The Neighborhoods Committee on Dec. 1 approved an amendment that removes District 9 from a proposed petition to form a Chapter 189 special-dependent district along 103rd Street, then deferred further action on the ordinance so staff and council members could work through petition mechanics and outreach.

Councilwoman Clark Murray, who successfully proposed the amendment, told colleagues: "I want District 9 excluded from this bill," arguing residents nearer 103rd Street were asking for safety improvements rather than a business improvement district. The bill’s sponsor, Dr. Johnson, said the petition is "just the first step in the process" and that the digital petition will let property owners register interest and that any tax or assessment would require further approvals.

Office of General Counsel staff described the process in detail: legislative services would distribute petitions and accept electronic, mail or mailed returns to certify property ownership. Chief legislative services Bernadette Smith told the committee that mailing logistics would require capacity adjustments and could be charged back to a council member’s postage budget.

Key points of contention included whether the committee should send petitions before canvassing property owners directly, how many parcels would be included (OGC staff said roughly 270 properties), and whether community benefits agreement (CBA) funds from multiple districts were appropriate to front-load an initial infusion. Clark Murray and others emphasized safety on 103rd Street as the community priority; proponents argued the district could fund façade improvements, loans and cohesion for the corridor.

The committee voted to file the Clark Murray amendment and to defer the bill so the sponsor and staff can coordinate additional notice meetings and technical details. No final ordinance, tax rate or assessment threshold was adopted; proponents said the petition step is intended to gauge property-owner sentiment before any assessments are imposed.

What happens next: the amendment will be filed with the bill and the introducer agreed to continue notice meetings and outreach. Additional committee or council meetings will be required before any district can be created or taxes assessed.