Downtown Bencia Alliance

Board Meeting Monday, August 11,2014: 

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 and Purrs, 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 Tuesday, August 11, 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 July 14, 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.        Presentation by Nicole Alexander of Diablo Publications: Nicole will talk about the marketing programs that Diablo Publications are offering and how we can make downtown Benicia a destination for Diablo Readers.

6.        Update on BID Assessments for 2014: Leah will provide the Board with an update on  assessments. As the Board voted, a welcome letter is now at the Finance Department. 

7.        Treasurers Report: Renee Marie will provide a budget update. 

8.         Update on Twinkle Lights: Leah to report. Discussion and action on supply of lights.   

9.         Website design and brochure update: Discussion of Website design. Meet Gordon Gray of Gordon Gray Design and follow us as we “Preview” our website.  Board will take action to turn website “On”.

10.        Sales Tax Measure: Discussion and action to support sales tax measure. City Staff will advise Board on recent sales tax measure.  Board will discuss and take action to support sales tax measure.

11.        What is a BID and How does it relate to Parking Issues?”What are our next steps”. Leah to report.  Discussion and action requested. 

12.       Nomination Committee:  Board to elect sub-committee to fulfill this year end commitment.  Board will discuss and take action and vote.

13.      Subcommittee Reports: 

           Promotions: Frank, Tom and Jim on Servicemen and Women’s Day. Updates on this very special first event of the Downtown Benicia Alliance.

           Artwalk:  Two Art walks left for this year. September and October.

14.      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

15..       Agenda items for next meeting: Board Members will suggest items to discuss at future meetings.

16.      Adjourn

Minutes

July 14, 2014

The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510

Board Members present: Leah Shelhorn, Frank Casesse, Thomas Hamilton, Jeanne Steinmann,  Carl Lucca and Tom Gavin. 

Absent: Renee Marie Jordan, James Long, James Morgan

Advisor: Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Director, City of Benicia. Absent.

            1.         Call to Order:   

                        The meeting was called to order by Leah Shelhorn at 9:00 a.m.

            2.         Public Comment: 

                        No public comment was made. 

            3.         Approval of the Agenda: 

                       Moved by Jeanne Steinmann, seconded by Frank Casesse.

            4.         Approval of Minutes: 

                       Moved by Jeanne Steinmann, seconded by Tom Gavin.

            5.         Update on New BID Assessments for 2014: 

                        Leah stated that a report will be given in August. Leah did mention that                                the process needed to be changed. Comments were voiced and Leah was                          to meet with Mario.

             6.         Treasurer’s Report: 

                        Leah reported that the current amount in the account was $23,652.22., and                           that we had a remaining balance of $15,000 to the City of Benicia and                          probably be paid by the end of the month.

     7.        Update on Twinkle Lights: 

                        Leah reported that Mario was still working with PG&E regarding the lights                          in front of the Veteran’s Hall Building and we would get an update                           at the next meeting.

            8.       Subcommittee Reports: 

•  Veterans Day Celebration: Frank and Tom Hamilton reported that plans for the celebration of our Veterans is November 8th in the City Park. Ann Dunleavy, Parks and Community Services Department has reserved the day for this event.  Since it is a non profit, fees from the City were waived. At issue was the cost of insurance for the day and Frank and Tom said they were checking with our carrier to see what the cost would be and said they were told it would run about $350 per day. Discussion was held regarding how tis would be paid. Board member, Tom Gavin, said he was sure the Rotary Club would be willing to pay for the insurance and the Board thanked him for that offer.  Tom reported that he has been in discussion with Markstein Beverage Company to see if they would sponsor and supply beer for the event. The set-up and serving of any beverage would be up to volunteers. Our goal is to provide a successful, fun day to honor our Veterans.

Tom Gavin asked how this event would be promoted and several ideas were advanced such as a write up in our Benicia Herald, Veterans mailing list, Benicia web/sites, etc. Tom Gavin then made a motion to go forward with the event, seconded by Jeanne and passed by the Board.

ArtWalk: Leah presented a repot on the success of the Art Walk and how many new people and customers she had seen.  Other members of the Board and audience concurred and all felt that the  promotion by Benicia Kite and Paddle was fantastic.  Many merchants and businesses joined in to this promotion.

                      Website Design:  Leah reported that the website is almost finished.

                      Advocacy: Parking: Leah brought up the continuing problem with parking on                       First Street. After discussion, suggestions were made by Dennis Cullen and

                      Board members that a group of concerned merchants, Board members                         formed to meet with the City to try and workout a practical solution to this                        problem.  Leah committed to write a letter to the City and report.
 

                                         New Business in Arsenal:  Steve Adams, from Summerset,                        gave an overview of the plans to build an elderly care facility.                          

            9.  Agenda Items for Next Meeting:

   Collection of delinquent assessments. 

   Scheduling of BID meetings.

           10.  Adjourn:  

                   Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.