Ventura Candidates Weigh Business Improvement District, Fees

THE QUESTION

We queried the candidates in the Nov. 5 Ventura City Council election about three key issues facing the city. Today’s responses are to question No. 2 and address the subject of development.

In the past year, the council has increased user fees for everything from alarm responses to zoning changes to make up for declining state and federal aid. In light of that and the recession, what would you do as a council member to raise money for projects such as revitalizing downtown? Do you support the privately run Business Improvement District, which would assess fees on merchants to pay for advertising and improving downtown?

STEVE BENNETT

Sometimes the solution to a problem doesn’t come from government.

The redevelopment of downtown and the creation of the Business Improvement District is a perfect example of that.

I support the BID because it is a common-sense solution to solve a problem. By using their own resources, the BID members will help revitalize the downtown area and allow the city to stretch its limited resources.

If I am elected, I will continue to look for these kinds of logical solutions.

ALAN BERK

In this era of declining revenue for all levels of government, we have to find other ways than just raising user fees. We have to increase our tourist-based revenue producers; with the new Amtrak service coming to Ventura, we have to give people a reason to get off the train. Sophisticated shops and restaurants, such as those at Marina del Rey, should be brought into our harbor.

We also need to pursue an enterprise zone and tax benefits for businesses relocating to (Ventura) Avenue; work with the downtown merchants in holding street fairs featuring local businesses; and privately run business districts should be encouraged.

DON BOYD

Your question presupposes that our government must finance downtown revitalization. Government can and must encourage and foster revitalization but the business owners must be responsible for improving their specific businesses.

I support the Business Improvement District, primarily because of its private nature and also because of its “sunset” clause, which makes it renewable annually.

TOM BUFORD

I support the BID as proposed. The city has invested heavily in downtown, and we commit more funds in the future. It is fair to expect that business owners will organize to help themselves through collective advertising and promotion. That is what the BID will do. The BID can be easily dissolved if it does not work.

The city should help the downtown business community solve the parking problem and should invest in street and design improvements. The city should assist the East End community in planning for needed commercial services in order to reduce the current reliance on automobile travel.

KEITH BURNS

How do we fix everything in Ventura and not bankrupt our business community and city government? All monies from federal and state sources are strained to the breaking point and yet vital services and projects must be implemented to insure a healthy future of the citizens of Ventura.

I am very much in favor of the Business Improvement District because the problems and concerns of the downtown business community will be solved by themselves. This example of self-assessment and self-reliance will act as an excellent role model for the rest of Ventura.

GREG CARSON

I support the Business Improvement District requested by the downtown merchants as the best means of raising funds for the revitalization of the downtown.

This will unify downtown businesses to work toward common goals, but, I think the most important aspect of the BID will be its ability to fund projects such as beautification, tourism promotion and special events. These projects will enhance the downtown and lead to a stronger economy.

LOUIS J. CUNNINGHAM

As a council member I would insist that the city manager start living within a preset budget. We must learn to live within our means, we can’t spend what we don’t have. We must take a good look at our city budget and decide just what we can live without and make the cuts necessary to create a balanced budget that we can live with.

I feel that the revitalizing of the downtown as well as the avenue is very important to the city and that we should help in keeping the cost down for all involved.

ANDREW M. HICKS

The people of Ventura have the money to revitalize our economy whether it’s downtown or elsewhere. Unfortunately, the lion’s share of this money goes to pay the outrageous shelter costs that Ventura provides.

Ventura has the second highest costs for shelter in the country. Ventura desperately needs low-cost housing to be built, rent control and the regulation of rent increases, and an affordable child-care program. If citizens had more money to spend from lower housing costs, there would be more money to spend in our economy.

MARCUM PATRICK

Rather than raise taxes during the recession, we must streamline government. Through a hiring freeze and typical attrition rate for city employees, we can increase staff efficiency by 10% to 30%, thereby reducing expenditures proportionately.

Encouraging tourism, increasing police presence, and a higher percentage of housing starts would improve the demographics necessary to facilitate downtown revitalization.

If the proposed BID is of, by and for the business operator; if the board is truly elected by the business community; if it can be dissolved as easily as it can be created; and if the majority wants it, I will support it!

BRIAN LEE RENCHER

During recessions, everybody must learn to do more with less, including government. Creatively planning and prioritizing needs, to become more efficient and effective, is the key to success in maintaining standards.

Government taxing during recessions causes crowding-out of the private sector, further impeding a recovery, which degrades our sales tax base, leading to a vicious, downward spiraling cycle of economic decay. Why bite the hand that feeds you through mismanagement?

Privately run Business Improvement Districts should require a three-fifths favorable vote by business owners, then rezone that district to a shopping mall status and treat it as such.

JAMIE STEWART-BENTLEY

To decrease the burden of higher individual taxes on the private citizens, business should be encouraged to see Ventura as a cooperative town in which to locate and not thwarted at every turn. Tourism may be developed by converting areas of downtown to state and/or national historic parks with “living history” interpretive guides and working exhibits with sales facilities.

The private Business Improvement District is a fine idea, but should be a voluntary coop corporation, not another Big Brother telling the private citizen how to run his business.

JOHN SUDAK

1. Let’s change our whole attiude toward our downtown merchants.

2. Let’s make use of all our existing structures that stand idle today and refrain from building more.

3. Just off the interest alone of the illusive $9 million (City Manager John) Baker seemed to find in his back pocket could be another source of funds generated, rather than again imposing new taxes or fees.

4. These good people struggling downtown do not need more fees especially when the earthquake ordinance and others are hanging in the balance.

5. Don’t let state and federal governments back out of their obligations to use citizens.

JACK TINGSTROM

Fees, assessments and taxes are recessionary in themselves. During recessions governments like business must learn to cut back. During these times the city should be offering incentives to business and investors that want to do revitalizing projects.

I am in support of the privately run BID. If the majority of the businesses involved are in favor of this investment, then I am in favor and would work for their plan.

BOB VAN DER VALK

The proposed Downtown Specific Plan would focus growth back to downtown Ventura, and I would be in favor of pursuing it to a logical conclusion.

I support using city funds to conduct a study to explore the feasibility of a privately run Business Improvement District. Boundary lines may need some more defining in order that all merchants in downtown Ventura carry an equal share of the burden.

DONALD A. VILLENEUVE

It was my suggestion, passed by the council, that the city lend $18,000 to assist in the formation of the BID.

Since the BID would be represented by business people in the downtown area who have the most at stake with their own investments to be concerned with, then this ensures that the downtown business environment will be improved.

CARROLL DEAN WILLIAMS

In one eight-hour day, you and I work two hours and 45 minutes to pay our federal, state and local taxes. Villeneuve’s cow town comment No. 3, “if you don’t like Ventura, M-O-O-O-VE.” I know what’s wrong with our City Council. They are in a declining state. From Five Points to the Avenue, along Main Street, I counted 38 vacant storefront businesses. I support improving the entire city. I have lived here 45 years. Our city is in need and needs improvement.

STAN R. WYATT

I support a privately run Business Improvement District that would place responsibility for revitalization of the downtown area in the private sector. The city should not be involved, except as a regulatory entity to enforce basic civil building codes.

By taking on too much responsibility for redevelopment, the city has increased its need for revenues and levied unreasonable fees to make up for declining federal aid. Instead, I would waive permit and inspection fees as an incentive to private sector development of the downtown area. The city would participate by establishing guidelines, but the private sector should undertake the actual projects.