Agenda Item No: L.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: CD Final Report on the Investigation and Feasibility of Forming a Potential New Downtown PBID
Final Report from New City America, Inc. on the Investigation and Feasibility of Forming a Potential New Downtown Fairfield Property -Based Improvement District (PBID) or Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID)
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Dave Zellers, (707) 428-7436
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
On June 3, 2025, the City Council approved a Consultant Services Agreement with New City America, Inc. to investigate the feasibility of forming a new Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) or Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) in Downtown Fairfield. The council action initiated a six -month study that included stakeholder outreach, survey distri bution, data collection, and an analysis of district formation interest.
NCA has completed their investigation and feasibility study. The purpose of today’s agenda item is to present the feasibility study findings and provide council with an overview of property owner and staff feedback.
BACKGROUND
The Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) were established in 1971 by the City as a Benefit Improvement District (BID) funded by assessments on businesses in the downtown area with a volunteer committee of assessed businesses serving as an advisory board and administrator of district services under council oversight. In 2010, the City changed the oversight model of the PBIA and entered into a contractual agreement for the newly formed
nonprofit Fairfield Mainstreet Association (FMA) to manage and administer the PBIA funds to provide business support and Main Street beautification and promotional services to the Downtown. In 2021, the City terminated contracts with the FMA and brought Downtown business support services in-house. Using PBIA annual assessment revenues supplemented by City funding, the City currently provides services that include event coordination for large and small downtown community events such as 4th of July Parade, Tomato and Vine Festival, and Taste of Downtown as well as funding a part -time contracted position for coordination with downtown businesses.
DISCUSSION
Following Council’s June 3 authorization, NCA began engagement with downtown property owners, business operators, and City staff to evaluate whether a PBID/CBID could serve as a long- term, sustainable funding mechanism for downtown services such as maintenance, beautification, safety, and promotions.
The scope of work approved by council included:
One-on-one meetings with property owners and stakeholders Creation of a Downtown Steering Committee
Distribution and tabulation of a mailed and online survey of Downtown property owners Analysis of survey results and mapping of potential district boundaries Preparation of a written report summarizing feasibility findings
Over the summer and fall of 2025, NCA and City staff conducted email, phone and in -person outreach to Downtown stakeholders, and held three district-wide steering committee meetings, in addition to a Downtown Town Hall Meeting . Surveys were distributed by postal mail two separate times and emailed to Downtown commercial property owners. NCA tabulated the survey responses and compiled feedback to assess both interest and readiness for a PBID. Based upon the survey results, NCA is not recommending the City take further steps at this time to form a PBID.
No PBID formation decision is being requested at this time. This item is informational only ; staff may bring this matter back to City Council at a future date as part of a broader discussion of economic development strategy and resource allocation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with today’s report and presentation. Any future contracts to pursue the PBID or CBID would be brought to council for approval and a source of funding would be identified at that time.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
Downtown commercial property owners, downtown business owners, and the community.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Council may provide further direction as part of a future discussion about economic development in the City.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
Dave Zellers, Director of Community and Economic Development (707) 428-7436
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: New City America Feasibility Study