Meeting Minutes

South of Broadway Business Association
Wednesday, November 23, 2004

Attending: Dan Smaldone, Jim Bentley, Bill Harris, Hervil Cherubin.

Dan Smaldone opened the meeting at 4:17 P.M.
Jim Bentley gave the Treasurers Report. The checking account balance is $3,826.15.
Dan Smaldone requested a check for $100.00 payable to the CoAlliance of Business Associations. The CoAlliance is an umbrella for all the small business associations. $100 makes you a member and you?re then eligible to apply for grants with Metro Development. SOBBA needs to pay the $100 and send in a request for funds by December 9, 2004.
No one from the police are attending this meeting, so no Police Department report today.
Dan Smaldone: On the task force, he?s new to it, but basically it?s a revival of the SoBro neighborhood. They met on November 9. 6 meetings are coming up. They will be 3-hour sessions that will touch on guidelines, market analysis, development strategy, etc.

He learned that today in Bentley?s Restaurant at 12 noon, that people who are appointed or ad hoc had a luncheon here. He?s concerned some of what they were discussing.

One thing: this area is a prime target for subsidized housing. According to the plan, Broadway will be the border for what will be called the downtown area. South of Broadway includes business development, recreational, residential and subsidized housing. Mr. Smaldone was hoping to get a report today from Gary and to get feedback. He won?t go any further with it today. He will pick it up again after December 14th?s meeting.

On November 11, Hervil and Mr. Smaldone hosted businesses, social service organizations, and the police regarding the homeless situation. Hervil formed several committees including media, PR, and education. They are working on an ordinance and how it will work with existing laws on vagrancy, panhandling, and open containers.

Hervil said the PR group has already had it?s first meeting. Nothing concrete, but the work is in progress. Work will be presented at the next meeting. Indianapolis just passed what?s probably the best ordinance in the country. It?s being tested constitutionally, so we?ll be watching to see how it works in Indianapolis. Another of the committees has met several times. What?s needed is a combination of possibilities -- enforcement and education is the way to do it. Hervil said that after Indianapolis passed their ordinance, panhandlers and social agencies alike cannot ask for money on the streets.

Dan Smaldone said it?s time to elect officers for 2005. The attendees were asked for nominations. Nominations were as follows and were unanimously voted upon.

J. Andrew White Secretary
Jim Bentley Treasurer
Gary Kleier Vice President
Dan Smaldone President

Hervil said we need to watch that no one (business) gets hurt by the task force / ordinance.
Dan Smaldone said it has to remain pro-business from our standpoint.
The next meeting will be Thursday, December 16th and it will be a Holiday reception.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 P.M.

South of Broadway Business Association
Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Meeting opened at 4:00 P.M.

Dan Smaldone opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

Dan Smaldone gave the Treasury Report. The beginning balance was $8,850.15. Two checks were cut: $5,000 to Kleir Associates and 4.00 to the State Treasurer for the license. The current balance is $3,826.15.

Dan Smaldone questioned the process to apply for 501-C3. The applications forms were sent to the IRS for approval.

Dan said BB&T has moved out of the business area. SOBBA needs to find a bank in their boundaries and move the account there. SOBBA will open the account and get the signature cards.

Doug Sweeney gave a 5th District police report. He said there has been a spurt of stolen vehicles. On Oak Street there was an assault with a stabbing. The perpetrator was caught.

He went to a Shalom meeting and talked about the homeless problem. Doug told them that the goodwill of the missions, etc., causes a need for goodwill. Louisville takes care of the homeless, so they come here. They even go to the library and spread the news to come to Louisville because they’ll take care of you. He suggested to Shalom to discuss how we’re causing our own problems with them. What can we do to clean up our city of the preponderance of homeless?

Hervil suggests a meeting with Salvation Army and similar organizations to discuss the issue.

Dan Smaldone offers a room for the meeting.

Doug Sweeney said the police are trying to keep the underpasses and alleys clear of their possessions and “homes”.

Dan Smaldone said panhandling is a bigger problem with the homeless more than theft.

Doug Sweeney said the districts boundaries converge and change on October 9. Metro Louisville still has a police shortage. Louisville needs back-to-black police recruit classes for a while.

Hervil said he believes the bigger district should have the most police officers.

Dan Smaldone said he and Chuck Schoene and many more people attended a meeting September 17. Chuck and the Smoketown Shelby Park Business owners have been communicating with Major Watkins regarding thefts and break-ins to their businesses. They’re right next door to us. Thousands of dollars of goods and materials have been stolen. Chuck is invited to speak.

Chuck gives a brief report. In late July and early August, people were breaking into their lots. Several businesses were seriously vandalized. $3,500 in damage was done to a truck and trailer in Chuck’s lot. Vehicles of employees have been burglarized. A petition was sent around about the break-ins. The various businesses are looking for a long-term solution and an entity to represent them. Chuck is open to any suggestions and advice from SOBBA members regarding starting a Business Association. He has four people who are already committed for active membership. He is searching for a core group to get the Association started.
Dan Smaldone reminded everyone that this weekend is the St. James Art Fair. TARC is unveiling their Hybrid Buses. TARC will run every 15 minutes from 9:30-6:20. The price is $3.00 one way and $6.00 round-trip.

Dan discussed Operation Brightside weekend. They still need volunteers.

Dan said concerning the homeless: Keep clean -- clean is a deterrent. Also, renovations are to start at Holiday Inn shortly and they’ll be even cleaner. Also, Holiday Inn is getting their elevators fixed.

Dan welcomes Mark from the Brown Hotel.

Dan mentions Walgreen’s has begun construction at the old Monarch location. Also coming to the area, Avis Car Rental and a Starbuck’s.

The old Stewart’s building has been bought. The building will be turned into condominiums and apartments.

Gary K: Mac Construction and Metro Planning are to renovate the sidewalks at St. Francis and from 4th to System’s parking lot.

Dan Smaldone: Did anyone catch Gary on television talking about historical sites and preservations?
Also, Holiday Inn will be wireless on October 15.

Mike: Soho condominiums are being built. There will be 30 in Phase One, 4,000 in retail space and 25-30 condo’s in Phase Two, and Phase Three will bring 30 more condos.

Dan: At the next meeting, we’ll be preparing for Elections. Also, go on the web and look us up. Gary will get our site updated.

Meeting adjourned at 4:42 P.M.

South of Broadway Business Association
Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Opened: 4:50pm

Dan Smaldone, Board President opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

Treasurer’s report - The current balance was reported to be $8,830.15, with one outstanding bill of $5,000.

Dan Smaldone reported that the Jewish Hospital is planning to build a parking garage and will proceed unless there were objections received. There were no objections raised by SOBBA members.

The $2,000.00 grant money has not been received yet, changing the trade show plans to the Fall rather than August.

Hervil Cherubin spoke briefly about the Co Alliance. This year they will have more money. They would like to take some of the money and possibly pay someone to help with the management of their money. It was suggested that they hire a student to fill this position. Any suggestions would be welcome. Suggestions may be submitted through their website <www.coalliance.net> or through the link on the SOBBA website <www.sobba.org.>

Dan Smaldone introduced guest speaker Ms. Rebecca Vickerstaff, Customer Support/Quality Imp. Manager at the Louisville International Airport.

Ms. Vicherstaff spoke about airport security and the changes that are currently in place at the Louisville International Airport. She reviewed the items that are no longer allowed as carry on. Scissors, multi tools, mace and pocket knives are a few examples. Allow plenty of time before your departure. It is recommended that you arrive one to one and a half hours before your flight departs, if leaving during peak hours and forty-five minutes for non peak.
Other suggestions to lessen delays:
Have your boarding pass and picture ID out
Remove all metal from pockets
Label your laptop for quick identification after it passes through the machine
Remove cassette tapes from cameras
Use TSA approved locks or cable ties on checked baggage
Don’t pack high density items (fruitcakes, peanut butter, etc.)
Pack so shoes are on top

Gary Gambill from the Louisville Community Development Bank reported that the New Market Tax Credit money has been received. He invited everyone to visit their website <morethanabank.com> to find out more about the credit.

There will be no meeting in July. The next meeting will be held in August.
Adjourned 5:10pm.

South of Broadway Business Association
Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Opened: 4:50pm

Dan Smaldone, Board President opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

Treasurer’s report - Jim Bentley reported the current balance as $3,626.

Derby and Cruising updates- Dan Smaldone reported that he had no problems this year with guests being able to get through the roadblocks on Parade Day, and thanked the police. There was an incident out in front of the Hotel with a guest being pick pocketed. His wallet was recovered, but cash was gone. There were 3 children this year that were brought to the designated police car at the Hotel, that were lost. One was 18 months, one two years old and one 5 years old.

There were no problems for the Hotel with Cruising.
Sgt. Doug Sweeney reported there were a few incidents, about 17 arrests, but nothing serious with the Cruising event. Weather helped.

Thornton’s will only be selling gas, beginning next week while they are remodeling. They are planning to open a café.

Passing along some information-There has been a credit card scam with stolen credit card numbers, not the cards themselves. An east end hotel was a victim because the hotel did not get an authorization number on the card and the credit card number was stolen.

We will be having the head of TSA security at the airport, as guest speaker, at the next meeting in June. She will be giving advice on what luggage, etc. to use now, when traveling for both leisure and business.

Councilman George Unseld has been asked for $2,000. to help with the sponsorship of the trade show we are planning.

Sgt. Doug Sweeney reported on the new district boundaries for the Metro Police Dept. These changes should be in place by Fall.

Credit card scams and “dumpster divers” - The legitimate credit card companies will never call you to verify your number or information they already have. They would mail you something if they needed the information. Any time you use your card, you should cross out the card number on the receipt when you sign it. Anyone accepting a credit card should always match the signature to that of a photo ID.

There has been a rash of car thefts recently. Mostly when keys were left in the car. There have been 12-13 break-ins in cars, but the crime rate is actually down. Don’t leave items visible in your car.

Vagrants asking for money on the streets can be told that there are 18 meals served daily in Louisville, by various shelters, etc.

Dan Smaldone has been invited, on behalf of SOBBA, to attend a breakfast hosted by the Co-alliance on June 11.

The web sight looks good. All members are on the roster. We plan to utilize this sight as a communication tool among all the members.

The next meeting will be in June.

Dan Smaldone thanked everyone for coming.

Adjourned 5:20pm