■ Economic panel will review letter to merchants, preview March public meeting with consultant

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

A review of the most recent letter to merchants describing a proposed Business Improvement District and the assessments it might levy is on the agenda for the monthly meeting of the city Economic Development Board.

The board also will confirm that a meeting with Civitas Advisors, a Sacramento-based consultant on BIDs, is set for March 5.

Acting Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani spent part of his day last Friday visiting downtown businesses to discuss the prospect of a BID, which is a way for businesses to collect funds, or assessments, to use to improve commerce for all.

Yet despite months of discussion, the prospect of a Benicia BID remains a subject of potential confusion for many business owners, Giuliani acknowledged.

“What I was sharing the folks when I was walking the streets (Friday) is that the BID is not some altruistic community benefit project. It is a pure, raw, capitalistic tool to make businesses more money,” he said.

“That is the purpose of it. If it happens to be a community benefit, that’s great. The whole idea is for merchants to come together to find something that will improve their bottom line.”

Giuliani said he asked merchants, “Can you envision this paying dividends now or in the future?” and told them that if the answer is yes, a BID “is probably something that is worth pursuing. If the answer is ‘no,’ it’s probably not something you want to pursue.”

The meeting next month will involve Civitas, which was hired last year to determine the feasibility of a BID in Benicia, presenting its final report.

In other business before the board, A new feature of the Business Retention Program will come into play when new businesses are recognized in a presentation.

The businesses to be welcomed: Zen Spa, A Lily of Gold Day Spa, T-Mun LLC, Pioneer Express Inc., Sprankles Village Deli, and Benicia Massage.

Also, the final version of the city Business Development Action Plan will be up for review and approval. If approved, it will be sent to the City Council for adoption.

City Attorney Heather McLaughlin will provide annual training on the Brown Act and other rules and procedures.

If You Go
The Economic Development Board will meet Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall, 250 East L St.

Sharing is caring!