COM 0647.011 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ju1.21, 2004 1;43PM NUGGO's & PARADISE GOURMET No.6480 P. 3 First let me say that the BiD is only one part of the effort to revitalize Waikiki albeit an important part. The Waikild BID cleans and washes the sidewalks making them positively sparkle; it maintains rho landscaping so that plantings are always beautiful, bright and fresh. The BID provides an Aloha Patrol that provides security on the sidewalks and beaches as well as hospitality and visitor information. The key point is that the BID provides additional or supplemental services to those provided by the county. It does not replace county services. A business improvement district is similar to other types of improvement districts but differs in that it is an ongoing operational entity rather than only a one time capitol improvement project and has much greater flexibility as to the type of activity that cam be conducted. The'improvemrnt district association develops a plan to provide the supplemental services the members' desire. A budget and method of assessment are determined based on peed add affordability- That plan would come before the council and the Mayor for appAOVal. Any change to services method of assessment or budget increase higher than 10°/'q would have to come back before the Council and Mayor. The~counry collects the agrxd upon assessmrnts as stated in the district plan and provides he fiords directly to the district association. The county is not wmtracking to the district association to provide services. State Law, HRS 46-80.5 (g), specifically stipulates that "any board or association established for the purposes of carrying out the activities described in this section shall not be deemed a govenrmental body, The board and association shall neither be deemed to be a government department, agency, or a county not to be performing services on behalf of a government departmrnt, agency or county." In wnsultation with the State Attorney General and State Procurement Officer this was deeiped the bast way of clearly stating that all laws end requirements of government agencies such as civil service laws and the state procurement law do not apply to a distzid association. The commty is indeed empowering rho business community in a dosignated district with the means to assess themselves and provide the funds to accomplish the agreed upon mrs~ron. Amer point raised on June 14"' was whether the district needed to be contiguous. The dis ct need not be contiguous there are other districts that for various geographic seasons are bot contiguous. There meroly weeds to be a general commonality of benefit, need and proximity. Hopefully, my testimony and that of the Legislative Auditor addressed the committees concerns but if more information is required I would be happy to attrnd the next meeting of the committee and in any case will attend the next council proceeding on the bill. Thank-you for the opportunity to provide these commemts. I