CITY OF SALINAS COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 24, 2022
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FROM: MEGAN HUNTER, DIRECTOR BY: LISA BRINTON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
ITLE: SALINAS CITY CENTER IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 2021 ANNUAL REPORT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution accepting and approving the Salinas City Center Improvement Association (SCCIA) 2021 Annual Report.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution accepting and approving the SCCIA 2021 Annual Report (Annual Report).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In 2015, the City Council formed the Salinas Downtown Community Benefit District (CBD) and entered into a Management and Disbursement Agreement with the Salinas City Center Improvement Association (SCCIA) to implement the Management District Plan. SCCIA is to create an annual District budget and policies to comply with the District Plan; prepare and file quarterly and annual reports with the City reflecting compliance with the District Plan; and oversee the day-to-day implementation of District Plan Improvements.
The annual levy of assessment in each of the fiscal years referred to in the District Plan are conditioned on the approval, by resolution, of an annual report pursuant Section 36650 of the Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Law. The approval of such report is at the discretion of the Council. With Council approval, the SCCIA Annual Report will also provide direction for SCCIA activities and use of assessment district funds in the fiscal year. The 2021 Annual Report is provided as Attachment 2 to this staff report.
BACKGROUND:
In 2015, the City Council and the Board of Supervisors accepted the Salinas Downtown Vibrancy Plan as a strategic planning document to guide the revitalization of downtown Salinas including the government center. That same year, the City Council formed the Salinas Downtown Community Benefit District (CBD) and entered into a Management and Disbursement Agreement with the Salinas City Center Improvement Association (SCCIA) to implement the Management District Plan. SCCIA is to create an annual District budget and policies to comply with the District Plan; prepare and file quarterly and annual reports with the City reflecting compliance with the District Plan; and oversee the day-to-day implementation of District Plan Improvements.
As a CBD, parcels within the District boundary derive special benefit from programs and activities funded by assessments levied against the identified properties. The benefits, identified in the Management District Plan, are special and unique to the parcels within the District because programs and services (i.e. sidewalk operations/beautification; district identity; program management; and contingency/reserve) are provided directly and solely for the benefit of the identified parcels. The objective of providing these special benefits is to keep the District area clean, safe, orderly, attractive, well marketed with special events and programs, and to increase commerce within the CBD boundaries.
DISCUSSION:
2021 Annual Report
The 2021 Annual Report covers the period from December 1, 2020, to November 30, 2021. The financial statement for this time-period is part of the Annual Report (Attachment 2). During this period, $473,611 was collected in assessments. Total expenditures FY 2020-2021 were $434,044 for an increase in assets of $39,567. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of expenditures by program area for the reporting period.
Table 1
PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY
FUNDED BY THE DOWNTOWN
PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL BUDGET
2021 EXPENDITURES
Sidewalk Operations, Beautification and Order
55%
$ 240,530.00
District Identity and Streetscape Improvement
29%
$ 124,655.00
Administration/Corporate Operations
16%
$ 68,859.00
Contingency/City and County Fees/Reserves/Special projects 0%
$ 0.00
TOTAL
100%
$ 434,044.00
SCCIA 2021 program accomplishments and 2022 goals are outlined in the Annual Report (Attachment 2). Goals and accomplishments are organized by committee/program area. A summary of highlights is provided below. The entire list of accomplishments and goals by committee is provided in the attached Annual Report. 2021 Accomplishments Highlights
The following section highlights
Sidewalk Operations, Beautification and Order
Provided additional cleaning and debris removal during the Main Street Streetscape Improvement Project.
Expanded Smith & Enright' s contract to include maintenance of the new planted areas.
Undertook and completed two landscaping projects, including adding planted pots to Melody Lane and to the west side of the 400 block of Main Street.
District Identity/Sidewalk Improvements
Worked closely with City on finishing details for the Streetscape Improvement Project: hanging flowerpots, moveable furniture, and banner program.
Submitted a grant with the City of Salinas for the Alley Activation project. Blue Zones and the Downtown Rotary are also stakeholders.
Lit up all trees in 100, 200, 300 blocks of downtown.
Partnered with Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to host a block party/business expo.
Land Use
Monthly engagement, discussion, and reports with our Agency Liaisons:
County/City MOU: How to collaborate approach to Parking, Land Use and Housing City of Salinas: Implementation of Downtown Vibrancy Plan, General Plan Update, Lincoln Corridor Surplus Land Parcels County of Monterey: Facilities Needs Assessment
TAMC: Intermodal Transportation Center Package 1 complete, Package 2 in process, upgrades, and ADA improvements to platform Engaged in communication and collaboration with Mayor, City Manager and Public Works personnel to minimize harm to business/shopping.
Salinas Rotary Arch was fabricated locally and installed over the center of the 200 block of Main Street. Completion of the brick finishes to the support columns is expected in early 2022.
SCCIA sub-committee formed to explore linked monitored security cameras to public rights of way in the district, and to encourage their use by property owners to create a grid. 2022 Goals Highlights
Sidewalk Operations, Beautification and Order
Continue to provide maintenance, beautification and security in a manner that is in line with our budget.
Seal the new sidewalks along Main Street to prevent staining.
Perform semi-annual pressure washing to the new sidewalks.
District Identity/Sidewalk Improvements
Implement downtown banner program for local business, nonprofits, and events.
Produce "Welcome to Salinas City Center" bags to new merchants including swag and relevant information.
Rethink First Fridays/ Artwalk.
Complete Alley Activation projects on both alleys flanking the arch.
Land Use
Review drafts and submit comment, guide decision making that conforms with Downtown Vibrancy Plan (DVP) outcomes Complete an Historic Sign Ordinance
2021-2022 Operating Budget
The SCCIA Board approved the 2021-2022 Operating Budget provided on page 15 of the Annual Report (Attachment 2). Total income projected for 2021-2022 includes $254,800 in 2020-2021 Carry Over funds, minus collection loss of $9,140 for a total 2021-2022 Operating Budget of $711,800. Operating expenditures are broken down by program/activity area in Table 2 below.
Table 2
PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY
FUNDED BY THE DOWNTOWN
PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL BUDGET
PROPOSED
2020 EXPENDITURES
Sidewalk Operations, Beautification and Order
55%
$ 280,750.00
District Identity and Streetscape Improvement
31%
$ 162,000.00
Administration/Corporate Operations
13%
$ 67,180.00
Contingency/City and County Fees/Reserves/Special projects 1%
$ 5,360.00
TOTAL
100%
$ 515,290.00
2022-2023 Annual Assessment
The 2015 Engineers Report and Management District Plan includes the formula and methodology for calculating annual assessment amounts. The assessment amount is based upon a benefit calculation by linear frontage on all sides of the parcels that receive benefit; lot or parcel square footage; and building square footage. As permitted in the District’s Engineer’s Report, the SCCIA Board has approved an annual inflationary assessment rate increase of five percent (5%) to the method of assessment for FY 2022-2023. No boundary changes of the CBD Area are proposed. Levy of assessment for 2022-2023 is based on the following calculations.
Linear frontage - Benefit Zone 1 $5.2500 per linear foot/year Linear frontage - Benefit Zone 2 $3.6645 per linear foot/year Lot size or the footprint of the parcel $0.070508 per square foot/year Building square footage $0.088749 per square foot/year
Future residential condos $0.21 per square foot of parcel unit square footage The calculated assessment amount by Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) for FY 2022-2023 is included in the Annual Report (Attachment 2). Based on the above calculations, the estimated total assessment amount to be collected in FY 2022-2023 is $479,266.13.
As stated in the Background section of this report, the annual levy of assessment in each of the fiscal years referred to in the District Plan are conditioned on the approval, by resolution, of an annual report pursuant Section 36650 of the Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Law. The approval of such report is at the discretion of the Council.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines section 15378). Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from implementation of DVP recommendations will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Downtown Vibrancy Plan implementation, including the operation of SCCIA as a CBD, most closely aligns with the 2022-2025 City Council Goals and Strategic Plan initiatives of Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability and Public Safety. CBD assessments are used to provide an enhanced level of service to improve the appearance, cleanliness and safety of the SCCIA area.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Community Development staff coordinated with SCCIA to prepare this report.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no fiscal or sustainability impact associated with the receipt and acceptance of this report. The City will pass the assessments collected by the County of Monterey through to SCCIA to be used in accordance with the approved District Management Plan and annual budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution accepting and approving the SCCIA FY 2021 Annual Report SCCIA 2021 Annual Report
CBD Map for Downtown (Including 2017 Additions)
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