HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorona del Mar BID Minutes 03/27/20141
Minutes of the
Corona del Mar Business Improvement District
Board Meeting
March 27, 2014
CdM Chamber of Commerce Offices
2855 E. Coast Hwy, Suite 101, Corona del Mar
I. Call to Order
Chairman Svalstad called the meeting to order at 7:33 AM. II. Roll Call
Chairman Svalstad called the roll and determined that a quorum was present.
Board Members Present: Chairman Svalstad; Director Nicholson; Director Dawson; Director Jim Walker, Director Scott
Laidlaw
Absent – Director Palmer; Director Prause
Quorum Achieved
City Representatives
None
BID Consultants:
Bob Quaid, BID Administrator (Willdan Financial Services)
Linda Leonhard, BID Marketing Consultant (Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce)
Guest(s):
Amy Senk (CdM Today); Richard Magdaleno (Magdaleno Financial Services); Michael Toerge
(Strata Land Company); Karen Tringali (Corona del Mar Residents Association); Jim Mosher
(Resident); Ron Yeo (Resident), Herb Karg (Resident); Linda Rasner (Corona del Mar
Residents Association).
III. Public Comments on Agenda Items
Jim Mosher commented that the CdM BID fixed fee structure for banks and insurance
companies have not been increased since the BID formation in 1997. The CdM BID may want
to consider changing its fee structure on these institutions to keep up with inflation.
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Herb Karg inquired about the new trash service. Ms. Tringali noted that the Corona del Mar
Resident Association has this information posted on their website.
IV. Approval of Minutes
Chairman Svalstad requested a motion to approve the February 27, 2014 minutes.
MOTION:
Vice Chairman Nicholson moved to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2014 meeting.
Director Laidlaw seconded the motion. No discussion followed.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
V. Current Business
A. BID Chairman Report
Chairman Svalstad attended the March 11 City Council meeting and informed the Board that the
Council approved the initiation of a proposed zone code amendment to modify the A-Frame sign
regulation.
B. City Council Report
There were no City Council members present.
C. Parking Project Priorities
Director Walker provided a recap of the March 25 sSpecial Board meeting to determine the
Board’s priorities with regard to the short and long term parking management plan strategies
presented in the draft CdM Parking Management Plan as summarized in the two-page
strategies matrix prepared by the City. The BID voted to support the eight short-term parking
strategies with the short-term strategy to “revise the zoning code to create appropriate
development standards” being the BID’s highest priority. The BID will prepare a letter with its
approved recommendations for Fern Nueno, City of Newport Beach Community Development
Department, to include in a City Council staff report.
Director Walker further stated that the second priority is an outreach to property owners with
available parking lots to work with the City for uses of these spaces by other local businesses
during off hours. The third priority is to find an alternative to on-street parking for employees of
businesses with evening hours, particularly restaurants.
Director Svalstad clarified that the Board voted to send a letter to the City supporting the eight
short-term strategies, with strategy 1 “revise the zoning code to create appropriate development
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standards” as the first priority , and that the other short-term strategies would be prioritized more
definitively as the plan progressed through the City’s Community Development Department.
Discussion continued on the issues relating to the various parking strategies. Director Laidlaw
stated that further public outreach, meetings and eventual hearings would be required, as all of
the strategies will require some change to the City’s municipal code, evaluation by the
Community Development Department and approval by the City Council.
D. Marguerite Design Concept
Dan Hermann from Rabben/Herman Design was unable to attend the meeting. He is in the
process of creating a display board outlining the Marguerite design concepts that will be
exhibited at the Annual Meeting on April 16, 2014.
Chairman Svalstad provided a brief summary of the proposed design and cost.
E. BID Amnesty Program Results
Mr. Quaid reported on the BID Amnesty Program results. Amnesty bills totaling $50,000 were
distributed to fifty active BID members. Currently, $6,300 has been collected from eight
delinquent members. Chairman Svalstad suggested that the BID Board spend the next month
calling the members who received amnesty notices, especially the banks that owe significant
amounts. The Board discussed options including using an outside agency to handle collections.
MOTION:
Director Walker motioned to have Bob Quaid put together a recommendation to the Board
outlining what the procedures might be and what cost might be incurred to hire an outside
agency. Director Laidlaw seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
F. Landscape Maintenance Proposal Selection
Chairman Svalstad and Director Laidlaw reviewed the contracts submitted by the two landscape
maintenance companies. Chairman Svalstad would like to renegotiate certain aspects of the
proposals dealing with minimum wage escalation.
MOTION:
Chairman Laidlaw motioned to postpone the discussion and approval of the landscape proposal
until next month pending further review of the proposals. Director Dawson seconded the
motion.
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The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
G. Revitalization Improvement Projects & Maintenance Items
• Gateway Improvements – There was no update on this project. Mr. Quaid was directed to
talk with City staff to determine what the next step is on this project and present at the next
Board meeting.
• Street Furniture Maintenance -
o Re-powder coating trash receptacles: Mr. Quaid received a quote in October
from Newport Mesa Power Coating. The company needs to provide a letter
regarding the officers of the company so that the City can prepare the contract
for signature.
o Bike racks: Locations have been identified. On April 8 City staff will present the
bike rack program to the City Council for approval. Total cost quote is $14,558,
which is within the approved budget.
o Newspaper racks: The City is currently working on a change to the municipal
code.
o Plaza Upkeep: Chairman Svalstad stated that there is an MOU between the City
and the BID that places responsibility for the Plaza hard surfaces with the City.
o Landscaping / Tree Wells: Chairman Svalstad walked through the area by Rite
Aid and noted several tree wells did not appear to be well maintained. Choosing
a landscape company will be on next month’s agenda.
o Pocket Park: Ron Yeo stated that the construction documents are finished, there
are still some legalities involved in transferring the land but things are on
schedule to go out to bid for June or July.
H. BID Financial Reports for February 2014
Bob Quaid reviewed the February 2014 financial reports.
Chairman Svalstad brought up an expense item under maintenance. In addition to standard
maintenance, three backflow devises had to be rebuilt bringing the total bill to $2,045, which
was $45 over the backflow budget. Chairman Svalstad entertained a motion to approve the bill
and transfer $50 from the Centennial Plaza budget to Backflow budget.
MOTION:
Director Nicholson moved to approve the bill for $2,045, to take $50 out of the Centennial Plaza
Budget and move it to maintenance. Director Walker seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
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Chairman Svalstad entertained a motion to approve the financials for February 2014 financials.
MOTION:
Director Laidlaw moved to approve the February 2014 financial reports. Director Dawson
seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
I. BID Annual Meeting Scheduled for April 16, 2014
The Board discussed the agenda, planning, scheduling and staffing for the upcoming Annual
Town Meeting. The main topics of discussion will be the Gateway project, the Parking Plan
study and the Marguerite project. Dan Herman will speak on and provide posters for the
Marguerite project. Any other posters or handouts will be provided by the BID. Chairman
Svalstad emphasized the importance of Board member attendance in order to obtain an
quorum.
J. Website Upgrade
Linda Leonhard met with Newport Beach and Company (NB&Co.) in an attempt to move
forward and get clarity on the website design. NB&Co. is trying to design a website that will sell
businesses, shopping, etc. while the BID is looking for a website that will incorporate projects,
timelines, etc. Ms. Leonhard requested that they prepare a technical proposal that breaks down
specifically what they will provide. NB&Co. would like to present their ideas at the next Board
meeting.
K. Marketing Report
Linda Leonhard presented marketing updates:
• The directory is currently at the mail house. It will be direct mailed to 12,000 locations
and will be available at the annual meeting.
• The brochure gets updated every year with annual projects, goals and priorities. After
the annual report is complete, the brochure will be updated. This topic will be discussed
at the next meeting.
MOTION:
Vice Chairman Nicholson moved to award Rite Aid the Beautification Award. Director Laidlaw
seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
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Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicolson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Walker.
L. CdM Chamber of Commerce Report
Numbers are above what they have been in the past for the 5K registration.
Linda Leonhard encouraged the Board members to attend the Government Affairs Committee
meetings which take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM.
VI. CdM BID announcements or matters which members would like placed on a future
agenda for discussion, action or report (non-discussion items).
No items were discussed at this time.
VII. Adjournment
Vice Chairman Nicholson requested a motion to adjourn.
MOTION:
Vice Chairman Nicholson moved to adjourn the meeting. Director Laidlaw seconded the motion.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Chairman Svalstad, Vice Chairman Nicholson, Director Dawson, Director Laidlaw,
Director Prause.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
VIII. Next Scheduled Meeting:
The annual meeting will be on April 16, 2014 and the next regular board meeting with be on April 24, 2014.