Board Meeting: Tuesday, Decembe 13, 2016, at 9:00 am
Location: The Rellik Bar and Lounge, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA
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 Board 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 24 hours prior to this special meeting.
Board of Directors for 2016:
1. Leah Shelhorn, Chair, Studio 41, Gifts4 Every1, Capitol District
2. Thomas Hamilton,Vice Chair & Treasurer, The Rellik Tavern, Capitol District
3. Eileen Stern, Secretary, Re Max Gold Real Estate, Waterfront District
4. James Morgan, Sailor Jacks, Waterfront District
5. James Long, Pups and Purrs, Waterfront District
6. Carl Lucca, Lucca Restaurant, Waterfront District
7. Jeanne Steinman, Benicia Magazine, Waterfront District
8. Tom Gavin, Gavin and Schreiner, Capitol District, 2nd Floor
Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Manager, City of Benicia
Board Meeting Agenda:
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 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 11, 2016 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. Election of Board Members: Reading of the nomination letters, discussion and vote for our Board for 2017.
6. Treasurer’s Report: Lynell R. Green, our Accountant, of ATS Tax and Financial Solutions. Lynell will report on invoices due, and updates. Possible Board Action and Vote.
7. Update with Parking, Green Zone, Pedestrian Safety: Leah and Tom Hamilton will report on the roundtable discussion they held at City Hall. Discussion and Possible Board Action and Vote.
8. Update on Contract to All That Glows. Mario/Leah will report. Possible Board Action and Vote.
9. Update on Assessments Paid: Mario will give the report. Possible Board action and vote.
10. ABC Lead Training Class for 2017: Two Board Members will be asked to serve for 2017. The training class is 4 hours. Lead Training is required for Non-Profits to pour wine. Discussion, Board Action and Vote required.
11.Business Improvement District (BID) 2017: Authorize to hire Civitas Consulting to guide the DBA. Mario will report. Discussion, Board Action and Vote.
12.Upcoming Important Dates for the DBA: Please mark your calendars.
First meeting in the New Year, January 10, 2017 at the Rellik Bar and Lounge.
Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street
Board members present: Leah Shelhorn (Chair), Eileen Stern (Secretary), James Morgan, Carl Lucca, Thomas Hamilton, Tom Gavin, Jeannie Steinman
Others Present: Mario Guiliani, Lynell Green, Dennis Cullen, Linda Peonsin, Dianne Levy, Susan Joncoaltz
Absent:James Long
Call to order:The meeting was called to order by Leah Shelhorn at 9:03 AM
Approval of Agenda: Tom Gavin moved to accept the agenda with items 6 and 10 moved up. Carl Lucca seconded. Motion carried.
Approval of minutes: Tom Gavin moved to accept the minutes of the last special meeting as written. Carl Lucca seconded. The motion carried.
Public comment:none
Treasurers Report: Lynell Green from ATS tax service stated that DBA’s non profit status was revoked as taxes have not been filed. Previous treasurer was not aware that taxes have to be done. Lynell Is getting financial statements and will submit reinstatement package (1024). After it is submitted, the non-profit status will be reinstated and is retroactive. There will be a $850 fee to IRS for reinstatement. Leah Shelhorn will submit billing for ATG and liquor license, and Carl Lucca will submit billing for Constant Contact.
Amend bylaws: DBA will be eliminating the requirement that board members be picked by sections of First Street, in the interest of getting more board members .Tom Gavin made a motion to eliminate the requirement of having no more than 4 board members on any section of First Street. Tom Hamilton seconded. Motion carried.
Update on contract to All that Glows:An idea was submitted to have trees sponsored and perhaps put plaques on the tree. James Morgan commented regarding business liability if branches fell down.
Update on assessments paid: City has contracted with HDL for collections. DBA has received approximately $24,000, so some businesses have not paid. The procedure is to send two letters before sending to collections. HDL has the responsibility to follow up with businesses that have not paid their assessments.
Benicia Film Festival Update:DBA has paid collected $3600 in advertising and paid Gordon Grey $1000. The theatre cost $1700 so there is approximately $1000 left over. The film festival committee wants to have the Majestic Theatre as the locale next year too. DBA also paid $300 for more brochures. Tom Hamilton suggested that DBA puts the leftover funds put into a seed money account for projects. For next year the contract with the Majestic Theatre should be signed in January or February. Everyone’s hands are tied without a contract. James Morgan said that funds can just be noted as an accounting entry.
Renewal of Business Improvement District Move to authorize Civitas (Nicole and Melanie are contact persons) to help us with the renewal. They will give Leah a quote (Leah, Eileen on committee). DBA will do most of work and they will give a proposal next week. Outreach will start the beginning of January. The acceptance of the Civitas’ proposal would be subject to the quote. The renewal would be for 10 years. Per Mario, cost of processing the renewal would be between $10,000 to $15,000. Their expertise would be required to confirm to state requirements. Businesses need to know what DBA does. The cost of the lights is about $76000 and the DBA paid half. It is undercapitalized as we have to replace lights every 4 years and pruning is expensive. DBA generates about $28,000, and the city would have to come up with the rest of the funds. This is essentially a 50-50 partnership. City is entering 2 year budget cycle, and Mario will work on timing with the city. The DBA would be raising about $300,000 over a ten year period. Could the city turn down that amount? PUBLIC COMMENT: Dennis Cullen stated that the palm tree lights seem to last longer. He is concerned about the cost per business and wants to see the City chip in more. Mario said the budget needs to be indexed for inflation. James Morgan stated DBA can lobby with city to increase their level of partnership.
Election Nomination Committee: Mario gave out forms for board nomination for next term. Carl Lucca moved to establish a nominating sub-committee of Tom Hamilton, Leah Shelhorn, Carl Lucca and Eileen Stern. Tom Hamilton seconded the nomination. Motion carried.
Traffic Safety Committee Update Carl Lucca and Eileen Stern went to traffic meeting. Committee was understanding of our concerns. Graham is willing to meet with the DBA. We want to deal with simple things such as repainting the crosswalks and dealing with illegal U turns.
Directory for the Website: Will postpone discussion until the January meeting.
Upcoming important dates for the DBA: Final wrap up meeting is December 13. At that meeting we will discuss the treasurer report, invoices due and nominations.
Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Stern
Eileen Stern
RE/MAX Gold
Secretary