Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

August 20, 2009

Hornblower Santa Rosa, Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94111

 

 

 

The meeting began at 6:01 pm and was called to order by President Bill Sauro.

 

Board members in attendance in addition to President Sauro:  Morton Beebe, Bill Benkavitch, Jonathan Middlebrook, Carol Parlette, Linda Schwartz, Diana Taylor, Joe Wyman.

 

Board members who were absent:  Mary Lou Licwinko, Felix Rodriguez.

 

Also in attendance:  Bob Harrer, Connie Hazel.

 

1.  Quorum Call.  When the meeting was called to order, there were seven Board members in attendance.

 

2.  Approval of Minutes.  The minutes of the July 20, 2009 meeting were approved as amended, unanimously.  These minutes had previously been sent to Board members for comment.

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report.  Carol Parlette distributed the Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Budget Summary Report as of 8/20/2009.  The current balance is $3,691.98, which is $1,092.17 less than July.  The only expense was the Summer Newsletter.  President Sauro stated that 100 Newsletters were sent by email which resulted in a $44.00 savings.  The Board adopted the Treasurer’s Report unanimously.

 

4.  Bylaws Revision Committee Report – Jonathan Middlebrook.  Jonathan Middlebrook advised the Board that the revision recommendations proposed to the Bylaws from the last Board meeting are still being processed.  He will send the next draft to the Board when completed.

 

The Board discussed the Map and Area Description for BCNA Boundaries.  President Sauro presented a new map and also written descriptions of the area for current boundaries and also for an enlarged BCNA.  The Board discussed the likelihood that there could be some overlap with existing neighborhood groups or that new neighborhood groups could be formed.  Words of inclusiveness in the BCNA description, and working with these other neighborhood groups would be appropriate.  President Sauro’s handout included text for that possible occurrence.

 

Of particular interest is the Jackson Square area, where a Merchant’s Group currently exists.  The Board thought that it would be wise to liaison with Sarah Stocking, who is head of the Jackson Square Merchant’s Group before including that area within the BCNA boundaries.  Linda Schwartz agreed to meet with Sarah and discuss this with her.

 

5.  Board Member Interest Discussion – Membership, Social, etc.  The Board had a discussion concerning the need to seek more commitment by Board members in different areas.  The Board has had an ongoing task to find ways to increase membership in the association and to get more people involved.  President Sauro stated that 70% of existing membership comes from the Golden Gateway Commons, and they expect BCNA to look out for their issues.  For the northern waterfront, there are currently not any issues, although the proposed Cruise Ship Terminal at Pier 27 could be a pivotal point.  Besides proposed developments, there are other concerns such as safety, transportation and senior citizen issues in the BCNA area.

 

Social events could serve as an excellent way to promote new membership.  Board members suggested entertainment, speakers, historical discussions, and special dinners at local businesses as a way to accomplish this.

 

Diana Taylor said she would work to raise membership, and proposed that each Board member should get five people to join BCNA.

 

Jonathan Middlebrook agreed to work on social events and recruiting.

 

Morton Beebe suggested that the Plant Café Organic at Pier 3 would be an excellent venue for a social event.

 

Connie Hazel agreed to work with Joe Wyman to stimulate business memberships and promote the BCNA efforts on her web site.

 

Jonathan Middlebrook led a discussion about the motorcycle noise in the neighborhood.  He suggested getting people to document the occurrence, get license plate numbers, and liaison with Central Station.  The Board agreed that it would be a good idea to talk to Supervisor David Chiu prior to initiating any action.  Jonathan agreed to call Supervisor Chiu and discuss this with him.

 

Morton Beebe agreed to do a video of the motorcycles.

 

During this discussion, President Sauro stated that Supervisor Chiu would be holding another meeting with representatives of neighborhood groups on Thursday, September 24.

 

Linda Schwartz agreed to continue to follow transportation issues along the Embarcadero.

 

6.  Plans for Social Events.  After completing the previous discussion item, two social events are to be pursued.

 

Morton Beebe agreed to meet with the owner of the Plant Café Organic and set up a social event.

 

Diana Taylor agreed to meet with the owner of the Ship Saloon and set up a social event.  Linda Schwartz agreed to help Diana.

 

The format at each event would be developed as planning progresses (entertainment, guest speaker, special dinner, etc.)

 

The Board concluded that a no-host bar would be more appropriate than offering free alcohol.

 

The timeframe for the social events that Morton and Diana are planning to set up would be in September and November.

 

7.  Replacement of Resigned Board Member – Discussion.  The Board discussed the need to fill the 11th Board member position.  It was suggested that someone from the northern waterfront or from a business would be good for balance of the Board.  Bob Harrer was attending this meeting as a BCNA member, as he has done in the past.  He stated he would be interested in being on the Board.  As there were other potential candidates for consideration, Bob was asked to leave the meeting during the forthcoming discussion.

 

The Board discussed four other candidates.  After hearing the attributes of each of these people and the likelihood of their participating, the Board agreed that Bob Harrer would be an excellent addition to the BCNA Board.  A motion was raised and seconded for Bob to be voted onto the Board.  The Board voted unanimously for Bob Harrer to be a Board Member.

 

Bob returned to the Board meeting and accepted the Board position.

 

8.  Informational Meeting with THD, SF Tomorrow:  555 Washington Street.  Diana Taylor told the Board about a recent meeting she and Jonathan Middlebrook attended with Aaron Peskin and Nancy Shanahan.  Aaron wanted to know the rationale for the recent BCNA letter supporting – with conditions – the proposed project.  There is a lot of information, according to Aaron, that the Board does not have, and that it would be best to take no position.

 

A follow up meeting is now planned on this proposed project.  This is an opportunity for the Board to meet with THD, Aaron, Nancy and SF Tomorrow to hear Aaron’s views and to do ‘relationship building’ between and among the participants.  The meeting – a BCNA Board Executive Session - will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd and will be hosted by Jonathan Middlebrook.  All Board members are asked to attend.

 

Further, President Sauro stated that discussion of the 8 Washington Street proposed project is ‘not on the table’ at this meeting.

 

9.  Old Business:  Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance.  President Sauro stated that there is limited liability as a non-profit association Board member.  He agreed to follow up on what the cost would be for D&O Insurance and let Board members know.  The Board had a brief discussion about getting more information and Bill suggested contacting Mary Lou Licwinko directly with any follow up questions.  One Board member asked if there were any general guidelines available about fiduciary and political ramifications.  Linda Schwartz stated that her husband, an attorney, felt the Board should have insurance.

 

10.  Next Meetings.  As stated in Agenda Item 8, the Board will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.  Meeting starting time is to be determined.  This meeting will be in lieu of the regularly scheduled September Board meeting, which will not be held.

 

11.  Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill Benkavitch

Secretary