BELLTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING OF 7/16/08

MINUTES

Date/Time: July 16, 2008, 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Place: Dahlia Lounge Meetig Room, 4th & Virginia
Attendance: John Pehrson, Tom English, Tom Graff, Cooper Mills, Pam Anderson, Michael Lee, Barbara Hartley, Adrian Luevano, Sara Wysocki, Andrea Schaloum, Richard Bridges, Mack Waldron, Greg Schuler Excused Absence: Bob McKay, Sunni Palatino-Ash, Chuck Stempler Absent: Pam Leydon Guests: Mary Ann Painter, Plymouth Housing Group

1. Vice President Tom English called the meeting to order at 8:10 AM. President Pam Anderson arrived shortly thereafter.

2. Because she had to leave for another engagement, Mary Ann Painter from Plymouth Housing Group (PHG) was allowed to address the Board. She promoted the upcoming annual PHG fundraising luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, September 25. The principal speaker will be Senator John Edwards. She is encouraging the BBA to build a 10-person table for this luncheon. Several of the board members indicated that they planned to attend although a couple of them may have a table for their own companies. Donation is $150 per person.

3. Minutes of the meeting of June 18, 2008, were reviewed and approved by voice vote.

4. Treasurer's Report:

• Treasurer's Report: Richard Bridges reported. Current bank balance is $36,286. Net of anticipated deposits and outstanding checks will reduce this to $36,278. Presumed liabilities total $27,917 including $19,577 on deposit for Fashion First and the $5,000 desired fiscal reserve leaving an anticipated bottom line of $8,362. The Walking Guide expenses appear to have resulted in a net deficit of $4,011, which includes the $3,500 approved for additional distribution expense last month. Also, one of the Walking Guide advertisers has yet to pay their $500.00 fee. There also may be a duplication of payments to Tom Douglass for the recent after hours event. Michael Lee will look into this.

5. Belltown Booster Program:

• Board members discussed the proposal made by Jim Turcott at the last meeting. It was generally agreed that the proposal needs to be developed further and much more information needs to be provided to the Board before members are ready to endorse it. It was also agreed to contact Jim Turcott to discuss these needs further. Pam Anderson agreed to contact him

6. Community Events:

• The recent Belltown Cleanup and Paint Out was discussed. It was very successful. About 150 people showed up to work and at least 100 of these were from Mars Hill Church.

7. Board Development Committee: Greg Schuler reported

• Greg reported that Pastor Tim Gaydos of the Mars Hill Church has expressed interest in joining the BBA Board. Greg had provided information and a recommendation in an earlier e-mail. It was moved by Greg Schuler and seconded by Tom Graff that Tim Gaydos be elected to the Board. Passed by voice vote.


• Greg is working on other prospects for board positions, notably Evelyn Lee of Alchemy Collections and Rob Whitson of Egberts.


• The Board Development Committee met during the month and discussed prospects for 2009 officer positions. Greg will follow-up with candidates.


• Greg reported that there will be an "After Hours" promotional event for board members on Tuesday, July 22, at 4:00 PM at the Arch Stone Belltown followed by a social time at the El Gaucho Restaurant. Members were encouraged to RSVP to Greg.

8. Marketing:

• Events: Tom Graff reported that the "Solstice Event" at the Tavolata Restaurant featuring David Lemley was very successful. There were about 40 in attendance. There is some thought about doing another business-oriented event at the El Gaucho Restaurant with perhaps Paul Mackay doing a lead-in


• Walking Guide: Chuck Stempler has reported that about 6,500 remaining copies of the 2007 Guide have been distributed, and distribution is now starting on the 2008 printing. Deliveries have been made to Tom Graff's‚ "Top 50". Tom and Cooper Mill will coordinate distribution of 2,000 copies to the next tier of businesses not on the Top 50. There are about 7,000 copies of the guide remaining.


• There was discussion about the cost effectiveness of the Guide. It was pointed out that the Seattle Tour Map costs about $0.08 per copy to print and something like this could be a more effective use of our funds. It was agreed that this would be reviewed for the next major printing of the guide.

9. Membership:

• Barbara Hartley reported that we are probably pretty much finished with the 2008 membership campaign.

10. Transportation and Community Action:

• Pam reported that Bob McKay has requested that someone else chair this committee. John Pehrson volunteered to take this on.

11. Downtown District Council and Community Events:

• Sara Wysocki reported that the Downtown District Council (DDC), with Catherine Stanford as Chair, meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month. BBA board members are encouraged to attend this meeting.


• There will be a Parks Levy on the ballot this fall. The DDC doesn't feel that it the levy is strong enough.


• There is a review of the noise ordinances underway, particularly as they affect evening and nighttime construction.


• WPAC is planning their annual community picnic in September. It will probably occur on a weekday to encourage attendance.


• There will be a block party on Vine Street on August 5 as part of the Seattle Night Out. They are looking for sponsors, and it was moved by Greg Schuler and seconded by Tom English that $250 be provided to help with the sponsorship. Passed by voice vote.

12. Street Car Expansion:

• Greg reported that there is considerable discussion about expanding the Street Car System and one of the front-running possibilities is the so-called Central Line, which would run down First Avenue, through Downtown and Belltown. The BBA probably should take a position on this. Greg will arrange a meeting with the City's project manager, Ethan Melone to obtain further information.

13. WPAC:

• Barbara Hartley reported. There are seven (7) park rangers now on board and they are patrolling Victor Steinbrueck Park, Westlake, and Freeway park. They are uniformed, but unarmed.

14. WPAC is interested...

• WPAC is interested in strengthening relationships with homeless agencies preferably through some centralized organization such as the Housing Development Consortium or the Human Services Provider Forum.

15. Pam on vacation:

• Pam will be on vacation for the next few weeks, so Vice President Tom English will be acting in her place.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 AM.
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on:

Wednesday, August 20, 2008
From 8:00 to 9:30 AM at the Dahlia Lounge (4th & Virgina, use entrance through bakery).

Respectfully submitted,

Greg Schuler
Secretary

The Belltown Business Association is a registered 501-c6 non profit corporation.