Castro/Upper Market Community Benefits District
Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled
Board of Directors Meeting on October 11, 2007
at Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street, San Francisco

The Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by President and Chair Herb Cohn.

Directors present:  Dominic Campodonico, Herb Cohn, Kimberley Daniels, Steve Desdier, Tim Patriarca, Dave Sahagun, Pauline Scholten, Gustavo Serina, Ken Stram;

Directors absent and excused:  Paul Moffett, Dennis Richards, and Kenneth Wingard;

Staff, Contractors, Guests:  Executive Director, Andrea Aiello; Brian McCue, Marcelo Aviles (MJM Management); Officer Jane Warner (SFPSP); Tracey Williams (SF LGBT Center); Richard Magary taking Minutes.

Herb and Richard will review the Property Owner list to identify additional Board candidates, to fill the three current Director vacancies.  All Directors also are encouraged to seek qualified Property Owner nominees.

Approval of Minutes of the September 13, 2007 Meeting

The Minutes of the September 13, 2007 Meeting were unanimously approved (M-GS, 2-TP).

Finance Committee

Financial Statements as of September 30, 2007 were presented.

Proposed Formula Retail Ban

A proposal by some in the community for a flat ban on “formula retail” businesses in the Castro Neighborhood Commercial District was discussed, including a review of arguments by proponents and counter points of view.  After extensive discussion, the following Resolution was approved unanimously (M-HC, 2-SD), “The Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District Board of Directors does not support any form of a Formula Retail Ban in the Castro Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD), because existing Conditional Use Permit restrictions are sufficient.”

Development Committee

Urban Ecology Proposal

A proposed Scope of Work and Contract dated October 11, 2007 from Urban Ecology for the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District Streetscape Design and Implementation Plan Project was presented and discussed.  Contract period is 1 November 2007 to on or before 1 July 2008.  Total cost is $55,550.00.  A

Development Committee

Urban Ecology Proposal, continued

copy of the Proposal is made a part of these Minutes.  After discussion, including scope and goals of the Project; acknowledgement that the Project will be comprehensive in its own scope, while collaborative with parallel efforts by the S.F. Planning Department, other City efforts and those of other community groups; related, potential fundraising opportunities; and other issues, it was approved unanimously (M-TP, 2-GS) to accept the Proposal and to execute the related Contract, with two corrections (Section II, term ends “….on or before 1 July 2008”; Section V(A) “….signed by all parties.”).

Business Attraction Campaign

Ken Stram introduced Tracey Williams, who has been hired by the SF LGBT Center to staff the Business Attraction Program, which the CBD, MUMC and MOEWD are funding.  They summarized Program accomplishments to date, and outlined plans for further work now that sufficient staff is on board.

Maintenance Report

MJM Management’s September 2007 Report dated October 10, 2007 was reviewed, including notes on some continued problem areas and plans to address them.  Castro Street Fair maintenance and cleanup went well.  Bryan will check and report on status of the Cigarette Program.

Halloween Funding

Herb has obtained agreement by the City, that funds donated by CMPC thru the CBD for Halloween 2006 will be carried over to Halloween 2007.

Executive Director’s Report

*  The Fall 2007 Annual Report has been mailed to all Property Owners and to the MUMC businesses list. Andrea is working to submit the Report and related materials to MOEWD by the October 22 due date.  A copy of the Annual Report is made a part of these Minutes.

*  The CBD’s booth at the Castro Street Fair was worthwhile and successful, especially helping with community outreach.  We should have more staffing help next time.

*  Potential website designers are being identified and interviewed.

*  The September CBD Citywide Consortium meeting provided helpful information and networking contacts.

Security Report

Jane reported that security and crowd control at the Castro Street Fair presented no major problems.  Detailed plans for Halloween continue to be developed by the City.  After discussion of the challenges and needs regarding Halloween 2007, it was approved unanimously (M-PS, 2-GS) to provide $5,000.00 in CBD funding to San Francisco Patrol Special Police toward their costs to provide security during Halloween in the Castro 2007.

Adjournment

It was approved unanimously (M-PS, 2-DC) to adjourn the meeting at 7:25pm

Minutes taken and prepared by Richard Magary

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