South Park Business Group (SPBG)

South Park Business Group Meeting, 9/26/12, 8:30am at Alchemy.
Chaired by Donna Walker.
Minutes by Jeniffer Thompson.

1. Eclipse Chocolat - new member - opening Jan. 2013.
2. Police and Safety: Police will be more aware and observant of trash scavenging in South Park (per Nicole Kukas from City Attorney's office). There have been a few armed robberies in the area (Golden Hill), and report of four males in a black SUV ransacked a house in Burlingame.

Community Affairs:

1. GGHCDC report - none
2. Neighborhood maintenance (Matt Thomas) - still in motion, Marsha is designing/ordering signs. Tagging in the neighborhood - we cannot paint the cans as they are powder coated; Sam and Connie have paint for the utility boxes. Benches and cans need a graffiti removal. We need to report all tagging/etching of windows to the SD graffiti task force. Report also to Matt to get info, help with removal/repair.

3. Walk San Diego - a group that promotes walkability in SD neighborhoods. They have an app where people can take photos of problematic areas - "Best Walk" an app on iTunes. www.walksandiego.org - would like to invite them to our next meeting.

4. Discussion -- Need a stop sign at Fern and Ivy - can bring it to the community plan update committee's attention. Matt will do that. Also a recommendation to call Todd Gloria's office.

5. Assemblymember Toni Atkins office rep Jason Weisz report - Atkins wrote Bill 1817: mandating that computer repair technicians have to report child abuse images they see, and Bill 1522 that says spouses whom are victims of abuse do not have to pay spousal support to the abuser. Please support these two bills. Having a coffee Oct. 20 at The Sugar Shack in Mission Hills.

6. Todd Gloria's office: Courtney Thomson - Dist. 3 Dialogue newsletter passed out. Please make Gloria’s office aware of streets that need cross walks and other striping for safety. Send email message to CThomson@sandiego.gov - This Sunday is AIDS Walk at Balboa Park - Starts at 7:00 a.m. Todd Gloria will be there. Oct. 27th next community coffee in South Park - need someone to host the coffee.
   Matt brought up that we would like shared Bike Lanes and bike signs from our original proposal; Courtney will check on status of plan.

Special Events & Branding:

1. SD County Bike Coalition (Andy Hanshaw) excited to make advances in bike commuting. The coalition has been around since 1987. Working to make our region even more bike friendly. Extra bike maps and signs available.

2. Tour de Fat - Jeanne Pacheco (jpacheco@newbelgium.com) Rep from New Belgium Ale, producers of Tour de Fat and supporters of sustainable bike riding. Tour’s 4th year in San Diego. Goal is to raise money for local bike organizations. Last year they raised over $21k. Start registration at 10 a.m. - easy ride, bike parade. 850 in the parade last year - costumes welcome. Family friendly. Parade starts at 11:00. Lasts until 5:00. Free event. Here is link to the Parade Route: http://goo.gl/maps/g7DYh

3. ArtOberfest Walkabout - must get your information to Marsha no later than today to be included in the Oct. 6th Walkabout Guide. Reminders re outside vendor policy. Here is form to download and give to any vendors you ok. Please do not ok vendors who conflict with your fellow SPBG members, or who block/crowd the sidewalks.

4. Printed materials - Extra Artoberfest postcards, new Holiday Walkabout postcards (distribute at this walkabout, throughout Oct. & Nov. to build Dec. 1 traffic). The 3/50 Project -- shop local -- flyers with full list of SP businesses. Thanks to Andrea Frank for printing. Hand out to customers, put in bags, etc. Unanimous vote that we will have Holiday Walkabout posters printed - be sure to attend the next meeting to pick yours up (if you cannot attend, please arrange with a neighbor to get one for you).

5. Carolers for Holiday Walkabout - the same carolers from last year; last year they were told to collect money as they caroled but that rubbed people wrong - this year Christy at Progress will collect the money. They donate the funds to a local non-profit. Christy will contact businesses and collect money in November.

6. Old House Fair financial report (Maureen) - Greater Golden Hill CDC used to work as our fiscal agent (they kept 10%); this year we kept it with the SPBG (we created our own not-for-profit corporation); we have insurance, we are also applying for federal tax status as a 501c6 - we have been able to contract city for trash containers and bike racks. We have been able to make money and have $11,000 in cash reserves and $7k in reserve funds. OHF proceeds will be used to cover our Maintenance Project costs (garbage cans, planters, bike racks, etc.), power-washing, etc. Additional funds will be available for the South Park branding campaign - build awareness of South Park, etc. Next year's event will be 15th annual, to be held on June 15. Councilman Todd Gloria has indicated $2,500 grant for OHF -- to be finalized. CDC anticipates return of $5k funds to OHF before end of this year. Maureen and Marsha to be co-directors. Working now to identify homes for Tour. Thanks to SPBG and members for support and enthusiasm for this, South Park's signature event.

7. South Park branding project is progressing, nothing to reveal yet - had a branding meeting with the members and everyone contributed greatly. Graphics and tagline being developed, will be presented soon.

8. New Businesses - Buona Forchetta Pizzeria Restaurant on the corner of 30th and Beech Street- family oriented; Matteo Cattaneo. Applying for sidewalk permits - has had trouble with the city. Should be open before the end of the year. The former Halcyon Tea space is available for rental. Available space in Burlingame Garage (former home of Baby Garten Studio) has been rented, waxing studio to open there soon.

Announcements and Events:

• South Bark Dog Wash closed for remodel today. Be sure to come check out the exciting new look.
• Studio Maureen & The Next Door Gallery - 25 year Anniversary. Nov. 3rd - Day of Dead Celebration and Anniversary Party. All invited.
• CDC business mixer at Alchemy tomorrow night ( Sept. 27th at 5:30).
• Baby Garten Studio now open at new location on 30th near Grape, next to So Childish, offering even more classes.
• Oct. 14 - book signing here at Alchemy with Monkey C Media author Nisa Burns, cookbook author: Kitchenability 101 - The College Students Guide to Easy, Healthy and Delicious Food. Featuring the Chelsea Handler drink and an appetizer from the book.
• So Childish - 5th Anniversary - will also be a Halloween party with live children's rock-n-roll band Hullabaloo.
• Grant's Marketplace 10 year Anniversary in conjunction with Oct. 6 Walkabout.

Meeting Adjourned. NEXT MEETING -- Wed. October 31, 2013, at 8:30am.