TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, and adopt resolution confirming the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area Annual Report, continuing the levy of assessment for the period of October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016; and authorize City Manager to extend the agreement with the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association for one year. (Districts 7,8)
DISCUSSION
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) promotes and markets the Bixby Knolls commercial area, using funds generated through the assessment of area businesses located in the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area (BKPBIA). State law governing Parking and Business Improvement Areas requires that an annual assessment report be submitted to the City Council by the designated Advisory Board. On July 20, 2015 the BKPBIA Advisory Board voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2016 BKPBIA Annual Report (Attachment A).
The Annual Report describes the boundaries, proposed activities and budgetary information, as well as the method and basis for continuation of the assessment. The report proposes no change in the method of levying the assessment and no significant changes to proposed activities.
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 22, 2015, City Council approved the Annual Report and set the hearing date for October 20, 2015. 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 Annual Report.
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 15-0123 was published in local media. The attached resolution concludes the hearing and approves the Assessment Report and levy for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. Should the Annual Report be approved, the City Council is requested to authorize the extension of an agreement with the BKBIA for the use of assessment funds for promotional purposes.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber on September 28, 2015, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 2, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The BKBIA contract year begins October 1, 2015. City Council action is requested following the public hearing on October 20, 2015, to allow purchase order and contract modifications to be completed so that Fiscal Year 2016 (FY 16) assessment transfers may be made as required by the Agreement for Funding with the BKBIA.
FISCAL IMPACT
It is estimated that the BKPBIA will generate $161,000 in FY 16 through the proposed assessment. Assessment funds are collected through additional fees attached to BKPBIA business licenses and passed directly through to the BKBIA for implementation of annual programs. Sufficient appropriation is budgeted in FY16 in the Parking and Business Area Improvement Fund (SR 132) in the Department of Economic and Property Development (EP). Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to the local economy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CONFIRMING, FOLLOWING HEARING, AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BIXBY KNOLLS PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA, CONTINUING THE LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AS SET FORTH IN SAID REPORT AND SETTING FORTH OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY, DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER