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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-11 14-265 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 14-265 Date: August 11, 2014 Item/Subject ORDER, Adopting Amended Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District Responsible Department: Community & Economic Development Commentary: PUBLIC HEARING - Prior to voting on this Order, the Council is required to hold a Public Hearing on the Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District. The purpose of this Order is for the City Council to consider the Amended Program to be implemented for the Bangor Center Development District. The Program has been prepared by the Bangor Center Management Corporation/ Downtown Bangor Partnership. The Program has been amended to account for an additional $2000 in revenue due to an increase in the value of downtown property. The extra $2000 will be spent on the legal advertisement required to collect the tax revenue for the District. Tanya Emery Department Head Manager's Comments: City Manager Associated Information: Amended Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan attached to CO Budget Approval: Finance Director Legal Approval: City Solicitor Introduced for X Passage First Reading Page _ of Referral E✓ (TITLE.) 14-265 AUGUST 11, 2014 Assigned to Councilor Graham in CITY OF BANGOR ORDER`�'�� Adopting Amended Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District . I! WHEREAS, by action of the City Council, a certain area in the downtown has been designated as a Municipal Development District, known as the Bangor Center Development District, in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 5223(1); and WHEREAS, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 5224(1) requires that the governing body of a Municipality adopt a development program for each development district; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the previously established Development District continues to exist and the District will contribute to the economic growth and well-being of the Municipality, to the betterment of the health, welfare, and safety of the City of Bangor; and WHEREAS, a development program was adopted for Fiscal Year 2015 on May 28, 2014; and WHEREAS, the budget for said development program did not take into account additional funds realized by the increase in taxable value of certain downtown properties; and WHEREAS, the Bangor Center Management Corporation/Downtown Bangor Partnership has recommended an amended development program to be adopted by the City Council: BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 5223 and 5224, there is hereby adopted the "Amended Bangor Center Development District, Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan, Fiscal Year 2015", a copy of which is attached hereto as the development program for the Bangor Center Development District. IN CITY COUNCIL AUGUST: 11, 2014 MOTION MADB AND SECONDED Tqr OPEN THE PUBLIC BEARING PUBLIC HEARING OPENED__. l -MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE PASSED CITY CLERK 14-265 AUGUST 11, 2014 ADDENDUM A 73 Harlow Street ®���� Bangor, ME 04401 }i 9. T. 207.992.4240 spah_y BanLyor F. 207.945.4447 www.downtownbangor.com downtown(afbangormaine.gov Amended Bangor Center Development District Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan Fiscal Year 2015 Downtown Bangor Partnership will use staff services available through the Department of Community and Economic Development, and the subcommittees of the Board to carry out the FY 2015 work plan. Revenues will be derived from the special assessment levied on property owners in the Downtown Development District. Those revenues, and the carry forward bank balance from the prior fiscal year, will be used to fund Downtown Bangor Partnership's activities for the next fiscal year. Total cash estimated to be available for fiscal year 2015 is $103,000 a combination of carryover, sponsorships, event revenues and the FY 2015 estimated assessment of $57,000. Capacity: DBP will contract for the services of a staff person from the Department of Community and Economic Development. This part-time coordinator will administer the implementation of the adopted work plan. All board of director and officer seats will be filled; this includes all ex -officio seats. Downtown Bangor Partnership will continue to utilize volunteers for event implementation and will seek to engage interested parties in other organizational activities, such as standing committees, as appropriate. DBP will continue to actively recruit and engage the business community in our efforts through sponsorships and other appropriate means. Administration and Insurance: DBP will reimburse the City's Department of Community & Economic Development for staff services up to $30,000, and for direct expenses such as postage, copies, and materials. It will also purchase insurance at an approximate cost of $2,900 to cover all events and activities. Advocacy/City Liaison: DBP will continue an ongoing dialogue with the City Council re: issues that impact Downtown. DBP will advocate for expenditures from the City budget for investments that will enhance the district; DBP will continue to review the appropriateness of the district boundaries and make recommendations to the City Council. DBP will support Economic Development efforts in the Downtown district. Additionally DBP will financially support the Police Department up to $10,000 for the Downtown walking beat Officer. Marketing: Downtown Bangor Partnership will continue to position Downtown as the City's arts and cultural center and will produce events and publicity and marketing materials to support the image of a central business district that is also a vibrant neighborhood. We will conduct market research on an ongoing basis to assess the views and opinions of Downtown stakeholders. We will work closely with the City's Community & Economic Development Department to assure brand continuity and appropriate messaging to potential businesses. We will continue to issue media releases for any significant events or relevant news items that impact the Downtown businesses, residents, employees or visitors. In the next year the marketing committee is producing a television commercial designed to attract people to Downtown Bangor, we will also revise our strategic marketing plan. 14-265 AUGUST 11. 2014 Networking & Outreach: DBP will continue to reach out to various Downtown constituencies to gather information, feedback and input to guide the board and our work moving forward. This committee plans to host regular networking sessions as well as educational sessions that can benefit Downtown business owners, property owners and residents. In FY 15 we will renew our focus on Downtown residents and seek ways that DBP can better meet their needs. DBP will also work to advise and support Downtown businesses and organizations such as the Bangor Farmers' Market. Additionally this committee provides welcome baskets to new businesses to assure they are aware of DBP and what we can do to support them. Activities & Events: Downtown Bangor Partnership will collaborate with partners to produce activities and events that are meaningful to the businesses and will benefit business recruitment and retention while bringing people Downtown. This committee is currently reviewing the program of activities for FY 2015 to determine where energies and funds are best spent. We will continue bringing in committee members that are not serving on the board to diversify our work base and encourage more involvement from the Downtown community. At this time, Downtown Bangor Partnership plans to produce the following signature events in FY 2015: Fresh Air Market and Cool Sounds Concert Series, Trick or Treating, Santa's Workshop, and Downtown Countdown. Beautification: We continue with our Kenduskeag Stream flower boxes, Streetside Planters, Banner Program and undertake an expanded Holiday lighting. On all levels, DBP will continue partnering with the City of. Bangor and other organizations for the promotion and betterment of Downtown, and will take advantage of other opportunities that become available during the year. DBP will continue to encourage and participate in the production of free seminars and networking gatherings geared toward Downtown businesses and building owners. 14-265 AUGUST 11, 2014 DBP Primary Organizational Objectives through 2018 Last fall, the DBP Board went through a strategic visioning process to update and refocus its efforts over the next S years. Below outlines the direction the Board intends take in the coming years. 1. To be a catalyst for downtown growth through: a. Marketing and branding to support increased business and residences in downtown b. Advocacy for downtown c. Networking for downtown businesses and residents d. Events that support the above 2. To increase organizational capacity for effective work as a catalyst through: a. Effective governance b. Adequate volunteer participation Goals and Strategies Marketing Committee: Goal: Improve marketing of downtown as a home for people, businesses, culture, entertainment, and shopping. Strategy: Create, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive and clearly defined marketing plan including: • Upbeat, lively brand • Logo and website • Approaches to challenging perception issues such as safety or family oriented • Signature events, Events Committee: Goal: Develop a committee that will establish the relationship between the Partnership and events Goal: Identify event best practice and evaluate the success of events including quantifying the resources and benefits of the events Advocacy Committee: Goal: Improve advocacy for excellent physical infrastructure in Downtown Goal: Improve advocacy for Downtown at City Council meetings Strategy: Visibly participate and inform people about downtown Goal: Take a leadership role in planning for development of downtown Strategy: Begin a conversation with the City about an economic development plan for downtown Networking Committee: Goal: improve communications within downtown Strategy: Develop tools for providing information to the community such as a newsletter and a downtown calendar 14-265 AUGUST 11, 2014 Organizational Structure: Goal: Improve governance oversight, decision making and goal setting practices Strategy: Implement and evaluate practical methods and tools to ensure Partnership will successfully meet the goals developed through the 2013 goal planning process including the following tools or tactics: • A common work plan template and calendar • Assigned deadlines for completion of work Strategy: Ensure committees' work is integrated they work together toward overall goals for downtown Strategy: Implement and evaluate best practical tools and processes for managing new board member orientation including tactics such as: • Provide clear information on Partnership history, current activities, and expectations • Assign experienced Board members to be mentors for new Board members Strategy: Establish best practices for managing board and committee health and meetings including the following: • Skilled meeting facilitation including setting ground rules, standards, and documentation • Skilled management in responding multiple constituencies • Effective and inclusive decision-making and conflict resolution • Use of central digital file organization system including a calendar for planning purposes Goal: Increase number of volunteers at all skill and commitment levels Strategy: Develop, implement, and evaluate a volunteer development plan that addresses volunteer recruitment and retention, as well as challenges such as: • Clear expectations for volunteers to work together as one voice when working with city staff and council • Pathways for volunteers to change or grow in roles Downtown Bangor Partnership Budget FY 2015 REVISED DBP Annual Budget for FY 2015 Revised - Approved 8/6/14 by DBP Board of Dlrecrors FY 2015 Budget overview Revenue Opening Balance Event Revenue. Cool Sounds Vendor fees Downtown Countdown Vendor fees Event Revenue Subtotal Rend. Trail Signs - Restricted Income Advertising Co-op Revenue (Offset) Levy - Special Assessment Sponsorships - Beautification Misc. beautification Downtown Countdown Cool Sounds Halloween Sponsorships Subtotal Total Revenue 14-265 AUGUST 11, 2014 4,000 $ Expenses 3,000 $ 30,000 $ 500 $ 200 $ 1,800 $ 3,S00 $ 75 $ 200 $ 250 $ 3,000 $ 57,000 $ 5,000 $ 3,500 $ 20,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,000 $ 35,500 $ 03,000- 103,000- Ex enses Beautification Summer Decorations (sponsor offset). $ 1,000 Holiday Lighting & Decorations (sponsor offset) $ 2,500 KenduskeagStream Flower Boxes $ 2,500 Streetside Flower Boxes $ 2,000 Beautification -Other $ 250 Beautification Subtotal $ 8,250 General Administration Account Fees City Economic Develop. Services Legal Advertising Event Registration/Training Insurance Memberships/Registration fees Postage & Mailing Services Printing & Copying Supplies General Administration Subtotal Liaison Public Safety Newworking & Outreach Food Marketing Contract Services CVB Guidebook underwrite Holiday Marketing/Promo Advertising - General Advertising - Co-op Expense (Offset) Brochures- print additional E-mail Newsletter Service Discover DT rollout (www, graphics) Web Hosting & Domain Marketing - Other Marketing Subtotal Events Event Sponsorships Downtown Countdown CooiSounds Halloween Santa's Workshop Events Subtotal Total Expenses Net Income $ 650 $ 30,000 $ 4,500 $ 200 $ 1,800 $ 400 $ 75 $ 200 $ 250 $ 38,075 10,000 750 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 $ 3,000 S 3,000 $ 3,000 $ 500 $ 500 $ 3,000 $ - 250 $ 150 $ 16,400 $ 600 $ 20,500 $ 5,550 $ 2,250 $ 475 150