HomeMy WebLinkAboutRestaurant Association BID Minutes 09/27/20121
Minutes of the Newport Beach Restaurant Association
Business Improvement District
Board of Directors Meeting
September 27, 2012
Back Bay Bistro
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. There was not a general quorum, but
there was a quorum of the Executive Committee present.
Directors Present:
Sherri Drewry Wilma’s
Jim Walker Bungalow
Ali Zadeh The Port
Nicole Hay 21 Oceanfront
Guests / General Board Members Present:
Jim Mosher CNB Resident
Thomas Giulioni Back Bay Bistro
Sam Tila Royal Thai
Dan Purcell Resident
Tara Finnigan City of Newport Beach
Ron Schwartz Muldoon’s
Ex Officio:
Peggy Fort CMC, Inc.
Scott Palmer BID Systems
2. Introduction
-Introductions were made.
3. Public Comments
-Jim Mosher announced that the board is now on the City's boards and
appointments list. He also cited the November voting on the changes to the City
Charter. He specifically cited the deletion of section 1114 “claims and demands”
and the substitution of generalized legal structure.
4. Minutes
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-Minutes from the July 2012 meeting were reviewed. Changes were made as
follows: Giulioni misspelled, Finnigan and Sherri misspelled. The minutes were
approved with changes.
5. Presidents Report
-Jim Walker reported on the City-sponsored tax seminar. He specifically
addressed mandatory tipping and independent contractors.
6. City Report
- The Restaurant Week contract will be up for approval at the next City Council
meeting.
7. Financial
-Scott Palmer reported there has been an 85% collection rate with $185,292 cash
on hand.
-Peggy Fort said she will contact Jeff Parker at the Newport Chamber to recover
funds from the joint, Restaurant-Chamber event.
-Jim Walker asked for a budget vs. actual report and a projection of expenses
contract vs. discretionary to watch cash flow. Jim Walker, Tom Giulioni, Ali
Zadeh, Scott Palmer and Sherri Drewry and Peggy Fort will meet next week.
-Tom Giulioni motioned to approve the financials, Sherri seconded, approved.
8. Marketing
-Peggy Fort has almost filled sponsorships for the dining guide. She has found a
printer willing to do the work for $6,000 less.
-She reported the cooking pavilion was very successful at the Taste of Newport.
Ali reported that his booth business was 50% down from the prior year. He cited
the heat and the marketing efforts as reasons for the downturn. He also
mentioned that his employees had to pay for admission. Tom called for a panel
from the NBRA to consult to the Chamber about revising the event in the future.
He asked Ali and Sam Tila to attend with Tom and Jim. Dan Purcell brought up
security issues in chairing a meeting and his background in being raised in
Washington, DC. He talked about a world cuisine affair he had attended there.
Schwartz asked if the event is too long. Jim called for a greater participation
with the Chamber.
9. NBRA Restaurant Week
-Peggy Fort is working on a video incorporating the Taste of Newport with
Restaurant Week. She mentioned that the Restaurant Week orientation meeting
will be combined with the annual meeting, as well as a January intro meeting. Jim
was not certain a gala opening was necessary.
-Scott Palmer reviewed the requirements of the annual meeting versus the
orientation. Ron Schwartz asked about the efficacy of the program and the length
of the event. Peggy explained the justification of both questions. She will send
Ron the post-event evaluation. She clarified the difference between the Taste of
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Newport and Restaurant Week. Tom Giulioni also explained upcoming ideas.
Tom reported on the BCS event in 2014.
-Tom also announced the subcommittee that will review all marketing, and to do a
three-year strategic plan through a third-party individual. The study of line items
will be a part of this. Ali mentioned converting the BID to a 1994 BID.
-Peggy stated that a partnership with Visit NB is a priority.
-Peggy called for setting a date for the annual meeting. It was set at November 14
from 3-5p.m, with the regular meeting on November 28.
10. Future Agendas
-It was requested that next meeting have a special line item for the marketing
report.
11. Adjournment
-The meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m.