Downtown Oakland Association/Lake Merritt-Uptown District Association Joint (S.O.B.O.

) Sidewalk Operations Beautification Order Committee Minutes of April 17, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. Old Oakland Conference Room - 811 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 Present: Staff: Guest: Michelle Lane, Martin Ward, Lorie Alemania, Tanicia Jackson, Aliza Gallo Andrew Jones/District Services Manager, Steve Snider/District Manager, Victoria Decker/Office Manager, Fiona Simms/Administrative Assistant Kurt Biddle/Madison Park Financial, Mark Guerra/Lincoln University

Discussions held and decisions made by the SOBO Committee

Subject
Introductions Public Comment and Announcements

Discussion
Andrew called the meeting to order at 11:36 a.m. Lorie noted that the SF Regional Center has purchased several buildings in the districts. There was much discussion about extending an invitation to participate on a committee or the board, and of their plans for their various buildings. Steve noted that Tom Henderson is the owner, and reported on his communication and activities with Tom. There was discussion of parking issues on and near 13th Street. There was also discussion of the inclusion of the Fox in the district, and that the districts cannot manually bill for services outside of their boundaries. It was decided that security issues both within and outside of the district boundaries should be discussed at a separate meeting. The committee also discussed Bike to Work Day, a press conference for the Warriors, the Uptown Art Park, popuphood, HUB Oakland, and a possible May 1st protest. The committee reviewed the minutes of January 23, 2013

Action?

Approval of minutes from January 23, 2013 meeting

Tanicia moved and Michelle seconded the motion to approve the minutes of January 13, 2013. The motion was approved unanimously.

388 19th Street Oakland, California 94612 DOA Phone 510.238.1122 LMUDA Phone 510.452.4529 Fax 510.452.4530 info@downtownoakland.org www.downtownoakland.org info@lakemerritt-uptown.org www.lakemerritt-uptown.org

Security Ambassador Report Ted Tarver

In the absence Andrew reported on the Ambassador team as a whole. He especially noted the teamwork of Block by Block and Peralta with Administrative staff to install the new hanging plant baskets. Michelle noted that cell phone thefts had apparently declined. Staff informed the committee that cell phone thefts had not declined, but that the Ambassador team has made developments with OPD to work toward arrests. He also noted that because our staff has such familiarity with the perpetrators of these crimes that it is very difficult for them to perform a cell phone theft and not get caught while the Ambassadors are on duty. In the absence Andrew reported on the Ambassador team as a whole. He especially noted the teamwork of Block by Block and Peralta with Administrative staff to install the new hanging plant baskets. The committee reviewed the budget. Tori noted that it does not reflect the payment of the March invoices for Ambassador services, or the purchase of equipment and supplies related to the hanging plant baskets. Martin asked if the committee is on budget, and Tori noted that we are within our annual budget. Michelle requested a breakdown of each projects budget, which staff will create and provide to the committee. Tori clarified that while we are paying no labor costs for plant watering, we do still pay EBMUD for the water itself. Andrew reported that we are still experiencing plant theft from the BART planters. He noted that the utility box art wraps should be installed by the end of June, and he explained the process for selecting the artists. Michelle commented that DISI should be a part of the art selection process. The hanging plants are installed. Andrew reported that Country Garden Nursery has been great to work with. The plants are stressed from the move, but Country Garden Nursery has assured us that they will bounce back quickly. The medians have been mulched and planted. In the Downtown there are several medians that are covered in shade, so they have fewer colorful plants and more shrub/hedge type

Maintenance Ambassador Report Rick Williams

Budget Review

District Service Coordinator Updates Andrew Jones

plants. Irrigation systems have been installed in all of the medians. There has been one issue of pedestrians walking across the medians and damaging the plants and equipment. Pathways will be installed to discourage this. Andrew detailed the developments with the CCTV program. He noted what property owners have agreed to participate and he is drafting contracts for those buildings. Several owners are interested and he is preparing site visits and quotes for their buildings. If all of the property owners currently in discussions with Andrew join the system, we will be at maximum storage capacity, and any additions will require the purchase of more digital storage. Andrew explained the citys plans for Latham Square and that he has put his equipment purchases on hold. Andrew noted that he will send the designs to the committee. The first phase is a test of the street closure, and phase 2 must be underway by 2014. The city has arranged for 2 years of maintenance, and is considering an arrangement with us for maintenance after that. There has been concern expressed about food trucks in that area competing with the surrounding businesses. For now, the districts will not be supporting food pods. The committee decided to talk in detail about food trucks and street vending at the next meeting. Under the encroachment permit, the districts have control over food trucks within our boundaries. Andrew explained the Ambassador Card program and noted that so far it is going well. Steve noted that in future the committee should begin thinking about developments in Snow Park. Other Staff reported that a journalist from La Monde, a French daily newspaper, visited the districts while researching a story on hired security. Staff explained how our program is different and showed her around the districts to see how the Ambassadors interact with the public and the merchants. June 19th, 2013 The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

Next meeting date Adjournment

Minutes taken by: Fiona Simms, Administrative Assistant