Downtown Novato

BID Assessment

9/30/14John A. Lambeth

BID Review Project

• Civitas hired to interview stakeholders and city officials, assess current district and recommend future actions

• Nine separate stakeholder meetings held in March 2014

• Existing documentation on BID reviewed

• Report issued July 2014

Downtown Novato BID

• Formed in 1999 • Formed under Parking & Business

Improvement Area Law of 1989 • Overseen by Downtown Novato

Business Association (DNBA)• Annual budget up to $54,000

California Laws

• No petition• 1 year term• Annual renewal• Business only• Appointed advisory

board• City can disestablish

• 50% + 1 petition• 5 or 10 year term• Business or property• Non-profit

management• Annual report• Payors can

disestablish

1994 Law1989 Law

Situation Assessment

• DNBA has built a stronger relationship with City staff

• Business owners recognized and appreciated DNBA efforts to increase communication

• Desire remains for more transparent finances, consistent staffing

Recommendations

• Part-time executive director– Provides consistency and accountability – Document storage and retention – Program oversight– Stakeholder communications

• Office space• Update administration agreement • Training on Brown Act, BID, nonprofit

laws

Recommendations

• Increase funding– Event income – City contributions– PBID – TBID– Grants, donations

Next Steps

• MOU – Administrative Agreement– Roles and relationship– Performance standards– Financial partnership

• DBID Annual Renewal Process– Create administrative guidelines for

annual renewal process

Questions and Comments

John Lambeth, Civitaswww.civitasadvisors.com

(800)999-7781

Thank you!!