DLBA Board Meeting Summary - February 20, 2008

Please note that the minutes are a draft until approved at the March 19, 2008, Board meeting.

I.        CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jim Brophy called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m., and self-introductions were made.

II.       PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.

III.      APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Becky Blair made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2008, Board meeting.  Phil Appleby seconded the motion.  All in favor; none opposed.

IV.      FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Appleby noted that the deferred revenue report now includes an $85,000 fund balance, which previously had been reported each year in the annual audit but not in the monthly financial reports.  The funds are uncommitted and may be allocated by the Board.  Appleby also noted that the pie charts now show year-to-date actual vs. budgeted revenues and expenses.    Mark Fronke commented that PBID revenue had been received since the December 2007 report and would be included in future reports. 

Kraig Kojian advised the Board that the three-month reserve amounts for DPIA and PBID had been reinvested in 12-month certificates of deposit with a 4% interest rate; likewise, the $300,000 allocated to the Gateway Sign Program had been invested in a 6-month certificate of deposit with a 4% interest rate.  Fronke remarked that the reserve funds had been calculated using actual fourth quarter 2007 expenses and therefore should be sufficient for any expenses necessary to administer DPIA and PBID programs and services for three months remaining in the calendar year should the districts end at the conclusion of a fiscal year ending September 30.

Appleby made a motion to approve the December 2007 Financials as presented.  Jane Netherton seconded the motion.  All in favor; none opposed.

V.      LBPD REPORT
LBPD Sgt. Ted Reno reported that the quality-of-life van has been in service for a month and a half and that the LBPD is working in conjunction with the Homeless Multi-service Center to address quality-of-life issues.  Sgt. Reno then stated that the LBPD had assigned two officers to serve as liaisons with CityPlace; subsequently, Wal-mart and Nordstrom Rack reported a reduced “shrinkage rate,” or loss of goods.  Appleby and Brophy observed that graffiti has increased, and Sgt. Reno noted that graffiti is an issue throughout Southern California and that the City works to paint out graffiti as soon as possible.  Craig Beck inquired whether the security cameras had contributed to identifying and catching vandals, to which Sgt. Reno responded that the cameras are not a deterrent to graffiti, but that the LBPD is becoming more proficient in using them to identify suspects.

VI.      PRESENTATIONS
10-year Plan to End Homelessness
Mike Murray and Stephen Peck, co-chairs of the steering committee of the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness, addressed the Board about the plan.  Murray stated that over 500 community members had been involved in drafting the matrix of ideas and strategic plan.  Murray added that Long Beach has been a leader in addressing homelessness through its Continuum of Care, noting that homelessness impacts economic development and tourism.  Murray encouraged those in attendance to make a difference individually and communally, citing the Long Beach Chamber’s newly developed mentorship program as an example.  Murray reported that a City Council study session is being planned in the next months.

Peck addressed the Board relative to myths about homelessness; one myth is that homeless housing draws more homeless to the community when in fact the number of homeless in Long Beach has remained relatively constant despite the creation of the Villages of Cabrillo, which houses over 700 people.  Another myth Peck mentioned is that mixed-use development decreases property values, when in fact Peck stated that such development actually invigorates communities.

Corinne Schneider, City of Long Beach, articulated the some of the specific components of the plan: an expansion of the Homeless Services Advisory Board, the endorsement of the creation of an Implementation Coordinator, and a Feasibility Review of community resources.  Don Darnauer inquired about the use of grant money for homeless services, highlighting the $5.4 million government grant and the $3 million Boeing grant.  Schneider responded that $1.4 million funds the Multi-service Center and $4.1 million continues funding for agencies currently providing services such as child care facilities and medical clinics.  Darnauer asked about the possibility of losing funding and its impact on programs and services; Schneider stated that Long Beach has received government grants since 1994, but that the City continues to investigate alternative funding sources, noting that the effort to prevent homelessness is often more costly.  Cory Kristoff inquired whether the plan’s development process had included other agencies providing services to the homeless community and was assured that it did.  Fronke then mentioned his involvement in the California CPA’s Financial Literacy Committee, an organization that volunteers to give seminars on financial literacy, one of the elements noted in the plan to ease the transition from homelessness.  Kojian asked if a City Council date had been determined, and Schneider stated that they are seeking a date in May or June and will advise the DLBA as soon as the date is established. 

Enterprise Zone
Craig Johnson, City of Long Beach, informed the Board about Enterprise Zone tax credits, a dynamic economic development tool.  Johnson stated that of 478 towns and cities in California, only 42 have enterprise zones, including Long Beach.  Johnson then noted that the enterprise zone had been in effect for the past 16 years and was recently renewed for an additional 15 years, with an expiration in 2022.  Johnson then announced that of the over 19,000 businesses within Long Beach’s enterprise zone, fewer than 500 were taking advantage of the tax credits.  Johnson remarked that the zone enables businesses to grow and hire people. 

The Board had several questions and comments about the enterprise zone.  In response to a question from Kristoff, Johnson assured the Board that the required forms were simple to complete and submit.  Anderson asked which neighboring cities have enterprise zones, and Johnson responded that Compton, Lynwood, South Gate, areas of Los Angeles, and Santa Ana have enterprise zones.  Sangmeister shared his positive experience with the enterprise zone, advising potential participants to try to capture only 75% of the program’s elements (rather than trying for 100%) due to the level of work required.   Netherton added that businesses can claim tax credits retroactively as well, and Johnson noted that tax credits never expire and can be used in future years.  Johnson assured the Board that businesses that participate in the enterprise zone do not experience a higher incidence of audit.  In closing, Johnson announced that the annual conference for the California Association of Enterprise Zones would be meeting in October 2008 at the Queen Mary.

Queen Mary
Jay Primavera of Hostmark Hospitality Group, the management company for the new owners of the Queen Mary, introduced himself to the Board and praised Long Beach, especially the Downtown, for the warm welcome he had received.  Primavera stated that Save the Queen, LLC, an international business consortium, purchased the Queen Mary in November 2007 at auction.  Primavera noted that he specializes in bankrupt and government-owned properties.  The Board then viewed a video presenting several opportunities for development of the Queen Mary, including a sports arena, monorail, international marketplace, live-entertainment venue, and indoor recreation park.  The next step will be to solicit community feedback.  Primavera informed the Board that they are currently investing in infrastructure, with million-dollar upgrades to the information technology system and the kitchens as well as substantial investment in the carpet.  In response to a question from Michelle Manire, Primavera assured the Board that none of the closures for repair work would interrupt the operations of the Queen Mary.  Darnauer commented on the cost of parking, and Nick Edwards expressed interest in the proposed monorail.

Downtown Parking, Transportation and Mobility Action Plan
Craig Beck, Long Beach Development Services, thanked the DLBA Board for participating in the parking study conducted by Carl Walker, Inc., in 2007 and remarked that the parking plan he presented was a result of that study.  Beck stated that the goal of the plan is to create focus and address 24/7 usage issues.  Beck then outlined the organization of the plan and action steps to achieve the goals.  Relative to next steps, Beck spoke of presenting the plan to the RDA Board and Planning Commission before seeking City Council approval; Beck mentioned that he would be seeking DLBA Board support of the plan at the March 19, 2008, DLBA Board meeting.  Following the plan’s approval, Beck stated that a parking committee comprised of representatives from the DLBA, City Council, RDA, and other key stakeholders would be formed to supervise the implementation of the plan’s actions. 

Appleby reported that the Parking Management office and 2nd Council District had been helpful in reviewing concepts for pay parking at an East Village surface lot and that the parking attendant at the City structure had been very friendly.  In response to an inquiry from Kristoff, Beck responded that Central Parking manages the City garages, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and CityPlace, but not the Pike.  Luis Maldonado, Parking Manager, stated that Central had been selected a year ago to replace Ace Parking as part of the City’s effort to improve Downtown parking.  There was some discussion about a recent presentation by former Vancouver City Councillor Gordon Price that addressed pedestrian mobility.  Brophy noted that Long Beach lacks east/west transportation corridors to enhance pedestrian mobility.

Subsequently, Kojian presented the Ride, Park, and Play campaign to promote Downtown transportation and mobility.  The campaign is expected to launch in March through multiple media outlets, and the DLBA is exploring partnership opportunities to maximize the impact of the program.  Kojian noted that Long Beach Transit has begun incorporating the Ride, Park, and Play logo into its advertisements for route changes.  He then demonstrated the interactive webpage and spoke of adding real-time inventory to the webpage and implementing a comprehensive numbering and signage system that would be integrated into the existing parking inventory and the webpage.  Niki Tennant suggested including a billboard-advertising component, which Kojian stated would be considered, pending the budget of the campaign.  Kojian remarked that the existing proposed campaign is budgeted at $400,000, not inclusive of signage or other structural elements.  Darnauer suggested including a map of Downtown transportation options in parking structures.  Appleby complimented DLBA staff on the campaign.

Blair indicated interest in reviewing the parking plan to ensure that stakeholder suggestions were implemented, and Kojian replied that a joint study session with the DLBA Board, RDA Board, and Planning Commission would be scheduled to provide an opportunity to review and discuss the plan. 

VII.     CHAIR REPORT
Brophy deferred to Chair-elect Jim Anderson, who is the chair of the strategic planning process.  Anderson referred to the January 16, 2008, Board minutes for a recap of the Board’s roundtable session with strategic plan consultants Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA).  Anderson mentioned that feedback thus far indicates that the City and the community at large would be supportive of DLBA’s taking a greater leadership position in matters related to the Downtown, which Anderson presented as an opportunity for the DLBA.  Anderson then announced upcoming special meetings of the Executive Committee on March 4, 2008, and the Board on April 1, 2008, to consider PUMA’s suggestions.  Anderson also encouraged the Board to reach out to stakeholders to increase participation in the online survey.

Beck spoke of the City’s efforts to envision the future of Downtown in the context of the fortuitous timing of DLBA’s strategic planning efforts.   Beck made reference to the Visioning Committee’s next steps, particularly in implementing zoning changes, and anticipated bringing the Visioning Committee’s plan to the DLBA Board in the spring.  In response to comments from Anderson and Appleby, Beck provided an update on the Long Beach 2030 Plan, stating that the City is winnowing down focus areas from the emerging themes document by mapping zones and creating neighborhood-specific zones, including design standards, mobility, and density standards.  Beck mentioned plans to integrate a specific Downtown plan within the larger scope of the general plan for the City. Beck then affirmed to Appleby that the City is using existing consulting firms to reduce costs.

VIII.    PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT
Kojian updated the Board on the conversations between the LBPD and MTA relative to Blue Line enforcement.  Kojian highlighted one immediate need—better signage for vehicular traffic relative to prohibiting turns on the 1st Street transit mall , and stated that a letter to Public Works and Traffic would be composed to address this issue.

IX.      DLBA STAFF REPORTS
Please see the attached Powerpoint presentation.  The Board discussed the Fun Bus program—its ridership and whether there were plans or funds to extend the program. 

X.      CITY STAFF REPORT
There was no City staff report.

XI.      OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

XII.     NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m.