Meeting held at Alchemy, 8:30am
Chaired by Donna Walker
Minutes by Jeniffer Thompson

Introductions
Mission Statement
Several non-members present, invited to submit an application.

Reports
Maintenance Program - Matt Thomas presented the new signs that will be placed on trash cans in SP. If you would like to take your sign, we have self-drilling screws available, or in about a week we'll have them posted. We have more trash bags available for your cans, let us know if you need more; can ask Matt Thomas (Alchemy) or Maureen Ceccarelli (Studio Maureen).
Power washing the sidewalks: it doesn't last very long because of the sappy trees, plus they need a deep cleaning to get them cleaner and then upkeep more frequently. Need to discuss this for future.

Tiffany C. Bromfield from the Bid Council - BID Council (www.bidcouncil.org) is available to small businesses as a resource. (South Park is a micro district, There are 18 micro districts. BID Council micro-district grants have supported SPBG and the Walkabouts for several years, and provides equipment we use at Old House Fair.)
They are organizing a new event called Bike Local Sunday. Will be in our area on Sunday May 19. Collecting information for a press release about events happening in our neighborhood (we can offer a bonus, value-add to cyclists) -- if interested, submit by April 30th to her via email: tiffany@bidcouncil.org.
The City Council budget hearing is May 7th, where the Mayor has proposed to eliminate the administrative funding of the BID Council: that would eliminate the support that the BID Council provides us: programs such as the special events program that is used by the OHF (they have a production crew that they send to the OHF), grants provided to SPBG for the last five years (we get reimbursed after we spend it); their rep attends Walkabouts, works with businesses to help keep the event grass roots (keep the health department at bay). Anne Mery: "It's a big deal if this goes away, so we need to support them as much as possible." What can we do to support: Tiffany will send Marsha the talking points so we can be supportive. We need to notify the city council to support restoring the funding to the BID Council.

Membership
SPBG Board is reviewing proposals for revision of membership policies, criteria. Will report recommendations at a future meeting.
Welcome new member -- Piacere Mio, Italian coffee shop and deli opening soon on corner of Grape St. & Fern.

Events

• 5/17 - Bike to Work Day - Thomas Bike is offering a gourmet breakfast - old fashioned oatmeal, quiche, fresh fruit, etc.
• 5/18 - SD Floral Association Garden Tour - 750 - 1,000 people attend that event - get exposure to South Park, Burlingame. The event ends here, so we have an opportunity to promote ourselves - good exposure to many San Diego residents, first time to SP.
• 5/19 - Bike Local Sunday (see note from BID Council, above)
• 6/2 - Rock n Roll Marathon - Pershing Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 6/15 - 15th Annual OLD HOUSE FAIR from 10-4; please take posters to display in your store windows. Exhibitor applications available from Studio Maureen. Will honor early bird discount pricing for SPBG businesses - extended to May 1. We need volunteer docents, if you know anyone interested have them contact studiomaureen@gmail.com. Old House historic tour of 5 homes in SP, walking tours, live music, food, pet adoption event, vintage row of vendors; deadline to place an ad in program (2000-2500 distributed) is May 15th. Over 3000 people attended in 2012. Thanks to sponsors including The Station, Whistle Stop, South Bark Dog Wash, Mooch Exterior Designs/North Park Nursery, Alchemy, Hamilton's, Thomas Bike Shop, Eclipse Chocolate, Ed Landsberg Realtor, Andrea Frank Realtor, Home Restoration & Remodeling of San Diego, Buona Forchetta.
• 7/20 - Summer of Love Walkabout - there will be a discussion of new theme ideas for 2014.
• 8/11 - CicloSDias - Matt is meeting with Chris Taylor and Ed Clancy who is putting the event together, so we'll have more information next meeting. The streets will be closed—it is up to local businesses to plan fun things and events. Come with ideas to the next meeting. Mayor will stop in each community and give a speech. This is the first time the city has closed the street on their own - without an outside event planner.
• 9/28 - Tour de Fat - SP liaison is Karen Blair - last year Thomas Bike erected a tent and banner - it's a non-profit event. This year, everyone is welcome to join Jinna Albright - contact her at JinnaThomasBike@yahoo.com
• 10/5 - ArtOberfest Walkabout
• 11/30 - Small Business Saturday - AMEX event, great day to promote local business.
• 12/1 - South Park Holiday Tree Lighting - details are being worked out. Jinna suggest that we have a neighborhood residential lighting contest: she would donate $250. Christy indicated that we included that in our grant application, thank you for the great idea!
• 12/7 - Holiday Walkabout - our largest and most festive event.

South Park branding project
Christy Jaynes and Matt Thomas made grant presentation to EDTS panel a few weeks ago -- very successful. South Park Business Group got a perfect score for the application, the only organization to receive a perfect score. It's a reimbursement situation where they reimburse is after we spend it. Should hear outcome, get paperwork from City soon. Next steps: Marsha is writing an RFP - then we'll collect ideas from professionals for new branding effort.

Summer mixer idea
As a growing group - every week we add a new business, at our meetings we don't have much time to support one another, would love to organize a mixer - need someone to chair, could meet once or twice a year. Jinna Albright and Kelly Mendoza volunteered to organize these events.

Community Affairs
Police and Safety - no police present; Matt Thomas is going to ask if they can start attending again. The previous SDPD rep has moved on to a new position and her replacement may not know about SPBG meetings.

Govt. Offices
Todd Gloria - none present
Ron Roberts - none present
Toni Atkins - latest edition of "Toni Times" - please go to our website and signup for our newsletter: will notify us of events, like: Governors office held a small business forum on the Affordable Care Act

Business Announcements:
1. Welcome Piacere Mio (on the corner of Fern and Grape across from The South Park Abbey).
2. Luci Dumas has a new promo idea: a soup off event in the neighborhood, attendees could get a South Park mug. All agreed that someone needs to volunteer and approach the restaurants with this idea. Subject Tabled, NO VOTE. All agree that it has to be for restaurants only - amateurs can not be involved due to health department issues. The point is the promote local restaurants. Matt is working on assembling a SPBG restaurant committee - they will consider the idea.
3. Camelia Clum - at Salon & Spa on 30th - happy to be in the neighborhood, willing to donate to any causes and promote the neighborhood. Offers facials, massage, etc. Has coupons available: buy two get one free. Offers 50% off on all services to local businesses and their employees.
4. Candace Vanderhoff - KPBS will be at her house interviewing CoastKeeper about Rain Barrel Rebate program for the city of SD and water conservation in general. She got three minutes with the Mayor which turned into a longer meeting, working to organize South Park as an eco-district. If anyone is interested contact: cyberhuts@gmail.com
5. Bobby Edelson Realtor: offering Annual Spring Cleanup - dumpsters available at neighborhood addresses on these dates: May 4 (eWaste on this day as well); May 11, May 18, and June 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Flyers available. No Hazardous waste allowed. Info at bobbyedelson@cox.net
6. Dine Out For Life: April 45 - 25% of your meal goes back to Dine Out For life to support AIDS research. Alchemy, other restaurants are participating.
7. Labs and Lagers: on May 15th (South Bark Dog Wash); To raise money for labrador rescue. If interested in donating contact Katie at South Bark, or reach out on FaceBook.
8. Lisa Vella and Allie Vella - they have a new son - Rockwell Foster Vella. Check Lisa's FB page for cute photos. Congratulations.
9. Einstein Gala: June 1st, great event, buy tickets and support. Donate to the Raffle.
10. Left Hand Black will have art show opening on May 25, "Goin' Down to Die" - hand-painted impressions of mortality by Turk. 6-10pm. All welcome. www.lhblk.com, 619-546-6555.

Announcements:
We are looking for a member to take minutes at future SPBG meetings, need a volunteer. Email spbg@lucyslist.net.
SPECS - great neighborhood business, excellent service and great selection. One year anniversary on April 1st - congratulations.

Guests:
David Skillman presented info regarding the GGHCDC. CDC has an entirely new board; they are out of money, scrambling at this point. It will get cleared up, but won't happen soon. Debt to Old House Fair, other "community partners" will carry over.

*Next meeting - May 29, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.