Title
DISCUSSION OF NEXT PBIA MEETING AGENDA TOPICS
Recommended Action
N/A
Report
Issue:
Board discussion of June’s PBIA agenda topics.
Staff Contact:
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.480.9167
Presenter(s):
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director
Background and Analysis:
The PBIA Board has previously expressed interest in hiring a consultant to support an evaluation effort. The topic will be briefly introduced at the May meeting to give board members time to consider and prepare for a more in-depth discussion and potential action in June.
The intent of conducting a program evaluation in 2025 is to engage stakeholders in addressing questions regarding the PBIA’s structure, funding, and goals to determine the optimal approach to supporting downtown needs.
The proposed program evaluation is expected to include a series of stakeholder engagements and listening sessions, exploring key questions and issues such as:
• Is the existing PBIA an effective model for supporting downtown needs?
• What changes would make the PBIA a more effective program?
• What is the role and structure of the Advisory Board?
• Should the rates and ratepayer structure be changed?
• Should the program be a business assessed model or a property owner assessed model?
• How should the program administration, invoicing, and fee collection process function? What are the program priorities?
• How and who will execute projects utilizing program funding?
Climate Analysis:
By reexamining the PBIA’s structure, goals, and funding model, the evaluation could influence how resources are allocated to projects within PBIA’s scope that affect sustainability within the downtown core.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed program evaluation presents an opportunity to ensure that the structure and function of the PBIA equitably serve the full diversity of downtown stakeholders, including small business owners, property owners, workers, and historically marginalized groups. By incorporating stakeholder engagement and listening sessions, the evaluation aims to surface voices that may not have previously influenced PBIA decision-making, helping to identify disparities in participation, benefit, or burden.
Careful design of the engagement process-including inclusive outreach, language access, and accessible meeting formats-will be critical to ensure broad and equitable participation. The evaluation’s focus on governance, funding models, and priorities has the potential to redistribute power and resources more fairly if informed by community input. Attention should also be given to who is involved in selecting the consultant and shaping the process, to avoid reinforcing existing inequities in leadership and influence.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Discussion directly impacts downtown and has regional community interests.
Options:
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
N/A