Downtown Oakland Association/Lake Merritt-Uptown District Association Joint SOBO Committee June 28th, 2011 at 12pm- Old Oakland

811 Broadway Present: Staff: Guests: Laurie Berberich, Michelle Lane, Martin Ward, Tanicia Jackson Marco Li Mandri, Steve Snider, Andrew Jones, Ted Tarver, Harold Dees, Rick Williams, Derek Gaskin, Eddie Simlin

Minutes The following items were discussed and recommendations or actions are made to the Board as follows:

Subject
Introductions

Discussion
Introductions were made and the meeting began at 12:08 p.m. Andrew presented the quotes for landscaping that he received in response to his RFP. The bids were based on a $50K budget. Martin and Laurie reminded Drew that the budget was in fact $30K-$15K for hanging plants and $15K for medians. Andrew was asked to determine if the DOA price is predicated on the price for both districts. Andrew was also asked to create a bid comparison spreadsheet and distribute to the committee chairs. Andrew explained that due in large part to excessive dumping and incidents of graffiti in both districts; Peralta has been billing the CBDs for supplemental services. The supplemental billing has eaten up the annual budget for miscellaneous SOBO expenses. Once staff identified the Peralta billing inconsistencies, a meeting was held with Harold and Rick to discuss. Since the issue was identified, the supplemental billing has ceased and Peralta is contacting PWA as a first line of defense and waiting 48 hours for graffiti abatement and 72

Action?

Discussion of DOA Specific issues

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

Approval of minutes, April 20th, 2011

hours for bulky pickups before doing the work. Please see Ricks report below for further discussion of this issue. In regards to the budget issues, it was determined that it was better to have the Misc. SOBO line item run with a variance as opposed to not providing the services, e.g. collection of excessive dumping and graffiti abatement. The minutes of the April 20th meeting were reviewed. One error was identified. On page 1 of the minutes, Cipher should be changed to Cypress.

Security Ambassador Report: Ted Tarver

Ted explained that he and the ambassadors are contending with an increase in activity of the socalled Anarchists. The group held a march from Telegraph to Broadway on July 1st, effectively shutting down Julys First Friday event. A second march was held last week to the Main Library. When this group engages in this sort of activity, Ted maximizes staff levels to make sure that all building assets are protected. Ted informed the committee that following the library march, some of the anarchists vandalized 66 of the city parking pay stations with expanding foam. Surveillance video from local security, once compared to photos taken by the ambassadors, assisted in the identification of the suspects as being a part of the anarchist group. Ted hopes that this information will assist in obtaining a stay away order for the anarchist group. Ted explained to the committee that he has been working with local security managers and OPD to develop a safety video and safety brochure for new tenant/new hires and smaller properties that do not benefit form an onsite security manager. Derek Gaskin outlined the following key issues they aim to address: public safety, after hours safety, access control panhandling and overall workplace violence. Ted proposed a possible collaboration with Youth Radio to produce the training video and discussion of CBD funding of the brochure took place. Martin suggested that staff synthesize the proposal into a recommendation with associated costs and bring it to the board for approval. Steve recommended going through DISI for funding or looking to Clorox for a mini grant.

Martin moved and Michelle seconded the motion to accept the minutes with one correction. The motion was approved unanimously. No action taken

Maintenance Ambassador Report: Rick Williams

Rick explained to the committee that maintenance has been operating more smoothly now than in the first three months of the year and that instances of tagging/graffiti are down. Rick explained that his crew had recently cleaned out the Latham Square fountain (horse trough), power-washed the signage at the Broadway shuttle stops and increased the watering of the hanging baskets from once to twice a week. Rick also explained that Peralta is working collaboratively with business owners in both districts to abate graffiti on awnings by painting them with a matching color. Vinyl awnings can be cleaned, but the cloth awnings need to be painted. Peralta will provide the painting as a one-time courtesy and the work is being documented with photographs. Peralta will be unveiling a new service on July 12th to abate acid etching on glass throughout the districts. Relevant to the discussion above (DOA Specific Issues), Rick has been in touch with Dave Ferguson and Frank Foster of PWA regarding the illegal dumping within the districts and the issue with PWAs response time. Rick and Harold proposed that PWA, through the citys relationship with Waste Management, provide the CBDs with a 40 cubic yard dumpster and a secure location within the districts to store it. Peralta would reduce costs incurred for excessive dump runs by transporting large items to that location. Frank Foster rejected the proposal. Andrew, Harold and Rick will continue to explore this option with PWA. In the interim, Peralta is calling PWA to report incidents of graffiti and giving them 48 hours to abate and incidents of oversize dumping (mattresses, couches, hazardous materials etc.) and giving them 72 hours to respond before Peralta moves in to address the issue. Martin Ward raised the concern that by giving PWA three full days to pick up the items that we end up picking it up any way, defeats our purpose. At some point they would do it as it is ultimately their responsibility, so the argument can be made that they should make it easier for us.

No action taken

District Services Coordinator Report: Andrew Jones

Andrew will send out a cost breakdown spreadsheet of landscaping bids to all SOBO chairs. Bids included the cost of hanging plants,

Michelle moved and Laurie seconded the

a) Hanging Plants b) Back of BART, Status c) Banner/Hanging Plant Unveiling recap d) Status of clock, $2K allocation for dedicated switch e) Peralta Services Billing Issue

medians and back of BART planters. Tanicia explained that she has gotten nowhere with her BART contacts in regards to moving the approval process forward, but with Andrews assistance, she will continue to work up the chain at BART until they secure the endorsement of the project. Andrew explained that all went well with the Spring Unveiling press event and that the projects have been very well received by the community. Andrew also explained that the banner program along Broadway has not been successful as no one is pleased with the design. It was suggested at the last DISI meeting that we pursue the installation of hanging baskets along Broadway instead of new banners and Samee Roberts with the city agreed. Staff will be evaluating budgets to determine how many poles we can install baskets on-ideally up and down Broadway and along side streets. Staff will also follow up with Samee and Aliza to obtain a firm endorsement from the city before proceeding. Andrew explained that the restored art deco clock was connected to a switch inside the watch repair shop on the corner of 17th and Broadway and each night when the proprietors turn their lights off, they would also turn off the clock. The clock, therefore, has not had the accurate time since installation. Andrew has had an electrician evaluate the situation and the cost for the dedicated switch will be $2K. Members of the committee agreed that the meter should be installed and that billing be in the name of the CBD. Staff explained that they had met with Walter Cohen, Drew Lisac, Aliza Gallo and Brian Kendall to discuss priority projects within the districts that require the support/authorization of both CEDA and PWA. Andrew will be writing a letter to Mr. Cohen outlining the priority projects and expressing our sincere desire for CEDA/PWA cooperation with the CBDs. The identified public spaces are Latham Square, 13th Street and Franklin Bend. No further discussion of this issue took place at this meeting. No discussion of this issue took place at this meeting.

motion to allocate an amount not to exceed $2K from the Misc. SOBO line item to install a dedicated switch for the art deco clock. The motion was approved unanimously.

Walter Cohen Meeting-possible encroachment permit amendment and discussion of union issues/potential resolution regarding median landscaping Preparing for maintenance of new public spaces in the next two years Tree planting maintenances schedule by the city

No action taken

No action taken

No action taken

Other Next Meeting Dates

none No meeting was scheduled.

Minutes taken by Victoria Decker, staff