Administrative
Report
H.17., File # 24-1662 Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
RECEIVE AND FILE THE 2024 RIVIERA VILLAGE ADVISORY BOARD'S ANNUAL REPORT AND SET NOVEMBER 5, 2024 AT 6:00 PM AS THE DATE AND TIME TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
TO RE-APPOINT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE RIVIERA VILLAGE ASSOCIATION TO
SERVE AS THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE RIVIERA VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2025 AND TO DIRECT THE ADVISORY BOARD TO PREPARE A REPORT FOR 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Riviera Village Business Improvement District (BID) was established by the City Council in 2003 pursuant to the California Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (Section 36500 of the Streets and Highway Code) to promote the economic revitalization and physical maintenance of the Riviera Village Business District. The BID operates on a year-to-year basis with an annual expiration on December 31. Each year prior to the annual expiration, the BID appears before City Council to review past year accomplishments and consider anticipated goals for the upcoming year.
The Riviera Village BID is prepared to present this year’s report at the November 5, 2024 City Council meeting. At that time, City Council will consider adoption of two proposed resolutions to reappoint the Advisory Board for 2025 and approve the annual report. On September 17, 2024, the City Council also set November 5, 2024 to consider a fee assessment increase for the BID. The City Council will consider all three matters on November 5, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Annual renewal of the BID, and the associated assessments, require approval by the City Council.
As part of the annual renewal, the City Council appoints an Advisory Board for the BID. Consistent with previous City Council actions, the Board of Directors for the Riviera Village Association (RVA) is proposed to serve as the Advisory Board for the BID. The BID is required to have a non-profit corporation oversee the management functions of the BID on behalf of the BID businesses. The RVA serves as that non-profit corporation and staff will bring forward a contract between the City and the RVA at the November 5, 2024 Public Hearing that will allow BID management to continue to occur via the Advisory Board and non-profit corporation. Historically, the BID has distributed funds in the following allocation: 50% Beautification, 40% Marketing, and 10% Administration and the BID’s costs remained similar for Calendar Year 2024.
Following the Public Hearing proposed for November 5, 2024, the City Council will be asked to: adopt a resolution approving the annual report as filed, or modified by the City Council, absent a majority protest; adopt a resolution re-appointing the Board of Directors for the Riviera Village Association
H.17., File # 24-1662 Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
protest; adopt a resolution re-appointing the Board of Directors for the Riviera Village Association (RVA) to serve as the Advisory Board for the BID; and adopt a resolution to allow the levying of assessments for calendar year 2025 which begins January 1, 2025.
CALENDAR YEAR 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Parklet Program
The parklet program continues to be managed successfully by the Riviera Village Association in 2024. Though Parklets utilization has waned in the cooler weather, restaurants opt to remain in the program to take advantage of its summer and fall popularity. The 2023 parklet refurbishment is wearing well and provided a cohesive clean look to the Village landscape that visitors have responded well to.
Beautification Funds
At the July 2024 RVA BID Board meeting, a $30,000 allocation was approved for beautification project(s). Potential projects under consideration are replacing more tree wells with planter boxes, as was done in 2023, and an art project of painting areas of asphalt such as intersections, crosswalks, and protected corners. The BID continues to work with a landscaping company to maintain/replenish sidewalk pots and planter boxes along Catalina Ave, Avenue I, Avenida del Norte, and Elena to enhance the look of Riviera Village. Board members removed hanging pots and metalwork from lamp posts deemed irreparable and unattractive due to corrosive coastal weather conditions.
Joint Projects with the City
The BID Board continues to coordinate with City staff on a number of projects. Funds for the permanent paver program have been allocated. There are plans to add permanent pavers to Avenida Del Norte by the end of 2024. Another proposed 2025 joint project is placement of a Riviera Village touch screen directory on Esplanade at Avenue I, for which the RVA has already allocated the funds and is working with the City on environmental impacts. The BID Board has approved replacing the current directory kiosk at 1799 S Catalina with a touch screen directory that features an engaging video function. An ongoing item is installing permanent retractable bollards in key areas of the Riviera Village for ease of street closures and pedestrian safety during community events. The BID Board is also seeking the guidance of an RVA member in the grant industry who has offered to seek out grants to potentially finance bollards and other non-essential, but desired projects.
MARKETING/PROMOTIONAL FUNDS
Marketing funds were allocated to advertise and produce a professional video promoting Riviera Village as a shopping, dining, and relaxation destination as well as a reminder to shop at local brick and mortar retailers. The video shows several business owners inviting the viewer to, “Meet me in the Village.” In May 2024, Riviera Village marketing reached out to Terranea Resort about developing a strategic partnership. The following month, the two collaborated on a joint giveaway valued at $2,700, which yielded a spike in social media followers, several thousand entries, and approximately 1,200 new email contacts. The promotion went so well, that a second giveaway is being developed. Future collaborations include Terranea's involvement in the Halloween Trick or Treat, Holiday Stroll, having Riviera Village featured in Terranea’s in-room entertainment, and potentially, resurrecting a shuttle service between the two locations.
The current digital advertising plan is based on maintaining a steady increase of social media followers, raising overall awareness, informing the community of Village-wide events/business events, and humanizing Village businesses by featuring the individuals behind them. The Riviera Village is aiming to reach the 15,000 followers’ milestone on Instagram by the end of 2024. Since
H.17., File # 24-1662 Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
Village is aiming to reach the 15,000 followers’ milestone on Instagram by the end of 2024. Since 2017, the RVA’s marketing has been managed by a paid local professional whose responsibilities include social media, email marketing, website content management, project management, and content creation. In 2024, paid advertisements have promoted the farmer’s market, retailers, restaurants, services, and large-scale community events.
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS 13,700 | + 34% YTD
FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS 9,800 | +9% YTD
Video “Reels” views have increased by 25% with 330,643 views to date.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Halloween Trick or Treat & Holiday Stroll
Both the 2023 Riviera Village Halloween Trick or Treat and Holiday Stroll had increased attendance.
The 2024 Riviera Village Halloween Trick or Treat, is from 3:00PM to 6:00PM on October 31, 2024.
The RVA expects an equally enthusiastic turnout this year. The community enjoys walking the village in costume with their family and collecting treats in a safe environment closed to motor vehicles.
Event producer, Start to Finish Events, organized attractions including interactive photo opportunities with classic holiday characters, inflatables for kids, a DJ, up-lit palm trees, and snowflakes projected on the asphalt. Santa and the Grinch made a grand entrance in a vintage fire truck led by members of the Redondo Union High School marching band. The dynamic environment was attended by thousands. In 2024, the BID is seeking sponsorship of several attractions to offset costs they have traditionally funded. Start to Finish Events is working with a professional to secure partners.
Riviera Village Summer Festival
The Riviera Village Summer Festival returned the last week of June 2024 and followed a similar program to year’s past. The event was attended by local media which produced a live segment from the event. The BID is working with a new producer, VR Events, and vendor booths for the festival sold out, turning a profit of $77,796, which is an increase from the $55,359 secured in 2023.
Merchant Mixers
RVA Merchant Mixers are held twice per year in April and November at a Riviera Village restaurant.
The mixers provide an environment to unwind, meet fellow business owners, talk with BID Board members, RBPD, City Council Members, and, for some, discover a new restaurant.
Certified Farmers Market
The BID continues to support the Certified Farmers Market located in the Triangle Parking Lot on Sundays. Hours have been adjusted to from 9:00AM- 2:00PM to 8:30AM-1:30PM to more closely align with consumer shopping habits. Market attendance has been growing at a gradual pace, and positive feedback has been received from families regarding the Kids Zone. The Kids Zone was conceived by vendor Yummmm Bar in cooperation with the market, providing a space for parents and kids to craft and play. Social media advertisements have featured the market since early 2022, and the manager of the Farmers Market has excelled in curating a higher caliber and diverse vendor selection, focusing on organic farmers and a high quality shopping experience. The market continues to be a source of income for the BID.
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS
A coordinator was hired in 2022 and helps with the ongoing operations of the BID. The coordinator’s responsibilities include drafting board meeting agendas, inviting outside guests to board meetings, notifying board members of meetings, assisting the board secretary with meeting minutes, organizing Page 3 of 5 H.17., File # 24-1662 Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
notifying board members of meetings, assisting the board secretary with meeting minutes, organizing the annual report, and other projects as needed. Board members serve in their volunteer positions managing specific village tasks and projects, including the farmers market, plant maintenance, lamp post banners/holiday decor, insurance, and events.
INSURANCE POLICIES
The RVA has secured the following insurance coverage:
· General Liability Insurance required by the City of Redondo Beach was renewed · Officers and Directors Liability Insurance was also renewed · Certificate of Insurance for Events (Outside Dining Parklets & Sidewalk Sale during COVID19) is in place as well.
Pursuant to California State BID law, the City must request (and the Advisory Board must submit to the City Council), an annual report that proposes a BID budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The report must: 1) outline any proposed changes to the boundaries of the area; 2) list the improvements and activities expected in calendar year 2025; 3) estimate the cost of providing the improvements and activities; 4) set the method and basis for the levy of assessments; 5) identify surplus or deficit revenues to be carried over to 2025; and 6) identify any funding from sources other than assessments.
The Advisory Board has prepared the attached Annual Report (Report) for City Council’s consideration. The Report contains a list of the improvements, activities, and associated costs proposed within the BID for 2025. Submission of the Report to the City Council satisfies the legal requirement to file the report with the City Clerk.
PROJECTS/GOALS ANTICIPATED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025
In 2025, the BID will continue advancing key initiatives, including the ongoing retractable bollards project in Riviera Village. This project aims to develop a comprehensive plan to identify funding opportunities, secure grants, and install bollards using a phased approach. This includes coordinating with the City of Redondo Beach and the Coastal Commission on recently proposed plans to widen sidewalks on South Catalina Avenue, shift the design of parking from angled to parallel, and create bike lanes. The BID continues to focus on the completion of the Sidewalk Pavers Capital Improvement Project (CIP), as each segment of the CIP that gets completed adds to the ambiance of the village. Another goal in 2025 is the beautification on Avenida del Norte as well as improving safety and adding a unique feature to the village with a Roundabout at Catalina Ave & Avenue l. This project will improve traffic flow while separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic inside the roundabout. The BID's current long-term goal is to continue vetting possible solutions to the short -term and long-term parking challenges within the Village.
COORDINATION
The Riviera Village BID renewal is coordinated by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department, with assistance from the City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and the Financial Services Department.
The Financial Services Department provides assistance with the BID assessment, processing applicable assessments, and the receipt of payments.
H.17., File # 24-1662 Meeting Date: 10/15/2024
FISCAL IMPACT
The BID enhances spaces in the public right-of-way and provides supplemental services in common areas that would otherwise fall to the City to maintain. BID assessments are restricted for use exclusively by the BID and must be reported to the City Council annually. It is anticipated that the BID’s annual activities encourage activity and retail growth in the area and result in additional sales tax revenue for the City.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· RVA Annual Report 2024-2025
· Reso - Resolution Appointing and Advisory Board Directing the Preparation of a Report in 2025, to be Considered at a November 5, 2024 Public Hearing · Reso - Resolution Approving Report, to be Considered at a November 5, 2024 Public Hearing