Title
Discussion of Financial Impacts and Recommendation on whether City would opt into the Proposed Downtown Improvement District (DID)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to recommend the City of Olympia opt into the Downtown Improvement District (DID) along with charge the Olympia Downtown Alliance for administrative services, should the DID ultimately be adopted
Report
Issue:
Whether to opt into the Downtown Improvement District (DID) and/or charge the Olympia Downtown Alliance for administrative services should the DID be adopted
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development,
360-570-5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler
Todd Cutts, Executive Director, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Background and Analysis:
Downtown property owners are exploring the notion of a Downtown Improvement District (DID), which would be a property-owner based assessment in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) is facilitating this process.
This past fall, a work group comprised of Mayor Cheryl Selby, Councilmember Lisa Parshley, Mr. Cutts, members of the DID Steering Committee and City staff met four times to discuss the proposal. The group discussed whether the City would opt into the district if it passes, as well as whether the City would charge administrative costs for billing, collections and contract management. Councilmember Parshley referred these questions to the Finance Committee for a recommendation.
On February 4, the City Council held a study session on the draft operating plan for the proposed DID. The Alliance is planning a petition drive and needs property owners representing 60 percent of the assessed value in the district to sign on. Prior to the start of the petition drive, Mayor Selby and Councilmember Parshley have agreed to bring forward a non-binding resolution to the City Council. The resolution would state support for the effort...
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