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6, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS Item 6a P!e0Sant0n DOwntOwn BuSineSS ImprOvement DistriCt Advisoff Board Report and Budget and possible introduction of an ordinance amending the structure of the District. (SR 96: 193) Dave Iremonger presented the staff report. Mayor Tarver declared the public hearing open. Harold Coursey, 610 Main Street, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Downtown Association, indicated the Board is made up of eight diverse businesses from all areas of the downtown area and from various businesses. He related various complaints that had been received about unequal participation in the downtown events. Three options were reviewed: changing the fee structure; changing the boundaries of the district; and no changes at all. After lengthy discussions, it was determined the best thing to do was to restructure the assessments. The most important focus of the Downtown Association is to bring people into the downtown area for events and to enjoy the ambiance. They looked at eight to ten options, some generating more income, some generating less income and some revenue neutral. After reviewing all aspects of the various options, the current recommendation before Council was agreed upon. It is important to remember that over 50% of the businesses in the district have Main Street addresses; with the proposed restructuring, 70% of the businesses will be paying a lower assessment than currently. The Board believes that is important because everyone benefits from downtown events, but not everyone benefits equally. Those businesses on First Street feel all events happen on Main Street and they do not get much benefit. The same thing is felt by businesses on Peters. The current recommendation was not easily arrived at and most were not comfortable raising the maximum assessment, however after reviewing the number of business that would be paying a higher assessment fee, it was found that only 13% would pay the higher fee. Also keep in mind that simply because the maximum fee is being raised, it does not mean that every business currently paying $200 will automatically go up to $350. There are several ranges in between. Every business reviewed the proposed formula in order to know what its new fee would be. The Advisory Board feels comfortable with the recommendations. He thanked the City staff for assistance in calculating the various options. He felt strongly that the current recommendations were the best for the Downtown Association. He referred to the impacts on his business, which is located on Main Street under the arch. Sometimes events have a negative impact. However, it is important that Council realize the necessity for the Downtown Association to get the message out to the Valley and all over the Bay Area that Pleasanton's downtown is the place to come for the restaurants, events, etc. Even though his business is negatively impacted by street closures, he feel it is important to continue those and let the people see downtown and how it is prospering. The Advisory Board feels the burden on businesses off Main Street will be lighter yet they can enjoy all the people coming downtown. 08/13/96 -3-