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Albert-Eden
Local Board
03 May 2017
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Proposed
Uptown Inc Approval of the Uptown Business Improvement
District BID Programme and Target Rate
File No.: CP2017/07479
Purpose
1. To
approve the Uptown Incorporated Business Improvement District (BID) expansion.
2. To
recommend to the Governing Body the striking of the Uptown BID target rate as
shown in the Draft Annual Plan 2017-2018.
Executive
summary
3. The
Auckland Council Business Improvement District Policy 2016 (BID Policy 2016)
requires that Local Boards approve any BID programme boundary changes, and
recommend to the Governing Body the striking of the targeted rates (BID Policy,
2016, section 3, Table 1, and BID Policy Operating Standards section 2.1).
4. The
Uptown Inc BID programme expansion includes business properties located in both
the Waitemata Local Board and Albert Eden Local Board areas.
5. The
Albert Eden Local Board approved the proposed Uptown BID boundary map at a
business meeting on 7 December 2016 (Resolution AE/2016/219).
6. The
Waitematā Local Board
approved the proposed Uptown BID boundary map at a business meeting on 21
February 2017 (Resolution WTM/2017/14).
7. Uptown
Inc. has completed all requirements outlined in the BID Policy (2016) relating
to the expansion of a BID programme. Council officers are satisfied that the
process has been followed to its fullest extent. An important part of the
process is the undertaking of a democratic ballot; completed by Uptown Inc. in
March 2017 and resulting in a favourable result.
8. The proposed expansion will increase the Uptown BID targeted rate
amount from $180,000 to $270.000 per annum; an increase of $90,000, to take
effect 1 July 2017. The increase in the BID
targeted rate will be funded by the increased number of properties within the
enlarged BID area.
9. This
report informs the Albert Eden Local Board that the Uptown Inc. BID expansion
project has met the requirements of the BID Policy (2016) and requests their
approval. It also seeks a recommendation to the Governing Body regarding the striking
of the BID target rate on July 1 2017
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Recommendation/s
That the Albert-Eden Local
Board:
a) Approve
the Uptown Incorporated proposed Business Improvement District boundary
expansion to include properties identified in a map of the proposed BID boundary
attached as Appendix A.
b) recommend to the Governing Body the striking of the Uptown
Business Improvement District targeted rate amount of $270,000, as shown in
the Draft Annual Plan 2017-2018.
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Comments
10. Uptown
Inc. Business Association has been a BID since 2012 and is one of 48 BIDs
operating across the Auckland Region.
11. Uptown
Inc. is a significant player in facilitating and creating local economic
development in Waitematā
Local Board area, and has currently over 500 businesses and property owners
involved in the existing BID programme.
12. Uptown
Inc. currently collects $180,000 (excluding GST) per annum from the BID target
rate approach.
13. Uptown
Inc. signaled their intention to expand their BID boundary at their 2016 Uptown
Inc. Annual General Meeting held on 28 September 2016.
14. The BID Policy (2016) states there are two areas of a BID expansion
project that require approval by the appropriate local board as follows:
· BID Policy Table 1, page 9, Partner roles: Local boards (as a whole)
have allocated governance and decision-making:
- Approval of BID programme boundary maps
- Approval of BID programme boundary expansions
· BID Policy Appendix 2 page 51, criteria 9: The local board pass a
resolution (noted in the local board meeting minutes) approving the proposed
BID programme map and support for the project.
· BID Policy Appendix 2 page 63, criteria 22: A resolution noted in
the local board meeting minutes approving the BID programme and boundary and
recommending to the governing body to strike the BID programme targeted rate
grant on 1 July.
15. The
proposed 2017 Uptown BID programme expansion includes businesses located in the
area defined by Dominion Rd, Brentwood Ave, Sylvan Ave, Mt Eden Rd, Normanby Rd
and the Southern Motorway. This expansion includes businesses and business
zoned properties located within the Albert-Eden Local Board and Waitematā Local Board area. A map of the
proposed BID boundary expansion is attached as Appendix A.
16. The
Uptown BID programme and boundary will increase from 500 members to
approximately 680 members. The BID target rate will increase from $180,000 to
$270,000 as of 1 July 2017.
17. The
Uptown Inc. requires the approval from both Albert Eden Local Board and the
Waitematā Local Board on
the proposed Uptown BID expansion boundary map.
18. The
Albert Eden Local Board approved the Uptown BID boundary map at a business
meeting on 7 December 2016 (Resolution AE/2016/219).
19. The
Waitematā Local Board
approved the Uptown BID boundary map at a business meeting on 21 February 2017
(Resolution WTM/2017/14).
20. All
BID expansion projects requires Local Board approval after the completion of
the BID expansion project, voter engagement, and ballot result. This is to
ensure the Local Board has the opportunity to view the final outcome of the
completed BID expansion project, review the ballot results, and are satisfied
the BID expansion project has been completed in accordance with the BID Policy
(2016).
21. As
part of the requirements of section 6 and Appendix 2 of the BID Policy (2016),
Uptown Inc completed the following requirements:
· Developed and implemented a communication plan to highlight the
opportunities, the project and benefits of being a part of the Uptown BID
programme;
· Development of a detailed database of eligible voters (business
owners and property ratepayers) located in the expansion area, and to be used
to send out the BID expansion postal ballot voting documents;
· Consulted with council officers regarding the approach to their
expansion project and ballot;
· Held a minimum of three public meetings encouraging eligible voters
to attend and take part in an information briefing and a question and answer
session.
Full details of this
process are outlined in the report attached as Attachment B completed by Uptown
Inc.
22. An
important stage of the process is the ballot which seeks a mandate from the
eligible voters located within the expansion area. This ballot was undertaken
between 6 March and 31 March 2017. Election Services Ltd, the independent
polling service provider, was commissioned by Uptown Inc to undertake this
work.
23. The
BID Policy (2016) requires a successful ballot to achieve a threshold of at
least 25% of the total voting forms returned. Of the returned votes, a minimum
of 51% of the votes must be in favour of the proposition raised on the ballot
form to achieve a mandate.
24. For
the ballot 290 envelopes containing information where lodged with NZ Post on 3 March.
25. Each
envelope contained the following:
· An Uptown Inc. BID programme information booklet (see Appendix 3)
including:
- A summary of achievements;
- The purpose of the ballot including the benefits of being part of
the Uptown BID programme;
- Uptown BID target rate information;
- Map of the Uptown BID expansion area and current BID area.
· Ballot form;
· Prepaid envelope for returning the ballot form;
· Contact details for eligible voters to make enquiries.
26. The question on the ballot form asked: Do you support the
expansion of the Uptown Business Improvement District (BID) programme (to
include the area shown on the accompanying map) which is to be delivered by
Uptown Inc business association and accordingly support the paying of a
targeted rate?
27. The
result of the expansion ballot when voting closed 12 noon on the 31 March 2017
was that 26.9% (78) of eligible voters had returned their vote. Of those who
voted, 64.1% (50) voted yes to the question. 35.9% (28) voted no.
28. Election
Services Ltd. has provided a report outlining the ballot process, results and
voting documents. See Appendix C.
29. Uptown
Inc held a Special General Meeting (SGM) on 26 April 2017 passing a special
resolution approving the Uptown BID new enlarged programme, boundary, 2017/2018
budget and other related support documents. The SGM information is contained in
Appendix D.
30. Council
officers are satisfied that Uptown Inc has met all the requirements for a
successful expansion as per the BID Policy (2016), including a robust
consultation, development of an effective database, quality ballot process and
clear planning documents on how funds will be used if successful.
31. Council
officers are supportive of the proposed new enlarged Uptown BID programme and
boundary. There are no reasons under the BID Policy (2016) not to support the
proposed new enlarged Uptown BID programme and boundary.
32. This
report request the Albert Eden Local Board recommends to the Governing Body the
striking of the target rate amount of $270,000 to commence 1 July 2017.
Consideration
Local
board views and implications
33. The
outcome from the Uptown Inc. BID expansion project will result in the newly
enlarged Uptown BID programme and boundary to be part of both the Waitematā Local Board and Albert Eden Local Board areas.
34. The
Albert Eden Local Board approved the Uptown BID boundary map at a business
meeting on 7 December 2016. Resolution AE/2016/219.
35. The
Waitematā Local Board
approved the Uptown BID boundary map at a business meeting on 21 February 2017.
Resolution WTM/2017/14.
36. The
Waitematā Local Board will
consider the approval of the proposed Uptown Inc BID expansion project at their
business meeting on 16 May 2017.
Māori
impact statement
37. Maori
Businesses located within the Uptown Inc. BID expansion boundary map have been
included in the ballot process under the same policy regulations as non-Maori
businesses. A BID programme may identify opportunities for niche support or
development of any Maori business sector in the area.
Implementation
38. The funding of the enlarged Uptown BID programme and BID targeted
rate amount of $270,000 is gained through a BID targeted rate levied on
property owners; therefore this will be cost neutral to Auckland Council and
Local Board. The increase in the BID targeted rate will be funded by the
increased number of properties within the enlarged BID area.
39. The
funding of the $270,000 Uptown BID target rate is identified in both the Waitematā Local
Board and Albert Eden Local Board 2017/2018 budgets.
40. Following approval by the Governing Body to strike the Uptown BID
target rate as per the annual plan process, council officers will inform Uptown
Inc. confirming the amount of BID target rate to be struck on 1 July 2017.
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩ 
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Proposed Uptown Inc. BID Expansion map
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11
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b⇩
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Uptown Inc BID Expansion Report 2017
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13
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c⇩ 
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Election Services Ltd Uptown Inc. BID Expansion Report
2017
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19
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d⇩
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Uptown Inc SGM Minutes 26 April 2017
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29
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Signatories
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Author
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Claire Siddens - BID Partnership Advisor
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Authorisers
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Alastair Cameron - Manager - CCO Governance &
External Partnerships
Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden &
Orakei Local Boards
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