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Committee Updates

Organizational Issues/Committee snapshots - August 2010

Police/Downtown Entertainment Committee

Chairperson:  John Conway

No update in this area since proposed changes to the City of San Jose Entertainment Permit were approved by City Council on June 22. Changes include a reduction in the number of security required at entertainment venues from 2/100 to 1/50; lengthening the time an Entertainment Permit is valid from 2 years to 4 years with a review at 2 years; reducing the overall cost of the permit; tying the issuance of a manager's card to an individual rather than to an entertainment establishment; and reducing the cost of a manager's card. The Downtown Association provided a letter of support to the council on this issue.

Marketing Arts & Dining

Chairperson:  John Price

The committee met on July 20 in Morton’s new private dining room. GoTown, a free downloadable iPhone application for cities and towns, presented to the group. The committee also discussed the results from the Dine Downtown restaurant and patron surveys. More than 60% of the restaurants saw an increase in reservations and 72% saw an increase in new customers. About 70% said the promotion resulted in attracting their target audience. As a result, the majority of the restaurants plan to participate in Dine Downtown next year. About 70% of the patrons knew June 2-12 was Dine Downtown San Jose “restaurant week.” More than 60% were visiting the restaurant for the first time, and more than half were planning to visit multiple restaurants. About 65% lived in San Jose and only 20% worked downtown. More than 90% found parking convenient and 99% planned to participate in Dine Downtown next year.

San Pedro Square Committee

Chairpersons:  Margaret Handyside and Cathy Cassetta

The committee did not meet in July however the Downtown Farmers' Market continues every Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., through December 17 and the second of three Starlight Cinemas screenings in the neighborhood, Batman, occurred on July 14. Approximately 850 people attended the outdoor screening. Next up - The Goonies (1985) on August 11.

Historic District

Chairperson:  Todd Trekell

Post Street businesses have been briefed on Jazz Festival closures and mitigation. A meeting of San Fernando street businesses will be called in August to explore formation of a San Fernando Street Restaurant Row co-op. Starlight Cinemas continues to show in the district with “An American in Paris” showing July 21.

Finance Committee 

Chairperson:  Sean Cottle

Met June 23 to review May financial statements, FY 09-10 and FY 10-11 revised budget, conflict of interest policy and required disclosures draft, status of ice rink, BID issues and Music in the Park. The committee did not meet in July. Next meeting is August 25.

SOFA (South First Area) Committee

Co-chairs: Richard Berg and Ben Soriano

SoFAC met July 28 to go over details of the upcoming Jazz Festival and Zombie Crawl in August ZeroOne and Park(ing) Day in September and Next Thursday lunches at Gore Park, which started July 29. The committee also celebrated new overhead decorative lighting courtesy Groundwerx and installation of bike racks courtesy the city and RDA. More than 1200 attended a July 28 Starlight Cinema’s screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show in SOFA. Next meeting is Aug 25.

Downtown Parking Board/Parking Committee

Co-chairs:  Diana Beechie and Troy Tibbils

The parking board met June 2 and elected Diana Beechie as chairperson for FY10-11. The Board approved the parking fund budget and reviewed priorities for next fiscal year. The RDA sold Blocks 2 and 8 to Sobrato Development and SJDA did outreach to businesses regarding the change in ownership (May 27) when city parking validations will no longer be accepted. The next Parking Board meeting is August 4 – the Board will now meet quarterly.

PBID Board of Directors

President:  Chuck Hammers

The PBID annual report was approved unanimously by the City Council on June 15. The Council also approved the proposed 2.9% assessment increase for 2010 and the City's baseline contribution. Councilman Liccardo pulled the item off the consent calendar and said a few words about the value of the PBID, citing the recent survey results and beautification projects. Installation of "phase 3" of the beautification will continue through June and into the first few weeks of July. The beautification subcommittee will meet prior to the July 13 board meeting to begin selecting the location of the next beautification project. The Hwy 87 cleanup project is being finalized, work will begin once the City funds are released in July.

Marketing, Events, and Promotion

Chairperson:  Chris Cabrera

The committee has not met since April 22 when a few members brainstormed about potential Music in the Park sponsors. The committee's recommendations to increase revenue for Music in the Park (MP) and Downtown Ice (Ice) were presented at the March 12 SJDA board of director's retreat. Recommendations included generating an additional $50K in sponsorship for MP and Ice, increasing MP concession sales by $50K and Ice admissions by $25K and increasing revenue generated by MP VIP tents by $10K. These revenue increases will be achieved through increased board member involvement, programming and operational efficiencies and the expansion of sponsor benefits.

Advocacy

Chairperson:  Henry Cord

The Advocacy Committee did not meet in July and will reconvene August 31. Members showed up at the City Council Rules Committee meeting July 28 to discuss Major League Baseball and the possible November or Spring stadium vote.

Downtown Foundation

Co-chairs:  Diana Beechie

The trustees did not meet in July.  The next meeting will be in August, date to be determined.

For updates, please view: www.sjdowntown.com/Downtown_Doors.html

Board Organizational Committee

Chairperson: Tore Saso

Board candidate recruitment occurred in July. The committee last met on June 22 to review a list of potential SJDA board of directors candidates and to updates the "SJDA Board of Directors Requirements" sheet. Nominee interviews will occur in August, Executive Committee approval of potential candidates will take place in early September and the BID membership will vote on potential candidates by the SJDA Annual Meeting in October.

Downtown Design Committee (formerly BHAD Committee)

Chairperson:  Kent Mather 

After a period of dormancy, the committee was reconvened with specific outreach to the downtown architectural community and met on July 6. Creating criteria and process for the Jim Fox Golden Nail award, as well as the second tier Golden Spike award, was discussed. The committee also discussed exploring a mechanism to encourage good design principles for downtown. The committee will meet in August to discuss potential Jim Fox Golden Nail candidates.

(Last update August 9, 2010)