OTBA Committee Meeting Minutes - May 2003
Old Takoma Business Association
General Meeting
June 17, 2003 @ Savory
1. PO Box: President Bob Atwood opened the
meeting by announcing that OTBA now has a Post Office Box:
P.O. 5440. The zip code is 20913.
2. Takoma Park parking garage: John Urciolo
reported on a proposal to build a parking garage on his property
behind the deck on Laurel Street. It would add 54 spaces to
the 60 in the parking lot behind the Laurel Avenue stores.
That would bring the total to 110 municipal parking spaces
in that area, all of which would be metered. The city of Takoma
Park would take care of the design and engineering work.
3. Corner building at Eastern and Laurel:
John Urciolo presented a concern about plans for the corner
building which currently houses Pizza Movers. Discussion involved
its historic value vis a vis constructing a new building on
the site. The site signals a “gateway” at the
Takoma Park/Takoma DC border.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Balance of
$1050. Still owed for advertising: $400. When Paul MacLardy
took over as Treasurer, there was a $4000 bill outstanding.
5. Dues: Proposed levels of annual dues
are:
Individuals/Non-profits: $100
Businesses: $200
Landlords: $300
• Final decision on amounts would be determined by
the budgeting process, matching funds, projects, street festival,
cost of hiring someone to manage fundraising and administrative
tasks.
• The decision has not yet been made as to when to increase
the dues.
• As a comparison, the dues of one of the other business
associations in the area:
Individuals: $ 150
Businesses $ 500
Large businesses $1,000
6. Introductions were made of those present.
7. 501(c)3 Status
a. The adjusted mission statement was read and approved:
b. Articles of Incorporation are close to being finished.
c. Bylaws, need some revision
8. Street Festival
a. Applications are on the web-site
b. Andrea Urciolo wants to turn Street Festival over to OTBA
for next year
• Would pass coordination and management on to Main
Street manager
• History, time-line, and template are on a CD
c. OTBA assistance for this October’s Street Festival:
• Raffle will be handled by Bobbi Kitner
• Sponsorship of stages, etc: Sam Kitner
d. Income from booths:
• Typically, $16,000 – $17,000
• Could net $15,000 - $16,000, with sponsorship for
stages
i. This means at least half of the city of Takoma Park’s
matching funds of $25,000
e. Expenses:
• Musicians - $200 each
• Postage
• Port ‘o’ johns
• Advertisements
• Sound
f. Proposals:
• For Festival coordinator and manager
i. Find someone who is competent and has time
ii. Offer to pay $1,000 - $2,000
iii. Could lead to a job with OTBA
iv. Put job opportunity on website
1. Andrea could do a job description
• Form a Committee to find sponsors
• Sell raffle tickets in stores for a month or so before
Festival
9. Report from City of Takoma Park -- Sara
Daines
a. Main Street Maryland program (in MD Dept. of Housing and
Community Development)
• Has no staff for fiscal year 2004
• Sara will know more in July
b. Another program: Neighborhood Partnership Program
• Leverages funding for matching funds
• Hasn’t done a lot of programs
• Getting non-profit 501(c) 3 status is key
• Sara will see if OTBA will meet requirements for Program
c. Maryland Downtown Institute
• Four training opportunities: promotion, design, organization,
fundraising
• $50 per class
• Opportunities for networking
d. For fiscal year starting July 1, $25,000 is approved by
Takoma Park City Council
• Goal is to revive OTBA and its capacity
e. Marketing Studies:
• There are two marketing studies in Takoma Park Maryland
i. International Corridor
ii. Long Branch
• Also in Takoma DC
10. Marketing Committee
a. Logos
• Those present voted on one of 3 versions
• Postmark logo won
b. Recruitment letter
• Outlines benefits of membership
• Will get it out in July
• Current membership is small percentage of potential
c. Map
• Businesses will check on names and addresses for accuracy
d. Budget issues:
• Printing: Will offer pro-bono for business write-off
• Plans for brochure, membership directory, business
envelope
• Not enough money for a phone number
e. Website
• www.takomaonline.com/OTBAmembers
• Has application for Street Festival
• There will be an area just for members which will
be password
restricted
• Link to the Takoma Voice website
11. Dues
a. Current levels
• Businesses: $50 = $35 + $15 for web site
• Non-profit and individuals: $50 = $25 + $15 for web
site
12. Next meetings
a. Schedules:
• July 8 at the Savory
• August 5
b. Jan Schwartz will call businesses
Meeting is adjourned.
Mission statement:
Old Takoma Business Association brings together businesses
and community organizations dedicated to developing a vibrant
market center, from Takoma Junction Maryland to the Takoma
Theatre DC, to enhance our unique and historic town setting.
