Solving problems at the Coconut Grove BID
All's well that end's well at the BID (Business Improve District). Heads did not roll as previously thought.At today's board meeting, the end up was that Mia Stierheim of CocoWalk took over as chairman of the BID's Special Events and Marketing Committee.
The volunteer position was Marshall Steingold's. Marshall was in hot water lately, for his association with IGT, a marketing/discount card company that is doing business with the BID. There was conflict of interest in doing business with both IGT and the BID. (Full story here).
Mia is shown here, at left, with board members Monty Trainer (center) of the Arts Festival and Lalo Durazo of Jaguar restaurant.
Marshall resigned from his BID position at the opening of the meeting, but Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, chairman of the board, generously asked for a hearing first. But through a long winded hearing, with lots of finger pointing, where everyone had their say back and forth, it seemed only fair that IGT and Marshall be removed from the picture; IGT because they can't be trusted, Marshall, because of the conflict of interest, but also because he is not a board member and the board feels that committees should be chaired by board members.
IGT and Marshall are being banned from doing business with the BID for a period of one year, except for the billboard on US1 and 27th Avenue, where the BID subleases space from IGT. Apparently the billboard is too valuable to lose. It's nice how we pick and choose our battles. IGT is the big evil giant, but we need something from them, so they aren't really that big and evil after all.
The billboard actually costs IGT a minimum of $11,500 per month for the non-negotiated rate, it could be had for about $8000 on a long term lease (IGT has it on a yearly negotiated rate). IGT then in turn, subleases it to the BID, who gets it for $17,900. The BID then sells co-op space to it's members for $1000 a pop. I sure wish I owned that billboard. Lots of cash flying around there. But that's another issue, the price of the billboard was not the question, IGT's control of the billboard is.
It seemed like the whole town was out for this meeting and that's good. There have been too many secrets at the BID office and everyone, I mean everyone, is sick and tired of it.
Comm. Sarnoff made an opening remark saying that avoiding the appearance of impropriety is of utmost importance. When people keep secrets, rumors start. Full disclosure needs to be the rule with everything.
Comm. Sarnoff ended the meeting with another great thought, basically that we need to know our neighbors and that people are basically good at heart. I totally agree with that and maybe if we start seeing the good in everyone rather than the bad, that may solve a lot of problems.
Marshall resigned from his BID position at the opening of the meeting, but Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, chairman of the board, generously asked for a hearing first. But through a long winded hearing, with lots of finger pointing, where everyone had their say back and forth, it seemed only fair that IGT and Marshall be removed from the picture; IGT because they can't be trusted, Marshall, because of the conflict of interest, but also because he is not a board member and the board feels that committees should be chaired by board members.
IGT and Marshall are being banned from doing business with the BID for a period of one year, except for the billboard on US1 and 27th Avenue, where the BID subleases space from IGT. Apparently the billboard is too valuable to lose. It's nice how we pick and choose our battles. IGT is the big evil giant, but we need something from them, so they aren't really that big and evil after all.
The billboard actually costs IGT a minimum of $11,500 per month for the non-negotiated rate, it could be had for about $8000 on a long term lease (IGT has it on a yearly negotiated rate). IGT then in turn, subleases it to the BID, who gets it for $17,900. The BID then sells co-op space to it's members for $1000 a pop. I sure wish I owned that billboard. Lots of cash flying around there. But that's another issue, the price of the billboard was not the question, IGT's control of the billboard is.
It seemed like the whole town was out for this meeting and that's good. There have been too many secrets at the BID office and everyone, I mean everyone, is sick and tired of it.
Comm. Sarnoff made an opening remark saying that avoiding the appearance of impropriety is of utmost importance. When people keep secrets, rumors start. Full disclosure needs to be the rule with everything.
Comm. Sarnoff ended the meeting with another great thought, basically that we need to know our neighbors and that people are basically good at heart. I totally agree with that and maybe if we start seeing the good in everyone rather than the bad, that may solve a lot of problems.
posted by Tom Falco at 3:30 PM
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16 Comments:
Thank you Mr. Sarnoff for stating the obvious which surprisingly, many people forget: avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Eloquent simplicity, well spoken.
What does Mia Stierheim know about marketing and special events?
Find just 5 humans, male or female, who previously were to a large degree, unfamiliar with Coconut Grove, who saw this sign on U.S. # 1, and as a direct result of this sign turned their vehicle around, came into the Grove and spent money. We're paying $17,900.00, for what? You give me or any other average person this kind of money and I guarantee you the streets in Coconut Grove would overflow with cash paying customers. Find just five people who will say this sign influenced them.
Well, for one thing she knew Marshall was vp of IGT when everyne else was acting all s surprised. For another why the Sub committe needs is a chair that does nt have media ties, therefore no reason to manipulate the media purchase to their own gain. Good for my money!
Isn't owning a businees and being in charge of the BID a conflict of interest?
Shes not in charge of the BID she in charge of a sub-committee
For what it's worth, the "B" in BID stands for Business. Why one would want to have anyone NOT associated with a Grove business involved with the BID seems odd at best. Unless, of course, you have a personal axe to grind, which is another matter altogether under the guise of some holier-than-thou posturing.
Spending $18k a month for that billboard is a joke. How can anybody justify this expense???
How can anyone justify the Marlins Stadium...
As far as I know, Anon 5:10 am, Out of Africa has never solicited the BID for business or done business with the BID in any way. As the owner of a Coconut Grove retail business David Collins has, as they say, "skin in the game," and started work to enliven the Grove as the founder of the Merchant's Group years ago. I can't think of a single person in the Grove better suited to the job.
I was at yesterday's meeting, and want to publicly acknowledge Marc Sarnoff for the way he handled this very difficult situation. The BID needs strict conflict of interest guidelines so this does not happen again. Marc made a good point yesterday when he said it is self dealing that will take the BID down if nothing is done about it. Unfortunately, that has been the situation in the Grove for years, and is probably why it's so hard to get out of the hole we're in. Yesterday's meeting was, I hope, a step in the direction of honest dealings in the interest of the Grove.
Agreed. For 18K a month, we could actually improve the business district.
For that money, the BID could buy 250 parking spaces every friday night from 8pm on, and just give them away.
For that money, I'm sure we could fix the freakin sidewalks...
For that kind of money we could simply walk door to door of grove businesses and hand the owners hundred dollar bills every day.
We could run a local television commerical every week announcing what's going on in the grove for that kind of money.
I only asked for $500 for the "8th annual En Plein Air Coconut Grove" and was denied. I used to raise the prize money from the merchants and restaurants. Now they pay into the BID for special events and marketing.
This event brings in a nice group for two days plus some evenings. Plus it enhances the ambiance of the jewel of Miami. Anyone want to name the $500 Grand Prize in their name? The En plein air event takes place Oct. 11 and 12, 2009 in Coconut Grove ONLY
One billboard on US1 & 27th Ave. is not going to make or break Coconut Grove. Paying $17K a month to people that purposely tried to deceive us is also not such a good idea. This behavior should not be reward with any profit from us. Advertising without delivering quality is a short-term solution to a long-term problem that needs fixing. I am amazed that the BID thinks that one billboard is so vital to the success of Coconut Grove. It is a bit ironic that most Grovites fight to keep unsightly commercial billboard out of our Village of Coconut Grove but our BID is willing to spend $17K/mos. ($204K/yr) to help attract more commerce. Perhaps it would be less hypocritical and even more cost effective to market the Grove in other ways. Please e-mail me if you wish to share some ideas on how to best improve Coconut Grove. hgplace@bellsouth.net
Rescind the bill board contract and give a $1.00 discount off of any receipt issued in the Grove from any business. Coffee, $1.00 off. Any meal, $1.00 off. Sun glasses, $1.00 off. Shirts, pants, shoes, socks, bras, ice cream, donuts, bicycle repairs, bread, fruits, anything and everything----$1.00 off the receipt issued. Surely modern business, cash registers, credit card receipts can duplicate a simple receipt and present it to the BID at the end of each month. Think what people will think about coming to the Grove and get an actual discount. No questions asked, short, simple and sweet. Now, lets hear the negatives!
Frankly folks, take every single individual on this list to become a Grove Village Rep and then take BID and then take Mark and mix it all together and you deserve your taxes.
I think Jobie might be on to something after all.
Imagine $1 one whole dollar off every single purchase in Coconut Grove on any purchase over $5 on a particular weekend. be it coffee to surfboards, paintings. This could be what is called viral marketing at it's best.
Everyone has to keep duplicate receipt and hand it in at BiD within 3 days. It can be done.
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