Commercial Center Business Association Meeting Minutes

Tuesday January 30, 2007

Attendance: Mike M (Hawks), Alan (The Rack), Mike (Onyx Theatre), Morrand (Morrand LLC), Tom S (LVMPD), Louise D. (The Las Vegas Lounge), Alan K (Prestige Realty), Russell Davis (Clark County Public Works), Joshua M (The Center), Candice N. (The Center), Bryan M. (LVMPD SCAC), Lisa C (Clark County Redevelopment), Christina S. (Indian Soul Art), Daniel G. (Clark County Liaison), Jack Z (Republic Services), Luis G (Republic Services), Paula S. (A Harmony Nail Spa), Rup R (Vita Plus), Mara Lieberman (Violin Outlet), Ray (Ramrod Lounge), Francisco (Las Palmas), Unk. Name of Blonde Gentlemen who is buying property in area, wants to sit in, (possible large developer-did not disclose company)

Paula S. Opens Meeting at 1:15 with Welcome & Introductions. Reading from January agenda.

Danny G Suggests round the table introductions with name and company or department.

Table open for group discussion

Group discusses various issues.

Hawks Gym (Manager)

• Dust a problem form old Vegas Village Site, motorbikes and ATV’s kicking up dirt, who is responsible

Lisa K. (redevelopment) -States she will look into contacting property owner to secure the site, possibility of fencing and coating of dirt, etc. will report back

Alan K- Questions of redevelopment and various other Questions for Lisa K and others

Lisa K (redevelopment)-States we are in a redevelopment area, the parking is owned by the county and deeded over in 1960, and county is to maintain the parking lot, can be a curse and a blessing, that the property owners are not taxed on the property. (Perpetuity clause)

Paula S- (Harmony Nail Spa) Brings up Artificial Grasses, Aluminum signs to be mounted to county light pole, Outdoor Sculptures to be installed, and directories

Lisa K- (redevelopment) Concerned over who will be responsible for the upkeep and what if some should get hurt if a sign falls down, or someone drives onto sidewalk into the directories? Says will need approval of all Property Owners not business owners

Lisa K- States at the time it seemed like a good idea the way the sale was setup to be owned and maintained by the county, for the good of the public, but there are not many places like this, and it does not seem to work today, and situations like this the parking lot is usually privately owned and maintained in a shopping center.

Lisa K. Vegas Village Torn Down-zoned and approved for two 40 story high rise, there is supposed to be a proposed plan for building but not all information available at this time.

Paula S. - Concerned that there has been a general lack of care of property overall and not all owners will agree, why should we suffer because a few do not want to participate in the growth Paula to do further research and bring back information

Group Discussion Continues

Various Topics

• Maryland Pkwy Near UNLV and the work that redevelopment is doing there. Some brings up what other states have done like Arizona
• Concerns that Commercial Center will be torn Down for new high rise towers

Group Discussion

• Some Property for sale Commercial Center Pavilion NAI Horizon $16,000,000,000
• Village Square $11,950,000,000
• Some property not for sale, Can County sell part of the parking lot?
• Group Discussion this is not able to be done, to look up and bring back to next meeting, Lisa K will bring back info
• What are the plans for redevelopment, no clear plan or answer was given, only that this is a redevelopment area, and special funds may be available

Clark County Community Liaison Danny G.

(Representing Chris G- Commissioner)

• Danny G. (Liaison) used to work for Myrna W, Now For Chris G commissioner, special grants available for community projects, handout given, group will look into and write letter for grant.
• Danny G- help with non-profit, Danny states they have directed other shopping center associations in the right direction and can put us in touch with them.
• The County may not have much to offer in financial but can help direct us, and put us in touch with various county agencies that can assist like metro, public works, etc…
• No update on taxes paid on parking lot, is county exempt from paying taxes on this property, how does ownership like this work? Waiting for answer
• Danny states he does not have all information at this time

Metropolitan Police Dept.

• Sgt Stoll- Introduces self and 2 deputies, gives report of various crimes in the area, says that crime over the past ten years is determined by the type of nightclub that opens in the area. Reports of Problems customers form Las Palmas calling from that location about car break-ins, a few incidents of fights at the bars etc…

• Stoll- requests map of lot, and buildings and suites to easily find tenants when calls are placed. 

• Requests made for more police action and patrols to be made on Fri-Sat night 10p to 4 am.

• Stoll- To tell all business to call 311, ask for dispatch when there is a suspicious persons or activity or vehicle, and give a name and name of business to be logged onto a report, and as well tell operators this is 953 Sahara Clark County Public Parking Lot.

• Group discussion about police not responding business owners being told by dispatch sorry private property call your property mgt, or Owner. Lack of communication, police not aware of public parking, owners were not aware to say this when talking with the police about issues in the parking lot.

• Many Homeless in Parking Lot.

• Jack & Luis Introduce Self from Republic Services. Various problems with Trash cans in poor repair, needs painting, wheels, Garbage men spilling trash, not all trash being put into containers, who owns trash cans, and large disposal

• Neighborhood watch a good thing, can send a specialist to help with this

• Yes Metro can give monthly reports of crime at 953 will be happy to inform us

Group Discussion

• Pavilion Owns Disposal special arrangement made it was purchased privately a few years ago and installed by some owner, so replacing the need for small dumpsters, unit is locked with gate. Talk of poor curb appeal due to various small dumpsters on Sahara overflowing etc, pavilion side much cleaner and neater looking. Possibility to install large compacter and enclosed unit on East side of lot, eliminating many small dumpsters.
• Homeless rummaging through trash, sleeping behind dumpsters.
• Republic Services will provide Schedule

Public Works

• Russell Davis from Public works on maintenance of parking lot. Many issues to be addressed of concern]
• Public Works to give report of county lines and ownership details to group

Further Questions posed by group in January Agenda

10. We can develop a better relationship with the county by getting organized and having meetings like this

11. The relationship with the County in the past has been difficult there has been no one main voice or group to represent the owners and tenants causing rifts in the relationship

12. Danny G- is excited for us and hopes we can do well and hopes we achieve our goals, we are told to be patient.

13. Lisa K- Only concerned with who is responsible for new installs and that property owners will have to sign off on these, (even though the property owners have been a problem in the past, and they will not most likely being paying for any of this, unless they join the association

• Paula S. –express concern that this is ridiculous to need the property owners to sign off when they have let the area go into dilapidation and to get any of them to do much of anything to improve there property takes far longer than appropriate, and they are not even organized together to work together and seem to have a lack of concern.
• It is noted only two property owners showed up, Clark County, and Alan K (commercial Arts Building). Property Managers and owners seem to have little interest, and have for years been unable to agree to come to any conclusion for the benefit of this business community and the public. So now it is time the business owners who without them there would be no commercial center banned together and take positive action, and we need the help of Clark County in Full to let us move forward with simple directories, aluminum signage, etc with of course special use permits, etc…And that we do not need all owners to sign off on this, just like if the NBA 2007 director wanted to place banners for the game in our center like on paradise and throughout the city the County would say Yes they are making a fee form the permit, and as well they would not have to contact all the property owners to do so, especially for many community events, because nothing would ever get approved or done.  Paula s.

• Group has requested we must have street cleaning Fri and Sat morning Early after a busy weekend and throughout the week

• Need more light brighter watt bulbs and additional light to be added to single light poles, public works to be given formal request

• Alan K- says he will talk with other property owners to organize them.

Summary of Meeting

• Meeting consisted of meet and greet, everyone get to know each other, a formal agenda was not used or rules, show of turnout deemed to be good to start, formal agenda to be used at subsequent meetings, everyone seemed to be in positive mood and likes ideas presented and wants to move forward. Next meeting set for February 27, 2007 at 1:15 pm, same place. Las Palmas Owner was happy to host and provide drinks and chips. Various items discussed, lots of ideas brought to the table, good meeting to show various owners, and business participation. Handouts given artist sketch of proposed entrance, and other items given out, estimates. Paula Organized and paid for all copies and supplies. No Reimbursements given at this time, no offer of assistance with costs for meeting at this time. Owners will be contacted and invited to next meeting.

• Paula S. closes meeting and thanks everyone for coming. 2:45pm