Santa Barbara council dissolves downtown and Old Town business improvement districts, approves transfer to new model

The Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously to repeal municipal-code sections that establish the Downtown and Old Town business improvement districts and to dissolve those two districts, transferring services and assets to a newly formed downtown Community Benefit District.

Brandon Baudette, acting in his capacity for the Office of the City Administrator, told the council the existing districts have operated for decades under the Parking and Business Improvement law of 1990 and that the newly formed Community Benefit District is larger, uses a property-assessment model and would absorb the marketing and maintenance services currently provided by the two smaller districts.

"El establecimiento de los distritos de mejora comercial actuales está justificado en este momento," Baudette said while explaining the overlap of boundaries and services and the procedural steps taken to notify affected businesses.

Robin Elander, director of the downtown business organization, praised the change as an opportunity to modernize services, add maintenance and security functions and launch a refreshed brand and website. "This dissolution marks the opportunity of replacing it with a model of negocio nuevo y mejorado," Elander said.

Councilmember Jordan moved the staff recommendation; Councilmember Friedman seconded and the motion passed unanimously with one member absent. The staff recommendation had followed a council resolution of intent and mailed notices to affected businesses; councilmembers asked staff clarifying questions about the separate parking-improvement district and were told the parking district remains in place.

The ordinance was presented and approved by title only at the meeting; the record did not include an ordinance number or effective date. Councilmembers offered public thanks to outgoing downtown staff leaders during discussion.