CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing for proposed Special Service Area No. 36 - Downtown Maintenance and Marketing
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DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
SUBMITTED BY: Raymond Munch, Finance Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Special Service Area No. 33, Downtown Maintenance and Marketing, expires at the end of 2025. On May 20, 2025 the City Council approved Ordinance 25-050 that proposed the establishment of SSA No. 36 to replace SSA No. 33.
City staff proposed the same maintenance service level provision, an increase in marketing expenses, the same five-year term as SSA No. 33, the same cost sharing formula for maintenance and marketing, and the same maximum tax rate of 2.5% per annum of Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV).
The boundaries of the new SSA would be reduced to exclude the condominium units located at 101 S. Washington Street.
The City Council scheduled the public hearing for August 19, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Since the passage of Ordinance 25-050 proposing SSA No. 36, staff has given notice of the proposed replacement SSA to property owners through newspaper publication and direct mail pursuant to state statute. This notice included an accurate map of the proposed SSA No. 36, a copy of the public hearing notice, a description of the special services to be provided, and notice that all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing. A copy of the public hearing notice is attached as Exhibit B and a copy of the letter sent to property owners is attached as Exhibit C.
At the public hearing on August 19, the City Council will provide interested parties the opportunity to be heard concerning the establishment of the proposed SSA No. 36 as required by state statute. The public hearing also marks the commencement of the required 60 day objection period.
Objections to the proposed SSA No. 36 may be filed in the City Clerk’s office within 60 days of the adjournment of the public hearing, which is October 18, 2025. If the 60 day period passes and no objection petition signed by at least 51% of the owners of record of the land included within the Special Service Area is not filed with the City Clerk, then the City Council will be requested to take final action on the establishment of the SSA at the October 21 City Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The SSA supports one-third of the maintenance costs for the downtown for five years, with the other two-thirds being supported by the General Fund. The marketing expenses are fully funded by the downtown property owners through the SSA with no City contribution.