From the Chair:
an Act of Kindness:
The Holidays are upon us. I sure would love it if everyone had the opportunity to have the chance to make their wishes come true with lots of sales, and no sales missed because of parking issues from their fellow merchants/business people taking up valuable parking spaces. This act of kindness would truly make First Street a great Business Improvement District.
What is a Business Improvement District. That is what we are. BID’S allow business owners to organize their efforts to increase commerce. Increase commerce for everyone on First Street. We are the heart of this City, now, let’s show everyone what can be accomplished with moving forward, with everyone moving forward..
Parking Spaces are limited and for everyone, please park off of First Street and leave the spaces for all of our customers. When you take up a parking space, it may be your customer that could not find a spot and decides to go to the MALL. Put yourself in your customers shoes….
Your Board voted to not park on First Street and we are hoping that you will follow our decision to make First Street the economic engine that it can be!
Please try parking around the corner or at the E Street lot rather than in front of another merchant’s business or your own. Note: If you or any of your employees are disabled, this suggestion certainly doesn’t apply to you. We want our downtown to continue to thrive, especially when we have visitors coming to town as a result of our booth at the Sunset Celebration and press such as the Sacramento Bee, Via Magazine and more. Consider the following:
Your job depends on your customer and your customer expects convenient parking. For example, if…
There are 250 employees downtown…………………………………….250 employees
And 20% are parking in potential customer spaces……………… 50 spaces
Each parking space turns 8 times daily……………………………….. 400 cars
Each car has 1.5 customers………………………………………………… 600 customers
Each customer spends……………………………………………………….. $10
Equals:
$6,000 daily loss in revenue
$186,000 monthly loss
$2,190,000 yearly loss
Customers expect easy and convenient parking, owners and employees should keep this in mind when parking. Thank you for reading.
With the rain, our customers have many choices: and they will bypass you and go to a MALL!, if a space is not convenient to them.
It has been a pleasure to serve as your Chairperson. We have accomplished a lot, and there is more that can be done.
See You on First Street, and lets make this year Fantastic for Everyone!
Leah Shelhorn, Chair
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Board Meeting Monday, December 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, December 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 November 4, 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: Wrap up of our Fantastic Day!
6. Election and Nomination of Board Members. Staff Report Attached. Discussion and Board Action.
7. Annual Report: The Report this year will be written by Leah and
Jim Morgan. It is due, December 31, 2014. Discussion and possible Board Action.
8. Treasurers Report: Renee Marie Jordan will report. Discussion and possible Board Action.
9. Renaming Highway 780: Discussion and Board Action.
10. What’s new in each District:
11. Adjourn:
Downtown Benicia Alliance
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Board Members Present: Leah Shelhorn, Chair; Renee Marie Jordan, Vice-Chair & Treasurer; James Morgan, Secretary; Thomas Hamilton; Frank Casesse; Jeanne Steinmann; James Long; Carl Lucca and Advisor Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Director, City of Benicia. Absent: Tom Gavin had previously notified the DBA Board Members that he would be absent.
1. Call to Order: Leah Shelhorn called the Special Board Meeting to order at 9:00 a. m.
2. Public Comment: There was no public comment.
3. Approval of Agenda: Tom Hamilton moved that the Agenda be approved and the motion was seconded by Carl Lucca.
4. Approval of Minutes: Tom Hamilton moved that the Minutes be approved, it was seconded by Carl Lucca and the Minutes were unanimously approved.
5. Promotions/Veteran’s Appreciation Day: All details were discussed involving the upcoming Veteran’s Day event. Committee members Thomas Hamilton, Frank Casesse, James Morgan and Leah Shelhorn all reported to the Board at large. Among the topics discussed were the following:
a. The installation and display of a 6 ft. poster advertising the event;
b. The need for security guards from “Double Eagle” and the possible acquisition of Heretic t-shirts for security personnel;
c. The clean-up of the park was to be done by the DBA Committee unless Carl Lucca could persuade the Boy Scouts to do it;
d. Insurance was paid;
e. ABC license was obtained;
f. Food would consist of hot dogs w/buns, beans, potato salad and condiments. Tom Hamilton and Frank Casesse were going to arrange the acquisition of the products. Paper plates, utensils and napkins would also be procured;
g. Three (3) tents were available with possibly another tent from Heretic;
h. Who Needed To Work The Event:
It was determined that we need approximately six (6) people to assist with the ticket purchases, the beer and the wristbands. There would be three (3) boxes. Tom Hamilton would obtain $300 in change consisting of $1’s and $5’s. Board Members volunteering to assist that day included Leah Shelhorn, Renee Marie Jordan, Tom Hamilton, Carl Lucca, James Long and James Morgan agreed to come later and assist with the clean-up. Jeanne Steinmann had another commitment that weekend.
i. The schedule for the November 9th event was discussed with the Color Guard to appear at 1:00 p.m. and an introduction by the Mayor of the distinguished guests and Major General. The D.J. would start at approximately 12:30 p.m., the chairs would arrive from “Chairs For Affairs” at 9:00 a.m., the raffle would be conducted at 4:00 p.m. and the winners need not be present to win. A list was presented of gifts and contributions from participating businesses in the DBA District. The list would be printed up and made available at the event.
6. Nominations Packet Update: It was reported that a Nominations Package had been mailed to every DBA Member.
7. Annual Report: Agreed that Leah Shelhorn and James Morgan would work on the Annual Report and it would be due on December 31, 2014.
8. Agenda Items for Next Meeting, the Final Meeting of 2014 for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at The Rellik Tavern:
a. Summary of sales at Veteran’s Day event
b. Summary of attendees at Veteran’s Day event
c. Survey of feedback from those participating in Veteran’s Day event
9. Adjourn: Leah Shelhorn adjourned the Special Board Meeting at conclusion of discussion.
JRM/bl