SPBG Minutes - October 2011 meeting 10/26/11 at Alchemy

  1. police and safety: no police present.
  2. South Park community report: Matt (Alchemy); next CPAUC meeting Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:20 pm. Bring back elements of the community plan so we have involvement, don't want to get left behind. Golden Hill planning committee meeting meeting at Balboa Park.
  3. Status of incorporation of the South Park Business Group: Maureen (Next Door Gallery). Attorney Chris Taylor is filing; Jeniffer (Monkey C Media) and Christy (Progress) are researching accountants who have experience with Not For Profits.
  4. Public Relations Committee: December 3rd Walkabout, lights are available to decorate outside light before mid-November. Lights are intended to decorate trees. trunk and canopy as desired in from of businesses. Maureen and Jeniffer to ask Chris Donovan (Window Guy) if he would be interested in hanging lights fro local businesses.
  5. 2012 Walkabouts - all agree that dates are good.
  6. Introductions
  7. Walkabout: Matt (Alchemy) restaurants are selling food on the sidewalk - he mentioned that it would be nice to keep within the spirit of Walkabout to promote our businesses with tastings and encourage people to come inside to purchase food. Someone else mentioned that it is the outside vendors that are a problem. Maureen (Next Door Gallery) is concerned with sidewalk being left clear for pedestrians. Question arises: As a group, are we liable for safety hazards, and potential lawsuits? Permit issues. Marsha to write up Walkabout guidelines and welcome letter encouraging businesses to be involved and share with them the spirit of Walkabout and promotion of South Park businesses. Also, someone could approach the people setting up in the empty lot next to Junc to see if they are interested in joining the business group.
  8. Old House Fair: Looking for homes to volunteer - need five. Parkside theme - overlooking a park or a canyon would be nice.
  9. Anne Mery (The Grove): Talked about her trip to DC :Should online retailers pay sales tax?" Anne argues yes, it's a State revenue we could use and helps small business owners level the paying field (ie amazon.com should also pay taxes). Congress needs support - contact your representative.
  10. SEO seminar next Wednesday with Jennifer Thompson at Alchemy @ 8 a.m.
  11. Community Reports: David (community member) CDC had their business meeting.
  12. MAD - will be dissolved, need to determine a new plan to empty trash cans, water plants, clean graffiti, etc. If CDC doesn't handle these responsibilities, we may want to discuss a plan through the SPBG (hire someone?), perhaps a system of practiced organization and volunteers.
  13. Councilman Todd Gloria: his office will issue a memo about the guidelines and try to answer questions regarding MAD. Hoping to organize enough support to create a new support group. There will hopefully be options, they will keep us informed.
  14. New business: Charlie Freeman (sleep psychologist) his mission is to help people through holistic and nutritional means, everyone gave him a warm welcome.
  15. Announcements: Luci Dumas has a friend with Pro Shred who could help us with a fund raiser. They will send Marsha more information, could raise 2-3k. We would pay hourly for them to come with their mobile shredder and promote the events - need to determine it will be cost effective.
  16. Announcements: Support Movember (November is a month when men grow out mustaches to support a cure for prostate cancer).
  17. Ann: beer Wednesday is coming.
  18. Alchemy supports beer week with a special pour by Lightning Source. Plus, art is on display by Amy Baca Lopez.
  19. Maureen (Next Door Gallery): we are looking for traveling carolers for Christmas Walkabout.
  20. Jinna (Thomas Bike): Tour de Fat was a huge success and they would like to have it in our neighborhood again next year--great opportunity for the neighborhood to get involved and bring awareness to South Park. Velodrome swap meet from 9-2 on November 6th. great event - it's the biggest in the country.
  21. Grove celebrates their 8th anniversary. Woo Hoo. November 5th and 6th celebrating.
-- Minutes by Jeniffer Thompson