Little Italy Association

Little Italy AssociationBoard of Directors MeetingNovember 1, 2011 - 8:30 a.m.Filippi’s Pizza Grotto – 1747 India St – San Diego CA 92101Board Members PresentVito Altieri / Tommy Battaglia / Domenic Brunetto / Marianna Brunetto / John Contasti / CharlieCoradino / Sandi Cottrell / Jim DeSpenza / Steve Galasso / Larry Kuntz / Perry Meyer / DannyMoceri / Lou Palestini / Frank Stiriti / Catt WhiteBoard Members ExcusedPat Brunetto / Dino Cresci / Rich Gustafson / Jack Pecoraro / Fr. Joseph Tabigue / Luke Vinci /Tom ZolezziGuestsRachel Zagari, Under Belly / Chrystal Lattman, New Alternatives / Forrest Roberts, resident /Shane Gerde, Under Belly / Janie Wardlow, Washington Elementary School / Nathan Stanton,Craft & Commerce / Tara Lake, CCDC / Jennifer DeCarlo, jdc Fine Art / Larry Campitiello,Sullivan Hill / Joyce Summer, resident / Annie Eichman, LIRA / Michelle Belgar, Chase /Anthony Torregiani, Sal D’Acquisto RE Group / Umberto Falcone, resident / Jason Farran, JFWeb Design / Klea Galasso, New Alternatives / Arsalun Tafazoli, Craft & Commerce / MarthaDiaz-Famber, New AlternativesStaff (Non-Voting)Marco Li Mandri, Rosie DeLuca, Chris GomezIntroductionsSteve Galasso called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m. Board as well as guest introductionswere made. The meeting was turned over to the Chief Executive Administrator, Marco LiMandri.October 4, 2011 MinutesPerry Meyer moved to accept the October 4, 2001, 2011 minutes. Charlie Coradino secondedthe motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor to accept the Board minutes.COMMUNITY REPORTSCCDCTara Lake reported on the following projects:• Quiet Zone• Fire Station – project on hold• North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP) – Opened up the bid process, constructionshould begin in January• Queenstown Public House – still being reviewed by staff• Fat City• Paletine – 102 Residential Units at State & Elm – in preliminary reviewMarco added that there is a Project Review Committee meeting at 9:00 this Friday at the LittleItaly office.

• Homeless Campaign• Downtown Design Guidelines – finishing up the process• Public Open-Spaces Master Plan – Plan to further develop, fund, maintain & operateDowntown ParksMarco asked Tara about the Gateway Sign Project. Tara says that A.J. Magana at CCDC islooking into it.Marco asked if the pop-out project at State & Elm is also on hold, she said that it is.OtherResident Joyce Summer reported that the Supreme Court will hear arguments onRedevelopment Agencies.Luke Vinci was reelected to the CCAC seat.Marco added that Joyce is also setting up a meeting between Marco & Sister Patrice. Marcothanked Joyce for her efforts and the Board gave Joyce a round of applause.Supervisor Ron Roberts officeJoAnn Moya introduced herself to the Board. Marco commented on the progress of thedestruction of the Askew Building.Jo also reported that she has been going to the SANDGAG meetings on the BRT (Bus ParkingLot), and that Supervisor Roberts sits on the SANDAG Board so Jo encouraged that wecommunicate any concerns to him so he can report back to the Board. Marco added that theAssociation has taken a position against the BRT and that he would be writing a letter to thateffect. We will also be circulating a petition with LIRA and will be turning them into City Council.Marco reiterated that the BRT plan which would run busses down Broadway every 45 secondsis ludicrous.LIRAAnne Eichman reported on the BRT meeting that took place at the Church on October 18th,approximately 150-200 persons were in attendance. It was a great meeting with many buildingsin the area represented. Anne added that they will do a hard push on the petition drive. Also themore people showing support, and the more letters/e-mail being written, the better. Marcothanked Anne for all of her efforts.OLR Spaghetti DinnerThe Annual Our Lady of the Rosary Spaghetti dinner will take place this Saturday, November5 th . All are encouraged to attend.Washington Elementary SchoolJanie Wardlow reported on the following:• Partnership with Italian Community Center• Italian/Spanish speaking students• Practicing for Tree Lighting• Partnership with the Sullivan Hill firm• Students will perform on December 8 th @ 7:30 at the Neuro-Science Center in La Jolla2

Marco spoke about the upcoming Holiday Tree Lighting, and informed the Board that we useWashington Elementary School student’s artwork for the promotional posters. Marco asked theBoard to allocate a $500 donation to the school to cover the costs of supplies; this would comefrom the Programs budget. Vito Altieri moved to allocate the funds to Washington ElementarySchool. Lou Palestini seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor.Larry Campitiello from Sullivan Hill firm spoke about their partnership with WashingtonElementary School.Announcements/Introductions of new residents, business, property owners – PUBLICCommentUnderBellyArsalun Tafazoli spoke about the new UnderBelly restaurant that will open at 750 W Fir Street.UnderBelly vision is “to be a tribute to traditional Japanese ramen houses, from the focusedculinary approach to the exotic urban décor.”Market BasketCatt White spoke about the Market Basket that just opened on Date Street.It's a shop with alittle bit of everything from the Mercato; clothes, jewelry, food items, home decorations, pet food,toys. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-6:00, Sunday 10:00-4:00.COMMITTEE REPORTSOrganization CommitteeYear to date financial reportLou Palestini reported on the Association’s year to date financial report. Frank Stiriti moved toaccept the report. Vito Altieri seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor.Update from meeting with CalTrans property for LIA NurseryA meeting took place between LIA, 3 CalTrans reps, and Rachel from Assembly Member ToniAdkins office regarding the use of the CalTrans land directly across the street from the new LIAoffice. We are trying to negotiate a lease for $1.00/year with CalTrans, the property will be usedas a Nursery staging area. Perry Meyer moved to instruct staff to take a hard line innegotiations with CalTrans on the leasing of the property. Charlie Coradino seconded themotion. The Board voted unanimously in favor.Update on negotiations with School District staffWe are trying to work out an agreement with the School District where we would maintain theAmici Park grounds. Currently the School District is experiencing a massive financial crisis soour proposed agreement is now on the back burner.Approval of new lighting for cross streetsSachin Calburg from CCDC spoke about the proposed lighting for Little Italy. They are trying tomaintain an antique style. They are working on a transitional strategy from Hi-Pressure sodiumto LED lighting so they will test different classifications of bulbs. The new lighting must beimplemented soon due to the future of CCDC. They are also looking for posts that are easy tomaintain (for changing bulbs). We would like them to start at Amici Park. Sachin would like asentiment from the Board and is asking for conceptual support for a variety of lights to beimplemented as soon as possible. John Contasti moved to authorize conceptual support on the3

CCDC lighting project. Larry Kuntz seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously infavor. Marco informed Sachin that he would write a letter of conceptual support to CCDC.Tour of Little Italy with Border Patrol and Customs OfficersMarco gave a tour of Little Italy to Border Patrol and Customs Officers.DISI CommitteeMercato updateCatt White reported on the Mercato:• Mercato relocated to Cedar during Festa• New edition of Monitor is out• Permit for 2012 has been submitted• Knife Sharpener now at the Mercato• BRT Petitions could be circulated at MercatoFesta updateSandi Cottrell reported on the Festa:• Event was a success• Sistine Chapel in Chalk• Time-lapse photography of Chalk drawing will appear on website, photography wasprovided by Jason Farran• Vendor sales up• Pizza tossing contest a success• Mercato sponsored Italian cooking table, well reviewed• Wrap-up meeting tomorrow at 11:00Marco asked the Board to give Sandi a round of applause for her work on the Festa. Marcoalso asked Jason Farran to stand up to receive a round of applause for his photography work atthe Festa.Trick or Treat on India StreetTrick or Treat on India Street took place last night, the event was a success. Marco thanked allbusinesses that participated.Update on meeting with Pete TarantinoMarco reminded the Board about a letter received from Pete Tarantino’s attorney regarding hisdenied vendor application. Steve Galasso informed the board that since the October Boardmeeting then, a meeting has taken place with Pete Tarantino and the situation has appeared tobe resolved. Steve will do a follow-up phone call with Pete.Bulls of St. AgataChris Gomez reported that this year we had approximately 40 Lamborghinis parked on DateStreet, there was a great turnout.Christmas Tree Lighting and VillageMarco reported on the upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting and Village. This year we will beraising a lot more money to offset increasing costs to raise the level of the event.4

Partnering with New Alternatives to conduct a Toy Drive for Foster ChildrenNew Alternatives is a transitional program for Foster Children for when they turn 18 andservices and support are cut off. Part of their services is to pay the kids to volunteer forcompanies on an interim basis. The goal is to offer training for the kids so they can potentiallybe hired on, or hired by another company.Klea Galasso gave a background on the New Alternatives program. Family Visitation servicesworks with New Alternatives to provide visitation between Foster children and their parents.The goal is to reunite children with their parents.We would like to combine our efforts with the Christmas Tree lighting and New Alternatives toconduct a Toy Drive to benefit Foster kids. Chrystal Lattman spoke about the Toy Drive:• Looking for 10-20 Little Italy businesses to participate• Bins will be out from the end of November – December 15 th• Unwrapped gift for infant through 17-year oldsWe would like this to be an ongoing program. Larry Kuntz moved to authorize LIA to moveforward to implement the program. Catt White seconded the motion. A brief discussion tookplace. Literature will be provided. LIRA will be involved. Bins will be at the Mercato each week.The Board voted unanimously in favor.La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 3/31/12, conditional supportChris reported on the proposed Councours d’Elegance event to take place on March 31 st from11:00-2:00 that will close down India Street between Cedar-Fir. They will park exotic Italiancars, and will showcase food on India Street. We have asked that they cover all costs related tothe event, as well as our overhead costs. The estimate is $6,000 (includes a $2,000 donation toLIA). If they are will to meet the conditions, we will proceed. We will allow Org Committee towork out the details. Danny Moceri authorized LIA to move forward with this event, and to allowthe Org Committee to work out any necessary details. Sandi Cottrell seconded the motion. Adiscussion took place. The board voted unanimously in favor.Parking CommitteeAgreement with CCDCWe are currently working with CCDC to continue operating the Parking District; the funds werejust released by the State. CCDC is an independent corporation with or without theRedevelopment Agency. We will enter into a new agreement with CCDC Corporation to beeffective on December 1, 2011.SOBODiana letterWe have gathered approximately 30 letters from Little Italy businesses asking for a stay-awayorder for Diana.New Bicycles – solicitation of adsWe are soliciting ads from businesses to offset the cost to purchase new bikes to be used bythe Maintenance staff. The ads will appear on the sides of the bikes for a one-year period.Goal is to have 3 bikes by March.5

Community Advisory BoardQueenstown determination from CCDCStill in CCDC.Trunk Sewer ProjectMarco informed the Board of the Trunk Sewer project that is taking place on Pacific Highway.Next Board meetingThe next Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. at OurLady of the Rosary.Motion to adjournLarry Kuntz moved to adjourn the November Board meeting. Vito Altieiri seconded the motion.The Board voted unanimously in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 am.Minutes submitted by Rosie DeLuca, staff.6