Community criticizes process for appointing downtown BID steering committee; resident urges pause to review applications

A downtown‑focused public comment item prompted council members and a resident to raise transparency concerns about the city’s process for appointing a steering committee for a proposed downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

Patrick Conant, director of Sunshine Labs, told council the resolution authorizing appointments required that "all applications will be made available to city council and the public prior to making appointments," and he said the full list of applications was not published with the agenda as the resolution specifies. "If the city had these in hand, why weren't they published with the rest of the agenda materials as your resolution explicitly requires you to do?" Conant asked. He urged council to pause the appointment process, fully review the applications and develop a process to ensure the steering committee represents the city.

A council member responding to the public comment (identified in the meeting as a council speaker) thanked residents and staff, said Vice Mayor Mosley will hold a non‑voting seat representing council on the proposed Downtown Association District Board, and reported she would not vote to advance the board that day because of concerns about whether the business improvement district is the right tool for downtown. The council member cited downtown issues including behavioral health crises, homelessness and pedestrian safety as reasons to take extra care in the selection process.

Council ultimately moved the nomination to the consent agenda and then took up the single consent item after public comment; the transcript shows the consent item was approved following the discussion. Members of the public and Conant urged greater transparency and a council role in vetting nominees for any steering committee that will administer public funds.