PURPOSE:

The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Council to approve the Downtown Burbank Property-based, Business Improvement District (P-BID) Annual Report and to approve authority to assess the property owners within the District for 2004-2005.

BACKGROUND:

As part of the Redevelopment Agency�s and the City Council efforts to improve the Downtown, the Agency initiated the formation of a Property�based, Business Improvement District, which is now formally called the Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc., to fund a variety of improvements in partnership with Downtown Burbank property owners. A Management District Plan was developed, which outlines the major components of the P-BID including: the boundaries; the service plan and budget; the assessment formula; and the governance of the organization. Also included in the Plan are increased maintenance and security, promotions, advertising, special events, and administration.

On July 22, 2003, the City Council approved the P-BID and on October 28, 2003, the City Council appointed the first Board of the Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc.

The P-BID has a five year plan, which is the maximum length that a P-BID may be established, before a P-BID needs to be renewed. Beginning each January, the P-BID will receive approximately $720,000 from the Los Angeles County Tax Assessors from property taxes from Downtown property owners excluding residential and nonprofit property owners. The total annual cost to the Agency is approximately $123,000 per year; however, the Agency agreed to pay its five year share upfront to help pay for capital items that could be installed sooner rather than later such as holiday decorations, Wayfinding, and Smart signage.

Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. has been established as a California non-profit mutual benefit corporation whose sole purpose is to improve Downtown Burbank with initiatives that are designed and supervised by those who pay the assessment. This entity is governed by an elected Board of Directors whose goal is to create a vibrant and exciting commercial district in Downtown Burbank. The Annual Report is prepared in accordance to the State of California Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 and Article XIII D of the California Constitution which outlines among other things the improvements and activities undertaken during the fiscal, and which is required to be considered for approval by the City Council. Furthermore, the Annual Report fulfills the reporting requirements set forth in the Agreement for Services with the City of Burbank under 3.1 and 3.2 District Responsibilities. In addition, the City Council will approve the assessment for the current fiscal year, which remains unchanged from the prior year. (Each property is assessed $0.16 per lot square foot per year, and $2.00 per linear frontage foot along San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia and Verdugo.)

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:

The proposed Annual Report outlines: the boundaries of the district; the property owner assessment formula; highlights of capital improvements; maintenance and security; marketing and promotions; advocacy and administration;  2004 Annual Budget and 2004 Financial Statement, and an outline of activities for 2005.

Major improvements and accomplishments for the first year of the P-BID are numerous. This included: forming the Board of Directors and establishing the non-profit corporation, developing by-laws, and setting a budget and developing priorities for 2004.

Capital improvements include new Holiday d�cor of nine, 8-foot gold ornaments scattered in downtown and the pergolas decorated with giant light bulbs, pinecones and garland. Wayfinding, paseo upgrades and Smart Parking have also been or are in the process of complex design approvals ready to launch in 2005. Under maintenance and security, the City maintains a baseline of existing services, but the P-BID has contracted out additional cleanings monthly. Also, a good will Ambassador program was established to help answer questions and give directions to new visitors.

Marketing and promotions have been key to new attention to the downtown. The development of a new website (www.downtown-burbank.org ), a downtown directory brochure promoting Downtown merchants, restaurants and services, and a monthly newsletter have all help communicate all the changes. A leasing packet, window decals announcements on vacancy storefronts, and staff-broker relations added more opportunities for branding and communication. The marketing theme,� Come out and Play�, was given life with a full events schedule. Six new events that were heavily attended each and every time include Swingin Sounds from Downtown, Beach Party Nights, Taste of Downtown Burbank, Downtown Burbank Fine arts Festival, Booo-tiful Downtown Burbank, and 12 Days of Holiday Cheer. Last, retail and restaurant grand opening promotions met the need to achieve high awareness of upcoming projects and retails openings. Major collaborations and relationships with partners such as IKEA, City of Burbank, Burbank town Center, KLAC, Burbank Community YMCA, and Radio Disney were accomplished and added to the communications and efforts possible.

Excellent relationships with the many City of Burbank departments were instrumental in assisting in the accomplishments in downtown.

Just recently, two Caltrans freeway signs were installed and early 2005, the Wayfinding program will be launched directing some of the 200,000 daily cars off the 5 freeway to Downtown. More special events are planned for 2005, in addition to the events that occurred in 2004.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. has been in existence for one full year in which time there have been numerous accomplishments. These accomplishments include: the creation of the P-BID Board, a marketing and event program, an Ambassador Program, new Holiday d�cor, more monthly sidewalk cleanings, and development of a comprehensive marketing program to entice unique retailer into Downtown Burbank. Overall, the Burbank Partnership has been very proud of the accomplishments during the last year, and plans to build on that success for the coming year.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact for the actions to be considered by the City Council at this time. The Agency agreed to pay their entire five year annual assessment last year.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. Annual Report and authorizing the current year�s assessment.

EXHIBITS:

A. Annual Report

go to the top