South Park Business Group (SPBG)

SPBG Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2012

8:30 a.m. at Alchemy. Meeting chaired by Donna Walker, South Bark Dog Wash.
Introductions and review of Mission Statement.
New members announced and welcomed: Connie McDonough (Realtor), Left Hand Black, Mac the Inspector.

POLICE & SAFETY: Officer not in attendance, open forum to report police activity. None reported.

PR/SPECIAL EVENTS:

a. Old House Fair: Report by Maureen Ceccarelli. 2012 was best year ever (14 years). Showcases our neighborhood, businesses, residences, etc. People came from all over (Arizona even). Do not have the final numbers yet - but looks like we will add to our reserve funds to help promote and beautify our neighborhood (more on this later in the meeting). Over 800 took home tour, another 200 took trolley and walking tours. Estimated 4 to 5,000 people through South Park businesses during the day. FYI: Always need docents, if you know of anyone who would be interested for next year, let us know. Exhibitors and Sponsors did well, booked business and appointments. 7 dogs adopted. Excellent PR and media coverage. Salute and thanks to the Sponsors: thank you plaques were presented. Next year: 15th Annual - June 15th (always the Sat. before Father's Day). Maureen and Marsha to be Co-Directors. Round of applause for Maureen. Fantastic.

b. Where Magazine (Joanna McLean): Concierge Event was last week, all who came through SP had a fantastic time, rave reviews. Great job by business owners representing our neighborhood. Ten businesses opted in by advertising in Where SD's South Park section for the summer months. Another issue will come out in the Fall. These magazines are placed in guest rooms of high-profile hotels. Fantastic exposure. There is also a weekly e-blast and monthly newsletter sent to local Concierges (participating businesses can submit details to Joanne to be included in future e-blast or newsletter). Send your news to spbg@lucyslist.net, and info will be promoted to Where Magazine.

c. Walkabouts: Summer of Love Walkabout is coming up soon - July 14. Send all event details to Marsha by July 5th to be included in the WA guide - SPBG@lucyslist.net - we'll be sending out the guide a week in advance so you can print copies to distribute to customers, encourage them to return for Walkabout. If you are interested in having a band, let Marsha know - several bands have notified her that they would like to play future Walkabouts. Where Magazine has included info in print and will promote via e-blast, etc., to ComicCon weekend visitors.

d. Theme for October 6 Walkabout: ArtOberfest. Would like to present suggestions for Holiday Walkabout theme (December 1) at July meeting, for final decision in August, to enable extensive holiday shopping publicity. Bring your theme suggestions to the next meeting, or email them to spbg@lucyslist.net for presentation.

SOUTH PARK MAINTENANCE (planters, trash cans, benches, bike racks):

a. Planters: Paul of Mooch Designs/North Park Nursery attended to discuss his offer to maintain the planters: He will add plants, will maintain, water and keep beautiful at no fee to SPBG. We will pay him for signs indicating his company's support (tasteful, subtle) to be placed in each planter. Paul would also would like access to water spigot or tap water from businesses. Round of applause to Paul: huge service to help beautify our neighborhood. Also, Ed Landsberg will take care of planters on Beech Street (same arrangement - we will pay to produce signs). Great deal of thanks to Paul and Ed for their sponsorship and for taking responsibility for this important work to beautify and maintain the character of our neighborhood (SPBG negotiation with City following end of the MAD program assigns responsibility for this to SPBG).

(Discussion of possible creation of "affiliate membership" category for businesses like Mooch Designs/North Park Nursery which are not located in geographic South Park and therefore do not qualify for membership in our 501c6 corporation. Board will investigate possible criteria and will bring recommendation to the table at a future SPBG meeting.)

c. South Park Maintenance Project: Matt Thomas is coordinating this project for SPBG.
Matt presented a spreadsheet that details locations of each item and business proposed to "adopt" the item. Plan is to confirm responsible party, then create a sign to be displayed, to indicate this is maintained by SPBG and (name of responsible business), plus phone number of a hotline to report problems. When calls come in, the responsible business will be contacted to handle. If the problem requires repair or repainting, Matt Thomas will make those arrangements.

PLEASE REVIEW THE PROPOSED LIST (draft dated 6/27/12) on the SPBG.yolasite.com website -- click here for the Documents page.

If you wish to "adopt" any of the ? items ... or if you do not wish to adopt the item indicated with your business name ... please call Matt ASAP at 619-200-6989. Once all the adoptions are confirmed, Matt will distribute a letter detailing your responsibilities and procedures.

If you need trash can liners, obtain them from Matt at Alchemy. If you wish to be reimbursed for trash can liners purchased before July 1, 2012, please submit receipt to SPBG by email to SPBG@lucyslist.net, or deliver to Matt at Alchemy, or to Studio Maureen. The receipts must be received by July 6th in order to receive your reimbursement.

The funds to pay for the signs (both the planter signs and the signs on adopted trash cans, benches, bike racks, etc.), to pay for the trash can liners, and to pay for the SPBG maintenance "hotline" will be paid from Old House Fair proceeds.

Thomas Bike Shop has adopted all 10 of the bike racks in South Park and will be responsible for maintenance -- same procedures as above. If you see an issue with a bike rack on your street, call Jinna to investigate. She is at (619) 964-0950.

Questions have arisen as to the maintenance responsibilities for the Clock on Grape St. (SDGE? CDC?), for the utility boxes, and for chains and posts. Courtney Thomson of Todd Gloria's office will investigate and report back. If you know of immediate specific problems, contact her at 619.236.6633.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS:

Assemblymember Toni Atkins office: Jason Weisz is our new liaison 619.645.3090. Toni Atkins lives in SP, has been a supporter of SPBG and OHF. Having an open-coffee gathering tomorrow at LeStat's.

Todd Gloria's office (Courtney Thomson, 619.236.6633): today at 2:00 Todd will be jumping from OB pier to benefit SD junior life guard program (scholarships for inner-city youth).

CDC Street Fair July 22nd (25th street) raising money to pay back fiscal partners.

NEW BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

New Business: Bob of Captain Kirk's - private coffee business. He's working with the owners at Gala: "My business is not just about coffee but also about infrastructure in the neighborhood," said Bob. SPBG is happy to have Bob here as a liaison to Gala. Gala plans to resurface the lot, install planters, and is working with an architect to beautify the face of the building using the existing structure. Also, Captain Kirk sign facing Grape St. brought up as an issue, very large and sits across from another coffee shop - Bob mentioned that he will likely downsize it. Good discussion among members to work together for mutual benefit in the neighborhood.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS:

• Junc, Bad Madge, Progress - will have a "South Park" booth at LGBT Pride Festival, weekend after Walkabout (we moved Walkabout date up to avoid a conflict). Offers to hand out SPBG Map/Guides and other materials businesses provide.

• The Quarterly Dinner at Alchemy, 4 courses in partnership with Hamilton's, $55. July 17th.

• Alchemy July 4th event in partnership with Thomas BIke - BBQ - kid's games, people will be decorating their bikes, good times. All day event from 11 - 6 p.m.

• July 13th - Left Hand Black grand opening with food truck, festivities. Welcome!

• The Grove - Classes and book signings throughout July. Have space available for vendors. Check their website for dates and events: www.TheGroveSanDiego.com

• South Bark Dog Wash - CPR and first aid classes for animals. Check the website. Adoption events as well (offer two monthly). www.southbarkdogwash.com

• New work by Polly Giacchina at the Next Door Gallery on Beech. www.studiomaureen.com till July 12th. Stop by to view. New show will open on Walkabout evening.

• Connie McDonough obtained info from Luis Ojeda regarding the City's grant program to support tourism and economic development. Grants up to $54K may be available for us to apply. Applications will be due in January 2013. Board is reviewing options and will present recommendations at a future meeting.

• Largest and Smallest bike shops in SD donated money to the California Bike Coalition. Nice mention for Thomas Bike Shop's extensive community support.

• MSNBC nationwide news page - South Park is getting great publicity. South Bark Dog Wash and the famed "Blueberry facial" were featured. Getting calls from all over the Nation.

• Oliver's Hair Salon will have band at shop to celebrate Walkabout.

• Grant's, Hamilton's, Alchemy will again have the "Beech Street BBQ" at Walkabout.

10:00 a.m. meeting adjourned.
Minutes drafted by Jeniffer Thompson.
Next meeting: Wed. 7/25/12 at 8:30am at Alchemy.