, was absent; however, Leah Shelhorn indicated that no checks had been written in the last month. She further stated that we have obligations to All That Glows and State Farm Insurance. She estimated that we have approximately $21,000 in the bank.
7. Annual Report: Leah Shelhorn and Jim Morgan will write the Annual Report. The Report will be read at the City Council Meeting in December.
Tom Hamilton inquired about spending our residual cash reserves over and above our obligations for maintaining the lights and insurance. A discussion was had as to possibly sending notices to businesses within the DBA District about projects they would like for the DBA to initiate.
Mario Giuliani advised that the DBA only has about $3,000 – $4,000. He also cautioned about the length of time it takes to get a project approved and the fact that the DBA took approximately 18 months to form, a survey of Members as to desired improvements and move forward.
8. Web Master and Web Host Updates: Appreciation was expressed for Gordon Gray and his efforts in building the Website. Gordon had proposed that he would maintain the Website for $50 per month and requested a packet one week in advance of our meeting dates to make sure that it is timely updated. In addition, Gordon requested that we continue with our existing Host at a cost of $108 annually for Host fees.
Tom Gavin made a motion seconded by Jim Morgan to approve of Gordon’s $50 per month charge for maintaining our Website and the $108 per year charge for Host fees. This motion was unanimously carried.
9. Change Board Meeting Dates: It was discussed that the DBA Board could meet every other month and move its meeting day to Tuesday. Given the upcoming Veteran’s Appreciation Day, it was decided that the move to every other month meetings should be commenced after the first of the year.
A motion was made by Tom Gavin and seconded by James Long to conduct DBA meetings every other month on the second Tuesday of each month commencing with January 2015.
10. 2014 Nomination Committee: Tom Gavin provided an updated letter to prospective candidates to be on the DBA Board. Various revisions were suggested to the draft letter, conclude the fact there are four openings, the term is two years and that the mailing address is: P.O. Box 2345, Benicia, CA 94510. Tom Gavin will modify the letter in accordance with discussions.
Tom Hamilton indicated that The Rellik would be available to continue hosting the DBA Meetings even if he were no longer on the Board.
11. Veterans Appreciation Day: All Board Members participated in a discussion regarding this event. Jim Morgan made a motion seconded by Carl Lucca that the day be known as “Veterans Appreciation Day.”
The event would be open to all veterans, active service members and everyone who is a member of the public.
Veterans Hall upstairs would be available as a backup location in the event of inclement weather. It was decided that it would be unfavorable in that they would want to sell their own beer. In that event, a contingency plan would be needed to cover an area that includes our donated beer truck to facilitate beer sales.
The Board worked through a “worksheet for Veteran’s Day celebration” prepared by Leah Shelhorn.
Publicizing the event was subject to a generalized discussion. A press release would be generated and placed in the Benicia Herald. Other sources discussed were The Patch, CraigsList, The Bay Guardian and, perhaps, Facebook pages of DBA Members.
Connecting with local military bases including Travis, Alameda and any others would be attempted by mailings announcing the event.
Radio publicity through various local stations including KUIC, OZCAT, KVHS and others would be attempted.
Television promotion through KTVU Channel 2, ABC or NBC was discussed.
Bands performing at the event were going to be contacted by Tom Hamilton and nailed down within the next two weeks.
Beer booths require a volunteer staff. Heretic, a local brewery out of Fairfield, has offered to provide their beer wagon. DBI will make available other beers but requests no publicity.
It was decided that the event shall take place between 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Elizabeth Patterson will be invited to do the opening ceremonies and the flag raising in front of Veterans Hall.
Live music will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. and will be located in the central park.
It was decided that approximately 250 “goodie bags” will be prepared. Leah Shelhorn shall obtain the goodie bags. Letters will go out to all businesses in the DBA District inviting them to participate in the festivities and to contribute something toward the veterans and their goodie bags.
Leah Shelhorn said that she will donate one huge raffle item from her store with other businesses invited to donate to the raffle items, as well, with specialty items and/or gift certificates. Any veteran or active service member attending on Veteran’s Appreciation Day will fill-out a raffle ticket with their name and e-mail address. The raffle tickets shall be free. The winner will have their name drawn and will receive a prize any time after a drawing which will take place at approximately 5:00 p.m. The remaining raffle tickets will be used to formulate a database where an e-mail can be sent advising them of our Second Annual Veteran’s Appreciation Day.
The Rotary had tentatively agreed to donate approximately $300 for insurance. The DBA already has insurance. Efforts will be made to invite them to participate by offering food. It is uncertain as to what food vendors will be there.
Tom Hamilton volunteered to contact local service clubs such as Lyons and Rotary as well as local schools such as Benicia High School to see if they wish to participate in the festivities.
Inquiry will have to be made as to access to the electricity located in the gazebo and the requirement of permits for this one day event.
The DBA will host a check-in booth wherein attendees will receive their goody bag, wrist band and have the opportunity to buy alcohol tickets. Everyone over age 21 will get a wrist band. Veterans and service members will get a red colored wrist band and the general public will get a blue colored wrist band.
The Committee consisting of Frank Casesse, Tom Hamilton, Jim Morgan and recent draftee Carl Lucca may meet as a Sub-Committee as necessary to facilitate plans.
12. Sub-Committee Report: It was noted that there are two more Art Walks scheduled for 2014. September’s Art Walk will be next Saturday, September 13th, and one in October.
13. District Reports: There was no news reported in any of the districts.
14. Agenda Item for Next Meeting: It is anticipated that the upcoming Veteran’s Appreciation Day event will dominate the meeting next time. All businesses are encouraged to consider donating raffle items.
15. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by Leah Shelhorn at approximately 10:23 a.m.
JRM/bl