DLBA Board Meeting Summary - April 16, 2008

Please note that the minutes are a draft until approved at the May 21, 2008, Board meeting.

I.        CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jim Brophy called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m., and self-introductions were made.

II.       APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Becky Blair made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 19 and April 1 meetings.  Phil Appleby seconded the motion.  All in favor; none opposed.

III.      FINANCIAL REPORT
Mark Fronke reported that the timing of payments affects how they appear in the financial statements and that Personnel remains under budget due to the vacancy in the Economic Development Manager position. 

Appleby added that the DLBA, as a non-profit organization, should have an Audit Committee, which will oversee the selection of the audit accounting firm and the audit process.  Members of the Audit Committee cannot include the Treasurer, contracted accounting firm, or DLBA staff.  Netherton has agreed to serve as Chair and will be assembling a committee of three other people who will convene, decide on a timeline for the year, and initiate the auditor RFP process.

IV.      CHAIR REPORT
Brophy deferred to Jim Anderson to report on the progress of the strategic plan.  Anderson stated that at the special workshop on April 1st, the Board discussed the following priorities: Downtown Residential Council, Economic Development—retail focus, Downtown Action Plan in coordination with the City, Public Safety, and Marketing/Special Events.  Board members volunteered to serve on task forces to accomplish goals related to the first four priorities, and although there was lengthy discussion about Marketing/Special Events, no actions had yet been determined.  Anderson stated that next month Progressive Urban Management Associates will be returning to present the final draft of the plan to the Board for approval. 

The Board next received an update on the formation of the Nominating Committee to manage the election process for Board seats expiring September 30, 2008.  Kojian reported that Appleby will chair the committee comprised of Board members with terms not expiring this year, including John Sangmeister, Thomas Fields, and Mark Schneider.  A slate of candidates is expected to be submitted to the Executive Committee and Board in July or August.

Brophy then informed the Board that the Executive Committee had approved funding $40,000 for a DLBA-produced event similar to Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine Avenue to augment the Powerfest weekend in July.  Bob Seagren, International City Racing/Powerfest producer, noted that ICR had produced the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon for the past eight years and would be managing SeaFest events this year, including Powerfest.  Seagren explained that Powerfest weekend would feature three events: Long Beach to Catalina water ski race, personal watercraft race, and offshore race.  One of the goals for this year’s event is to increase from 40 to 100 vendors at the launch, which will be moved from the Yard House to Marina Green to allow more space.  The event will include a main stage with daytime entertainment and awards ceremonies as well as driver meetings and boat inspections, elements which had not been open to the public in the past.  Powerboat magazine is the title sponsor and will feature event ads in June and July issues.  Sangmeister remarked that Seagren may want to familiarize himself with a similar event in Sarasota. 

V.      PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT
Kojian advised the Board that the Executive Committee recommended freezing Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) assessments in FY08-09.  Kojian noted that the PBID management plan allows the Board to decide annually on the rate of increase, with a maximum of 5%.  Traditionally, the Board considers the CPI when making the decision, which increased 3.7% from February 2006-February 2007 in the tri-County area among urban wage earners.  Larry Jackson inquired about the revenue impact, and Kojian replied that it would result in a loss of approximately $66,000.  In response to a question from Assadi, Kojian stated that the last time the assessment was raised was last year.  Netherton remarked that freezing the PBID assessment would be a way to give back to the stakeholders in a difficult economy and recommended publicizing the decision.  Jackson asked if sufficient funds would be available to continue existing programs and services, which Kojian affirmed. 

John Morris made a motion to approve the Executive Committee’s recommendation not to increase the PBID assessment for FY08-09.  Anderson seconded the motion.  All in favor; none opposed.

Kojian then informed the Board of the Executive Committee’s consideration to request that City of Long Beach not implement annual CPI adjustments to Downtown business license fees and/or DPIA assessments for 12 months, from July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009.  Brophy inquired about the fiscal impact, which Kojian estimated at $22,000.  Morris asked whether the City ever considered raising the fees higher than the CPI, and Craig Beck replied that the City discussed it every year. 

Appleby made a motion to request that City of Long Beach not implement annual CPI adjustments to Downtown business license fees and DPIA assessments for 12 months, from July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009.  Blair seconded the motion.  All in favor; none opposed.

Kojian then thanked Syndi Croad and Brophy for attending the City Council Study Session on the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness on April 15 and commented on Mary Coburn’s continuing involvement in the community’s efforts to address homelessness.  Kojian referred to the Board’s action in March to support the plan with a caveat that the DLBA would reconsider supporting the plan’s implementation if there were an impact on business fees. 

VI.      STAFF REPORTS
Steve Sheldon updated the Board on several marketing and special events projects.  In response to Mark Schneider’s question, Sheldon reported that the DLBA website receives 40 unique hits a day on average, but received approximately 80 unique hits daily during the Jack FM/Formula Drift radio spots.  Sheldon also reported on the launch of the Pedicabs, which were scheduled to operate Thursday-Sunday, 6pm-2pm until the end of the calendar year.

Coburn reported on the Clean Team’s grafitti removal efforts, noting that 800-1,000 grafitti tags, signs, and stickers are removed on a monthly basis using a product called World’s Best Grafitti Remover.  Shooshani and Goodling expressed interest in the product.  Coburn added that the City Council seemed to receive the 10-year plan well but that no action has yet been taken.  Coburn then announced that the DLBA had worked with the City to place an additional 10 trash receptacles in the Downtown on the north side of Broadway and the south side of East 3rd Street, which will be serviced by the DLBA. 

The DLBA then previewed the Segways that Guides would be riding on patrol, which will feature an advertising apron.  Netherton and Morris demonstrated the Segways in action.  It was clarified that the Segways will not replace the bicycles currently in service, especially during wet weather. 

VII.     CITY STAFF REPORT
Lt. Randy Allen delivered the LBPD report, beginning with an update on the Quality of Life unit and working with the Grand Prix to address related homeless issues.  Lt. Allen then informed the Board about the arrest of a suspect responsible for multiple copper thefts, mostly in vacant buildings.  Lt. Allen thanked the DLBA for distributing information on the Business Watch program and strongly encouraged involvement from the community. 

Morris requested an update on patrolling the MTA Blue Line, on which Lt. Allen agreed to follow up.  Jackson requested information on a possible pickpocket ring, and Lt. Allen replied that there was no additional intelligence to support that rumor.  However, he advised constant alertness and carrying one’s wallet in the front or chest pocket, especially in crowds such as at the Grand Prix.  Coburn added that the DLBA-organized Downtown Security Alliance had met for the first time.  Kristoff noted that homeless individuals had returned to the Ocean Boulevard underpass, and Sgt. Reno and Lt. Allen responded that the Quality of Life unit was attempting to address the issue and also respect property rights. 

Craig Beck reported on behalf of the City, stating that the RDA Board had approved the Community Development Plan and Program-Based EIR, which is expected to be launched at the May 6th City Council meeting along with a six- to nine-month timeline and details of the process.  In response to a question from Appleby, Beck replied that the plan will focus on plan envelopes and address height and density restrictions, but not specific parcels, to create a balance of overall uses.  The importance of involving Long Beach Transit as well as DLBA to address issues of parking, transportation, and mobility was mentioned.  One of the goals of the process is to reduce time in the developers’ approval process. 

Morris inquired if the proposed redevelopment of the Courthouse would occur in conjunction with construction on Lincoln Park and the Civic Center.  Beck stated that because it would be less expensive to rebuild City Hall rather than fund seismic retrofitting, and because rebuilding City Hall would be a long and intensive process, City Hall is currently bifurcated from any plans for the Courthouse.  Beck speculated that the former site of Julian Shipping Supplies may serve as the new site of the Courthouse and that the current Courthouse site on Ocean Boulevard would most likely be redeveloped by the private sector, mentioning that a more official announcement was expected in about 30 days.  There was a comment about the restrictions for bail bond businesses and their proximity to schools.

Beck then announced the completion of the screening process to commission artists to create neighborhood art.  Beck noted that the project’s focus in Downtown would be the Ocean Boulevard median.  Subsequently, Beck advised the Board of the RDA- and DLBA-sponsored retail reception on April 17 to showcase the Downtown experience during Tecate Thunder Thursday on Pine.  Goodling added that recent convention-goers had noticed the improvements in the Ocean Boulevard median, and Beck recognized the CVB for providing a fencing screen to improve the appearance of the vacant lot on the southeast corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue. 

In response to Morris’ request for an update on the Hotel Esterel, Beck provided information on Lyon’s project at Magnolia and Broadway, which has broken ground and is ahead of schedule; it will have rental units for 10 years and then convert to condominiums, with ground-floor retail.  Additionally, the City received a proposal for the Hayloft Hotel, a Starwood property, next to the existing American Hotel, as well as a proposal for a Hyatt Place corporate hotel at East 1st Street and Long Beach Boulevard.

Kojian added that the Ride, Park, Play campaign, sponsored by the DLBA, RDA, and CVB, would be advertised on Pedicabs.  Kojian also announced that staff would be presenting information on the DLBA to neighborhood organizations the North Pine Alliance and the Insurance Exchange HOA. 

VIII.    OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

IX.      NEW BUSINESS
Brophy highlighted the CSULB men’s volleyball team’s recognition of the DLBA, which has assisted in hosting teams in town for tournaments. 

X.      PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.