Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:49:29 -0700WeeblyWed, 20 Feb 2019 18:44:18 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/february-member-meeting-minutes

• Call to Order @ 8:02
  
  • President- The. Rev. Canon Katie Churchwell
    
• Host Welcome
  
  • Rising Tide Innovation Center
    
• New Member Welcome
  
  • Rising Tide Innovation Center - Brooke Biehler - provide co-working space to entrepreneurs, etc.New member in 2019.
  • Caia’s Boutique - Tammy/owner - in the Signature Bldg across the street from Saturday Morning Market, moving in this weekend
  • Cemovich Law Firm
    
• Self-Introductions
  
• Police Report given by St. Petersburg Police Department -
  
  • Busy lately. Transient issues are always on going and the main Greyhound Bus hub is moving to Pinellas Park, there is currently no set time for this to occur.
    
  • There are a few new officers in training. Katie asked that he speak about PATH - police assisting the homeless, the new initiative by STPD to equip all officer divisions with how to help the homeless. There are many services for the homeless, please keep calling if you have issues.
    
  • New police headquarters - slated to open in a month, Tami suggested that we have a DBA meeting at the new police station.Janie said lots of adults riding skateboards dangerously in between cars on Central, Stg. Montinari said there used to be an ordinance that prohibited that within a small geographical area, but that the ordinance was lost in court a few years ago.
    
  • David asked about the spice issues,  and Sgt. Montinari said it’s much better. Biggest obstacle is more population.
    
  • Tammy asked if more police during Grand Prix- Sgt. Montinari said yes, with the downtown deployment being all hands on deck.
    
• Business   -
  
  • Katie shared that the 2019 board met in early February, and among other things, appointed three new people to the board- Paul Bailey, Shab Scheidad and Nancy Westphal
    
  • Sunshine Street Team
    
    • 10 new volunteers, still NEED MORE!
      
    • PSTA is a sponsor & they are asking for feedback about new looper. Ridership is up 79%, but they gave PSTA honest feedback that some drivers are surly. It’s so important to be friendly, because often they are the first impression of St. Pete. Now: they are doing some trainings, changing to accommodate that request.
      
    • The downtown kiosks aren’t being updated- which was mentioned to program speaker Jessica Eilerman with the City of St. Pete. Tami mentioned the kiosks are in process of being updated and Jessica said they should be being still populated with info, she will let marketing know so they can keep those up.
      
    • There is need for DBA members to have access to information about what is happening downtown
      
      • TBT - can post our events tampabaytimes.com/things-to-do - we can post for free.
        
      • Katie will add links to the DBA page to the City and Tampa Bay Times events pages so that DBA members can have those as a resource
        
    • Jessica said wayfinding is coming onboard and they will come back in after she finds out about wayfinding, but it is still in development and will happen soon.
      
    • Tami mentioned the State of the City is on Saturday at 10A and the SST is invited to be ambassadors/hosts there.
      
  • Reminder: Invoices for dues have gone out and your dues go right back into advertising for your business. Any questions regarding membership benefits can be directed to board members
    
• Program
  
  • Grand Prix- Jessica Eilerman -
    
    • DBA is always in conversation w the City and they appreciate it. There are lots of regulations/rules of the Race that the City cannot control.
      
    • Race people have been more flexible in current years.
      
    • Lots of struggles with issues race brings. Jessica said they are trying to involve rest of dwntn into Race. Ex: Movies in the Park on Fri/first day of race. They are trying to encourage locals coming down and increasing downtown business patronage.
      
    • They improved the map by including shops, parking, what’s open, including going up Central Ave., etc. They are trying to encourage things outside of the race that are going on.
      
    • Business kits - something they’d love our feedback on.
      
      • Will be ready by Friday. Let her know after meeting and she will let us pick them up.
        
    • Biggest piece - how we communicate during race week. This is their focus, with a mktg strategy.
      
      • Downtown is open, there are things to do outside of the race: the primary target is the resident, not the visitor
        
      • The City will have the Indy car flag raising w/ mayor that we are reinforcing notion that we are open for business.
        
    • Directional Signage-
      
      • tried A frame signs “activities this way” etc. in three areas. They felt it went well (3 yrs ago), bringing it back with more color, will be strategically placed so when they are entering/exiting to direct people to local businesses.
        
      • Tami-can we make the request on 4th street interstate exit sign that says “shops this way” included with parking directions.
        
      • Paul said to include saying there’s lots of parking downtown. Jessica - in their messaging, they target specific media individuals to NOT say anything negative like “downtown is a mess, there is no parking, etc.”
        
        • She will ensure Evan knows and he worked well in the past to make sure that happens.
          
• Announcements
  
  • Tampa Bay Times
    
    • Best of the Best - see flyer for details. Need by Fri. for ad. They can send out a social media post for
      
    • Vote as tampabay.com/best, visit tampabay.com/campaign to download posters & logos. 6 week voting, vote everyday once a day.
      
  • Florida CraftArt
    
    • Glass Conference - big deal in St. Pete - Quest - is Fl CraftArt - new program running March 7-April 20.                
      

Next Membership Meeting:
Wed. March 20, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Savory Spice
Board Meetings: First Wednesday monthly, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m., Cathedral Church of St. Peter]]>Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:32:02 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/september-member-meeting-minutes]]>Thu, 13 Sep 2018 12:57:54 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/august-member-meeting-minutesAugust 15, 2018 – Agenda
7:30 a.m. Networking | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Meeting | UPS Store

• Call to Order                                           
  
  • Katie Churchwell, President
    
• Host Welcome
  
  • Joe with the UPS Store- celebrating 20 years!                            
    
• New Member and Guest Welcome
  
  • Doug Bing- Bada Bing Water Sports            
    
• Self-Introductions
  
• Police Report with St. Petersburg Police Department  
  
  • Sgt. Tim Montinari, 727-893-7780 cell.
    
• Business/Reports                      
  
  • Sunrise Sale was a great success!
    
  • Raised a little of $1,300 for the Heart Gallery
    
• Announcements
  
  • The Best of St. Pete Book opportunity
    
    • Melanie Cech
      
  • Melissa Mihok
    
    • New Heels to Heal Resource Center downtown- items needed to help outfit the center.
      
  • Shelli
    
    • ​​The St. Pete Store has handouts!
      
• Adjourn @ 8:35AM
  

Next Membership Meeting:
September 19, 2018 – Location: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Board Meetings: Second Wednesday monthly, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.]]>Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:22:03 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/june-20-2018-member-minutesJune 20, 2018 – Minutes
7:30 a.m. Networking | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Meeting | Florida CraftArt

• Call to Order
  • Katie Churchwell, President @ 8:01
• Host Welcome
  • Janie Lorenz
• New Member Welcome
  • PMN Financial Associates
  • Adorn & Co.
  • Binger Financial Services, LLC
• Self-Introductions
  • New
    • Kate Sparks- times
    • Julan Martinex- Sartorial
    • Jill- marions
    • Lucy- Happy Feet
• Police Report- St. Petersburg Police Department
• 45th Annual Sunrise Sale Planning/Best Practices – Eileen Epright
  • Contact Eileen Epright @ eepright@tampabay.com for the Date. July 2nd the date will be realeased.- continue with pajama theme
  • Sunrise Sale Charity: The Heart Gallery, Patsy Stills
    • All member businesses are invited to take a bag to collect funds to help the children eligible for adoption.
    • Funds will be matched by the Cathedral Church of St. Peter
  • Donations needed for pajama contest winners
    • Wine/food theme baskets
• Business/Reports:
  • Sunshine Street Team
    • The season is over and it was a great season!
    • Being an ambassador for the City is a gift we provide visitors and residents alike.
  • Next Member Social
    • Coming up in August     
  • Ronald McDonald House Taco Tuesday
    • August 21st
    • Donations are needed to purchase the supplies                                                 
• Announcements:
  • Savory Spice will offer 40% off to DBA member organization employees the day before the Sunrise Sale
  • Home is where the Art Is exhibit at Florida CraftArt coming in September
  • Thursday the 28th 400 Beach Drive block party! DJ, kid friendly salsa dancing 6-9PM
  • DBA Deal of the Week
    • Send traffic to you stores
    • Provide an item to be promoted with a (preferably) steep discount
    • The DBA will push it out with paid promotions via FB
• Adjourn @ 8:51

Next Membership Meeting:
NO JULY MEETING- HAVE A GREAT SUNRISE SALE!!
Board Meetings:
Second Wednesday monthly, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. @ Cathedral Church of St. Peter

]]>Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:21:49 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/june-20th-2018Wed, 16 May 2018 14:10:55 GMThttp://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/member-meeting-minutes/may-member-meeting-minutesMay 16, 2018 – Minutes
7:30 a.m. Networking | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Meeting | Barkett Realty

• Call to Order                                              
  
  • Katie Churchwell, President
    
• Host Welcome
  
  • John Barkett, Barkett Realty. Full service boutique -commercial /residential
    
• New Member and Guest Welcome    
  
  • New Member
    
    • Floren’s Gifts and Ladies Boutique   - new boutique/gift shop on Beach Drive
      
  • Guest
    
    • Gypsy Soul Coffee- Located a few doors down from Barkett Realty     
      
• Self-Introductions
  
• Police Report with St. Petersburg Police Department
  
  • Sgt. Tim Montinari, 727-214-8545 cell.
    
  • Non-emergency line, 727-893-7780
    
• New Business/Reports     
  
  • Facebook group for members only. Like our DBA page             
    
  • Sunshine Street Team
    
    • Season coming to a close at end of May. Chance to volunteer on the Street team tour and get to know business owners on the street.
      
  • Councilwoman Gina Driscoll, District 6
    
    • The St. Petersburg Chapter of the League of Women Voters is developing a series of meetings with local stakeholders on gun safety. They would like to interview a few business leaders who care about issues of public safety & gun violence and would be willing to share their insights with us.  They emphasize the need to keep this real, so those with experience or whose life has been touched by gun violence would be particularly helpful.
      
      • Contact Gina or Katie regarding gun safety in community.
        
    • First Night
      
      • City of St Pete is proposing pulling $40k of support for First Night and moving to a co-sponsor contribution for $14,000.
        
      • Email council@stpete.org or mayor@stpete.org to request that the City budget retain the $40k for First Night
        
    • No Straw St. Pete Campaign
      
      • 150 businesses switched to ocean friendly straws
        
• Program
  
  • Allison Barlow, St. Pete Innovation District
    
    • Innovation district - membership organization. Adjacent to downtown, south of  Downtown. Northern boundary is 175, includes Dali museum, USF, Poynter, John Hopkins, and Booker Creek. Historical marine supply companies.
      
    • Started in 2016. 7 board members, Downtown partnership and city of St Pete with 22 active participants involved.
      
    • Their Mission is to grow jobs. They offer quarterly tours of the district, and opportunities for partnership, collaboration, and innovation.
      
    • Great conversation about a portion of our City that overlaps with DBA boundaries.
      
• Announcements
  
  • Sunrise Sale Committee Meeting
    
    • Wednesday May 23 @ 8AM- Cathedral Church of St. Peter
      
  • Heels to Heal
    
    • Wine tasting at 4th and Vine on Thursday 5pm-8pm
      
  • Florida Craft Art
    
    • Sacred Art tour -  The Monks are back! May 29th
      
  • DBA Member Happy Hour
    
    • @ Member business Yard of Ale  May 23rd from 5-7PM
      
  • St Pete store-
    
    • Now offering bulk ordering of local crafted items. 60% of purchase goes back to artist. Great for corporate gifts/realtor gifts
      
  • DBA Deal of the Week opportunity
    
    • Interested member businesses can offer a DBA deal of the week. Free advertising for members to draw new clientele. Please email David Delrahim at ddelrahim@eflegal.com for more details or to get your special deal listed!’
      
• Meeting Adjourned at 9:06 am
  

Next Membership Meeting:
SUNRISE SALE MEETING June 20, 2018 – Location: Florida CraftArt
Board Meetings: Second Wednesday monthly, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Cathedral Church of St. Peter






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