Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Call for Applications

In anticipation of a Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) petition, the CID Steering Committee is seeking nominations for a CID Advisory Board as well as for Economic Development, Operations or Marketing Committee members. Board and committee members must fulfill a number of statutory requirements so be sure to check the guidelines if you are interested. Guidelines, applications and the CID Plan are available at www.downtown.org or by calling 442-6816. You may also direct questions to Mike Vangel, Chair of the CID Steering Committee.

Applications must be received in The District office at 11 S. Tenth St. by Tuesday, September 15 at 5:00 pm.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Dine Out Missouri Month - Part II

As we mentioned before - September is Dine Out Missouri Month!

In an effort to highlight all the various menus (and price ranges), providing all downtown restaurants with FREE promotional tools during the next couple days. We'll also be running ads and promoting our restaurants using our website, email newsletters and twitter.

So NOW is the time to start planning menus, prices, or special discounts! Below is a quick run-down of what you can expect to receive.

Persephone and Mark will be visiting all the restaurants within The District in the next couple days.

They will be distributing to each manager: (1) 20x24 Color Poster, (100) Handbills, (1) Participation form w/ summary, (1) Self Addressed Stamp Envelope (1) Business card

The poster is to be hung in your front window and has space for your specials to be written.

Handbills are mini fliers (that fit in a hand), and can sit on a server's station or front desk to inform people of the special event.

The Participation form needs to be filled out and returned if you'd like to be listed on our website.

Use the Envelope to send us the form back. If you'd rather, you can just fax it to 499-0421 - we'll take it.

If you have questions or concerns, call or email Persephone using the information provided on the Card.

There is absolutely NO COST to participate! And if you're in need of ideas, the summary sheet may help you to brainstorm.

Finally - if you're not a restaurant, and you're receiving this, you know you can expect some great deals at your favorite restaurants in The District! We'll see you in September!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Sewer manhole repairs on Providence Road

The city of Columbia Public Works Department announced that beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25, Ace Inc. will begin sewer manhole repairs on Providence Road.

This work will result in temporary lane restrictions on Providence Road from Worley to Broadway.

The repairs are expected to take two days, weather permitting. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise extreme caution when in the work area and use an alternate route whenever possible.

Downtown Leadership Council Meeting

Tuesday, August 25, 4 pm.
City Hall Mezzanine

AGENDA
Introduction of new officers


Updates

-Letter sent to partner organizations regarding DLC representatives

-Shiloh inappropriate fence

-DLC report - under review by City Commissions

- Downtown Transformations - visual examples



Downtown Columbia - Urban Design Charrettes

- Funding
- Define scope of work
- Process
- Sample timeline for the community;

Other items

Adjourn



Thursday, August 20, 2009

Stephens Grad on Project Runway

Stephens College alumna Qristyl Frazier was chosen as one of 16 designers to compete on Lifetime's Project Runway. The show is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and contestants are mentored by Tim Gunn.

The new season premiers on Lifetime television tonight at 9:00 pm. Congrats to Stephens and Qristyl!

New Taxi Stand

The Council approved a new taxi stand on the east side of N. Tenth St. just north of Broadway. This new taxi stand will help reduce the crowds that gather on Broadway after bars let out. Often, the crowd waiting for rides is so large that people can't pass by on the sidewalk or exit the bars easily. This area was already a yellow curb so no parking spaces will be lost. Also, this will only be used late at night.

Dine Out Missouri

The governor has declared September "Dine Out Missouri" Month. To take advantage of this, we'll be helping promote District restaurants all through September. Our Director of Business Services, Persephone Dakopolos will be coming by with information or you can contact her at 442-6816 or info@discoverthedistrict.com

Missouri Fictitious Name Renewal Deadline Approaches

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is reminding Missouri business owners that the renewal period for fictitious name registrations ends on August 28, 2009. Due to a change in state law, any fictitious name filed on or before August 28, 2004 must be renewed for the first time in the state's history.

Fictitious names are primarily registered by individuals who wish to do business under a name other than their actual name. For example, if John Doe is doing business as "John's Tailor Shop" he must register that name with the state. Corporations and LLCs must also file a fictitious name if they conduct business under a name other than the name of their company.

Although there are currently over 500,000 fictitious names filed with the state, many may be registered to companies that no longer exist. Fictitious name registrations filed as early as the 1900's are still considered active because the names have never had a renewal requirement until now. Even fictitious names filed more recently may be unused -- the Small Business Administration estimates only 31% of new businesses survive more than seven years.

"We are working hard to inform Missourians about this new requirement," said Carnahan. "I encourage any individual or business using a fictitious name that was filed on or before August 28, 2004 to complete this filing before the August 28, 2009 deadline; I also recommend they save time by filing online. Since taking office, online business filings have directly saved Missouri business owners over $10 million dollars and taxpayers millions more."

The new renewal requirement will help streamline government services and improve the quality of information available through the Secretary of State?s office. Missourians may use the Secretary of State?s web site to look up the owner of a fictitious name, as well as the registered agent of any corporation or LLC in the state.

If a business fails to file its renewal on time, their registration will expire making them unable to legally do business in Missouri. However, their fictitious name may be reregistered at anytime without a penalty. Fictitious name registrations filed after August 28, 2004, will expire five years from the date filed unless renewed.

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to register online or download the registration form and mail it to the Corporations Division of the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.

To look up your expiration date: https://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/soskb/csearch.asp

To renew online, visit the link above and click on "renew" in the left column.

To download the registration form: www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/forms.asp

There is a $7.00 filing fee for registrations. Organizations and businesses without access to a computer or the Internet can call the Corporations Division toll-free at 866-223-6535 to request a paper copy of the form. Questions related to fictitious name registrations should be directed to the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State's office.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Temporary Alley Closure

Temporary closure of alley near parking garage project.

Contact: Public Works Department, (573) 874-7250

The Public Works Department announces that beginning Friday, August 14, Graham Construction will be working in the alley north of McNally?s Pub and Grill, which is between Broadway and Walnut Streets, just east of Sixth Street. The alley will be closed for approximately two weeks while contractors are working on the garage project. The work should be completed and the alley fully reopened, by August 28, weather permitting.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise extreme caution when in the construction area.

Monday, August 10, 2009

SBD Agenda

AGENDA

Columbia Special Business District

Board of Directors Meeting

August 11, 2009 at 4 p.m.

11 S. Tenth Street

Call to Order

Approval of the July Minutes

Financial Report

Approval of July Financials

Police Update

Sgt. Chris Kelley

Committee Reports

Solid Waste District - tentative

Old Business

Budget Revisions & Approval

New Business

Appoint Nominating Committee - SBD Officers

SBD Tax Rate

Director’s Report

Vacancy/Business Recruitment Update

TIF Update

CID Update

City Update

Public Comment

Adjournment

Alert - Counterfeit $100 Bills

Commerce Bank has just let us know that someone is attempting to use counterfeit $100 bills at local businesses. The $100 bills are made by bleaching $1 bills and then transferring a scanned photo of a $100 bill onto the paper.

How to tell if these $100 bills are counterfeit? The "100" in the top corner is a hologram so if you hold the bill at an angle, it should change color when you tilt the bill back and forth.

Read government tips on how to detect counterfeit bills...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Comprehensive Plan Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: City Clerk - (573) 874-7207

Applications are being accepted for the Comprehensive Plan Task Force

COLUMBIA, MO (August 7, 2009) - The City Clerk's Office is accepting applications for the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. The purpose of this task force is to advise and assist the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council in the preparation of a new comprehensive plan, which includes citizen involvement, public education and outreach, recruitment of volunteers and review of interim products

The task force will consist of 15 members appointed by the City Council. At least one member shall be a member of the Columbia Vision Commission. Consideration will be given to prior involvement in the visioning process, service on a city commission, professional credentials or participation in a civic, business or professional organization for other appointments.

Applications can be obtained at the City Clerk's Office or can be found on the city's Web site: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/vacancies.php.

Applications must be returned to the City Clerk's Office, 701 E. Broadway, 4th Floor, by noon on Friday, Sept. 4.

The city resolution creating the Comprehensive Plan Task Force may be viewed online at: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/complan.php.

Applications Being Accepted for Citizens Police Review Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: City Clerk - (573) 874-7207
Applications are being accepted for Citizens Police Review Board

COLUMBIA, MO (August 6, 2009) - The City Clerk?s Office is accepting applications for the Citizens Police Review Board. The purpose of this new board is to provide an external and independent process for review of actual or perceived misconduct thereby increasing police accountability to the community and community trust in the police. In addition, in the future, this board will host public meetings and educational programs and recommend police policies, procedures and training.

The board will consist of eight members appointed by the City Council and a member of the Commission on Human Rights appointed by the commission.

Members must be residents of Columbia and registered voters. In addition, members must not be employed by the city, be a party to any pending litigation against the city, be an elected public office holder or be a candidate for elected public office. Members should also reflect the cultural and racial diversity of Columbia and have no serious criminal record. A criminal history of all applicants of this board will be obtained and the City Council will be advised of any convictions for violations of federal, state or local law. Additional information, such as full name, date of birth, all states resided in and social security number, will be required in order to obtain this criminal history.

Applicants should be aware of significant time commitments needed to serve on this board, especially for required orientation and training at the start of membership. Orientation and training will include review of the Police Department?s Professional Standards Unit?s operating policies, riding along with an on-duty police officer and topics recommended by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).

Applications can be obtained at the City Clerk?s Office or can be found on the city?s Web site: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/vacancies.php. Applications must be returned to the City Clerk?s Office, 701 E. Broadway, 4th Floor, by noon on Friday, Sept. 4.

The city ordinance creating the Citizens Police Review Board may be viewed online at: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/cpreview.php.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Roots 'n Blues Discount

Festival organizers are offering District businesses 20% off booth fees for the two-day event.

If you're off the main festival footprint, you may consider closing up shop and moving your entire operation over to a booth. Richard King over at the Blue Note has some information on what vendors in the past have done as well as a general sense of their sales over the 2-day festival. You can reach him at richard@thebluenote.com.

To apply for a booth, go to www.rootsnbluesnbbq.com/vendors/.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Red Light Cameras

From the City of Columbia:

A red light camera photo enforcement system is now active at Broadway and Providence Road and soon will be active at Stadium Boulevard and Worley Street. This is important news for drivers, pedestrians and others who use our roads.

During a "grace" period of 30 days, warning notices will be sent to registered owners of vehicles determined to have run red lights. No fines will apply during this period.

Actual enforcement will start when the 30-day warning period expires. Traffic citations will be sent to registered owners of vehicles determined to have run red lights. Fines will apply.

Visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com (first listing under "What's new?") to see our press kit and more information. Please note, the link to view warning notices is not active yet.

Feel free to spread it widely to alert others in your own networks. We want citizens to be aware...to be safe...and to "Respect the Red."

Reminder - Free Marketing Seminar

Guerrilla Marketing: Fast, Cheap, Creative, Profitable

Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 9:00 a.m. OR 2 p.m.
Boone County National Bank, Lower Level Training Rooms

Join Boone County National Bank's Vice President of Marketing Mary Wilkerson for easy ways to market your business on the fly. You don't have to have a lot of time or money to take advantage of these tips and tricks.

In addition to general tactics any business can use, Mary will share ideas on how to capitalize on events like the Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival, True/False Film Festival or any other Downtown event.

Plenty of time will be left for questions and answers in this hour-long session. Choose one of two times to attend: 8:30 a.m. or 2 p.m.