TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, and adopt resolution approving the Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area program and assessment for the period of October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009; and authorize City Manager to execute an agreement with the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for a one-year term. (Districts 1,2,4,5)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (LBCVB) promotes and markets the City of Long Beach as a tourism destination, using funds generated through self assessment of hotel properties located in the· Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area (LBTBIA). This self-assessment was established June 21, 2005. It established an assessment rate of 3 percent of the gross short-term room rental revenue for hotels within the LBTBIA boundary that have 31 rooms or more. This assessment is separate from all other LBCVB funding sources such as transient occupancy tax revenue sharing. Assessment revenue is received by the City and transferred to the LBCVB monthly.
State law governing Parking and Business Improvement Areas requires the submission of an annual assessment report by the Advisory Commission designated for this Assessment District. On August 4, 2008, the LBCVB Board voted to recommend to City Council approval of the LBTBIA Assessment Report (Attachment A). The Assessment Report describes 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 basis and method of levying the assessment and no significant change in proposed activities.
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 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 directed against a specific portion of the program, the City Council shall eliminate that portion.
A resolution is attached approving the Annual Report and Budget for October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. Should the Assessment Report be approved, the City Council is requested to authorize the execution of an agreement with the LBACVB for the use of assessment funds for marketing and promotional purposes.
The estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09) is $3,650,000. A budget appropriation for this amount is included in the FY 09 Adopted Budget in the Parking and Business Area Improvement Fund (SR 132).
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood on July 18, 2008, Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 26, 2008 and the City Treasurer's Office on August 15, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 16, 2008 to authorize renewal of necessary documents for the new contract year, which begins on October 1, 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT
It is expected that the LBTBIA will generate $3,650,000 in FY 09 through the proposed continuation of the assessment. 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).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CONFIRMING, FOLLOWING HEARING, THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LONG BEACH TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA, CONTINUING THE LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AS SET FORTH IN SAID REPORT AND SETTING FORTH OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS J. THYS |
APPROVED: |
DIRECTOR |
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |