Spokane Municipal Code

Title 04 Administrative Agencies and Procedures

Chapter 04.31C East Sprague Parking and Business Improvement Area

Section 04.31C.080 Ratepayer Advisory Board

1. Pursuant to RCW 35.87A.110, there is hereby created an East Sprague PBIA advisory board with a minimum of five members or a maximum of seven members, to be known as the “Ratepayer Advisory Board.” The ratepayer advisory board shall consist of persons in good standing owning property assessed by the BID or an owner’s designated representative or managers of real property. “Persons in good standing” are those ratepayers who are not more than sixty days delinquent on any PBIA assessment unless the ratepayer has appealed the PBIA assessment and is in the appeal process, in which case the ratepayer retains his or her “in good standing” status through completion of the appeal process.

2. Board positions are designated by geography, business, and property type to ensure that the PBIA’s interests are well represented and served. To the extent individuals are willing to serve, Ratepayer Advisory Board positions consist of at least one individual representing properties in each of the areas, one through three, and should include property owners or owner’s designated representative or managers of real property and representatives of commercial businesses, nonprofit organizations, residential or mixed-use property, and one current officer of the East Spokane Business Association.

   One representative of the program manager shall be a nonvoting, ex officio member of the ratepayer advisory board. The program manager shall provide administrative staff to the ratepayer advisory board.

3. The initial membership of the ratepayer advisory board shall be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council; three of which shall serve a two year term and two of which shall serve a one year term. Subsequent appointments shall be made consistent with this subsection.

   Each member of the ratepayer advisory board will be elected by property owners, an owner’s designated representative, or managers of real property within the PBIA for a term of two years from the date of election (unless such member is appointed by the ratepayer advisory board to fulfill the remaining unexpired term of a prior member).

   1. A subcommittee of ratepayer advisory board members will receive nomination applications and will select a slate of candidates for open ratepayer advisory board positions to be presented at the annual meeting.

   2. New ratepayer advisory board members will be elected by a majority vote of ratepayers in good standing who attend the annual meeting. Ratepayers can vote by proxy if they are unable to attend the annual meeting.

4. The ratepayer advisory board shall:

   1. establish and maintain a database which includes a list and classification of all ratepayers;

   2. represent the interests of ratepayers by developing projects, programs, and budgets; proposing assessments; monitoring service delivery; and planning for the future of the BID; and

   3. provide recommendations to the Mayor regarding ratepayer disputes which include adjustment of assessment rates, methods, classification, special benefits, and all matters reasonably related thereto. The ratepayer advisory board shall make recommendations to the program manager on matters relating to the BID budget, expenditures, and programs for the purpose of monitoring the contract to administer the BID. For the purpose of considering ratepayer disputes, the ratepayer advisory board may act through a committee comprised of ratepayer advisory board members.

   4. adopt bylaws, which shall be approved by the City Council, including all subsequent revisions and amendments.

Date Passed: Monday, April 18, 2016

Effective Date: Saturday, May 28, 2016

ORD C35277 Section 1