Committee Updates
Organizational Issues/Committee snapshots - February 1 2012
Police/Downtown Entertainment Committee
Chairperson: John Conway
No update for the month of January.
Marketing Arts & Dining
Chairperson: John Price
The committee met on January 10. Members shared their organizations’ key marketing goals for 2012. Updates were given on Music in the Park and summer programming for 2012. The group discussed dates for Dine Downtown San Jose (June 20 – July 1) prix fixe menu pricing and promotions. Members toured the San Pedro Square Market.
San Pedro Square Committee
Chairpersons: Cathy Spielberger Cassetta
The committee met on January 18. Meeting discussion items included WinterFest 2012, a proposal for a Bastille Day event in July, updates on the 2012 Starlight Cinema series in the neighborhood as well as an announcement about the renewal campaign for the downtown Property-based improvement district. The next committee meeting will be March 21.
Historic District
Chairperson: Todd Trekell
The Historic District Committee met January 11 at Bella Mia Restaurant. The agenda included a safety check-in, Historic District updates with new businesses including the status of business slated to open along First St. and in the Kotansky building. Materials on Starlight Cinemas sponsorship opportunities were distributed. The group discussed parklets and the general consensus was not favorable. Eric Hon, Operations Manager, gave tree trimming updates for the work scheduled along First St. Next meeting is February 8.
Finance Committee
Chairperson: Chris Neale
Met January 25 to review November and December financial statements, ice rink FY 11-12 projected actuals, FY 11-12 revised budget and FY 12-13 draft budget. Next meeting is February 22.
SOFA (South First Area) Committee
Co-chairs: Richard Berg and Roger Springall
SoFAC met Jan. 25 and reviewed plans to refurbish Gore Park as an “outdoor living room” through a 1stACT secured ArtPlace grant, and viewed a presentation of Zero1’s plans for its biennial and ArtHere program. Next meeting scheduled for Feb. 29.
Downtown Parking Board/Parking Committee
Chair: Steve Borkenhagen
The parking board met Oct. 5 to receive their 2011-12 final financial report and to approve enhancements to the monthly parking incentive program. Next meetings will be February 1 and May 2.
President: Chuck Hammers
The PBID board held a joint public meeting with SJDA on January 13. This meeting officially kicked off the PBID renewal campaign. Staff continues to meet with property owners to review the draft management plan
and discuss some new proposed services aimed at enhancing downtown security and economic development. Petitions will be mailed to property owners by February 2. The next PBID board meeting is February 21.
Advocacy
Chairperson: Henry Cord
The Advocacy Committee met January 31 to discuss Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) issues, the Ground Floor Ordinance amendment, the possibility of developing a Community Development Corporation, San Jose’s proposal to hike the minimum wage and the baseball stadium. The committee meets again Feb. 28.
Downtown Foundation
Co-chairs: Diana Beechie
The Foundation Trustees met on January 10 to finalize a presentation given to the SJ Arts Commission on Wednesday, January 11. The Arts Commission presentation was given by trustees Stuart and Morrill and was extremely well received. The presentation gave an overview of the organization, its history, the Downtown Doors program and proposed future growth for both the Downtown Doors and the San Jose Downtown Foundation. The Foundation’s program subcommittee is scheduled to meet on February 9 and the next Board of Trustees meeting will be February 14.
Board Organizational Committee
Chairs: Tore Saso and Geri Wong
No update for the month of January.
Downtown Large Commercial Property Owners/Managers
Contact: Eric Hon
The Commercial Property Owners meet quarterly and met last on November 16. At that meeting, the group reported a lot of leasing activity and new tenants. They were presented with the PBID’s draft management plan. The PBID is up for renewal in 2012 and is proposing some additional services that are designed to assist commercial property owners with business retention and growth, as well as security. The next scheduled meeting of the Commercial Property Owners is February 15. Staff is currently reaching out to this group for feedback on agenda items.
Downtown Design Committee (formerly BHAD Committee)
Chairperson: Kent Mather
The Downtown Design Committee met January 25 and discussed SPUR, parklets, Convention Center design and BRT design. The group decided to take a big picture approach in regards to “what’s the design vision for San Jose in a post-RDA world” and agreed to focus on values around design, architecture, and public process. The next meeting date will be Feb 22.
(Las update Feb.4, 2012)
The BOD decided to move forward with the next beautification Project (Phase 3) in FY 2009-10. The beautification subcommittee met Feb. 17 to identify the Phase 3 location and improvements for Phase 1. The committee will convene again on March 10 to finalize its recommendations before the March 16 BOD meeting. The BOD will continue its discussion on tree trimming obligations downtown and the 2010
Highway 87 cleanup project. The PBID BOD meets March 16.