Archives for November 2014

Our Mission Statement
 
The Downtown Benicia Alliance is a partnership of our Businesses that, together we will promote the common interests of and improve advocacy for our downtown.

 
Celebrating Local Merchants Every Day.

From the Chair:
 
We are having a special meeting Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to finalize our plans for our very first event, Veterans Appreciation Day, to be held, Sunday, November 9,
from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. We are looking for raffle items, and it would be great if you all could either donate an item, or buy Benicia Bucks from the Benicia Main Street Program. Buying Benicia Bucks will give us another way to give back and say thank you to those Veteran’s,  Servicemen and Women who have given so much to all citizens of the United States.

 
See You on First Street, and See You at our Veteran’s Appreciation Day.
 
Leah Shelhorn, Chair,

Downtown Benicia Alliance
 
                        

SPECIAL Board Meeting Tuesday, November 4, 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 

SPECIAL Board Meeting Agenda
 
Tuesday, November 4, 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 October 13, 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.        Promotions/Veteran’s Appreciation Day:  Finalize our Upcoming Event.  Tom H, Frank, Jim and Leah to report. Discussion and action of the Board.            
            
6. Update on Nominations Packet: Discussion and possible Board action.

7. Annual Report. The Report this year will be written by Leah and Jim Morgan. The Annual Report will be read at the first Benicia City Council Meeting in December..Board Members to please be present.

8. Agenda Items for Next Meeting, Our Final Meeting of 2014

9.         Adjourn.

Minutes

October 13, 2014
 
 
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Minutes: Monday, October 13, 2014 9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Board Members Present: Leah Shelhorn, Chair; Frank Casesse; Thomas Hamilton; Jeanne
Steinmann; Tom Gavin; James Long; Renee Marie Jordan, ViceChair & Treasurer; James
Morgan, Secretary (arrived at 9:02 a.m.); Carl Lucca (arrived at 9:15 a.m.)

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

2. Public Comment: There was no public comment delivered.

3. Approval of Agenda: Tom Gavin moved to approve the Agenda, James Long
seconded and the Agenda was unanimously approved.

4. Approval of Minutes: Thomas Hamilton moved that the Minutes be approved, James
Long seconded and the Minutes were unanimously approved.

5. Update on BID Assessments for 2014: Leah Shelhorn reported that only two people went to collections.

6. Treasurer’s Report: Renee Marie Jordan distributed a Summary Sheet accounting for
assets and obligations. It was acknowledged that we currently have $24,015.62. Renee Marie
Jordan indicated we had previously written a check to the City of Benicia for our debt to them of $15,000 and are merely awaiting a bill before we send the check. This would leave a balance of $9,015.62. It was further acknowledged that, once Gordon Gray submits a bill, he will receive a monthly payment of $50 per month for maintaining our Website.

7. Promotions/Veteran’s Appreciation Day: The Veteran’s Appreciation Day
Committee, Tom Hamilton, Frank Casesse and Jim Morgan, were asked to report. Tom gave a verbal presentation indicating that the band, the beer and the food was taken care of. With the help of Tom Gavin, the Rotary donated $350 to the event for food. The American Legion would provide the barbeque grill and individuals to prepare the food.
Tickets will be sold for $2.00 each with veterans being able to purchase beer or food for a
single ticket while others will be required to pay for two tickets.
Frank Casesse reported that a Major General has been procured to assist with the opening
ceremony along with our Mayor. The D.J. will start playing music at approximately 12:30 p.m.,
the start of the event will take place with an opening ceremony at approximately 1:00 p.m. and the band Purple Haze will begin to play at approximately 1:30 p.m.
The merchants’ raffle is dependent upon contributions to the raffle prize.
Approximately 120 folding chairs will be obtained and attendees will be encouraged to
bring their own folding chairs, blankets and tailgate related chairs.
The City has allowed us use of the park for the day and will assist in picking up the
There was discussion about procuring permission to fly a banner at the two flag poles
recently installed at the entrance to the park advertising the event, date and the time.
In an effort to reach merchants and obtain their participation, Tom and Leah agreed to
walk door to door to the merchants making available posters and inviting their participation. Leah suggested that there be some sort of record maintained confirming that each business was visited so as to avoid any perception that all businesses were not reached out to.
Leah passed out a WORKSHEET for Veteran’s Day celebration to each of the Board
Members and the document was discussed.
Businesses were encouraged to promote the event on their Website and/or Facebook
Leah Shelhorn asked for volunteers on the Board regarding their attendance that day.
Tom Gavin was excused to celebrate his granddaughter’s birthday on that day. Frank Casesse indicted he would be there if he could find somebody to work his shop. Jim Morgan indicated that he had to fly out that evening for a court appearance in Los Angeles but would be there at the beginning of the event. James Long indicated that he would not be there. Carl Lucca indicated that he would be there. Renee Marie Jordan indicated that she would be there. Jeanne Steinmann indicated that she had an all weekend conference that weekend that may preclude her from being there. Leah Shelhorn and her husband will be there. Thomas Hamilton, Kathy and two Rellik Bartenders will be there.
When the topic was opened up for general public comment, Dennis Cullen agreed to volunteer.
Eileen Stern agreed to volunteer and to contribute 200-300 U. S. flags for the event.
Nan agreed to volunteer in the park and wanted to make sure the Veteran’s Home in
Yountville was contacted. Frank Casesse indicted he would make sure they were contacted as he was going to a meeting Monday evening to announce the event to various groups around the Bay Area.
Tom Gavin expressed concern that we double check that we are adequately insured for
off premises liquor sales for this event. He further indicated that the insurance should protect all Board Members as well.

8. Art Walk: Leah Shelhorn called into question as to what the future involvement of
Downtown Benicia Alliance would be with respect to the Art Walk. At minimum, she suggested a planning committee would be required to recount the introduction of different activities each and every month and the pros and cons of deferring the project to Benicia Main Street. Renee Marie Jordan pointed out what a huge commitment of time it was to organize the Art Walk. She detailed the struggles in obtaining the permits and what a huge task it was to organize and pull off the event. Tom Gavin, Tom Hamilton, Carl Lucca and Leah Shelhorn all concurred and collectively spoke in favor of passing the baton of responsibility for the Art Walk to Benicia Main Street who have the staff and ability to organize the project.
Tom Gavin made a motion to “cease and desist” the affiliation of DBA with the Art Walk
and deferring the project to Benicia Main Street. All Board Members seconded the motion in
unison and the motion unanimously carried.

9.  District Reports:
 
Waterfront: Frank, Carl, James Long and Jim Morgan had nothing to report. Leah
indicated that, with the rain, there is some problems with the lights.
 
Capital: Leah reported that the central district is busy. She credited recent articles and
construction in Walnut Creek as driving extra traffic.
 
Park: Renee Marie Jordan confirmed there are still no lights in that district.

10. Agenda Items For Next Board Meeting: It was noted that ballots would be sent out
by November 1. The ballots would be opened during the December meeting and each Board Member would get a packet. Only the committee members would receive the ballots prior to the December meeting.

11. Notice of Special Meeting: Given the upcoming Veteran’s Appreciation Day on November 9,it was suggested that he regular November meeting be moved up to a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 4th.  The Board as a whole, felt this was a good idea and that it would enable us to take care of last minute details in advance of our Veteran’s Appreciation Day project.  Therefore, the next meeting shall be a Special Meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, at the Rellik Tavern.

12. Adjourn: Leah Shelhorn proclaimed the meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 am.