The reformed Uptown Partnership held their first meeting on Monday at the offices of City Planning & Community Investment. Board members Nick Moede, Cecelia Moreno, Mike Wright, Joanne Bray and Benjamin Nicholls were seated as representatives from the Hillcrest business community. Timothy Gahagan and John Semerau were selected by the Hillcrest Town Council to represent the residents. David Wallace is the representative from the Mission Hills business community. Bankers Hill/Park West and Five Points have yet to select representatives to the newly reformed organization.
The first order of business was to elect officers. Unanimously selected were: Tim Gahagan (president), Nick Moede (vice president), Cecelia Moreno (treasurer) and Joanne Bray (secretary). The new board agreed that while the bylaws state that these officers remain seated until July 2012, that elections and revised bylaws will be reviewed as new board members are seated.
The new board approved a resolution advising the City that the board accepts the role of the parking advisory board for Uptown and approves using the tax period of July 2010 through June 2011. A representative from the City Clerk explained the conflict of interest policy and distributed paperwork for the newly elected board to file. The board will distribute the proposed revised bylaws which will be reviewed and included as an action item on the December agenda.
After much discussion, the board decided to fund up to $2,000 for the city to hold an election in a neutral Bankers Hill/Park West location to fill seats for that neighborhood. Business owners will be identified through the City’s business license list and residents will be notified through a process of advertising in an area publication and through area residents group email lists. Self nominations will be accepted. Voting is scheduled to take place in late January. Newly elected board members will be seated at the February Uptown Partnership board meeting.
The next meeting of the Uptown Partnership will be held on Wednesday, December 14 from 3:30-5pm in the large conference room on the 14th floor of Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Avenue.
