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Development Services Department
DATE: October 7, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
DOWNTOWN ARCADIA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION ( "AIA ")
Recommendation: Make Appointments
SUMMARY
Under the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association ( "AIA ") policies, each owner of
a property is entitled to representation on the Board of Directors. As the owner of
multiple properties within the AIA area, the City is entitled to multiple representatives. It
is recommended that the City Council formally appoint up to three members to the
Board of Directors of the Downtown AIA.
BACKGROUND
A group of Downtown Arcadia business and property owners began meeting in June
2010 to explore the possibility of forming a property based business improvement
district (PBID). Establishing the PBID, which became known as a Community Benefit
District, took 15 months and involved assistance of a consultant, New City America.
The process culminated in a final vote in favor of establishing the District on August 6,
2013, and the City Council's approval of Resolution No. 6988 formally authorizing the
Community Benefit District.
Following the approval of the District, the City and New City America worked with staff
at the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office to make sure that the assessments for the
District were included on the tax rolls. The first year assessment has concluded and is
estimated at $117,515. Now that a steady funding source is secured, the group, now
called the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association (AIA), has a Board of Directors
and has formed a number of Committees to focus on various aspects of revitalizing
Downtown Arcadia.
Appointments to the Downtown Arcadia
Improvement Association
October 7, 2014
Page 2 of 3
DISCUSSION
Since the approval of the District, the AIA has begun work on a number of action items.
These include evaluating the zoning and land use in the Downtown, reviewing options
for Downtown events and activities, and working on recruiting certain land uses and
businesses to the Downtown. The Board of Directors for the AIA is made up of property
owners or appointees of property owners. The policy of the AIA is to allow a property
owner representation on the Board based on how many parcels the property owner has.
For example, since the City owns five parcels in the Downtown, the City could
technically have five individuals serve on the Board. Alternately, the City could have a
single person represent all five votes.
To date, the City has had representation from Economic Development Manager Jerry
Schwartz, and other staff members have attended meetings from time to time as well.
The City Council has not, however, officially appointed anyone to the Board as of yet.
At their meeting of September 11, the AIA Board voted unanimously to have Council
Member Sho Tay serve on the Board. Council Member Tay has attended a number of
the meetings of the AIA out of interest in the Downtown and is interested in serving on
the Board. The Board vote holds no official voting weight; it is up to the City Council to
formally designate who it would like to represent its properties.
Former Council Member Peter Amundson was very involved with the formation process
of the District. While on the Council, Mr. Amundson attended meetings out of his own
personal interest and was never formally appointed as a Board member. However, Mr.
Amundson has been a welcome member of the group and continues to stay involved
and attend meetings. He has also indicated a willingness and a desire to serve formally
on the Board.
There is no significant need for the City to have a representative for each of its five
parcels in the Downtown; however, having multiple appointees might be beneficial. For
instance, the City Council could appoint a staff member and a Council Member to the
Board. It is important to have a member of the Development Services Staff (such as the
Economic Development Manager or the Development Services Director) serve on the
Board because of the critical land use and economic development functions of the AIA.
In addition, a member of the City Council would be an excellent addition to the Board to
keep abreast of the direction of the AIA and provide input from a Council Member's
perspective. Finally, the City Council could consider the appointment of Peter
Amundson as a representative of the City on the Board, given his long standing
participation with this group. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council appoint
up to three members to the AIA Board of Directors.
Appointments to the Downtown Arcadia
Improvement Association
October 7, 2014
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with appointments to the Board. As a
property owner, the City is assessed based on the lot size, linear frontage, and building
square footage. Improvements within the AIA area will benefit the City in the form of
increased property taxes, and ancillary benefits from additional activity in the
Downtown.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council appoint up to three members to the Board of
Directors of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association ( "AIA ").
Approved
Dominic Lazza
City Manager