Downtown Oakland Association/Lake Merritt-Uptown District Association Joint SOBO Committee July 21, 2010 12:00 p.m.

. Cathedral Conference Room D Present: Staff: Guests: Martin Ward, Tanicia Jackson, Michelle Lane, Laurie Berberich, Nola Montgomery. Aliza Gallo, Tom Tewksbury Marco Li Mandri, Steve Snider, Andrew Jones, Ted Tarver, Harold Dees, Rick Williams, Victoria Decker, Fiona Simms Michael Fried
388 19th Street Oakland, California 94612

Minutes The following items were discussed and recommendations or actions are made to the Board as follows:

Subject
Security Ambassador Report: 1)Update from Ted Tarver 2)Mehserle Riot damage report 3) Hospitality Ambassador Program

Discussion
Ted Tarver had a meeting with the City, the City Attorney, CEDA, security managers from the districts, OPD, and CHP, all of whom were involved with the Mehserle Verdict incidents. The main conclusion was that everyone was caught off guard by the Thursday verdict announcement, and that it was released so late in the afternoon. We did not receive a full 2 hour notification as we were told we would, and there was a breakdown in communication between each agency. There was no direct line of communication between all of the agencies. It was noted that the City of Oakland has an obligation to ensure the publics right to free speech and peaceful protests. The protest was peaceful until about 8:00 pm, after dark, when a small group broke away from the crowd and became violent. A major issue was differentiating between violent protestors and peaceful protestors before any acts of violence are committed. Police must have a cause to arrest someone. The police officers are instructed not to rush towards any person or crowd because of the possibility of escalating the violence. The police moved slowly in on the crowds in an attempt to contain them. There was an AC transit bus that tried to drive through Broadway and had to back up because of the blockades. Because we will know the date of the sentencing many weeks before it occurs, we will be better able to deal with any incidents that occur after it is released. There will be another meeting to coordinate a game plan. AC Transit and Bart representatives should be involved in this planning to prevent overcrowding on Bart trains Many businesses in the districts still have boarded up windows. There is a concern that the boards are feeding into a negative image for the districts, and are a step backwards. Many of the businesses have little or no insurance, and are concerned about the possible issues after the sentencing. They

Action?

cannot afford to take down the boards, and then put them back up. Many of the boards are covering broken glass that the business cannot afford to fix. Marco suggested that radios are rented for 1 day to ensure that there is direct communication between all security personnel. It was also suggested that the CBD security team coordinate with al Security managers in the district, and perhaps make the CBD office a base of operations. The Oakland Police Department is following up with arrests and prosecution of vandals. The Ambassadors have been asking businesses to review their surveillance videos to see if there is any helpful footage. OPD did release some photographs of vandals, and Ambassadors helped identify and locate the suspect. We cannot put the Ambassadors on the front lines of the violence, but the next best thing is to capture as much as possible on video or in photographs, to follow up with arrests and persecution We need to follow up and advertise the prosecution of the vandals to bolster Oaklands image and to send the message that violence and vandalism will not be tolerated. As soon as maintenance got notice, they removed all trash and trashcans, and worked with PWA to prepare. Rick had the ambassadors search the district for any potential weapons such as bricks, crowbars, rocks, etc. and remove them. The maintenance crew was out working at 5 am the next morning assisting PWA with clean up efforts. Rick commended PWA and thanked them for their efforts working through the nights to remove the large amounts of trash in the streets. Even the security crew pitched in and helped to remove graffiti, 80% of which was removed within 24 hours. Encroachment permit applications have been submitted. It is being processed and approved now. We have rectified the mechanical issues, and are simply awaiting approval. There are two possible scenarios for trashcans, the first of which is recommended by Andrew Jones, and preferred by the City of Oakland. The City has committed to removing the old aggregate trashcans on Broadway, and replacing them with the new Renaissance cans with recycling tops. The old trashcans would then be painted and redistributed into the

Maintenance Ambassador Report 1) Update from Rick Williams

Encroachment Permit Process 1) Hanging Plants: Brackets 2) Banners 3) Trashcans

other parts of the districts, where the CBD has suggested. This would all be done by the City and we would still be able to put our placards on the trashcans. They estimated that in one day they could remove and reinstall 3 trashcans. They already have the new trashcans in stock. There are 23 aggregate trashcans on Telegraph and Broadway that we want removed and replaced. David Ferguson has committed to at least 12, and suggested that we buy the other 11 ourselves, giving us a cohesive look down Broadway and Telegraph. Were we to purchase these trashcans, there would be an ID tag with an identification number that associates those cans with us, and we would be responsible for maintaining those cans. David Fergusons position is that trashcans should be removed instead of adding more. We do not have a huge litter issue anymore thanks to Peralta Service Corporation and PWA. He feels that we should do more education about the use of trashcans and removing them, not adding them. Our other option is to continue with the plan we have been working on. We can obtain the permit to install new trash cans. This would cost the districts more time and money and the City is not supportive of this option. The Washington Clock company is partnering with Neon Works to fix the clock. They are removing the entire clock, taking it to a shop, and completely refurbishing it, like new. The work is quoted at $9843.38 which includes parts, labor, sales tax, pick up, delivery, and a 1 year on-site warranty. There will be up keeping costs in the future.

Clock on 16th street

Action: Martin Wards moved to recommend to the Board that we take $5,000.00 from each district contingency fund to repair the clock. Tom Tewksbury seconds that motion.

Latham Square Fountain Project:

Tree Watering: Email from

Andrew explained that the conversion of the trough to a fountain would be much simpler as the plumbing is already in place. All that is needed is some cleaning, and a little renovation. Now that we know what is necessary, all we need is to get a plumber to look at the fountain and give us a quote. Andrew also explained how he is in dialogue with Mike McGuire and George Durney in regards to this project. Arthur Boone, a volunteer with the Sierra Club and the City of Oakland, has been networking

Arthur Boone

with people, and looking for grants and volunteers to continue watering/maintaining the trees. We had the contract to water the trees on Broadway last year, but since then Mr. Boone has been watering them. He has recommended getting a water truck trailer to water them more efficiently. Steve advises that we should look into an ongoing partnership with him.

Budget

Other: a) Surveillance Cameras for the Office b) BofA grant and Hospitality Ambassador Program

a) There was a homicide that occurred half a block from the CBD office at 19th and Webster. The Ambassadors asked the surrounding businesses if they have any video surveillance that could aid in the apprehension of suspects. Ted suggested that we get a surveillance camera for the office. We can either set up our own system, or we can hook up our own camera to a system that is already in place. Many businesses have cameras that are not set up and working. Ted has found an 8 camera system for $500.00 that could work for the office. There was discussion about how the system would work, and it was suggested that we look into more detailed costs of installation and maintenance, as well as checking with the landlord for permission and any other requirements. b) We have selected 3 hires for the new Hospitality Ambassador program, and we are just waiting on Block by Blocks approval of the contract. There are some legal issues that Derrick is working out. The plan is to have two 10-week sessions each with at least 4 Ambassadors. They would work Tuesday to Saturday from 4 pm to 8 pm. They will concentrate their efforts more in Uptown and Old Oakland because there is more nightlife in those areas. AC Hire should be able to fund 2 or 3 more Ambassadors. It was requested that the SOBO committee fund the new uniforms for the program. Martin Ward requested that the committee receive regular updates on the hiring process and implementation of the hospitality ambassador program. The next two meetings will be on August 19th, and September 22nd.

Action: Martin Ward moved to allocate an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 from each SOBO miscellaneous fund for a security camera system. Michelle Lane seconded that motion and it was passed. Tanicia Jackson moved to allocate $600 from each districts SOBO miscellaneous fund to buy new uniforms. Martin Wards seconded the motion and it was passed.

Next Meeting Dates

Minutes taken by Fiona Simms, staff