SOUTH PARK BUSINESS GROUP -- Meeting on May 25, 2011 - MINUTES

Introductions

1. Police and Safety: Papa Johns Robbery - no new leads. Arrested sexual predator in South Park area. Rebecca’s house robbery - May 1 (suspect still at large). No update on Callifornia Liquor break-in.

2. SP Community Group -- Matt Thomas: Draft review of community plan update. No new meetings. Consultants and city planners - in their hands.

Vicki Granowitz, representative for North Park Planning Committee, was present. Discussion: Atlthough South Park would like to extend community boundary from Juniper to Kalmia, to include those commercial districts north of Juniper, North Park is committed to keeping boundaries as is. Community plan 15 years ago set those boundaries. Things have drastically changed in South Park since those decisions have been made. Forum for going forward is to come up with a plan to submit it to whom???? We can still call ourselves “South Park” but the issue is police and safety boundaries. Businesses north of Juniper were broken into and had to call a different police district. Suggestions: Strengthen bonds with North Park community planning districts, North Park MAD, Golden Hill MAD. Conversation to continue. Need to send a rep. to those community meetings to open the lines of communication.

David Skillman -- Historic District designation of South Park is a GO. Golden Hill still in progress.

3. Walkabout
 
Postcards are available.  Take as many as you want.  2000 cards printed this time.  MORE POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SHOPS TO PICK UP at Studio Maureen on Beech St.
 
South Park Map and Guide will be reprinted in time for Summer Walkabout, with additions of new “Ask Campaign” members.
 
Email Marsha <spbg@lucyslist.net> if you have anything going on for the walkabout.  She will promote and advertise you.

**4. Old House Fair June 18th:**
 
Almost full booth wise.  Posters available for advertising.  Getting the word out is important now.  Home tour tickets are now available online by credit card  [(www.theoldhousefair.com](http://theoldhousefair.com)).  Ticket includes 5 homes.  At ticket booth, all tickets by cash or check only. Trolley tour will be $5, walking tours free, self-guided bike/walk tour guide free.
 
Old House Fair has separate bank account from SPBG.  Greater Golden Hill CDC is no longer the fiscal agent, but is “Community Partner” for non-profit and permitting status.  OHF “reserves” of approximately $6,000 are still being held by GGHCDC, but current financial situation makes those funds currently unavailable for OHF use.  Maureen reports that because of financial contributions by OHF sponsors – including The Station (Presenting Sponsor) and community sponsors Alchemy, Hamilton’s, Whistle Stop, South Bark Dog Wash, Ed Landsberg Realty, and Grant’s Marketplace – the event has not needed the reserve funds to produce this year’s event.
 
 
**5.  PR Committee:**   SPBG has applied for BID grants for marketing our commercial district.  For the past several years, these grants have provided thousands of dollars to support production and promotion of the Walkabouts.  Grants are awarded for fiscal year beginning in July.  We will hear in June as to our application.

**6. Community Reports:**
 
CDC: Sam Keenan has resigned from Board, but is still active.  Original vote for business mixers on same date as SPBG meetings was because morning meetings were a reminder that the mixers were happening.   Send comments and suggestions to samkeenan@cox.net.   Where is mixer tonight?  Mosaic Yoga Studio.
 
CDC accounting/office – Ben (MAD) is only staff member working at new office.  Board is actively running CDC.  Working on financial reorganization.
 
MAD: Need to report when trashcans need to be emptied.  Need to let Ben at CDC know and he will take care of it.  Use the resources!!!  Phone number for Ben (619) 664-5138.
 
Harvest is watering plants, weeding, maintaining.  The pots are meant to enhance the neighborhood.  Input for enhancing the neighborhood - go to CDC/MAD meetings.  Theme is to promote the historical nature of the neighborhood.  Joe Grant feels that there has to be a aesthetic theme to the architecture (benches, trashcans, kiosks, etc.), not just a hodge-podge of design.  Need to enhance the communication with the CDC.  Any suggestions are welcome.  How are we spending our money.  No MAD tax monies for north of Juniper (North Park jurisdiction).  Potted plants end at south side of 30th and Juniper.
 
Councilman Todd Gloria’s office:   Infrastructure Improvements - Street improvements done or in progress.  Biological studies in progress for award and bid to fix sidewalk and Juniper dip to make it safe.  Share arrows (“sharrows”) in streets (markings according to bike coalition) in progress.  June 17,  8:45 am - 10:15 am advisory committee meetings start (Balboa Park Santa Fe room).   Any community issues, input and suggestions address to Anthony Bernal (abernal@sandiego.gov).
 
County Supervisor Ron Roberts’ office:  Target for small business and community - -workshop flyers, pest control information, community farm handouts, etc.
 
**7. New business and Announcements:**
 
Beri Varol:  30th and Grape redevelopment.  Input is welcome NOW in the planning stages.  Catering for small business.  Architecture, historic character, aesthetic, etc.  Shorter presentation for us to see how the project comes along.
 
**Farmers Market** discussion:  locally owned businesses are represented?   Positive feedback?  Negative feedback?  Bringing people up from Golden Hill and people who didn’t even know about South Park.  Is it affecting the small business in South Park competitive wise?
 
Brian from Farmers Market reports: 4 markets to date.  Local business is a priority.  Offer is open to local businesses to promote at the market.  Suzie’s Farm is joining.   SPBG can have a free booth (info only, no sales) there or share  with Paul (CDC/MAD) to promote South Park businesses.
 
**Medical Marijuana clinics** - make sure we police our areas to prevent neighborhood disturbances.  Signatures have been met to put new regulations for medical marijuana clinics on ballot.  600 yards from schools.  Discussion to be continued. Here is Councilmember Gloria’s Op-Ed piece which ran in North Park News:   [http://sdnorthparknews.com/2011/05/medical-marijuana-ordinance-provides-safe-access-and-neighborhood-protection/](http://sdnorthparknews.com/2011/05/medical-marijuana-ordinance-provides-safe-access-and-neighborhood-protection/)

**The Whistle Stop** is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary!  Congratulations, Sam!  Celebration starts this Saturday 5/28, runs all week.
 
**South Park Doctor**:  Whooping Cough vaccine available.  $50 at cost.
 
Attendees:
 
* Donna Walker (South Bark Dog Wash),
* Bobby Edelson (Century 21 Award),
* Anthony Bernal (Todd Gloria’s office)
* Brian Beevers (GH Farmers Market)           
* Deedra Hardman (Plum Pottery)
* Jonathan Glasier (Sonic Arts)                  
* Jason Bradley (Pathfinders)
* Suzy dela Pena (SDPD)                      
* Beri Varol (BV Architecture + Development) 
* Rebecca Zearing (Rebecca’s)
* Christy Jaynes (Progress South Park)
* Jason Noble (City Beat)                                   
* Andrea Frank (Ascent Real Estate) 
* Sam Keenan (Coldwell Banker)
* Joe Grant (Grant’s Marketplace)
* Maureen Ceccarelli (Studio Maureen and Old House Fair)
* Michelle McKenney (Absolute Skin)
* Vicki Granowitz (North Park Community Planning)       
* Jinna Albright (Thomas Bikes)
* Tara Zandvliet (South Park Doctor)
* Luci Dumas (Luci Dumas Fine Photography)
* Monta Briant (Babygarten Studio)
* Sam Chammas (Whistlestop/ Station)
* Sean Eschelman (SD Uptown News)
* Jérome Gombert (Vagabond Kitchen)
* Anne Mery (The Grove)
* Roselle Ellison (home ec. studio)
* David Skillman (Community Liason)
* Representative from Ron Roberts Office
* Lisa Vella (South Bark Dog Wash)
* Matt Thomas (Alchemy)

Minutes drafted by  Roselle Ellison (home ec. studio).