REPORT COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Annual Report and Resolution of Intention for Levy of Annual Assessment for the Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District [Council Pillar: Promote and Enhance Economic and Housing Development]
Report
BACKGROUND
In 1989, the State Legislature passed the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law, which added Sections 36500, et seq., to the California Streets and Highways Code ("Code"). The Code was created to "promote the economic revitalization and physical maintenance of the business districts of its cities in order to create jobs, attract new businesses, and prevent erosion of the business districts." The Code had the further goal of promoting tourism. To achieve this goal, the Code allowed cities to fund property related improvements and activities through the levy of assessments upon the businesses which benefit from those improvements and activities.
Pursuant to the authority granted under the Code, on January 11, 2005, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1797 (the "Ordinance") amending the Santa Clara Municipal Code to add Article IX entitled "Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District" to Chapter 16.10 ("Local Improvements - Acquisition and Improvement Procedure"), establishing the Tourism Improvement District ("TID") and its boundaries. The TID currently includes the following eleven hotels near the Santa Clara Convention Center: AC Santa Clara, Avatar Hotel, Biltmore Hotel & Suites, Element, Embassy Suites, Hilton Santa Clara, Hyatt House, Hyatt Regency, Marriott Santa Clara, The Plaza Suites, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott. The Ordinance also established a District Advisory Board (the "Advisory Board") to administer the affairs of the TID. The Advisory Board is constituted of representatives of businesses within the TID. All hotel properties located within the District boundaries currently collect a $1.00 fee from hotel guests on each occupied hotel/motel room night.
In 1994, the State Legislature passed t...
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