ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of City Plans, in consultation with the Director of Finance

SUBJECT:

Approval of Business Improvement Area (BIA) Budgets

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

Each year, BIA Boards are required to obtain approval of their forthcoming year's promotion plan and budget from their members at a general meeting and from City Council.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to request Council's approval of the 2001-2002 budgets for twelve existing BIAs and three new BIAs, and to instruct staff to prepare appropriate rating by-laws. As of the date of this Report, the Fraser Street BIA has not determined a budget for 2001-2002, and appears unlikely to do so in time for the May/June property tax billing.

BACKGROUND

Funding for Business Improvement Areas is advanced by Council and recovered through property taxes. Each year Council approves BIA budgets and staff prepare rating by-laws for Council's enactment. After the rating by-laws are enacted, funds are released to the BIA societies in April and recovered through subsequent property taxes.

At the Court of Revision held February 1, 2001, Council approved two BIA renewals (Kerrisdale and Robson Street) and three new BIAs: Collingwood, Hastings North and Kitsilano Fourth Avenue. Before new BIAs commence operation, Council approves their first annual budget.

The 2001-2002 budgets for twelve existing BIAs and three new BIAs are presented in this report.

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME AND BUDGET 2001-2002

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval. They request a recoverable grant of $1,800,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $1,800,000
b. Carried over funds, projected interest,

EXPENDITURES
a. Entertainment and Retail Development $81,925
b. Marketing, Communications and Advocacy 260,361
c. Maintenance, Security, and Access 1,057,233
d. Research and Communications 145,138
e. Office Expenses & Administrative Costs 224,660
f. Contingency 48,683

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $158,683

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 22, 2000. Details of the budget are provided in Appendix A. This is the second year of the BIA's third renewal term (ten-year term).

ROBSON STREET BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME AND BUDGET 2001-2002

The Robson Street Business Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $371,308 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $371,308
b. Projected interest & GST rebate 13,389

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing and Promotion $120,000
b. Community Relations / Safety and Security 48,200
c. Street Enhancement 121,500
d. Office Expenses and Administrative Costs 87,454
e. Contingency 7,543

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 26, 2000. This year's levy represents a $75,000 increase over 2000-2001. Most of the increase is part of a one-time capital expense to upgrade decorative lighting systems on Robson Street. Details of the budget are attached as Appendix B. The members also approved a funding ceiling of $1,645,852 over a five-year term. This is the first year of their third five-year mandate.

KERRISDALE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME AND BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Kerrisdale Business Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $225,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $225,000
b. Interest Income, Fundraising and Parkade 21,500

EXPENDITURES
a. Events, Advertising and Promotion $ 87,500
b. Street Beautification, Banners and Signage 50,000
c. Security 65,000
d. Office & Administrative Costs; Newsletter 44,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 27, 2000. Details of the budget are provided in Appendix C. The members also approved a funding ceiling of $1,225,000 over a five-year term. This is the first year of their third five-year mandate.

GASTOWN BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME AND BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Gastown Business Improvement Society has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $304,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $304,000
b. Funds Carried Over, and Transfer from Reserve 16,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing, Promotion and Public Relations $78,000
b. Street Enhancement, Maintenance, Safety and Security 149,000
c. Salaries, Fees and Operating Expenses 88,000
d. Contingency 5,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 27, 2000. Details of the budget are provided in Appendix D. This is the third year of their third five-year mandate.

MOUNT PLEASANT BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Mount Pleasant Commercial Improvement Society has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $150,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $150,000
b. GST Rebate, Grants, Advertising 10,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Business/Tourism Development, Gov't/Comm. Rel'ns $29,500
b. Street Enhancement, Facade Grants, Bicycle Racks 47,000
c. Safety and Security 10,000
d. Office Expenses and Administration 73,500

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 26, 2000. Details of the budget are provided in Appendix E. This is the third year of their third renewal term (ten year term).

DAVIE VILLAGE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Davie Village Business Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $74,379 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $74,379

EXPENDITURES
a. Promotion $1,000
b. Street Enhancement 52,598
c. Office Expenses 15,600
d. Contingency 5,181

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 26, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix F. This is the third year of their initial five-year mandate.

SOUTH GRANVILLE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The South Granville Business Improvement Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $298,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $298,000
b. Carried over funds 24,800

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing, Communication, and Advocacy $116,000
b. Street Enhancement 60,000
c. Access and Security 57,800
d. Administration 84,000
e. General Contingency 5,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 28, 2000. The requested levy represents a $100,000 increase over last year's request, because last year's budget had the benefit of a $100,000 surplus carried over from 1999-2000. As most of that surplus was expended in 2000-2001, a corresponding amount must be added to this year's levy to maintain a similar level of expenditure. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix G. This is the third year of their initial five-year mandate.

YALETOWN BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Yaletown Business Improvement Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $195,624 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $195,624
b. Carried over funds and misc. revenues 11,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Special Events, Communication and Networking $75,772
b. Safety and Security 45,216
c. Administration 53,936
d. Street Enhancement and Maintenance 31,700

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at the annual general meeting held on September 28, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix H. This is the third year of their initial five-year mandate.

CHINATOWN BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Vancouver Chinatown BIA Society has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $99,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $99,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Special Events, Advertising and Promotion $19,000
b. Street Enhancement and Maintenance 22,650
c. Safety and Security 30,000
d. Administration and Operations 25,602
e. Contingency 1,748

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on September 19, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix I. This is the second year of their initial five-year mandate.

COMMERCIAL DRIVE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Commercial Drive Business Society has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $105,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $105,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing and Special Events $32,000
b. Street Enhancement, Litter Removal, Access,

c. Administration 48,300
e. Contingency 2,100

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on October 4, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix J. This is the second year of their initial five-year mandate.

MARPOLE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Marpole Business Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $75,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $75,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Promotion, Communication & Community Rel'ns $27,450
b. Street Enhancement 24,796
c. Administration 15,400
d. Contingency 7,354

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on September 12, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix K. This is the second year of their initial five-year mandate.

STRATHCONA AREA BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Strathcona Area Merchants Society has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $250,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $250,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing and Promotion $44,500
b. Street Enhancement/Cleanup 29,000
c. Street Activities Initiative 81,000
d. Administration 65,500
e. Levy Equalization 25,000
f. Contingency 5,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on September 28, 2000. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix L. This is the second year of their initial five-year mandate.

COLLINGWOOD BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Collingwood Business Improvement Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $92,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $92,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Marketing & Promotion, and Special Events $15,600
b. Street Enhancement and Litter Removal 11,500
c. Crime Prevention 13,800
d. Administration 44,700
e. Contingency 6,400

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on March 12, 2001. The members also approved a funding ceiling of $500,000 over a five-year term. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix M. This is the first year of their initial five-year mandate.

HASTINGS NORTH BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The Hastings North Business Improvement Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $250,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $250,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Shop Local and Public Relations $40,000
b. Safety and Security 55,000
c. Cleanup and Beautification 95,000
d. Resource Centre - Staff, Rent, Capital Costs 60,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The business promotion scheme was approved by the majority of members present at a general meeting held on March 15, 2001. The members also approved a funding ceiling of $1,250,000 over a five-year term. Further details of the budget are provided in Appendix N. This is the first year of their initial five-year mandate.

KITSILANO FOURTH AVENUE BIA BUSINESS PROMOTION SCHEME & BUDGET FOR 2001-2002

The KCC 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association has submitted the following business promotion scheme and budget for Council's approval and has requested a recoverable grant of $100,000 for 2001-2002.

REVENUE
a. Levy Request $100,000

EXPENDITURES
a. Business Promotion and Special Events $19,000
b. Street Enhancement - Banners / Custom Signage 47,500
c. Staffing and Administration 23,500
d. Contingency 10,000

Projected Operating Fund at Year End $ NIL

The proposed business promotion scheme will be considered by the general membership at a meeting to be held on March 22, 2001. A proposed funding ceiling of $500,000 over a five-year term will also be considered. Staff will report the results of the meeting to Council by supplementary memo. Further details of the proposed budget are provided in Appendix O. This is the first year of their initial five-year mandate.

SUMMARY

All the BIAs have complied with the requirements set out in the City's BIA Grant Allocation By-law and the City's operational guidelines (see Appendices P and Q). City staff have reviewed the audited financial statements of all the existing BIAs. The proposed Business Promotion Schemes are in keeping with the spirit of the BIA legislation. Staff recommend approval of the BIAs' 2001-2002 budgets.

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