HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemoSecond Reading Ordinance
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor Manuel A. Diaz DATE: February 25, 2009 FILE:
And ommissioners
SUBJECT: Coconut Grove Business
Improvement District
FROM: Pe e andez, P.E. REFERENCES:
City Manager
ENCLOSURES:
At the February 12, 2009 City Commission meeting, the City Commission approved abolishment of the
Coconut Grove Business Improvement Committee (BIC) and took the first step in the creation of the
Coconut Grove Business Improvement District Board (BID Board) by adoption of an ordinance on first
reading. Chapter 2, Article XI, Division 2, Section 2-883 of the City Code requires that the Commission be
provided with a response to the following questions prior to second reading of the ordinance:
(1) For boards other than advisory boards, whether the establishment of the board will create sufficient
betterment to the community to justify the city commission's delegation of a portion of its authority.
Response: Yes. The key to the success of business improvement districts across the U.S. is that
property owners self -levy and view this assessment as an investment in the future of their property and
the other properties that are part of the business improvement district. In this regard there is a true
public/private partnership with strong overlapping priorities of better security, heightened cleanliness,
awareness through marketing and promotion, and other sensible improvements. There is real private -
sector buy -in on both a cash basis and a volunteer basis. The business community of property owners
should be the primary voice in the selection of BID Board members because they have more expertise
in this arena.
(2) Whether another board or agency, either public or private, which is already in mistence, could serve the
same purpose.
Response: No. The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) was specifically created to
represent the best interests of the Coconut Grove commercial core community. The BID Board
includes fair and equitable representation of the property and businesses owners of the assessed area
which the BID Board will serve. In essence, the BID Board is the next evolutionary step beyond the
BIC, the committee which the City formed in 2004 in order to create the possibility of the BID. The
BIC has now achieved its primary purpose: the formation of the BID.
(3) The costs, both direct and indirect, of establishing and maintaining the board.
Response: The costs of establishing and maintaining the BID Board will be more efficient because no
longer will these funds be strictly City funds—as they were with the BIC—they will now include
additionally private sector funds from BID assessments.
(4) Whether the board is necessary to enable the City to obtain state or federal grants or other financing.
Response: No. However an increased amount of BID funds will allow for "matching" funds for state,
federal, and private (corporate and foundation) grants.
(5) For boards other than advisory boards, whether the board should have bonding authority.
Response: No
(6) For boards other than advisory boards, whether the board should have the final authority to enter into
contracts and spend city funds, or whether its contracts and expenditures must be ratified by the city
commission.
Response: No. The Manager will reserve the right to approve contracts upon consultation with the
executive director of the BID Board. The City Commission will approve the annual budget.
(7) Whether the creation of a new board is the best method of achieving the benefit desired.
Response: Yes
In conclusion, I support the establishment of the BID Board as strongly recommended by the vote of the
Coconut Grove business community that will be served and benefited. The BID effort represents a true
opportunity for the City to cooperate with an active and positive commercial community that is attempting
to create a better place and a more successful future.
C: Agenda Office