REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 18, 2014
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
BY: WILMA QUAN-SCHECTER, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING: To Approve the Renewal of the Fresno-Clovis Tourism Business Improvement District
1. ***RESOLUTION - Approving the Renewal of the Fresno-Clovis Tourism Business Improvement District
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approve the attached Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Fresno-Clovis Tourism Business Improvement District.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 30, 2014, the City Council approved a Resolution of Intent to renew the Fresno-Clovis Tourism Business Improvement District (FCTBID). A public meeting was held on November 20, 2014, to collect verbal and written comments pertaining to the renewal of the assessment district. No businesses lodged protests. Following the process set forth in the law governing the renewal of assessment districts of this kind, the City Council is asked to hold a final public hearing on December 18, 2014, and approve the Resolution of Formation, which is the final step in the renewal of this FCTBID.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno-Clovis Tourism Business Improvement District (FCTBID) was formed in 2010 for a five-year term ending on December 31, 2015. As the FCTBID reaches the end of its initial term, businesses have expressed a desire to renew it. The Fresno Convention and Visitor's Bureau (FCVB) serves as the FCTBID's Owner's Association and works extensively with hoteliers in the cities of Fresno and Clovis to gain support for the assessment district which is paid for by hoteliers. The assessment, as proposed in the draft Management District Plan, will generate approximately $1,400,000 annually for the first five of its ten year operation. The anticipated budget for the last five years of its ten year operation will be approximately $2,000,000 per year.
On October 30, 2014, the Fresno City Council approved the Resolution of Intent to renew the FCTBID. The proposed FCTBID extends into the City of Clovis, and therefore, the City Council of Clovis was also required to approve the renewal of the TBID. On November 17, 2014, the Clovis City Council approved the Resolution Requesting Consent to Renew the District.
The Property and Business Improvement District Act of 1994, the law governing the renewal of such districts, requires the municipal entity to hold a public meeting wherein comments on the formation of the district may be lodged. Notice of a public meeting to be held November 20, 2014, was sent to all hoteliers in the cities of Fresno and Clovis on October 31, 2014.
The City Council held the public meeting on November 20, 2014. No written or verbal protests were provided at that time.
The final step in renewing the TBID is a public hearing to hear any comments on the renewal of the FCTBID. If the City does not receive protests from 50% or more of the businesses to be assessed, then the Council may approve a Resolution of Formation. Council's approval of the Resolution on December 18, 2014, will allow the FCTBID to move forward with collection of assessments beginning January 2016.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Renewal of the TBID is not subject to local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City. City costs related to the collection and disbursement of the FCTBID assessment are offset by the administrative fee paid to the City by the newly formed assessment district.
Attachments:
Resolution of Formation
Draft Management District Plan