City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 04
Chapter 04.31
Section 04.31.030
 

Title 04 Administrative Agencies and Procedures

Chapter 04.31 Parking and Business Improvement Area

Section 04.31.030 BID Programs
  1. The revenues from the special assessments authorized by RCW 35.87A.010 and levied under SMC 4.31.040 shall be used for the following purposes:
    1. Security Ambassador Program.
    1. The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund a uniformed security patrol (the “security ambassadors”) in the BID for the purpose of assisting and providing information to citizens, local employees, visitors and the City police department. BID assessment revenues shall be used to provide the security ambassadors with customer service training designed to help local community members and visitors locate social services, businesses, attractions, and governmental services and to support individuals in locating appropriate social services.
    1. Marketing and Promotional Programs.
    1. The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund marketing and promotional programs that:
      1. seek to improve the overall image of the City’s downtown business district;
      1. recruit new businesses;
      1. retain presently established businesses;
      1. promote the BID as a place to visit, shop and enjoy goods, services and activities; and/or
      1. support safe, convenient and efficient use of public transportation in the BID, including but not limited to support of commuter trip reduction programs and programs designed to improve air quality.

Such marketing and promotional programs may include collaborative promotional strategies, market research and media contact.

    1. Parking and Transportation Programs.

The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund parking and transportation programs that:

      1. promote retail trade;
      1. provide or encourage a parking validation program (including free or discounted parking);
      1. provide or encourage maintenance, development and construction of parking facilities that support business and multifamily residential projects within the BID;
      1. provide or encourage parking alternatives that facilitate retail activities (such as a free or reduced-price ride program); and/or
      1. advocate the interests of BID businesses and multifamily residential projects for regional transportation solutions; and/or
      1. reduce the negative impacts of poverty, homelessness and mental health issues within the BID.
    1. Maintenance Services.

The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund maintenance services, including but not limited to hire, supervise, and manage a work crew that will be responsible: (i) for removing graffiti, (ii) sweeping and power washing sidewalks, and shoveling crosswalks, (iii) cleaning tree wells, exteriors of trash containers, all programed alleys and the first 25 feet of remaining alleys, (iv) keeping the railway viaducts clean and clear of obstruction to the extent reasonably feasible, (v) and any other general cleanup work. Any maintenance program so implemented shall have the goal of promoting a superior level of cleanliness within the BID.

    1. Special Events.

The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund the sponsorship and promotion of special events within the BID that attract residents and visitors to BID.

    1. Economic Development Support.

The BID may use or make available information derived from its assessment records to support efforts to attract jobs and investment in the BID as follows:

      1. Statistical, aggregated information that does not identify any ratepayer;
      1. Any other business or property information only with the permission of the ratepayer(s) to whom it pertains; and
      1. The establishment of “councils” for the purpose of planning and focusing on strategic initiatives and professional development, which initiatives may include, but not be limited to, growing locally owned, minority owned and smaller businesses within the BID, retail management concepts and marketing strategies, business retention and recruitment, development of downtown housing and creation of neighborhood services that support downtown living.

All economic development activities will consider the under-served and historically marginalized individuals and groups.

    1. Urban Design and Planning

The City shall use, or cause to be used, BID assessment revenues to fund design assistance for selected urban design and planning issues such as:

  1. the establishment of a positive unifying theme for the BID;
  1. the design and use of aesthetically pleasing screening devices around parking and vacant lots and crime prevention through environmental design;
  1. street level storefront facades in selected areas;
  1. landscaping to provide a pleasant pedestrian environment; and
  1. infrastructure and access planning.

All design plans shall be reviewed by and coordinated with relevant City departments and shall be consistent with all applicable plans and ordinances adopted by the City Council.

  1. The security ambassador program and common area maintenance services described above shall be supplemental to existing street maintenance, refuse and police services, and are not intended to displace any services regularly provided by the City. Special assessment revenues may also be used for additional purposes consistent with RCW 35.87A.010 as determined by the City Council.

Date Passed: Monday, December 6, 2021

Effective Date: Saturday, January 15, 2022

ORD C36151 Section 2