Report Prepared by: Maria Mendoza, Economic Development Associate
Title
SUBJECT: Report and Request for Council Direction to Proceed with the Distribution of Petition Packets as Part of the Process in Forming a Property Based Improvement District in Downtown Merced
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers providing staff direction to distribute petition packets to Downtown property owners within the proposed Property Based Improvement District boundary as the next step in the process of establishing a Downtown Property Based Improvement District.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Providing staff direction to distribute petition packets amongst Downtown property owners within the identified Property Based Improvement District; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager and Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by the City Council and staff; or
2. Approve, subject to conditions as specified by the City Council; or
3. Deny the request; or
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by the Council; or
5. Defer action until a specified date
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City Goals & Priorities FY 2021-2022, #2.a.i.- Adoption of a Downtown Property Based Improvement District - June 2022 (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
On November 16, 2020, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Kristin Lowell, Inc. to lead the effort of working with property owners, stakeholders, and staff in forming a Property Based Improvement District (PBID) in the Downtown.
Staff has been working diligently with the consultants of Kristin Lowell, Inc., on the initial phases of the PBID which include downtown data research, a site visit, the drafting of a PBID boundary map and both in person as well as virtual meetings with property owners and stake holders. A PBID Steering Committee has been identified and a Downtown Merced PBID Draft Management District Plan has been drafted which includes a budget, benefit zones and all other pertinent info that will serve as the guiding document in Downtown Merced’s PBID strategy (Attachment 2). The next step in the PBID process is the distribution of petition packet (Attachment 3).
Once the petition packets are distributed to the property owners, an education campaign will begin. The campaign will include presentations and neighborhood meetings focusing on the benefits of creating a PBID to enhance downtown activities and services.
The City of Merced’s PBID formation is a multifaceted approach involving many steps. To keep the process moving and on schedule, staff requests the direction of the City Council to distribute petition packets amongst the Downtown property owners.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FY 21-22 City Council Goals & Priorities
2. Downtown Merced PBID Draft Management District Plan
3. Sample Petition Packet
4. PBID Presentation 01-18-22