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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-12 ACE MINUTES• • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD May 12, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) convened in the City Council Conference Room at 11 :40 a.m., Chair McDermott presiding. Present: Absent: Staff: Guests : Cook, Guinther, Schalk, Vasilas, McDermott Verbeck, Alternate Member Penning, Chamber of Commerce Liaison Wolosyn, City Council Liaison Woodward, City Council Member Lonborg , Panetta (Both members provided previous notice) Robert Simpson, Director of Community Development Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator Harold Stitt, Senior Planner Brad Segal and Anna Jones , PUMA Chair McDermott thanked Vice-Chair Vasilas for running the meeting in April in her absence . II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 14, 2005 Chair McDermott asked ifthere were any corrections to the minutes of April 14. Cook moved : Vasilas seconded: The Minutes of April 14, 2005 be approved as written. The motion carried. III. PROGRESSIVE URBAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (PUMA) Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Mr. Hollingsworth introduced Ms . Anna Jones and Mr. Brad Segal of the Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA). Mr. Hollingsworth reminded members that at the April 14 meeting, the issue of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) was briefly discussed. Mr. Segal addressed the ACE membership , and asked that everyone in attendance introduce themselves, and provide a brief statement of their interest in the downtown area. Mr. Vasilas noted during the course of his introduction statement that Ted's Clothiers, of which he is the proprietor, will celebrate their 30th anniversary of doing business in the 3400 block of South Broadway this year. Mr. Vasilas also announced that he has recently purchased the Break- H:\GROUP\BOARDS \A CE\Minutes\200 5\ACE 05 -1 2-0 5 doc 1 • • • fast Queen II restaurant a couple doors to the north of his Clothier store, and that business has been good. All members applauded Mr. Vasilas's announcements. Mr. Segal gave a power point presentation highlighting salient points of Business Improvement Districts. Bills are a financing mechanism to provide revenue for local improvements and ser- vices, but are not a replacement for existing municipal services. Bills are self-imposed, and self- governed, and work much the same way as a common area maintenance (CAM) agreement often used in shopping malls and office parks. Common services that can be provided by Bills in- clude: • Enhanced maintenance • Public safety • Marketing and image enhancement • Special events • Parking management and transportation • Human services • Economic development • Planning and design • Capital improvements • Communications and ad vocacy Mr. Segal stated that there are more than 1,000 BIDs in North America, and over 15 Bills in Colorado alone . Other points stressed in Mr. Segal's presentation include : • A BID has "taxing" authority • A BID is stronger than a Home Owners Association • Is a reliable revenue source • Is governed by those who pay • Costs are related to benefits received • Encourages private sector management • Requires stakeholder support • Renewal rate is about 99 % Mr. Segal advocated that the following issues be assessed before moving forward with the for- mation of a BID : • Private sector leadership • Supportive local government • Staff and financial resources • Public/private partnership Key steps to form a BID include: • Have a "steering committee" of downtown champions • Have a line on resources : database , BID consultant, legal counsel, local project manage- ment • Conduct Stakeholder outreach: roundtable discussions, surveys, meetings • Consensus-based Business Plan: rationale , determine boundary, work program, budget, assessment rates, governance, term, etc . H :IGRO UP\B OARDS\ACE\M inu tes\2005\ACE 05 -12-05.doc 2 • • • • Petition: Majority of real and personal property by acreage and value must petition to form BID • City Council must hold Public Hearing • TABOR election -within the BID boundary. Property owners AND lessees vote. Mr. Segal clarified that in a TABOR election if a property owner has multiple ownerships, it will depend on how the ownerships are entered on the County Records as to how many times that property owner may vote. If, for instance, ten properties are owned by A.B.C -that owner may vote one time; if, however, two properties are owned by A.B.C., four properties are owned by A.B.C., LLC, and four properties are owned by A .B.C ., INC., that owner may vote three times because there are three separate "listings" for his ownerships . Mr. Segal discussed the timeline required to bring a proposed BID before the voters-a mini- mum of one year of diligent work is required to de velop a property owner database, form and convene a steering committee and do the property owner outreach, develop an operating plan, service plan, draft petition forms and do the petition drive, hold the public hearings required be- fore the City Council , form the BID and determine the BID board , and prepare for the TABOR election. Mr. Segal stated that the very earliest Englewood could hold a TABOR election would be November, 2006, and work on database development , etc ., will have to begin the last quarter of 2005. Mr. Hollingsworth asked how BID boundaries are determined in a typical scenario. Mr. Segal stated that typicall y you begin with a "study area" that may be changed in si z e and scope as the BID process progresses. Two important points to keep in mind is the "Function" of the BID - the number of benefits anticipated from the formation of the BID ; and "Politics" -who supports de velopment of a BID , and who opposes de velopment of a BID. Chair McDermott asked if Mr. Segal could provide an estimate on beginning financial commit- ments for BID development. Mr. Segal suggested that financial requirements can range from $35,000 to $50,000, not including the cost to develop a good database . Ms . McDermott asked what the likelihood is of major property owners contributing the start-up funds for a BID. Mr. Segal suggested that ideally the start-up funds would be contributed by the major property own- ers and the local governmental agency. Mr. Segal emphasized that cost of the TABOR election cannot be covered by governmental funds , but must be paid by the participating property owners. Mr. Vasilas asked if PUMA only helped guide the formation of a BID , or did they also help manage/run the BID. Mr. Segal stated that PUMA pro vides assistance in the formation of Bills, but does not manage BIDs. Mr. Vasilas briefly reviewed the now defunct Englewood Down- town Development Authority, and the conflicts between the EDDA and the City; he asked how to avoid such conflicts if a BID is formed . Mr. Segal emphasized three points that must be ad- dressed : • Responsibilities must be clearly defined: What is City; what is BID ? • There must be cooperation between the City and the BID; possibly have a City represen- tative sit on the BID governing board. • The City has to be "willing to let go" and allow the BID to self-govern the specified area . Ms . Wolosyn asked whether the City has the power to dissolve a BID . Mr. Segal stated that a BID must be dissolved by a vote of the electorate within the BID boundary. He reiterated that a H:\G ROU P\BO ARDS \ACE\M inutes\2005\ACE 05 -12-05 .doc 3 • • BID is a subdivision of the State, and not of the City-the City does not have authority to dis- solve a BID. Chair McDermott questioned whether a BID can hire individual staff as part of the "self- governance". Mr. Segal responded affirmatively, noting that some contract with a management group . Discussion ensued. Mr. Schalk asked "what do we see it doing for us?" Mr. Vasilas suggested that ACE take the lead on this , proceed with scheduling some public forums for an open ex- change of ideas and information. Mr. Vasilas commented that he felt downtown merchants would be willing to listen to discussions on a BID if they know that the "City" isn't pushing it. Mr. Vasilas stated that he wanted to see if the response is positive or negative -then ACE will know how to proceed on this. Mr. Segal stated that hosting public forums is a good idea, and suggested that ACE may want to bring in someone who is affiliated with an existing BID to talk about their experiences . Further discussion ensued. Ms . Wolosyn and Chair McDermott both inquired about contiguity of properties within a BID . Mr. Segal advised that a BID has an established boundary, but that not all properties within that boundary may be subject to the BID taxation -churches, schools, public buildings, etc ., may all be tax exempt , for example . Mr. Woodward inquired about "restrictive covenants'', addressing issues such as paint colors, exterior cladding materials, etc . Mr. Segal stated that such restrictions can be included in the governance regulations of the BID ; he stated that the City would create "guidelines" and the BID would be the "enforcement" agency. Mr. Segal reiterated that it works best if the City and BID have a good working partnership . Mr. Segal cited three "pitfalls " to keep in mind in considering formation of a BID : • Under-capitalization • "Factions" in the downtown area • Dominant property owners in a BID area Mr. Segal reiterated the need to get property owners involved early in the process, and to get the private sector to be the drive behind the proposal. Mr. Segal emphasized the need to talk to property owners prior to initi ating the petition process. City Council should also be informed and kept abreast of the proposal from a very early stage . Mr. Vasilas again briefly discussed the former EDDA; he noted that the EDDA boundary area could be used as the boundary for any new BID proposal. He advocated hosting public forums to inform the downtown merchants of consideration of a new BID formation. Mr. Vasil as stressed the importance to have ACE assume the leadership role in BID discussions, but that support from the City is also important. Mr. Vasilas stated that in his opinion, there are a num- ber of South Broadway merchants that would be interested in a BID . Ms. Wolosyn emphasized the need to make it perfectly clear that the BID would be self-governed, and not run by the City. • Mr. Simpson suggested the need to determine the merchants ' focus and interests for a BID. He stated that staff will provide ACE with a map of the former EDDA District. H :\G ROU P\B OARDS \ACE\M inutes\2005\ACE 05-1 2-05 .doc 4 • • • Chair McDermott asked that further discussion on the BID and the EDDA District Map be in- cluded as an agenda item for the next meeting. IV. OLD BUSINESS Chair McDermott distributed the "Dining in Englewood" guide that was recently updated . She asked Council person Wolosyn if she wished to comment regarding the brochure . Ms. Wolosyn stated that she recently took copies of the brochure with her to a meeting at the schools, and the teachers in attendance were very pleased with the guide. Ms. Wolosyn noted that there are some eating establishments -such as Heavenly Ham, The Spicy Pickle, and Chipotles, that were inad- vertently omitted from the guide. They will be included in the next edition. It was also noted that a name change for Mr. Vasilas' Breakfast Queen II should be included in the next edition. Chair McDermott asked Mr. Hollingsworth for an update on the Business Workshop Series. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that this issue was briefly discussed at the April meeting, and members had asked for additional information on the program, and on the presenter. Additional information has been included in this packet on the proposed program, and on presenter Keven Bernard. Mr. Hollingsworth asked if the ACE membership was comfortable with the information and whether they would consider endorsing the concept of the City hosting one of the workshops in Septem- ber, 2005. If ACE endorses hosting the workshop, staff will arrange for use of the Civic Center Community Room, at no charge to the Small Business Development Center, for the workshop. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the workshop will be conducted on a workday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the Community Room on the second floor of the Civic Center. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the Small Business Development Center is conducting a series of these business work- shops throughout the south metro area, and Englewood is fortunate to have been chosen as a site. Chair McDermott asked the pleasure of the ACE membership. Vasilas moved: Guinther seconded: ACE endorse hosting a business works hop in September, 2005; said work- shop is one of a series of workshops sponsored by the Small Business De- velopment Center. The motion carried. V. COMMENTS AND EVENTS a. Chamber of Commerce Ms. Penning reminded members of the "Taste of Englewood" celebration to be held the evening of May 12 from 5 p .m . to 8 p.m .. She invited everyone to attend , and to participate in the silent auction. She thanked several members who had donated items for the silent auction. b. ACE Mr. Vasilas stated that he would like to see the business visitation program resume, and several more visits made before the June meeting . Mr. Cook stated that he has visited several businesses, and dropped off the forms for completion and return to staff. H :\G ROUP\BOARDS\AC E\M inutes\2005\ACE 05 -1 2-05 .doc 5 • • • Mr. Woodward noted at the last meeting, ACE members had raised concern regarding the in- crease in criminal activity in Englewood. He stated that he has brought this up at the City Coun- cil level, and has also checked with the Safety Services Department. He advised that at the June meeting, a representative of Safety Services will attend the ACE meeting to discuss the crime levels in Englewood. Mr. Cook stated that the mailboxes at his business have been broken into four times since the first of the year, with mail theft, check theft and modification resulting in myriad problems for the businesses. He discussed efforts these businesses have undertaken to thwart mailbox vandal- ism -moving the mailboxes inside, installation of additional lighting and security cameras. c. Staff Mr. Simpson announced that the new GIS Web site will be up and running in early June; this site will provide assistance to companies and individuals searching for available properties for lease or sale. Mr. Simpson briefly discussed inquiries for development/redevelopment possibilities, including expansion of RTD parking areas in the vicinity of light rail stations at Oxford A venue and the Englewood Station. Also mentioned is a possibility of new development or redevelopment along South Broadway. Mr. Simpson noted that the art shuttle is performing far in excess of anticipation -latest figures indicate an average ridership in excess of 11,000 per month. The shuttle is a good example of cooperative efforts of the City, the Chamber, RTD, and the downtown business community working together. Mr. Simpson suggested that ACE members might consider, in developing the BID justification and governance guidelines, to include provision of security for property owners, employees, and clientele as an objective. Gertrude G. Welty, Recording Secreta y Agenda Item • BID Boundary Map (former EDDA Boundary Map) for June meeting • BID discussions /reasons should include the issue of primary security for prop- erty/employees/clientele. • Safety Services representative will address crime statistics in Englewood Action Item • Endorsed Business Workshop Series H:\GRO UP\BO ARDS \ACE\Mi n utes\2005\AC E 05 -12-0 5.doc 6