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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2001, A1 - APPOINTMENT OF NEW SLO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS Dac council Ktt'� 3-Zo-UJ ac Enda nepont CITY OF SAN LUIS 0BLSP0 FROM: 'Deborah Holley, SLO Downtown Association Administrator SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF NEW SLO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, appoint Tom Swem, Lynn James, Dave Kastner, Landy Fike,Bill Walter and Bob Seeley to the SLO Downtown Association.Board of Directors DISCUSSION: The SLO Downtown Association completed its annual elections in February for the Board of Directors positions with terms expiring March 31, 2001. In accordance with the Association's by-laws, the membership voted on. slate of candidates to appoint these members for one two-year term. The ballots were tabulated by the nominating committee and the election results will be confirmed at the upcoming March 13 Board meeting. New Board members require City Council approval before they can assume their positions on April 1, 2001. As required in the by-laws, all elected members are owners or managers of businesses in the Downtown Association district. The following Board members were elected to serve until March 31, 2003: Tom Swem Real Property Investments, owner (2"d term) Lynn James Patrick James, manager (2°d term) Dave Kastner Cal Photo, owner (2°d term) Landy Fike Ann's Contemporary Clothing, manager (2nd term) Bill Walter Walter and Bornholdt, Attorneys, owner (2°d term) Bob Seeley Soho Studio, owner (15`term) ATTACHMENTS Candidates' biographical information provided to membership with ballots. n Tom Swem,Owner -i Real Property Investment,570 Marsh St. 1999-2000 Parking Committee Chairman Tom is celebrating his 25th anniversary of being in business in San Luis Obispo and has just completed two years on the Downtown Association Board of Directors and Chair- man of the Parking and Access Committee. His consistent interest in the Downtown l has been developing an environment where downtown business' can compete with outside strip commercial and mall development. He has fostered numerous ideas to help with this "competition."One idea Tom has deals with Downtown districts acting more like malls when they consider general types of new business to come into the area and advertising. Another deals with outside large-style shopping centers providing designated parking areas for Downtown employees to park,thereby freeing up parking in the Downtown areas. This concept begins to level the playing field between acres of parking in the surrounding shopping centers and no new parking Downtown. As a real estate broker dealing with commercial sales and leasing,Tom feels he can be an advo- cate for Downtown business and property owners. Lynn James,Manager Patrick James,641 Higuera St. 1999-2000 Design Committee Chair With the Downtown continuing to grow,Lynn James would like to do her part in helping guide the growth in the right direction. Eleven years in SLO and six years at Patrick James'Downtown location,Lynn hopes to give her input and ideas to the board on keeping Downtown "pristine,quaint and friendly." Other issues she's concerned - with are parking and creating a sense of community among the Downtown merchants. UL Lynn says she feels the role of the Downtown Association is to guide the Downtown and help create a customer friendly atmosphere as well as helping businesses grow by expanding customer base through events like the Farmers' Market. "It is important that Downtown SLO not lose sight of what it is. San Luis has something that is different and unique and it should be maintained." Lynn has a background in consumer research and studies and feels her experiences using demographics could benefit the Down- town. Dave Kastner,Owner Cal Photo 598 Higuera Member TNA,Promotions ,x Dave Kastner,owner of Cal Photo, has been active in the Downtown Association for ` — four of the five years he has lived in San Luis Obispo. He is a current Board member and an active member of the Promotions and Economic Development Committees as well as being a past member of Thursday Night Activities. Falling in love with San Luis Obispo after his first visit in 1981,Dave has always had a special interest in promoting Downtown events to tourists. Over the years,Cal Photo has sponsored several Down- town events including Concerts in the Plaza and the Rib Cook-off. As a Board member, Dave plans to focus on the Downtown Strategic Plan, minimizing the temporary negative impacts of the Higuera Bridge repair and the Proposed Copelands project as well as rallying to create more parking. C_ Landy Fike,Manager Ann's,895 Monterey St. Member,Design Committee,Parking Supporter w As a resident of San Luis Obispo for 14 years,Landy Fike wants to continue to give her time and ideas to her favorite place—Downtown San Luis Obispo. Landy has been a member'of the Design Committee for about nine years and wants to continue to devote i herself to the Downtown by being a board member. "This is where I work, live and t ,. Land said.."I want Downtown San Luis to think big, I want it to keep the charm ��•-fir: play," Y g� P that draws so many people to the area. Landy would like to work on safety issues Downtown like the need for better public sidewalk lighting as well as public art and parking. As a board member Landy wants to continue to focus on maintaining Down- town as a cultural center and feels that by providing special events and a variety of commerce, the area will continue to thrive. Bill Walter,Attorney at Law,Partner Walter and Bornholdt,Real Estate and Land Use Lawyers 679 Monterey St. i' Member,Parking and Access Committee r A San Luis resident since 1983, Bill Walter's interest in a second term on the Downtown L Association board is to continue to provide the perspective of someone who both works � `. and lives Downtown. Bill is committee to finding "win-win"solutions for a pedestrian- friendly Downtown as well as solving the serious parking deficit. He feels that while Downtown has been very successful,it is still very fragile to an ongoing perception that it is becoming more difficult to visit easily.Bill believes there is a need to continue to expand Downtown retail opportunities and enhance a visitor-friendly attitude. The resumption of the "Big Dig," for example and possible delays in the Marsh St.parking structure expansion can combine to put Downtown's success in jeopardy. Bill feels that this is the time to work harder on listening to the members' wants and needs while also striving to bring members of the larger community into the process so that the Down- town Association's effectiveness can be maximized. He feels that perhaps his most significant contribution to the Board in his last term was providing legal analysis addressing the challenges of the Marsh St. structure expansion. Bob Seeley,Owner SOHO Studio 1021 Higuera St. " fkv Bob Seeley and his wife Pamela opened SOHO Studio on Higuera street in 1998 after living in San Luis Obispo for nine years.Prior to moving to their Downtown location t }: they had a successful beauty salon on Broad street.They enjoy having a business y--'-,, downtown and Bob wants to become more involved to ensure Downtown stays unique and to preserve its vitality. He intends-to use his extensive background in psychology and counseling to improve the flow of information between businesses downtown.Bob y feels that with open communication between business owners and the Downtown Association can help foster an environment that is comfortable and convenient where people will want to spend their time. Bob also feels strongly about showcasing the arts downtown with displays in businesses and in public areas. council �°°°°m -aD -oo agenba Report Ircm Num6er��N�m CITY OF SAN LU I S O B I S P O A FROM: Lee Price, City Cler Prepared By: Mary Kopecky, Assistant City Clerk SUBJECT: Advisory Body Appointment Recommendations RECOMMENDATION Approve all Advisory Body Appointments in one motion. DISCUSSION To more efficiently move the agenda, staff is recommending that the Council approve all of the Advisory Body appointments in one motion(as is done for the Consent Agenda). Should any member of the Council wish to discuss specific recommendations, they may be pulled for discussion and will be voted on separately.