By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

In a meeting that marks its second year of formation, the Downtown Benicia Alliance will meet Monday morning at the Rellik Tavern.

The DBA’s top order of business will be the ratification of the service agreement with the city of Benicia.

“This agreement provides the legal partnership that allows the city of Benicia to collect the (Business Improvement District) assessments and the obligation for the DBA to reimburse the city $30,000 for the installation of the tree lights,” wrote Leah Shelhorn, DBA chair.

Also Monday, city staff and DBA Treasurer Eric Hoglund will provide an update on the status of unpaid assessments.

At last month’s meeting, Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani, who acts as city adviser to the DBA, reported that 23 businesses were late in paying their DBA fees, which was down from 33 in the previous month.

Giuliani requested that the board speak with the business owners who are late in their payments.

Also last month, DBA members Tom Hamilton (Rellik Tavern) and Christine Meade (Capitol Café) met to discuss a motorcycle event to take place Oct. 12.

Meade said the goal was for outside vendors to sell items available from downtown merchants. They discussed a letter that could go out to merchants to find out who would want to be involved.

Usage of space for the motorcycle event without city involvement also was discussed. Giuliani said the only time the city would need to be approached is for permission to block traffic on a street or close a street, as long as any plan is within allowable uses.

Hamilton said the event would need to use public property, and possibly the spit at the end of First Street. Hoglund mentioned staggering the motorcycle parking.

Giuliani said he would provide requirements from the city to move forward, and those may be discussed Monday.

In other business:

Hoglund will discuss the “cost” of a parking space on First Street, and that employees be advised to park off the street so the spaces can be used for clients.

There will also be a report on the projected expenses of the DBA and Hoglund and Giuliani will submit an invoice to the board for reimbursement for costs related to the installation and maintenance of the downtown tree lights.

Invoices that will be due for payment in July are to the city of Benicia for $15,000, and to State Farm Insurance for $2,000.

The DBA will also hear updates from their website design, promotions and advocacy subcommittees.

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