PBIA Advisory Board Meeting – November 5, 2025

The PBIA Advisory Board met on November 5, 2025, at 6:05 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included the appointment of a new board member, a detailed presentation by consultant Uncommon Bridges on the business improvement area evaluation, and a vote on funding for 2026 downtown flower baskets. The board also discussed past challenges with city relations, ratepayer engagement, and the relationship with the Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda unanimously.
• Approved the October 1, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Approved the October 6, 2025 special meeting minutes (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• None. The gallery was full but no public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Elise Landry (6A): Boardmembers discussed and unanimously appointed Elise Landry (owner of Chicory Restaurant) to fill the vacant seat left by Oliver Stormshack. Vice Chair Davis moved, seconded by Boardmember Landis; motion passed unanimously.
• Uncommon Bridges Consultant Presentation (6C): Brian Scott and Ashlee Day from Uncommon Bridges presented an overview of Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and their evaluation process. They gave examples from Everett, Tacoma, Spokane, Ballard, Lewiston, Pioneer Square, and West Seattle Junction. Key points:
  • The current PBIA raises ~$114,000 annually (from 2024 invoices), with 5-10% non-payment (higher than the typical 3-5%).
  • Current rates (unchanged since 2005) are very low (max $750/year for large businesses); a 30-unit apartment building pays only $200.
  • The assessment is tenant-based, which is inefficient because there is no reliable list of tenants; staff at the city have been burned out administering it.
  • The board and consultant discussed the historical lack of cohesion with the city and the ODA, poor communication of PBIA value, and the need for a more sustainable funding model.
  • The consultant’s assignment is to evaluate board structure, rates, ratepayers, fee collection, administration, and project execution. Timeline: completion by February 2026.
  • Boardmembers shared perspectives: one member stated they had not paid their assessment in protest of perceived lack of action; another countered that the board has failed to tell its story and that many benefits (clean team, lighting, etc.) are taken for granted.
  • The relationship with the ODA was discussed: some members favor using PBIA funds to support ODA’s marketing and storytelling, as the PBIA cannot directly promote itself due to city restrictions. Others emphasized the PBIA’s transparency as a city-appointed board versus ODA’s private nonprofit status.
• 2026 Flower Baskets (6B): The board debated allocating $20,000 of PBIA funds toward downtown flower baskets, contingent on the city also providing $20,000 (pending city council budget approval in December). The total cost for 70 baskets (including watering, maintenance, and contract extension with ODA) is about $56,000. Arguments for: beautification, visible benefit, and leveraging city funds. Arguments against: optics of spending on flowers when city is cutting services, poor past maintenance, and desire to save funds for the upcoming evaluation. A motion to approve $20,000 contingent on city funding passed 3-1-2 (Ayes: David, Landis, Hobick; Nay: Davis; Abstained: Gavzer, Zohn; Excused: Costelo, Dean, Leamy).

Key Outcomes

• Appointed Elise Landry to the PBIA board (unanimous).
• Approved $20,000 for 2026 flower baskets contingent on city council approving $20,000 (motion passed 3-1-2).
• Uncommon Bridges consultant work is underway; next meeting with the board expected in one to two months to discuss draft findings.
• December meeting scheduling will be addressed via a survey due to potential conflicts; attendance enforcement was also discussed.
• The board will consider forming subcommittees (e.g., for flower basket oversight) and continue exploring alternative funding sources.