Out of 101 property and business owners in Humboldt's downtown core, only 18 came to hear the survey results and learn about the proposed fee structure for implementing a Business Improvement District (BID) in the city.
The November 29 meeting was a followup to the initial meeting the city organized last April, when the idea of creating a BID was put forth to downtown business owners.
"Looking forward, there's going to be development happening in the outskirts of our city," said city manager James Moller, who addressed the meeting. "Right now, we want to cater to the pedestrian traffic of downtown."
At the previous meeting, the public learned from Philip DeVos, executive director of Yorkton's BID, how to set up an association and heard about some of the achievements that have revitalized that city's downtown core.
Then Humboldt city hall sent out a general survey to the downtown businesses, asking them if they would like to have a BID established in Humboldt. The responses were divided up to show figures for creating an association that would involve only businesses along Main Street, and one that would include the whole area.
The results showed 33 out of 56 businesses on Main Street, or 58.20 per cent, to be in favour of creating a BID, 21 did not reply at all, and only 2 businesses replied negatively.
Of the 101 properties and businesses in the whole downtown area, 56, or 55.40 per cent, were in favour of creating a BID, 35 did not reply at all, and 10, or less than 10 per cent, replied negatively.
"We have enough in favour to go with either area," Moller said, "and I just wanted to hear from the business community as to the direction that the city would take."
At this point, the city seems to be more in favour of revitalizing the whole downtown area, as opposed to just those businesses on Main St.
Typically a BID's revenue source is through a levy on taxes set according to the value of a business's property. If a BID is established in Humboldt, the city will match, dollar for dollar, the amount each business owner is expected to contribute.
"It's a commitment by the city to work with the downtown business community on having a consistent funding approach to the development of the area," Moller said.
" I don't think any business would be opposed to that," said Richard Jenkins, whose business, Reflections by Richard, is located on Main Street. He also said that he thought the number one issue since he has been in the city has been and still is the sidewalks.
Most of the business representatives who attended the meeting seemed to be in favour of the procedure, and four owners stepped up to be part of the BID's board when the time comes for one to be formed. They were: Dean Hergott (Hergott, Seidel and Associates), Donna Muench (Cottage Boutique), Brian Wormald (Reel Attractions), and Jenkins.
In general the kind of improvements that cities are going with are unifying additions, such as trees, park benches, lighting and signage in the designated downtown business district.
Before they can go any further, however, the legislation has to be put in place, which is done through city council creating a bylaw establishing the downtown business district.
Moller says the matter will be on the agenda at city council's next meeting, December 12.
