Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

August 21, 2008

Ferry Boat Santa Rosa, Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94111

 

 

The meeting began a 6:05 p.m. and was called to order by President Bill Sauro.

 

Board members in attendance in addition to President Sauro:  Fred Allardyce, Morton Beebe, Bill Benkavitch, Carol Parlette, Lee Radner, Felix Rodriguez, Linda Schwartz, Diana Taylor, Joe Wyman.

 

Board members who were absent:  Jonathan Middlebrook.

 

Also in attendance:  Jan Holloway, Waterfront Action Committee.

 

1.  Quorum Call.  When the meeting was called to order, nine Board members were present.

 

2.  Approval of Minutes.  The minutes of the July 24, 2008 meeting were approved as amended, by unanimous vote.

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report.  Carol Parlette distributed the Treasurer’s Report with Balance Sheet as of 8/21/2008.  The current balance is $4,966.14.  Primary expense since the last Board meeting was for the Newsletter – approximate cost of $1,100.  The Board adopted the Report unanimously.

 

4.  Committee Reports.

            a. Waterfront Action Committee

            i. Draft Development Review Guidelines.  Diana Taylor led a discussion on the current draft.  Felix Rodriguez provided a definition of “appropriate” architecture and several Board members offered comments for incorporation into the next draft.  These included mention of ‘food store’ in paragraph four of the General Statement, adding a statement about the desirability of below-market office/retail in any proposed development, EIR’s being developed by neutral parties (rather than the developer) adding a statement about Noise, and no loss of existing open recreational space.  Also, the provision for review (Item H.a.) would be changed to allow review of the Guidelines when a majority of the Board deemed it to be appropriate.  Lastly, Felix Rodriguez recommended that developers should be told early in the planning phase what the guidelines are so that they could be addressed in the initial project concepts.  Diana Taylor, Jan Holloway and Jonathan Middlebrook will do a redraft of the Guidelines and forward by email to the Board.  The Guidelines would be discussed again at the next Board meeting.

 

            ii. Lee Radner deferred comment on 8 Washington Street until Item 5.a. was discussed.

 

            iii Morton Beebe stated that the Exploratorium project on Piers 15 & 17 received approval from the SF Port Commission.  Fred Allardyce added that the Exploratorium got a 75 year lease and would pay no rent.

 

            b. Newsletter Committee

President Sauro reported that the Summer 2008 Newsletter was published, and has been well received.  He requested that Board members email him any story suggestions for the next Newsletter.

 

            c. Membership Committee

Linda Schwartz reported that she has had some ‘turndowns’ when asking people to join, and, has picked up a new helper, Karen Gabela.  Linda asked for an initial budget of $100.00.  She also suggested purchase of a dry erase board.  No action was taken on this suggestion.  Joe Wyman offered to get a bid on the cost for a ‘professional address person’ who could provide a current listing of both businesses and residences in the BCNA area.  The Board further discussed whether offering advertising in the Newsletter could be used as an incentive for businesses to join BCNA.  President Sauro agreed to write up a ‘benefits list’ which could be used in getting businesses to join BCNA.

 

5.  Old Business

            a. Supervisor Candidates Forum

President Sauro handed out the postcard announcing the Forum which will be mailed soon.  He also distributed a letter-size version which several Board members agreed to post in appropriate locations around the BCNA area.  President Sauro reported that KGO has done an excellent job in preparing for the Forum, and that it is possible that the Forum may be live on the internet.  A tentative time chart and format sheet was presented and reviewed.  Eight candidates have agreed to attend.

 

The two questions which would be asked of all candidates were reviewed.  Question 1 will require a minor rewrite of the last sentence.  Suggested word change would be:  What is your position on development at this site?  The candidates would be given the two questions prior to the Forum.  Board members should submit additional questions – which each Board member could ask of an individual candidate – to President Sauro.

 

The Board discussed the sign-in process at KGO.  For security purposes, KGO will require all attendees to sign in upon building entry.  BCNA will require all attendees to sign in so that names and email addresses can be obtained for use in the membership drive.  Use of two different sign-in sheets seemed cumbersome so President Sauro agreed to check with KGO to see if a joint sign-in sheet could be used.

 

Lee Radner informed the Board that FOGG would be sending an Open Letter to its supporters that would include a statement about the Forum and encouraging people to attend.

 

Fred Allardyce recommended that people should arrive by 630pm to guarantee a seat for themselves as each candidate will be bringing their own supporters, and the room could fill quickly.

 

            i. President Sauro asked for volunteers to help stamp the postcards on Tuesday, August 26th at his home.  Several Board members agreed to help.

 

            ii. President Sauro circulated a Board signup sheet for duties at the Forum and Board members selected their assignments.

 

            b. Community Benefit District Progress Report

President Sauro informed the Board about a recent meeting he attended with Rob Black of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.  The Greater Downtown CBD is well into its formative stage.  The boundaries are Kearny Street to Washington Street to Market Street.  President Sauro will inquire whether this CBD could be expanded to include additional BCNA area.  He did say that this CBD does not want to include Jackson Square, SF Port tenants or the Golden Gateway Center.  Finally, he believes that ultimately BCNA should be its own CBD.

 

6.  New Business

            a.Sunday Streets’ Discussion

            i. The Board discussed the upcoming ‘Sunday Streets’ to be held on August 31st and September 14th.  BCNA will share a booth near the Ferry Building with FOGG.  BCNA needs folks to man the booth in 1 hour increments from 9am to 1pm.  President Sauro would like to have a 3 foot x 8 foot banner made (see 6.c below) which could be used for this event and for the Forum (see 5.a above).

 

            ii. President Sauro circulated a Board sign-up sheet for the event and Board members selected their assignments.

 

            b. Discussion of the Community Justice Center was deferred to the next meeting.

 

            c. President Sauro requested funds for purchase of a BCNA banner – cost estimate was $92.00 including shipping.  The funds request was approved by the Board.

 

7.  Next Meeting

The next BCNA Board Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008.

 

10.  Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill Benkavitch

Secretary