HomeMy WebLinkAboutED Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Assessment Annual Renewal____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 12/02/2019
Disposition: Resolution 14747 x Approved appointments to BID
Agenda Item No: 6.a
Meeting Date: December 2, 2019
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Economic Development
Prepared by: Simon Vuong
Economic Development Coordinator
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: SAN RAFAEL DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
ASSESSMENT ANNUAL RENEWAL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ASSESSMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020
RECOMMENDATION:
Hold Public Hearing, accept public comment, and if no majority protest has been received adopt
resolution approving the annual assessment for the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement
District.
BACKGROUND:
Section 36500 of the California Streets and Highways Code allows for the creation of a business
improvement district (BID) within a municipality, whereby businesses within the district self-assess an
annual fee in order to pay for improvements and activities which benefit the overall business district. The
intent of the state law is to provide a funding mechanism for business districts to promote economic
vitality. San Rafael Municipal Code 10.09.080 requires a report to be prepared annually for upcoming
assessments.
Businesses in Downtown San Rafael first set up a business district in 1979. This original district included
approximately 125 businesses along Fourth Street between Lincoln Avenue and E Street. In 2013, the
City Council voted to replace it with a larger district of approximately 700 businesses along Fourth Street.
The expanded district includes the West End and some side streets, as well as non-ground floor tenants
and other tenants not included in the original BID.
For 2019, the BID Board of Directors has focused on marketing and communication with their
membership and the public. This communication has happened via website updates, email blasts, and
social media posts, hosting event information and various BID initiatives. The BID Board has also been
actively collaborating with downtown stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce and the City,
the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD), and AIM Farmers Market on various special events and
initiatives. The Board has also hosted member mixers, continued to work on beautification efforts,
promoted BID events. Additionally, the Board has led numerous special events, including Clean & Green
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Day, May Madness, Spring/Summer Sidewalk Sale, Hops & Vines Stroll, Trick-or-Treat, West End Village
Celebration, and Shop Local Saturday. Additional information relating to these efforts is included in the
BID 2019 Annual Report (Attachment 2).
ANALYSIS
BID Renewal Process
Per State law, to renew the annual assessment, the City Council must first adopt a Resolution of Intention
to Levy an Annual Assessment and set a public hearing for a future date. The method of calculating the
amount of the assessment on each business is established by San Rafael Municipal Code Section
10.09.050 and varies depending upon the type of business and whether the business is located in the
Standard BID Zone or the Premium BID Zone shown in Exhibit B of Attachment 2.
On November 18, 2019 the City Council adopted a Resolution of Intention to Levy an Annual Assessment:
This resolution was intended to notify the public of the process, approve the BID annual report reviewing
past BID Board accomplishments, and set the date for a public hearing.
Tonight’s meeting is to hold the Public Hearing to receive input from the public on the annual assessment
for the BID and to confirm the levy of an assessment for the upcoming year. Any protest against the BID
assessment must be in writing and from a business in the BID. If the protest received represents fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total assessments in the entire BID, no further proceedings to amend the
BID can occur. New proceedings cannot be undertaken for a period of at least a year.
BID Advisory Board Appointments
As customary, the Council also approves new BID Advisory Board members as part of the annual report
and assessment renewal. The new incoming members recommended for approval with terms expiring
by December 2, 2021 include:
• Tobi Lessem, Bodywise Massage
• Elisabeth Setten, Art Works Downtown
• Morgan Schauffler, Youth in Arts
• Ogi Teker, Istanbul Rugs
The existing BID Advisory Board includes:
• Jaime Ortiz, Bank of Marin
• Erika Bowker, Pleasures of the Heart
• Bonnie Ayers Namkung, Bonnie Ayers Namkung Marketing Communications
• Jed Greene, Five Corners Consulting Group
• Adam Dawson, Mike’s Bike
• Jeff Brusati, T & B Sports
The BID Board members serve on a voluntary basis; BID Board members have been working hard to
improve the geographic, gender and ethnicity representation on the board. The four nominated Advisory
Board members before the City Council include women, new businesses and businesses from the West
End Village in Downtown.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The BID has notified its members of the annual renewal process through its member communications
including the BID e-newsletter, notifications on the BID website, and through agenda items at the
monthly BID Board meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the resolution does not have a direct fiscal impact on the City other than ongoing staff time
related to assessment billing and processing, as well as administration of the annual renewal. To the
extent that the BID activities enhance the business climate within the district, this will generate increased
sales tax revenue for the City.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1) Adopt the resolution as presented approving the annual assessment for 2019.
2) Adopt the resolution with modifications approving the annual assessment for 2019.
3) Determine that 50% or more protest has been filed and abandon assessment proceedings for a
minimum of one year from the date of the majority finding and decline adoption of the resolution.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the attached resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution approving annual assessment
2. BID 2019 Annual Report, including:
A. Exhibit A: BID Map
B. Exhibit B: BID 2019 Assessment Fee
C. Exhibit C: BID Budget
D. Exhibit D: Memo – BID Financial Summary
1
RESOLUTION NO. 14747
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE
DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ASSESSMENT
FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020
WHEREAS, California Streets and Highways Code Sections 36500 et seq,
authorize cities to establish parking and business improvement districts for the purpose
of promoting economic revitalization and physical maintenance of business areas, in
order to create jobs, attract new business and prevent erosion of the new business
district; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (“BID”)
was established in 2013 to amend the existing Parking and Business Improvements
District instituted in 1979 in the commercial area on and around the Fourth Street
corridor in San Rafael; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 10.09 the Advisory
Board submitted to the City a “BID 2019 Annual Report”, which is on file with the City
Clerk; on November 18, 2019, the City Council by resolution approved the BID 2019
Annual Report, indicating the Council’s intention to levy assessments, and setting a
public hearing thereon for December 2, 2019; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Section 36535, following
the public hearing, the City Council may adopt a resolution confirming the report as
originally filed or as modified by the Council, and the adoption of the resolution shall
constitute the levy of an assessment for the year referred to in the report; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held the required public hearing on December 2,
2019 to receive testimony and protests concerning the BID 2019 Annual Report and the
proposed levy of assessments for calendar year 2020 described therein; and
WHEREAS, a majority protest of the proposed assessments was not received;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that City Council hereby adopts the levy
of assessments as described in the Annual Report for the 2020 calendar year.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a meeting of the
City Council of said City held on Monday, the 2nd day of December 2019, by the
following vote, to wit:
2
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
2017-2019 Jaime Ortiz 2020 Erika Bowker
.
President’s Message
Dear Fellow BID Members,
The BID Board is happy to present a summary of our
2019 accomplishments. We focused on promoting our
Downtown as a great shopping, entertainment, arts and
business destination, through new and established
events, beautification, our website and marketing
campaigns.
.
Please welcome Erika Bowker, BID board member and
co-owner of Pleasures of the Heart, as she takes the
reins as board president for 2020. She is also our social
media director, as well as a big community booster who
will lead the BID with care and enthusiasm.
..
As I finish my term, I thank you for your support, energy
and ideas for moving our Downtown forward. I
encourage you to contact Erika or Eda and get involved
in improving your community!
..
Jaime Ortiz, President
.
Visit our website often for great member info: DowntownSanRafael.org
.
BID Board of Directors
2020
President – Erika Bowker
Pleasures of the Heart
..
Vice President – Adam Dawson
Mike’s Bikes
..
Secretary - Bonnie Ayers Namkung
Marketing & Communications
..
Treasurer - Jed Greene
Five Corners Group
Directors
Past President - Jaime Ortiz,
Bank of Marin
..
Jeff Brusati, T & B Sports
..
Tobi Lessem, Bodywise Massage
..
Elisabeth Setten, Art Works Downtown
..
Morgan Schauffler, Youth in Arts
..
Ogi Teker, Istanbul Rug
..
..
BID 2019
Annual Report SAN RAFAEL
DOWNTOWN BID
DOWNTOWN
SAN RAFAEL:
GARAGES FREE ON
'v, [:,,[., C__,
THE GATES ARE UPI
2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Monthly newsletters & website updates – highlighted events/presented current content
for BID members and public visitors
..
• Collaborations – worked with Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD), SR Chamber,
AIM Farmers Markets, the City Economic Development Dept. and SR City government
..
• Member mixers –presented socials with relevant topics/speakers on beautification,
2040 General Plan and small business development. Thanks to our host businesses!
..
• Beautification initiatives – spearheaded the West End pilot lighting project, Clean &
Green Day, and worked with the City on initiatives
..
• Pilot art program – initiated art installation in empty storefront windows
..
• Social media director – board member Erika Bowker actively posts to 3,000+
followers on Instagram and Facebook, multiplying the effects by engaging with
Downtown businesses that have social media and email campaigns
..
• Meet Your Neighbor – Sharon Christovich and Bonnie Ayers Namkung created a
business profile feature on the BID website to promote community and interaction
..
• Downtown/Event promotion – marketed through print and digital media: BID website,
Facebook page, Nextdoor, Marin newspapers, as well as 35+ PR sites and articles.
Strategic paid ad boosts on Facebook, coached merchants to feature events on their
websites, newsletters and email lists to increase participants and shoppers
..
• Parking improvements - worked with City Parking Department to achieve free weekend
parking program in City garages
2019 EVENTS
• Clean & Green Day - celebrated Earth Day by giving merchants brooms/dustpans and
spearheading 5 groups to spiff up sidewalks, parking meters, trash cans and storefronts
..
• 31st May Madness - thousands of visitors enjoyed the 200+ vintage and sports cars
..
• Spring & Summer Sidewalk Sales - April and August events, 65+ participating
businesses and hundreds of shoppers discovering treasures, bargains and ringing registers
..
• Hops & Vines Stroll - created new event, exposed hundreds of new shoppers and diners
to our unique breweries, taprooms and businesses Downtown. Sold out both participating
business locations and public tickets, with 400+ event goers. Mission accomplished!
..
• Trick or Treat on Fourth Street - Sat. Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m., annual Downtown-wide children’s
event with dancers, pet parade and costume contest by Woodland’s Pet Food & Treats
..
• West End Village Celebration - Sun. Nov. 3, 11-7 p.m., for family fun and music, produced
for the community to highlight the West End Village and benefit several local nonprofits
..
• Shop Local Saturday - Nov. 24, features ad campaigns highlighting the many reasons to
shop and play Downtown. Please plan your Shop Local/Shop Small promotions now!
Mission
The Business
Improvement District
promotes the common
interests of downtown
business owners. We help
maintain and develop a
downtown that is a
welcoming place to shop,
dine, work, live and enjoy.
Vision
Downtown is the cultural
heart and soul of our city,
where activity, dining
entertainment, and
commerce blend with
creative and
entrepreneurial spirit.
Downtown is where
hometown pride and
community thrive.
Block Captains
Adam Dawson, Mike’s Bikes
Joanne Vosmek, Copperfield’s
Books
Bonnie Ayers Namkung,
Marketing
Erika Bowker, Pleasures of the
Heart
Sharon Christovich, Folk Art
Gallery
Jeff Brusati, T & B Sports
Joel Eis, Rebound Bookstore
BID Executive Director
Eda Lochte
info@srbid.org
2020 BID Work Plan
Beautification, Marketing & Promotion
Our efforts will support the economic vitality of
downtown by promoting an environment that’s
clean, safe, welcoming and uniquely engaging.
Among our areas of focus:
▪ Beautification/streetscape – participate
in establishing arts and culture identity to
elevate Downtown, advise and advocate for
wayfinding signage, lights, murals,
landscaping, sidewalk cleaning, etc.
▪ Marketing and promotion – partner to
develop downtown map highlighting DSRAD
organizations as destinations, carry on with
social media outreach and build list to reach
more BID and community members. Assist
in filling vacant store spaces.
▪ Social media and branding – update
Instagram/Facebook, boost event
promotions and share member news. Brand
the downtown via use of logo and BID
website updates, including profiles of
downtown businesses, via new Meet Your
Neighbor column.
Beautification, Marketing & Promotion – continued…
▪ Collaboration - Cross-promote with the San Rafael Chamber of
Commerce and newly formed Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD)
▪ Promote activity/vibrancy – Continue signature and new events, Shop
Local campaign, support expansion of the City’s pilot criss-cross street
lighting and outdoor dining programs
▪ Support local organizations – Continue donations as possible, such as
2019 giving to Camp Chance, Terra Linda High School auto repair
department, DSRAD, and the San Rafael Downtown Streets Team
2020 Planned Events
We plan to continue our 2019 events, producing our own or assisting with
other groups’ signature events through organization, communication,
marketing and financial backing. We hope to continue the highly successful
new Hops & Vines Stroll, which showcased our local breweries, taprooms
and unique businesses.
The BID Organization
Our 2020 agenda emphasizes ensuring the BID’s organizational foundation is
strong, fiscally responsible and able to promote Downtown to members and the
community. Our intention is to:
▪ Communicate with members – continue engagement through routine
communications via website, email, newsletters, block captains, mixers,
and the annual meeting
▪ Add board members and volunteers – actively recruit
committee members and engage prospective board members
▪ Raise BID funding - explore supplemental funding sources
through business sponsorship of events and more
▪ Collaborate with local groups – take advantage of partnership
with Chamber and DSRAD to expand the BID’s reach and create
more visibility and excitement for Downtown.
Learn more about people and events in your neighborhood: DowntownSanRafael.org
4th
5th
MarinFre
montR
eservoir
2nd
3rd NyePacheco
Clo
r
i
n
d
a
Paloma
1stEspalda
C
oleman
PlumTree
Mission
Forbe
s
LincolnProspect
RossWest DGCHBClarkPineEyeR o b e rtD o llarScenicMiramar
IrwinTamalpaisBerylShaverCijosBayview
C
e
n
t
e
r
Jessup
LootensCullodenParkWelchElford
TaylorLiveOakJ FranciscoA
Treanor CourtRitter
Tw inOaks
EastHwy101N
W
P
R
RElCerritoClayto
n Br
ynMawrViaSessi
E lC amino
LosRoblesWilkinsCottageMaple
EViox
WillowHartHayesJones
Gloria SMARTTrainLatham
HethertonLindaroHarcourt
Foster
CalaVistaCom m ercialFLaurel
WoodsGardenWalter
Lunny
BrooksJulia
UpperFr
emontTrost Tam paIdaRossStreetScenicFrances
B onnie
Bra
eStewartQuarry
And
e
r
s
e
n
Curtis
Stevens...Fairhi llsLa Vi staHillcrestKnollGracelandTreehavenAlbert Park
M
ir
a
fl
ore
sRobertDollarFireDocument Path: X:\Finance\BID\BID_Edits_20180802.mxd ZBaron Date: 8/14/2018San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID)PREMIUM BID
STANDARD BID14 August 2018
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
2019 BID Assessment
San Rafael Downtown BID Budget Exhibit C
2018 Year End Fund Balance $50,435 2019 Year End Fund Balance $54,248
Revenues 2019 Programs
Year 2019
Estimated Year End 2020 Programs
Year 2020
Proposed Budget
BID Assessments $83,396 BID Assessments $83,500
Event Income - May Madness $38,571 Event Income $56,000
Interest $6
Total Operating Income $121,973 $139,500
Expenses
Events May Madness ($15,044)May Madness ($13,000)
Trick or Treat ($700)Trick or Treat ($700)
Sidewalk Sales ($1,587)Hops and Vines ($12,000)
West End Celebration ($3,517)Shop Local Saturday ($1,000)
Mixers ($171)West End Celebration ($3,000)
Hops and Vines ($2,886)Sidewalk Sales ($1,000)
Event Staffing ($24,613)Mixers ($750)
West End Events ($2,000)
Event Staffing ($30,000)
Events subtotal ($48,517)($63,450)
Initiatives Camp Chance ($4,190)Beautification ($10,000)
Community Donations (from
May Madness)($10,000)Art District ($2,500)
Downtown SR Arts
District(DSRAD)($5,000)
Downtown Promotion
Initiative ($3,000)
Community Donations (from
May Madness)($10,000)
Initiatives subtotal ($19,190)($25,500)
Marketing & Promotions Event Advertising/Marketing ($18,730)Event Advertising/Marketing ($22,000)
Website Maintenance ($1,000)Website Maintenance ($2,000)
BID Member Communication ($424)BID Member Communication ($500)
Social Media ($705)Social Media ($4,000)
Marketing & Promotions Subtotal ($20,859)($28,500)
Operating Expenses Staffing ($17,902)Staffing ($17,000)
Insurance ($5,736)Insurance ($5,000)
tele/supplies/office ($999)tele/supplies/office ($2,000)
profess/accounting/banking ($4,543)profess/accounting/banking ($1,500)
meeting/travel exp ($181)meeting/travel exp ($1,000)
other ($233)
Operating Expenses Subtotal ($29,594)($26,500)
Total Expenses ($118,160)($143,950)
Net Profit/(Loss) $3,813 ($4,450)
Projected 2018 Ending Fund Balance/Carryover to 2019 $54,248 2020 Ending Fund Balance $49,798
*Fund balance does not include Target Fund balance of $20,962. BID is the custodian of the Target Fund.
Memorandum
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Jed Greene, Treasurer
San Rafael Business Improvement District
Date: October 21, 2019
Re: San Rafael Business Improvement District Financial Summary
This memorandum highlights the significant 2019 financial activity of the San Rafael Business
Improvement District (BID) and the 2020 proposed budget.
2019
For 2019, the BID is projected to have a net income of approximately $3,800, leaving a cash balance of
$54,248.
Proceeds from BID assessments were down approximately 10% in 2018. In 2019, the BID assessments
increased and appear to be back to the historic levels. The increase in assessment fees largely
contributed to our net income for the year. Our expenses were on budget, with higher expenses related
to one of our new events but slightly lower expenses related to marketing and advertising.
The May Madness event continues to be a very successful event for the BID. Absent the allocation of
the Executive Director fees, the event generated approximately $20,000 in profit. Other community
members and organizations help operate the event and those contributors, as well as the BID, agreed to
donate some of the profit to Camp Chance and the Terra Linda High School auto shop program.
2020
The BID projects to have a cash balance of approximately $54,000 to begin 2020. With this cash
balance, proceeds from the BID assessments and event revenues, the BID plans to host several events
Downtown, invest in the beautification of Downtown and continue to work with and help the
community around us including the DSRAD (Downtown San Rafael Arts District). As a result, the BID
projects to have a net loss of $4,450, leaving us with a cash balance of $49,798 at the end of the year.
Exhibit D
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of San Rafael will also hold a public hearing:
DATE/TIME: Monday, December 2, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA
PURPOSE: The San Rafael City Council will hold a public hearing to confirm the annual levy
of assessment for 2020 for the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement
District. At the public hearing, Council will take the testimony of all interested
persons, for or against the assessment. The Council will take testimony on all
matters related to the BID, including BID boundaries, activities, budget,
businesses included, and assessments and will collect all protests. At the
conclusion of the hearing, Council will take action to levy the assessment for the
upcoming 2020 calendar year.
A protest against the assessment levy for the BID may be made orally or in
writing. To be counted as a part of a majority protest against the levy of the
assessment, a protest must be in writing and from a business owner in the BID.
Written protests must be filed with the City Clerk, City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue,
San Rafael, CA 94901 by December 2, 2019, or be submitted at the December
2, 2019 public hearing. If at the conclusion of the public hearing there are written
protests on record of business owners within the BID that will pay fifty percent
(50%) or more of the total assessments of the entire BID, no further proceedings
to levy an assessment shall occur. If the majority written protest is against a
specific activity, inclusion of a specific area or type of business, or a specific
assessment amount, adjustments may be made to the amendment proposal to
eliminate that specific activity, area, business or assessment.
IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND:
You can send a letter with your comments regarding the above matters to
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk, City of San Rafael, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA,
94901, or you can deliver a letter to the City Clerk prior to the City Council
meeting on December 2, 2019.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For additional information regarding the above, you can contact Simon Vuong,
Economic Development Coordinator with the City of San Rafael at (415) 485-
3134. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 PM.
Lindsay Lara
City Clerk, City of San Rafael
