By Kate
McAlister
With
the change in management of the BID, I wanted to take time to start the
communication process.
After
attending various meetings and hearing comments over the speculation of the BID
Management and the Chamber’s role going forward, we put together this FAQ to
answer some of the reoccurring questions. The Chamber appreciates how engaged
everyone is in the process and welcomes this engagement going forward. After
reading this, if there are any other questions or comments you’d like us to
include in future communication briefings, you can submit them anonymously
through the following link (http://ow.ly/mQ9gs), or you can email them directly to Kate at kate@sandpointchamber.com.
The
following questions were put forth at the three open forums that were held as
well as from emails and phone calls we have received at the Chamber. Again, if we haven’t answered your question,
give us a call or send me an email.
Are the DSBA and
Chamber combining?
No. As of September 30, the Downtown Sandpoint
Business Association (DSBA) is dissolved in its entirety. There will be a new
name and logo for the new organization through the strategic planning process. It
is anticipated on October 1, the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce will be
awarded the management contract from the City of Sandpoint for the
administration and management of the Business Improvement District. A new
organization will be put together, with a council of new individuals leading
the way.
Who will make up this
new Council?
Members
of this new council (similar to a Board of Directors) will be made up of nine
business sectors and their representatives.
These sectors include: Food & Beverage, Education, Real
Estate, Professional Services, Health Care, Lodging, Retail, Arts/Entertainment
and a Member-at-Large. Each
representative will communicate with the BID members in their sector in regards
to strategic planning, input and issues. There will also be four non-voting ad
hoc members representing the City of Sandpoint, Chamber of Commerce, Bonner
County Economic Development Council and Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency. Once
the new council representatives have been identified and confirmed we will
publish their names and contact information.
Will I still have to
pay the BID fee?
Yes. Those parameters will not change. The BID fee
is an assessment. An assessment is a unique self-imposed fee to benefit a
specified area for improvements, economic vitality, revitalization,
beautification, and other identified projects.
A new business is given a one year grace period before they are
assessed. It is the business owner who
is assessed not the building owner.
Will The Chamber
impose the BID Assessment?
No.
The Chamber will not impose or collect the assessment fee. The City of
Sandpoint will continue to collect the assessments and pay it to the organization
who manages the BID. It is anticipated beginning October 1 this will be the
Chamber, who in turn will use the funds for identified projects from the new
council’s strategic plan.
**You
can read the City Council meeting minutes starting with the June 2000 minutes
through October of 2000. The members of
the BID elected to form the organization in 2000 with the help of the City of
Sandpoint and a vast array of supporters. The BID fees are a self-imposed
assessment to help fund downtown projects and enhance economic vitality of the
downtown core.
Will the BID funds go
to the Chamber?
The BID Monies will
be kept separate from the Chamber accounts.
Similar
to what the Chamber already does with a $120,000 grant from the State of Idaho,
the Chamber will keep a separate budget specifically for the BID funds and it
will not mix it with the Chamber’s General Budget or ITC Grant Budget. The Chamber will receive an administrative
fee, as it does with the ITC grant, for the additional work Chamber staff will
be taking on as part of managing the BID.
Does the Chamber
decide how the BID Monies are spent?
No.
The BID monies are paid by BID members and they are the ones who ultimately
decide how monies will be spent through representation on the above mentioned
Council (similar to a Board of Directors). It will be the BID Manager’s
responsibility to implement the strategic plan developed by the council.
Who will the BID
Manager report to?
The
BID Manager will report to the Chamber President/CEO who will manage this
position, and offer support and resources when needed.
Are BID Members
automatically Chamber Members?
No. The BID Members will be members of the BID
organization. In order to receive
Chamber benefits and have the ability to support and get involved with the
Tourism Sandpoint organization, BID members, as they do now, will need to join
the Chamber. Currently, a little over a quarter
of the BID members are also Chamber members and four directors on the Chamber
Board of Directors have businesses in the BID.
They are still two separate organizations.
Will the Chamber
President run the BID?
No.
The Chamber President’s role is to create transparency so BID members will be
able to see where their monies are going, what projects are being worked on,
manage the manager, keep the lines of communication open and provide leadership
for the organization. They will not have a voting seat on the council but will
be involved in the day-to-day operations.
Will the BID continue
operating in the same way?
No.
Many things will be different and a few will remain. A brand new organization
will be created to manage BID funds and new players will be brought into the
mix. The goal is to create a strategic plan and evolve the BID into a stronger
organization, moving forward with new council members and new ideas to create
stronger economic vitality for businesses in the BID.
Will we still have
the Flower Baskets?
Yes.
This is one of the things remaining the same.
When asked, BID members told us they wanted to keep the flower baskets,
the annual Christmas Tree lighting festivities and Winter Carnival.
Is this a new idea,
having a Chamber of Commerce manage a BID?
No.
BIDs have been created all over the United States and many of them reside
within the local Chamber of Commerce’s walls. It allows collaboration, cost
savings, leadership and accountability. Coeur d’Alene is the closest example of
this organizational structure.
Does the Chamber have
skin in the game?
Yes.
Our Board of Directors did not take this decision lightly and the support of
the City of Sandpoint has made this process go smoothly. Over a quarter of the
BID Members are already Chamber Members as well and the Chamber’s role of
listening to their members will be enhanced through this process. The Chamber’s
main concern will always be the vitality and prosperity for our business owners
and the surrounding communities. Through this change in administration of the
BID, the Chamber feels it is parallel with this goal.
Does the City of
Sandpoint have skin in the game?
Yes.
The City of Sandpoint plays an important role in the BID. The Chamber has
requested the City of Sandpoint be involved in every step and already
identified representatives to take part in the planning. The City has promised
to stay engaged and take a leadership role in the development and
revitalization efforts of the downtown core. Recently, the City of Sandpoint
received a Community Review Grant from the Idaho Rural Partnership. This grant
will act as a catalyst for many positive changes to come in the future and has
shown positive results for other communities in Idaho.
Will BID Members know
where their money is going?
Yes.
In an effort to show the BID Members how their assessments are being spent, the
budget will be transparent and members will be able to view it at any time. The
Chamber requires full transparency and fluency of BID monies. The Chamber will
publish the budget for BID Members in an effort to gain trust of the process.
What about the other
communities the Chamber represents?
We
have served the Greater Sandpoint area for many years and we will continue to
support our local businesses in Ponderay, Kootenai and Dover. Beginning January 2014 the Chamber’s monthly
General Membership Luncheon will be held at the Ponderay Events Center every
other month. We are always looking for
opportunities to collaborate and support our surrounding communities.
I
hope this article will shed some light on what is going to take place in
October. A 3 to 5 year strategic plan
will be developed and will be made available for everyone to see. This will provide a roadmap for the future
and accountability for the new council.
Once the planning begins be prepared for to be asked for input on a
number of topics. I highly encourage all
of you to participate. This is your
money, it has always been your money and your involvement is critical in going
forward.
See
you around town! Wear sunscreen!
Kate McAlister
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