By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Year two of the Downtown Benicia Alliance begins Monday with that group’s first meeting of 2014.
The DBA’s board, some members of which have returned from last year and some of whom will be presiding at their first meeting, will elect a chair, vice chair, treasurer and secretary.

They will also draw lots to determine the length of each member’s term, whether one year or two.

The DBA’s Board of Directors consists of Frank Cassese, Courtyard Customs; Tom Gavin, Gavin and Schreiner; Tom Hamilton, The Rellik Tavern; Renee Jordan, Jordan Real Estate; James Long, Pups N’ Purrz; Carl Lucca, Lucca Restaurant and Bar; Jim Morgan, Sailor Jack’s; Leah Shelhorn, Studio 41; and Jeanne Steinmann, Benicia Magazine.

Cassese, Hamilton, Lucca, Shelhorn and Steinmann are returning members of the board; Gavin, Jordan, Long and Morgan are new.

Also Monday, Steve McClure from State Farm Insurance will be on hand for a question-and-answer session regarding insurance coverage for liquor license hosting for the next Art Walk, slated for April.

Last August, Art Walk Committee members asked the DBA to act as a nonprofit umbrella so that wine could be served at Art Walk events without running afoul of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) rules.

Art Walks are held the second Saturday each month from April to October. The request for the DBA to partner with the committee was approved in September.

Each business that serves wine will pay $25 for a day license. Two members of the DBA will be appointed for ABC Lead Training that will take place Feb. 5; two Art Walk Committee members will also attend the training.

In other business Monday, the DBA will review the 2013 annual report on the accomplishments of the group, including installation of lights on the First Street trees, partnering with the Art Walk, and addressing concerns such as the “cause marketing” of the tree wrapping and the obstruction of te sidewalks when chairs are chained together to reserve space for the city’s annual Third of July parade.

If You Go
The Downtown Benicia Alliance will meet Monday at 9 a.m. at The Rellik Tavern, 726 First St.

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