South Park Business Group Meeting

July 27, 2011, 8:30am at Alchemy Restaurant

Sign in 8:30-8:40am
Donna Walker calls meeting to begin.

Police and Safety:
Captain Mark Jones and Officers Suzy Delapena and Sergeant David Mitchell in attendance.

Jinna Albright asks about the homeless situation and how to handle it.

Officer Delapena states that we first ask them to leave and if that doesn’t work, call the non emergency # @ 619-531-2000. They will offer the homeless beds from the Homeless Outreach program, and if they refuse services, further action will be taken. If you have any questions or concerns about the homeless situation please contact Officer Delapena at the Neighborhood Resource team – Email: sdelapena@pd.sandiego.gov or phone #619-744-9514

Sergeant David Mitchell who has been with the southeastern division for 20+ yrs and also part of the gang and canine units of San Diego states that statistically South Park has never been safer. The police boundaries of North Park/South Park will remain the same, but North Juniper boundary will change. The boundary is not a wall that officers can’t cross over though. They will be adding a unit of bike officers as well as more officers altogether to the South Park/North Park areas.

Handicap parking in the neighborhood is a priority and regulated. Personal driveways if blocked can and will be towed if officers feel it is a safety issue. Defunct Yellow zones: to clarify, contact city engineering at the traffic engineering website.

Statistic website for crime: go to Arjis and then hit public website.

Matt Thomas re SPCG: Community planning and planned district ordinance update, zoning, boundaries, conservation overlays, keeping historical architecture. Next meeting for the PDO is Wednesday August 10th from 6:30-8:30pm at The Club House of Balboa Golf Course.

Refuse/Recycle: As of July 2nd 2011 all small businesses are responsible for their own. Program Director of CDC and MAD Ben Verdugo states that there won’t be any assistance from CDC. Programs are focused on landscaping, sweeping and tree trimming. CDC is hiring a new company for tree trimming which will start October and November of 2011. ben@goldenhillcdc.org 619-664-5138

Old House Fair Report: Maureen will have the report of Summer Walkabout at next meeting due to being out of town.

Walkabouts: Everyone is in agreement of new map posters and postcards, group really enjoys. Donna Walker proposes change of next Summer Walkabout to be end of July beginning of August instead of Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 which conflicts with Comic Con, Pride and Summer nights. Group discusses. Donna brings to a vote; majority agrees date needs to be changed by a show of hands, unanimously. Group discusses possible change of Winter Walkabout date for 2012, but no vote is taken.

PR Committee Report: Micro Bid grant check is in the mail. South Park will receive funds from the city of San Diego Business Enhancement Program again for 2011-2012. Group praises Anne Mery for writing all her requests! Group states that Anne is looking for someone to replace her in this task next time.

Social Media Seminar: Jeniffer Thompson of Monkey C Media discusses all the social networking we can do, i.e., Websites, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogging, Twitter etc. Will do a power point seminar for 20-60 minutes for everyone. Can show people how to manage and optimize their own websites, but doesn’t manage it herself, but can put you in contact with companies that do. Donna and Jeniffer bring up separate date for seminar. Proposed date of August 24th 8:30am-9:30 is voted on, one in opposition, majority wins. Media Seminar is confirmed for August 24th at Alchemy Restaurant 8:30-9:30am. Direct questions or requests contact Jeniffer at J@monkeycmedia.com or 619-955-8286.

**Community Reports: **
Anthony Bernal representative of Todd Gloria's office --
Mr. Bernal states the last 6-9 months have been dedicated to restructuring and safety. He asks group to get involved and serve on the board. No update on the audit of CDC, but notes that CDC contract will extend another 3 months while they get their affairs in order. Compliance with contract is stated and it will be September/October until we hear of their progress.

CDC rebuttal: Ben Verdugo states the first draft of audit should be done by August 5th, 2011. No fulltime employees available, so it’s difficult to accomplish. Audit should be completed by December 2012. We don’t want Parks and Recreation to take this over.

MAD: Will post its next schedule on Friday, just go to www.cdc.org – MAD services cannot go out of boundaries due to liability and possible lawsuit if something goes wrong. It’s the MAD for North Park that needs more pressure at the meetings not South Park. Next meeting for North Park will be second Monday of each month at The Adult Activity Center, 2719 Howard Ave from 6-7pm. Mr. Bernal encourages us to go and let our voices be heard. Next MAD meeting for us will be August 1st from 6:30-8:00pm at 2220 Broadway. Any requests about trash fees etc. please put into formal writing, get citizens to sign and submit to Todd Gloria’s representative, Anthony Bernal.

Update from Councilman Todd Gloria's office: City Council just passed budget by a 7-1 vote, where it approved a $1.1 billion General Fund budget which includes critical changes. The benefits of the budget will be full restoration of browned-out engines, effective July 1st. Full restoration of recreation center service hours. Full restoration of branch library hours and other programs as well. See the newsletter for District 3 for a detail, which was handed out to SPBG members in attendance.

Come to the **next community coffee August 6th at Grant’s from 10am-noon **to meet with Todd Gloria.

New Businesses and Announcements:

  • Melissa Hendrix from Crow Thief, they will be shooting for the end of August to open. They offer tailored garments and men’s clothing.
  • Luci Dumas Fine Photography. Think about Christmas pictures for the family now.
  • Jeniffer Thompson has a new company called Culinary Creative
  • Amanda DeWitt from Urban Gourmet Food & Market, trying to get open in the next couple weeks.
  • Brian Beevers from Golden Hill Farmers Market, Business is building, bringing in a couple of more vendors. Susie’s Farm etc.
  • Back to School Physicals: This was mentioned so quickly, didn’t get full details.
  • South Bark Dog Wash is now offering Canine and Feline adoptions. Donna Walker states that we need to know if anyone is nominated for the Channel 10 “A List” so we can be sure to vote for you. You can also go onto Channel 10’s website and go under “A List” to nominate yourself or vote for one another. There are only 25 more days of voting. Please also let Marsha know about who is on the list, so she can spread the word. South Bark is up for “Best Grooming and Pet Supplies.” There are other South Park businesses on there, but too many people were talking for me to hear. So, please go to the list to see who is nominated and or vote.

Meeting Ends: around 10am
-- Minutes by Amanda Dewitt.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, August 31st, 8:30am at Alchemy.