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Millbrae council OKs up to $105,750 for further study of proposed downtown Business Improvement District
Summary
The council approved a contract amendment with Economic Growth Strategies to continue outreach and prepare an engineer’s and management report for a proposed Business Improvement District (BID), authorizing up to $105,750 in cumulative consultant funds and leaving open the option to seek a later ballot date if support is insufficient.
The Millbrae City Council voted May 26 to authorize the city manager to execute a professional services amendment with Economic Growth Strategies LLC for a cumulative not-to-exceed $105,750 to advance planning for a proposed Business Improvement District.
Councilors said the extra funding will be used to produce a required engineer’s report and a draft management plan, expand outreach to property owners, and prepare ballot materials if the city moves forward. Community Development Director Brad Meisner said the earlier contract covered initial outreach; the added funds are intended for technical work needed by the county assessor’s office to levy any assessment.
"This amendment will allow us to complete the engineers report and management plan and to continue meeting with property owners," Meisner said. Consultant Paul Salana told the council his team could deliver the engineers/management report in early June if the council chose to pursue an accelerated timeline tied to the county’s July 31 deadline for the 2027 assessment roll.
Supporters argued that a BID could raise a baseline funding pool to pay for more frequent sidewalk cleaning, trash collection, marketing and other downtown services. Opponents and several public commenters urged caution: they said outreach to property owners has been limited, asked for clearer milestones and oversight, and raised concerns about management fees and annual assessment increases.
"If we can't generate a minimum assessment that's viable, it isn't worth pursuing," Council Member Wyn said during deliberations, citing consultant estimates that a useful BID budget would be roughly $400,000 per year. Several residents asked for clearer, phased milestones and more time to consult property owners before ballots are mailed.
The council approved the amendment on a 4-0 vote. City staff said any work already paid for will carry forward if the council later decides to delay a ballot to the 2028 assessment roll; if outreach shows insufficient support, the city will not proceed to levy an assessment.
The council’s action authorizes staff to continue the technical and outreach work that would be required before any formal property-owner ballot; it does not itself establish an assessment or change tax bills.
