Title
Purpose and Priorities
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion of short- and long-term priorities
Staff Contact:
Daisha Versaw, Economic Development Senior Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality, 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
Daisha Versaw, Economic Development Senior Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
Prior to 2024, the Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) and others were engaged in efforts to initiate a Downtown Improvement District (DID), which would have replaced the PBIA had it passed. On March 6, 2024, Todd Cutts, Executive Director of the ODA presented an update on the DID efforts to the PBIA Advisory Board. During this update, Mr. Cutts shared that the DID failed to gain the support it needed to pass, and that effort had been ended.
Because the DID was widely expected to pass, some work related to the PBIA was delayed. This delay created an unusual schedule for PBIA in 2024. Additionally, a new PBIA staff liaison was assigned to PBIA in 2024. These changes along with the reimagining that occurred around efforts to pass the DID have led to a deeper evaluation of the PBIA, raising questions related to equity, sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency. These questions revealed several issues that indicate some level of change is needed to ensure the PBIA aligns with Council and community priorities and provides the best possible and most equitable benefit for Downtown businesses (PBIA ratepayers). City staff are exploring a range of options and solutions and engaging with the PBIA Advisory Board to better understand Board Member priorities.
In the short-term, the PBIA Advisory Board needs to identify funding priorities for 2024. This discussion will include a review of the 2024 budget as passed. If the PBIA Advisory Board wishes to make changes to the 2024 budget, staff will receive comments to support that update so the Advisory Board can vote in August to recommend an amended budge...
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