2011-09-19 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comments by Mayor Pro Tern Alvarez, thanked all for attending meetings on issue; thanked for support, gifts and baskets of fruit - given to local non-profits and homeless; asked colleagues to support item in light of economic situation and transparency issues; used example of furniture store of businesses significantly impacted - want them all to succeed and not hinder with imposition of an additional tax; some businesses have doubled their property tax amount; also concerned with the collection method for assessment fee; suspicious of average assessment in the amount of $1500, which believe is higher; threat of lawsuit; asked City Attorney to review documents and provide potential liability amount if sued by Downtown, Inc., also want to know the timeline to provide the assessment fee to Downtown, Inc.; Downtown Inc. has not submitted annual budget; continue to have transparency issues; questioned board election process and selection of officers; questioned process used to establish PBID; Councilmember Martinez and Mayor Pro Tern Alvarez had requested Board to diversify; requested timeline from Downtown Inc. to implement corrective actions; asked the City Council to start addressing problem and hold Downtown, Inc. accountable; noted that if City had not voted, PBID would not have passed; believe if revote taken today would not pass as some who had supported have changed mind; is supportive of the new businesses; Artist Village success started many years; Item 85A only sets public hearing and provides legal notice to all property owners; opined that the City Council are on notice of process, transparency, and mismanagement issues with Downtown, Inc. and requested that said comments be made part of the record. Councilmember Martinez represents area; issue brewing for past 18- months; had met with some business owners, council had not addressed the issues when first advised; has been in communication with Downtown, Inc. representatives; need all facts before decision can be made; asked Mayor Pro Tern to continue matter for 60-days to address method of collection issue; if can't resolve will then reconsider item; City to focus on budget situation. Councilmember Tinajero has met with representatives on the subject; support re-boundary; asked for more representation on Board and for all businesses to receive benefit; can still dissolve in a year if things haven't changed. Councilmember Benavides have heard concerns from both sides; has worked on trying to bring the two entities together, have made concessions; voted unanimously to extend the PBID for a year; disingenuous to continue said agenda item; City voted unanimously to establish PBID and allow City to participate in voting; requested Downtown, Inc. to diversify board and marketing efforts to assist all; would like to give opportunity to demonstrate responsiveness; will consider matter in a year if problems persist. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 22 SEPTEMBER 19, 2011