Tulare Downtown Association

Annual Report

 2013-2014

    Marmie Fidler, President

TULARE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

Board of Directors

 Members-At-Large are appointed by the TDA Board of Directors. When vacancies occur on the Board of Directors, they are filled by appointment for the balance of the term by the remaining TDA Board members.

THE PAST

TDA’s History

A Parking and Business Improvement Area was established by the Tulare City Council in May 1987. The district was formed under the provisions of the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1979 (AB-1693) as amended by the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (SB-1424). The purpose of the district is to promote the economy and physical maintenance of the downtown business district in the public interest in order to create jobs, attract new businesses, and prevent erosion and blighting of the business district.

To fund activities, the Council has authorized the levy of assessments upon the businesses which benefit from these improvements and activities. The Board of Directors of the Tulare Downtown Association, Inc. has been authorized by the City Council to act as an Advisory Board to annually make recommendations to the City Council on the expenditure of revenues derived from the levy of assessments, on the classification of businesses, and on the method and basis of levying the assessments.

The Tulare Downtown Association, Inc. is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation and is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of thirteen (13) members. All TDA Board members serve without pay. Officers of the Board consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President which are elected by the Board of Directors at the annual Membership Meeting. Day-to-day management is conducted by a paid Coordinator.

THE PRESENT

Where TDA is Now

The fiscal year for the Association begins August 1, and this year the Association has accomplished many goals.

Implemented a weekly farmers market and street fair in 2012 and continued the project into 2013

Produced additional successful events including:

·         Summer Sally

·         Halloween Street Party

·         Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting

·         Cinco de Mayo

TDA continues to maintain a list of properties available in the downtown area and acts as a resource.

TDA works with and supports the PBID committee in championing the short-term and long-term success of Downtown Tulare.

TDA assists its members in addressing issues with which businesses owners are unfamiliar or hesitant to address. This last year TDA tackled issues involving:

·         Mediating repairs for damaged private-property parking lots

·         Graffiti removal and control

·         Control of vagrants in downtown common areas

·         Coordinating with police to curtail criminal activity in the downtown

·         Promote the utilization of the Enterprise Zone designation amongst membership

THE FUTURE

Where TDA is Going

The TDA Board of Director’s and the Association coordinator continue to implement the strategy defined last year by creating smaller, more frequent “events” to create more repetition for using downtown assets and creating more stake-holder “buy-in.”

Current projects include:

Street Fair and Farmers Market — Following the program outlined by the California Mainstreet Association, the Association is hosting a weekly street fair. This year the event kicked off in April, celebrating Tulare’s 125^th birthday and will conclude in September.

Cinco de Mayo — Will be the kick-off event for the Association next spring. It’s a popular event which is generally well attended.

Community Tree Lighting, Holiday Market and Open House — Once again the Association will host the community tree-lighting downtown. This last year the Association introduced the “Holiday Market,” a 6-week out-door market in downtown featuring holiday merchandise. This year the annual Open House will be tied to the event.

Conclusion:

The Board will continue to review the events in which it is involved to determine if they are the best method for assisting the downtown and will consider changes that will help to continue the success of the Tulare downtown area.

Tulare City Council

411 East Kern Avenue

Tulare, California 93274

The Tulare Downtown Association Inc, Board of Directors, offers the following recommendations for the management and operation of activities associated with the Tulare Parking and Business Area during the fiscal year (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014):

1.                   No changes in boundaries or benefit zones.

2.                   Continue working with City Staff on projects and business recruitment.

3.                   Continue to track real estate and work with realtors.

4.                   Work with the City, Code Enforcement and Police Department to control graffiti, vandalism and crime in the downtown.

5.                   Continue to evaluate the events and special activities this organization produces to address the demands of a changing economy and the downtown business community.

6.                   Continue to work with the Tulare Chamber of Commerce as well as other organizations and individuals in their efforts to encourage growth in Downtown Tulare.

7.                   Support efforts to market and develop attractions in the downtown, encourage other groups and individuals in producing events and attractions, implement new strategies aligned with existing strategies to improve the business climate in the downtown.

8.                   Continue efforts to develop cooperative marketing plans with Assocation members and the downtown at large.

Attached is the approved TDA budget of the cost of providing the improvements and the activities for fiscal year 2013/2014. Included are sources of revenue and contributions.

Marmie Fidler, President

Tulare Downtown Association

— TDA Annual Report