Downtown Bencia Alliance
Board Meeting Monday, September 8, 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, September 8, 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 August 11, 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.
6. Treasurers Report: Renee Marie will provide a budget update.
7. Annual Report: Leah and Jim Morgan will write the Annual Report. Report will be read at the City Council Meeting in December. Discussion and Action requested.
8. Webmaster update, and Web Host update, discussion and action requested. Approval of agreements needed.
9 . Change Board Meetings to every other month, and day change to Tuesday.
Discussion and action requested.
10. Nomination Committee 2014: Tom Gavin, James Long and Renee Jordan. Discussion and approval of nomination letter. Action requested. Letters to be sent via U.S.Post, and to be sent to our P.O. Box. As approved last meeting, the postage is around $90.00 to send.
11. Promotions: Frank, Tom and Jim on Servicemen and Women’s Day. Updates on this very special first event of the Downtown Benicia Alliance. Discusson and Action requested. We will discuss the who, what, when, and where for this wonderful event.
12. Subcommittee Reports:
Artwalk: Two Art walks left for this year. September and October.
13. 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
14. Agenda items for next meeting: Board Members will suggest items to discuss at future meetings.
15. Adjourn
Minutes
August 11, 2014
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Board Members present: Leah Shelhorn, Chair; Frank Casesse, Thomas Hamilton, Jeanne Steinmann, Tom Gavin, James Morgan, Secretary; Advisor Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Director, City of Benicia. and Tom Gavin.
Absent: Renee Marie Jordan, James Long, Carl Lucca
Before the meeting was called to order, Gordon Gray reviewed an displayed his work on the DBA website. There was some discussion about promoting Veterans Day on the Website as a special event.
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 9:23 a.m. Call to order time was delayed until a quorum of DBA members arrived.
2. Public Comment:
No public comment was made.
3. Approval of the Agenda:
Tom Gavin moved to approve the agenda, Jeanne Steinmann seconded and the agenda was unanimously approved.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Tom Gavin moved that the minutes be approved, Thomas Hamilton seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved.
5. Diablo Publications:
Nicole Alexander of Diablo Publications gave a presentation regarding upcoming Diablo Publications featuring “Best of East Bay” and invited First Street businesses to participate. Congratulated Rellik Tavern on being a best pick. Nicole indicated that the deadline for the November issues is September and the deadline for the December issue is October.
Mary Ellen Hayes indicated that for her Tea House, participating in Diablo Publications was “well worth it”.
6. Collection and Introduction Letters:
The Board approved the use f the proposed letters for collection of past-due DBA fees and letter to new businesses indicating their obligation to participate and thereby receive the benefits of being a part of the Downtown Benicia Alliance.
7. Treasurer’s Report:
Renee Marie Jordan, the Treasurer, was absent. Advisor Mario Giuliani and Leah Shelhorn discussed the expenditure of $2,400 for lights and the payoff of the invoice and the use of collection agencies to assist in collection at a cost of 35%.
8. Twinkle Lights:
It was noted that our inventory of twinkle lights was down to almost nothing. The cost for the twinkle lights was $16.00 per set and it takes about 10-12 sets per tree.
It was reported and noted that 4-5 trees were without lights down at the bottom of First Street across from the old Railroad Station.
Mary Ellen Hayes and Mario Giuliani discussed the difficulty in getting lights up near the Veteran’s Hall.
It was acknowledged that installing meters would be expensive and that expense may be required to provide lighting.
Various options were generally discussed including solar, involving the Public Works Director, involving PG&E, and the PUC. Providing lights to the top of First Street near the Veterans Hall may be an issue without a clear solution.
9. Website Design:
The Board unilaterally expressed their appreciation for the tireless work effort and dedication exemplified by Gordon Gray in creating the Website.
It was discussed and agreed that Gordon Gray should be given the opportunity to receive fees for hosting the Website as is the general custom and practice.
Mary Ellen Hayes suggested we give credits, where appropriate, on the Website and that we consider utilizing high resolution wide angle photographs.
10. Sales Tax Initiative – November Ballot:
Presentation was made by Mario Giuliani and facts were shared about the benefits of a 1% sales tax increase from the current 7.625% to 8.625% of which a projected 75% would be paid by non-residents of Benicia. It was asserted that there is $100,000,000 in unmet needs for roads, parks, police and fire protection.
Jeanne Steinmann moved to support the November ballot measure calling for a 1% sales tax increase. That motion was seconded by Tom Gavin and there was o expressed opposition.
11. Parking Issues and Community Services:
There was discussion regarding designation for preference in an assessed zone. There was some discussion about parking rules, regulations and enforcement.
12. Application: Tom Gavin was present. Renee Marie and James Long were appointed to provide an application process. Reference was made to the 2013 letter. It was noted that $88.- $90 in postage was required by this process in the past.
13. Sub-Committee Reports:
A. Veterans Day:
Veterans Hall has indicated that their upstairs is probably available for our Veterans Day event and, if not, their downstairs would be available.
Discussion was had as to how best to promote the event.
Tom Hamilton agreed to attempt to locate suppliers who would support the event.
It was agreed that the Veterans and Servicemen would be given a special wristband that would entitle them to announced discounts and promotions up and down First Street in the DBA area.
James Morgan was to work with Leah Shelhorn to compose a letter for businesses announcing the Veterans Day event and soliciting their support.
This could include the businesses on side streets adjacent to First Street.
B. Art Walk:
It was reported that the Art Walk appears to be growing in popularity. Plein Air Gallery participated and will continue to participate.
14. Agenda for Next Meeting:
The Agenda should include but may not be limited to the following items:
1. The Annual Report.
2. Veterans Day; and,
3. All other unresolved issued that are discussed herein.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.
JRM/bl