Downtown Benicia Alliance
Board Meeting, January 12, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Notice to the Public:
You are welcomed and encouraged 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 Carl Lucca at 925 231-5736 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Board of Directors: District Term
1. Carl Lucca, Lucca Restaurant and Bar carllucca@sbcglobal.net- Chair Water 12/2016
2. Renee Marie Jordan, Jordan Real Estate, Inc. renee@jordanrealestate.com V.P./Treasurer Park 12/2015
3. James Long, Pups and Purrz, James.long63@me.com Secretary Water 12/2015
4. Tom Gavin, Gavin and Schreiner, tom@gavinschreinerinsurance.com Capitol 12/2015
5. Thomas Hamilton, The Rellik Tavern, thomasbhamilton@yahoo.com Capitol 12/2016
6. Jim Morgan, Sailor Jack’s, Morgan4Law@aol.com Water 12/2015
7. Leah Shelhorn, Studio 41, princessleah@studio41.com Capitol 12/2016
8. Jeanne Steinmann, Benicia Magazine, editor@beniciamagazine.com Capitol 12/2015
9. Eileen Stern, ReMaxGold, Eileen@eileenstern.com Water 12/2016
Advisor: Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Manager, City of Benicia, CA
DBA Districts:
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)
The DBA Meets Quarterly on the Second Tuesday of the Month at 9 a.m. @ The Rellik Tavern
January 13, 2015/April 14, 2015/July 14, 2015/October 13, 2015
Annual Meeting and Board of Director Elections: December 8, 2015
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, January 12, 2016- 9 a.m.@ Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street
A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to the Administration of the Benicia Downtown Business Improvement District
Call to order
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.
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.
Approval of the Minutes: The Chair will seek approval of the December 15, 2015 regular Board minutes. The minutes should be approved if they adequately and accurately meet the decisions and action made at the previous meeting. If a board member was absent for the meeting, they should abstain from voting unless their vote is necessary to make a quorum, at which point they may vote on the item.
Elections of Officers for 2016
Report from Mario Giuliani, City of Benicia advisor to DBA:
Treasurer’s Report: The DBA Treasurer and City staff will provide a budget update. Board action may be necessary.
Sub Committee Reports:
1.Advocacy committee; 2. Election committee; 3. BID renewal committee.
Comments from each District: Waterfront: Capitol:: Park:
DBA Annual Report
Adjourn
Attachment(s): Minutes-December 15, 2015 regular Board meeting.
Downtown Benicia Alliance
Minutes: December 14, 2015-9:00 a.m.
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First Street, Benicia, Ca 94510
Board Members Present: Carl Lucca, Chair; Renee Marie Jordan, Vice-Chair &Treasurer; James Long, Secretary; Tom Gavin; Jeanne Steinmann; Leah Shelhorn; Tom Hamilton; James Morgan
Absent: Eileen Stern; Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Director, City of Benicia
• Call to Order: Carl Lucca, Chair , called the meeting to order at 9am
• Public Comment: Dennis Cullen,(Cullen’s Tannery Pub) bought up a concern about how lower first street businesses are impacted by events held on Main street. Since this subject was already on the agenda, Dennis will bring his concerns up then. Leah Shelhorn stated that Alan Plutchok have her a letter about pedestrian safety in the downtown corridor. Tom Gavin stated that Protection & Prosperity Insurance &Financial Services emailed the board a letter. Carl Lucca and Renee Marie Jordan will talk to them in person.
• Approval of Agenda: Tom Gavin moved to approve the agenda; Tom Hamilton seconding, motion approved.
• Approval of Minutes: Renee Marie Jordan motioned to approve the October 13, 2015 board meeting minutes; Jeanne Steinmann seconding, motion approved.
• Report from Mario Giuliani, City of Benicia advisor to DBA: Report moved to next meeting.
• Treasurer Report: Treasurer Renee Marie Jordan reported that the DBA account had a balance of $17,428.36. Renee Marie said All That Glows (contractor for tree lights) would be sending their final statement for the year after they complete and audit of their work. The estimate for this bill is approximately $8,000 to $9,000 dollars. Renee Marie stated that finances look strong going into 2016. At this point, a question was asked about the lights at the Vets building. Carl said that All that Glows and the City are working together for a solution for lights in front of the Vet’s Building. Carl has also talked with Mario Giuliani about tree trimming in the future. In discussion with ATG, Carl said they were looking for a local employee to handle the resetting of the lights to cut their costs. Jeanne Steinmann wanted to know if All That Glows would hire local electrician. Carl stated that All That Glows would be the one to hire.
• Sub Committee Reports:
A: Advocacy: Leah Shelhorn reported the barriers from Farmers Market were moved to the far end of parking lot on B Street. Leah also reported that the current parking green zones were repainted and that at the November City council meeting they agreed that First Street is in need of a comprehensive parking plan, and that the City appreciates the work and support of the DBA in addressing this critical issue. She also said that the Police Department would have a Community Service Officer (CSO) ready in the New Year. Enforcement of downtown parking at peak times would be one of the duties of the CSO. Several other areas of importance to the DBA were discussed: Outreach: to employees; Park in lots; Benicia Bucks; Grace Period; 30 minute, short term, medium term; long term and ADA zones. The DBA will continue to represent the concerns of the DBA members in working with the City on these important business and safety issues.
Events and activities on First Street and their impact on merchants and businesses: Dennis Cullen said he represents 10 merchants at the Tannery Building who have concerns during such events as the Farmer’s market. He said the participants in these events often do not follow the Benicia Main Street rules by such things as arriving early, parking on the sidewalks, etc. Dennis asked if the DBA and Main Street would work together to make it better for all. Leah Shelhorn stated that a sub-committee might be a possible solution to work with Benicia Main Street and other event organizers to help all parties.
B: Election Committee: Tom Gavin stated that no applications for new officers to join the board came in. He asked what happens now with the 5 seats whose terms are up. Carl brought up the point that this happened last year when only one position was filled, and that the current members stayed on the Board month to month until candidates came in. Tom Gavin moved to accept this method; James Morgan seconding, motion approved. Renee Marie asked that Mario discuss this at the January meeting.
C. BID Committee: The BID committee asked for clarification of what steps need to be taken this coming year towards the BID renewal process. Carl said that Mario would be asked to discuss this at the January meeting or meet with the committee to discuss.
• Comments from each District: No comment from Waterfront District; Capitol District: Dianna’s Bakery opened on Thanksgiving morning. No comment from Park District.
• Adjourn: at the conclusion of business, Carl Lucca called the meeting adjourned at 10:08am.