HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-17 City Council (8)TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL 141
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: City Manager
DATE:MARCH 17, 2003 CMR: 197:03
SUBJECT:APPOINTMENT OF A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AD HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL ON THE
FORMATION OF A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to advise the
Council as it considers a proposal to create a Downtown Business Improvement District
(BID).
BACKGROLFND
The BID is a funded organization of businesses authorized by state law (California
Streets and Highway Code Section 36500). The purpose of a BID is to promote and
improve a specific geographic area for the benefit of the businesses in the BID area.
BIDs have been established in over 200 business areas in California including Mountain
View, San Jose and Burlingame. Annual fees paid by the businesses in the district fund
the BID. An advisory board initially appointed by City Council and in subsequent years,
selected by the BID general membership, oversees the BID’s operations.
Activities that can be funded w.ith BID proceeds include:
Enhanced maintenance
Promotional events
Provision of banners, directional markers, etc.
Pay for staff person to coordinate activities
Coordination of business, City and community interests
Provision of business information, marketing materials and maps to highlight
downtown businesses
CMR:197:03 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
Downtown Merchants have been exploring the possibility of a Business Improvement
District (BID) for Downtown Palo Alto.
On December 2, 2002,. the Downtown Marketing Committee of the Palo Alto Chamber of
Commerce presented a petition signed by over 50 downtown businesses requesting that
the City Council agendize the discussion of the Downtown BID and consider passing a
resolution of intent to establish a Downtown BID.
As a part of the process of establishing a BID, recommendations on activities, the level of
assessment and benefit for each business in the district and establishment of an oversight
organization (most often a non-profit 501 (c) (6)) must be prepared for the City Council.
To review options and make recommendations to the City Council, staff recommends
that the Mayor appoint a Downtown BID Ad Hoc Committee. The existing Downtown
Marketing Steering Committee, which has supervised BID activities to date, recommends
that the following downtown merchants and businesses be appointed to the committee to
make further BID recommendations to the City Council.
Stephanie Wansek
Cornelia Pendleton
Georgie Gleim
Warren Thoits
Israel Zehavi
Steve Warden
John Aylward
Alex Resnick
Christopher Grammar
Faith Bell
Sandra Lonnquist
Sunny Dykwel
Barbara Gross
Cardinal Hotel
University Art
Gleim Jewelers
Thoits Brothers
Diamonds of Palo Alto
Union Bank
Caf4 Neibaum Coppola
Spago’s
Insurance by Allied Brokers
Bell’s Books
Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
Alain Pinel Realtors
Garden Court Hotel
CMR: 197:03 Page 2 of 3
RESOURCE IMPACT
A consultant will be necessary to advise staff on required next steps in the formation and
establishment of a Downtown Business Improvement District. The cost for the
consultant will be approximately $5,000. Funds are available for this purpose in the City
Manager’s Office budget.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The establishment of a Downtown BID is consistent with Comprehensive Plan Policies
and was one of the recommendations for Downtown Palo Alto identified in the Retail
Strategy for the City of Palo Alto prepared by Sedway and Associates in June, 2000.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action by the City
Environment Quality Act.
PREPARED BY:
Council is not considered a project under the California
SUSAN ARPAN, Economic Development/Redevelopment Manager
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON, Assistant City Manager
CMR: 197:03 Page 3 of 3