Consent 1.P.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 08/11/2014
- TITLE
- Renewal of City Participation in the Downtown Billings Improvement District
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The City is being asked to renew its membership in Business Improvement District (BID) No. 0001, which provides clean and safe zones, which provide cleaning, snow and graffiti removal and security through two dedicated officers in downtown. The BID was approved by the Council by resolution on August 22, 2005. MCA 7-12-1141 provides that the district can last for 10 years. Members of the BID Board of Directors and staff are asking the Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the attached petition for its renewal, which must occur before August 2015.
The BID covers an area shown on a map attached to the petition, which generally runs on an irregular boundary from the St. Vincent's Hospital campus south to South Park and from Garfield School east as far as North Park. The City owns 13.27% of the property in the BID, with a list of those parcels attached. Of the City parcels, 18 are in the clean zone, which provides for maintenance services described above, and 37 are in the safe zone covered by the officers.
If the City agrees to the renewal, more than 50% of the property owners will be in agreement. MCA 7-12-111 requires that 60% of the owners agree to renew the district before it can be presented to the Council for renewal approval.
The BID covers an area shown on a map attached to the petition, which generally runs on an irregular boundary from the St. Vincent's Hospital campus south to South Park and from Garfield School east as far as North Park. The City owns 13.27% of the property in the BID, with a list of those parcels attached. Of the City parcels, 18 are in the clean zone, which provides for maintenance services described above, and 37 are in the safe zone covered by the officers.
If the City agrees to the renewal, more than 50% of the property owners will be in agreement. MCA 7-12-111 requires that 60% of the owners agree to renew the district before it can be presented to the Council for renewal approval.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The City Council may:
- Approve renewal, which means that better than half of the property owners in the area have agreed;
- Postpone action; or
- Not approve the renewal, which means a majority of the remaining 86.73% of the property owners would have to approve.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City would pay a share of the future operating costs of the district in proportion to its ownership interest. The budget is approved annually by the City Council.
The City's Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 assessment is $30,956.37, down from the FY 2014 assessment of $33,418.57, due to the sale of some parcels. The BID staff indicates the City's assessment now represents about 11% of the $282,602 budget paid for by property owners.
The City's Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 assessment is $30,956.37, down from the FY 2014 assessment of $33,418.57, due to the sale of some parcels. The BID staff indicates the City's assessment now represents about 11% of the $282,602 budget paid for by property owners.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council authorize the Mayor to sign the renewal petition for BID No. 0001 on behalf of the City.