BELLTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING OF 07/21/10

MINUTES

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 8:00 AM ­ 9:30 AM

Place: Dahlia Lounge Meetig Room, 4th & Virginia

Attendance: Tim Gaydos, Richard Nordstrom, Jim Miller,
                   Pamela Hinckley, Richard Eickhof, Mack Waldron,
                   Mike Nicosia, Tom Graff, Barbara Hartley,
                   David Meinert, Greg Schuler

Excused Absence: Pamela Anderson, Tom English, Michael Lee,
                           Chuck Stempler, Brain Zaugg

Absent: John Powers, Andrea Schaloum

Guests: Justin Ashurst, Mars Hill Church;
            Kerry Wade and Leroy Chin, Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods

1. President Tom English was absent, and Vice President Tim Gaydos
    called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM. He thanked Pamela Hinckley
    and Tom Douglas Restaurants for hosting the Special Meeting
    luncheon on July 14. Kerry Wade introduced Leroy Chin from the
    Department of Neighborhoods, who will be the new neighborhood
    representative for Belltown for at least 6 months.

2. Minutes of the Meeting of June 16, 2010 were approved. Approval
    of the minutes of the Special Meeting on July 14 was deferred
    because several members had yet to read them.

3. TREASURER'S REPORT:

• Although Treasurer Pam Anderson was not present at the meeting, she had earlier submitted the Treasurer’s Report via e-mail showing a current bank balance of $22,266.83. Nearly all of the revenue items were from new memberships and renewals. Aside from some printing expenses, the significant expense was the $250 donated to the Clean and Green event. A question was raised about the results of the law enforcement survey that had recently been taken, and Barbara Hartley will send results to the board members.

4. BOARD DEVELOPMENT:

• Greg Schuler reported that there are two more positions that have opened up on the Board. Marc Wills has left the Brasserie Margaux/Warwick Hotel. Kerry Wade will no longer be the neighborhood representative. That leaves the BBA with 3 open positions. Greg will be working to fill these positions.

5. BUDGET COMMITTEE:

• Mike Nicosia reported that there was no business to bring forth from the budget committee because they are awaiting the finalization of the strategic planning effort (see below).

6. STRATEGIC PLANNING:

• Richard Nordstrom reported that he has compiled the results of the prioritization process in which board members have participated, and he provided the list of initiatives in order of their priority ranking. He suggested that the board concentrate on the top 10 items: (1) joining Downtown Seattle Association (DSA); (2) new website; (3) new newsletter approach; (4) engage with adjacent business associations; (5) networking lunches; (6) annual member event; (7) strategy and planning committee; (8) review membership cost; (9) budget committee; (10) programs committee. Questions were raised about how to deal with "surprise items" that don’t fit the priorities and are brought to the attention of the board and how these priority items are to be tied to the board agenda. It was noted that, concerning our first priority item, DSA has already agreed to an exchange of memberships, and there was a suggestion that we should be mutually represented on each other’s boards. It was moved by Mack Waldron and seconded by Jim Miller that the BBA move forward according to the priority list provided by the Strategic Planning Committee. Approved by Voice Vote. A full presentation of the Strategic Planning matrix prepared by Richard is attached as an addendum to these minutes.

7. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT COUNCIL:

• Much of the discussion was on the proposed changes to the Mobile Food Vending ordinance with specific concerns over health, trash pickup, and public safety. There was discussion on this but no position taken because more review was required. Some of our board members may attend the City workshop on July 27 at City Hall.

8. NIGHTTIME DISORDER ORDINANCE:

• This was a follow-up from the Special Board Meeting held on Wednesday, July 14, at which the board members who were present agreed to propose a "qualified" endorsement of the Nighttime Disorder Ordinance introduced by Councilmember Nick Licata. The qualifications proposed included (1) expansion of the applicable time frame described in the ordinance to 10 PM – 7 AM and a required review and (2) adjustments, if necessary, to the ordinance after a 6-month trial and review period. There was also concern about the extent of monitoring and follow-up that will be provided by the City, and it was agreed to incorporate this concern in the letter to the City. It was moved by Mack Waldron and seconded by Tom Graff that the proposed ordinance be endorsed with these qualifications. Passed by voice vote with one abstention.

9. PROBLEM CLUBS AND BARS:

• Another follow-up from the July 14 meeting was for the BBA to address situations involving problem nightclubs and bars, the V-Bar and Copper Cart being singled out. Although there was no formal action taken by the Board, there was a consensus that board members should actively work with the State Liquor Control Board and other relevant State and local government enforcement agencies to highlight issues with these bars that are negatively affecting the Belltown business climate.

10. MEMBERSHIPS:

• Barbara Hartley reported that there are currently 117 members and 7 "trade members."

11. WPAC:

• Barbara Hartley reported that much of the attention is being given to the newly appointed Seattle Police Chief, John Diaz. Some of the board members indicated that they had noticed a recent, visible increase in police patrolling in Belltown and wondered if this surge is still going on. Barbara will check into this.

12. NEW WEBSITE:

• Richard Nordstrom has e-mailed a draft website outline to the board members and requested their review and comment. He is proposing that we set up a new website with Go-Daddy.com and described several features of the service that they provide. The cost to the BBA will be $375 for 3 years, and Richard will continue to help with the set-up. It was moved by Mike Nicosia and seconded by Robert Eickhof that we appropriate the $375 and move forward with the new website and this was approved by voice vote.

13. WALKING GUIDE:

• Tom Graff reported on a recent subcommittee meeting that discussed the publication of the Walking Guide for this year. It was agreed that we would attempt to publish a simpler version for this year, about 5,000 copies, and that design of the piece would be handled by AlphaGraphics. Bids for printing are in the neighborhood of $1,800 - $2,000. It was moved by Richard Nordstrom and seconded by Mike Nicosia that the BBA appropriate $225 for the walking guide design and not-to-exceed $2,000 for the printing of the Walking Guide and that details be handled by Tom Graff. Approved by voice vote.

14. FOUNDER'S DAY:

• Board members were reminded of the Founders Day event on August 14 and 15, and all were encouraged to attend.

15. MAYOR MCGINN'S 8-POINT NIGHTLIFE PLAN:

• Tom Graff suggested that we have a special meeting to discuss this plan with the goal of reaching a consensus and recommendation of the Board. He suggested the Barbara Hartley and David Meinert be involved in this discussion.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Greg Schuler
Secretary

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