PURPOSE:

The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Council to approve the Annual Report for the Downtown Burbank Partnership Business Improvement District and to approve the annual assessment of the property owners within the District.

BACKGROUND:

As part of the City and Redevelopment Agency�s efforts to improve Downtown, a property�based Business Improvement District was formed 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 Business Improvement District including: the boundaries; the service plan and budget; the assessment formula; and the governance of the organization. The service plan specifically outlines the proposed improvements and services including capital improvements, maintenance and security, promotions, advertising, special events and administration.

On July 22, 2003, the City Council approved the Business Improvement District and on October 28, 2003, the City Council appointed the first Board of Directors for the organization now known as the Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc.

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. 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.

The Annual Report outlines, among other things, the improvements and activities undertaken during the fiscal year.  In accordance with the above-cited law, this report is required to be considered for approval by the City Council.  In addition, the City Council will consider approving the assessment for the current fiscal year, which remains unchanged from the prior year.¹

The Business Improvement District has a five year plan, which is the maximum length that a property-based business improvement district may be established before it needs to be renewed. Beginning each January, the District receives approximately $720,000 from the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor from property taxes paid by Downtown property owners, excluding residential and nonprofit property owners. The total annual assessment to the City and Redevelopment Agency is approximately $123,000 per year; however, the Agency agreed to pay the City�s and Agency�s five year share up front to help pay for capital items that could be installed sooner rather than later such as holiday decorations, and wayfinding.

In addition to the City�s and Agency�s assessment per the Management Plan, the Redevelopment Agency agreed to contribute an additional $ 400,000 in assistance for various improvements in the Plan. This assistance was to reinforce the partnership relationship between the Downtown property owners and the City.

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:

The proposed Annual Report outlines: the boundaries of the district; the property owner assessment formula; and highlights the accomplishments of the service plan.  The Annual Report also includes the 2005 Annual Budget and 2005 Financial Statement, and an outline of activities for 2006.

As noted in the Annual Report, the Board of Directors are very pleased with what has been accomplished during the second year and are appreciative of the partnership with the City and staff. As contemplated in the Service Plan, capital improvements have been initiated with the installation of new holiday d�cor including new light projections on sidewalks that greet customers with moving messages and images. The new Wayfinding signage for 2005 was installed and installations are continuing into the beginning of 2006. The signage directs motorists to the various areas of Downtown including  the Mall District, Village District, and the Civic District, as well as assist them in finding available parking locations.  A Streetscape Program with paseo upgrades, new landscaping and bike racks have been approved by the Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. Board. Staff is scheduled to share the plans with the City Council in March, 2006. The new plan will update and refresh the Downtown experience to match the evolving progress in the area. The Downtown Ambassadors continue to be a positive asset to newcomers to Downtown to answers questions, help promote the numerous special events and be �extra eyes and ears� to the BPD to ensure a safe environment. The launch of the Wi-Fi program was another major plus for the area. The Downtown Burbank district was the first to offer a free municipal �hotspot� in the San Fernando Valley, and one of the first to do so in the Los Angeles vicinity.  

The Downtown Burbank Partnership continues to provide additional sidewalk and alleyway Maintenance over and above the City of Burbank baseline services. For Marketing and Promotions, several event successes were achieved. The Taste of Downtown Burbank grew from 22 restaurants in 2004 to 31 in 2005. It also doubled in attendance from 600 in 2004 to 1,200 in 2005, and more than doubled the amount of money raised for the event�s beneficiary, the Burbank Community YMCA. An event website was designed, www.tasteofdowntownburbank.com which experienced thousand of hits and provided an avenue for almost all the tickets sales prior to the event. The �Come Out and Dance� Swing concert series attracted larger audiences and greater public awareness in its second year. Thousands of enthusiastic dancers and music lovers attended each concert, which was held on Thursday nights on the AMC Walkway every Thursday night in July and August. These successful and well-attended events included major collaborations and relationships with partners such as IKEA, the City of Burbank, Burbank Town Center, Fabulous 690 and KOST radio stations, Burbank Community YMCA and Radio Disney. These events are planned for 2006 as well. All these improvements and collaborations led to awards and recognitions.  

Downtown Burbank Partnership was the recipient of three marketing awards from California Festivals and Events Association (CalFest) and one top award, the 2005 Crystal Eagle Achievement Award from the California Downtown Association.  In addition, �12 days of Holiday Cheer� won an Achievement Award from the California Park and Recreation Society for excellence in recreation and community service. The award was submitted by the City of Burbank�s Park, Recreation and Community Services Department, one of the five co-partners in �12 Days of Holiday Cheer�.

Marketing and promotions have been an important focus of the Downtown Burbank Partnership during 2005. The update of the website (www.downtown-burbank.org), a new set of street banners, a new Downtown directory brochure promoting Downtown merchants, restaurants and services, and a monthly newsletter have all helped get the word out about Downtown Burbank. A leasing packet for all of Burbank was developed and staff-broker relations have helped to cultivate interest from new retailers to locate in Downtown. New retailers that have located in Downtown during the year include: Bed, Bath, and Beyond; Chadaka Thai, Charlotte Russe; EQ3; FedEx Kinko�s; Marinello�s School of Beauty; Ohana Hawaiian BBQ; O My Sole; Quizno�s Subs; The Corner Bakery and Wells Fargo Bank.

Downtown Burbank closely works with all development projects in the district to ensure their complete integration in to the Downtown fabric. There is currently more than $200 million of new or recently new investments in Downtown Burbank, including the  Burbank Village Walk, Burbank Civic Plaza, and Phase II of the AMC project, called �The Collection� scheduled to break ground in March of this year.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. has been in existence for two years during which time there have been numerous accomplishments. As mentioned, these accomplishments include: furtherment of a popular award-winning events program; continuation of an Ambassador Program; installation of new holiday d�cor; and additional monthly sidewalk cleanings; the free WiFi access; the wayfinding program, and updated marketing brochures, websites and leasing packets. Next year, a new landscape and hardscape program will be implanted in addition to the ongoing programs mentioned above. 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 associated with the recommended City Council action.

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

¹Each property is assessed $0.16 per lot square foot per year, and $2.00 per linear frontage foot along San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia Boulevard and Verdugo Avenue.

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