OPENING
Meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m. by President Peter Krueger.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of regular meeting January 16 2008 were amended to note that the discussion items from City manager Duane Rigge and Assistant City Planner Stephen Avis were held before the meeting opened. The notes will be entered in to the minutes as such. The balance of the minutes for January 16, 2008 was approved as presented.
BUSINESS
Form 700 presentation – Linda Jensen passed out Form 700 to Board members and explained importance of getting forms filled out and in on time. Councilman Strehl explained some background on the disclosure statement and why it pertained to FBID Board members. Some members filled out forms during meeting. Deadline for submission is March >>>>.
07-08 FBID Board Members: AT Large Hospitality/Restaurant Rep- Reed has an interested possible applicant. Maria Garcia is a three-year employee of Holiday Inn express and was recommended by HIE general manager Nicole Foley. Garcia is young, but has experience in the local hospitality industry and is eager to help. Reed stated he was giving her more information later today. Director Crow said that the new director at Sequoia Springs might be a candidate as well. She didn’t fit into the criteria of the Hospitality representative, but represented a growing business segment.
Draft memorandum of understanding: Street banners and Streetlight banners- Review draft agreement and summary for street-banners between FBID and City. Reed stated he was starting with the agreement for the banners that hang over Main Street at 11th street, since it could be used as a template for future agreements, but with fewer stakeholders to work. Question whether the agreement covered too much ground. Need to ask City what they want out of the agreement before giving them MOU. President Krueger questioned whether the City may just need a policy statement about who is responsible for banner placement and content. There was question whether the City could regulate content of banners and whether that was a reason to have a third party controlling the activity, much like the Chamber controls holiday cut-outs. Kilmer asked whether FBID could control content, since it was an organization connected to the City through ordinance. Discussion of whether FBID’s current insurance covers banners in general. Coordinator believed they were carrying banners as part of insuring street decorations, but on inspection it doesn’t appear so. Treasurer Kilmer suggested Reed talk to Cheryl Nicholson on scope of what the City was looking for in the MOU and City Attorney David Tranberg on the question of whether FBID could control content of banners and be considered separate from the City.
FINANCE REPORT
Treasurer Kilmer presented the December 2007 financial statements. The City paid out the business assessment and City match in December. The amount was slightly more than budgeted for the year. It does look like Apple Harvest Festival will come in at budget. Holiday Movie finances will be coming in January report.
COORDINATOR'S REPORT
Group Promotion Ideas- Passed around one idea received from businesses to replace the Customer Appreciation promotion. The example is a coupon book of services and products put out by Arcata main street. Discussed problems making the book with a wide enough appeal to serve service businesses and professionals.
Recruitment Documents Stephen Avis has a start on the permit/review/planning situations. I need to get a layout for how to present to public.
Goods and Services Guide- Caitlin has finished all categories and all input. Has about 100 businesses that we want to clarify categories for. She will be calling these starting next week with a script we have put together.
New TV Spots- Thankfully had a last minute addition o0f Ruben Rios for an English and Spanish interview on Monday. Second person was a no show. Will have to wait to produce the completed spots until Friday.
Public Relations/Advertising- Some publication of business news last week but have noticed a slowdown in the use of full on features. Am talking to newsrooms about changing what I give to them. May go to more story leads and tip sheets and less full features.
BOARD REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
At Large and Citywide-none
Redwood Village- Rumblings of another move or close? New gift store opening coming from Bayshore Mall next to Norman’s. Baldwin stated that Redwood was showing all signs of the slowdown cycle experienced at other centers where he’s managed Safeway stores
Downtown- Meetings for Easter and yard sale promotions. Stephanie’s moving to Fortuna Blvd.
Chamber of Commerce- Branding discussions with subcommittee. Selected new look for a logo and trying together chamber’s brand and hopefully getting buy in across the community.
Council Liaison-
NEXT AGENDA
-MOU for banners
-At Large-Restaurant/Hospitality Board applicant
The next regular meeting of the Fortuna Business Improvement District Board of Directors is February 20, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. in the City Hall conference rooms.
Respectfully submitted, David Reed, Coordinator
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