Title
Approval of a Resolution Ratifying and Confirming Emergency Actions of the City Manager to Temporarily Lower the Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessments for 2021 and Extend the Due Date of 2020 & 2021 Assessments to Help Mitigate Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution ratifying and confirming emergency actions of the City Manager to temporarily lower the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) assessments for 2021 and to extend the due date for payment of the 2020 and 2021 PBIA assessments to help mitigate the severe economic impact due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Report
Issue:
Whether to lower 2021 PBIA assessments and extend the due date for payment of 2020 and 2021 PBIA assessments in response to the severe economic impact on downtown businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff Contact:
Max DeJarnatt, PBIA Staff Liaison, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3723
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In order to finance the PBIA programs authorized by Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 3.62, a special assessment is charged annually to all downtown businesses located within the boundaries of the PBIA. This special fund supports the PBIA’s mission to assist in creating a vibrant, dynamic downtown business environment and enhance the reality and perception of the downtown by visitors, residents and business owners.
As part of the effort to mitigate the severe economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses within the PBIA boundaries were granted a deferral of 2020 assessments, in accordance with the public health emergency declared by Ordinance No. 7233.
Downtown business continues to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 PBIA assessments will come at a difficult time for many. On January 5, 2021, under the authority granted by Ordinance No. 7233 and as extended by Ordinance Nos. 7246, 7248 and 7266, the City Manager authorized reduction of the 2021 PBIA assessments by 44% based on a staff proposal that funds the PBIA Ambassador Program with year-end reserves, which will offset the reduced 2021 assessments.
By supplementing the PBIA’s 2021 budget with year-end reserves in order to temporarily reduce the annual assessment rates for 2021, and by extending the due date for both 2020 and 2021 assessments, the City can help relieve the financial strain on these small downtown businesses which have been so negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Approve Resolution Ratifying and Confirming Emergency Actions of the City Manager to Temporarily Lower the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Assessments for 2021 and to Extend the Due Date for Payment of the 2020 and 2021 PBIA Assessments to Help Mitigate the Severe Economic Impact Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic.
2. Direct staff to amend the Resolution.
3. Do not approve the Resolution.
Financial Impact:
$43,500 from Council year-end reserves.
Attachments:
Resolution
PBIA 2021 Budget