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Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record; adopt resolution confirming the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Area annual report, continuing the levy of assessment for the period of October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009; conclude the hearing; and authorize City Manager to extend the agreement with the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association for a one-year term. (Districts 7,8)
DISCUSSION
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) uses assessment funds to promote and market the Bixby Knolls commercial area on behalf of businesses located in the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area (BKPBIA). The City contracts with the BKBIA annually using assessment revenue collected from BKPBIA members to govern the assessment to be collected and the activities to be funded by the assessment.
On July 24, 2008, the BKPBIA Advisory Commission voted to recommend to the City Council approval of the BKPBIA Assessment Report. The Assessment Report (Attachment A) describes the boundaries, proposed activities and budgetary information, as well as the method and basis for continuation of the assessment.
To continue the assessment levy, State law requires that a public hearing be held on the proposed program and assessment. At its meeting of September 16, 2008, City Council reviewed the Assessment Report and set a October 7,2008 hearing date.
State law further provides that the City Council shall hear and consider all protests against the assessment, program, boundaries of the area, and/or any benefit zone as proposed in the Assessment Report. The Assessment Report transmitting the recommendations of the BKPBIA Advisory Commission proposes the following:
The law provides that protests may be made orally or in writing. Protests regarding the regularity or sufficiency of the proceedings shall be in writing. If written protests are received from area business owners representing 50 percent or more of the proposed assessments, the City Council shall not levy the assessment. If protests in such quantity are against a specific portion of the program, the City Council shall eliminate that portion.
A hearing notice and copy of RES 08-0113 was published in local media. The attached resolution approves the Assessment Report and levy for the period October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.
On September 22, 2002, the City and BKBIA executed an Agreement for Funding setting forth the duties and delegations of the parties. This Agreement is automatically extended on a year-by-year basis upon approval of the annual Assessment Report and related levy of assessments by City Council.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood on September 9, 2008, Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 17, 2008, and the City Treasurer's Office on September 10,2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The BKBIA contract year begins October 1, 2008. City Council action is requested following the public hearing on October 7, 2008, to allow timely contract renewal.
FISCAL IMPACT
It is estimated that the BKPBIA will generate $160,000 in Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09) through the proposed continuation of the existing assessment. Assessment funds are collected through additional fees attached to BKPBIA business licenses and passed directly through to the Bixby Knolls Business Association for implementation of annual programs. Sufficient funds are included in the FY 09 Adopted Budget in the Parking and Business Area Improvement Fund (SR 132) in the Department of Community Development (CD). There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CONFIRMING, FOLLOWING HEARING, THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BIXBY KNOLLS PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA ADVISORY COMMISSION, CONTINUING THE LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AS SET FORTH IN SAID REPORT AND SETTING FORTH OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis J. Thys
Director, Department of Community Development
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |