Community and Economic Development

On October 26, 2009 the Community and Economic Development Committee considered a resolution forming Business Improvement District #44. Business Property Owners (who will be paying the tax) were given an opportunity to address the committee. Of those who attended the meeting, 5 were for the formation of the BID and 5 were against. Some of those who spoke were not owners of business property, but claimed to work at affected businesses.

In fairness to the committee, we thank them for allowing the public input at all (it was at their discretion that they allowed it), and the time allowed for the public participants to speak was more than twice the amount of time allowed for public input at the so-called public hearing on September 21, 2009. The feeling was, though, that the minds of the committee members were already made up before the meeting started.

The results of the counter-petition (that the BID not be allowed to form) were announced. Over 20% of the business owners within the proposed district (including those retracted from the original petition) were against the formation of the BID, but there were not enough committed signatures to reach the required 40%. Unofficial word is that Mr. Zielinski was quite dismayed at some of the high-profile business property owners in the district who signed the petition against the BID. That's gotta count for something.

Here's a link to the official city archive of the meeting. Eventually the minutes and a video will be posted on this link.

The committee voted to enact the Business Improvement District #44 Tax.

We thank those who tried to prevent the inevitable wheels of government from rolling over us, especially those who took time from their businesses to attend the meeting and try to make a difference.

And to those who wanted to "think about" whether or not they wanted to make a commitment - here's a new thought for you -- "get out your checkbook - the government is at your door!".