Starting April 1st, the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Association will have a new Executive Director. Russ Davies, currently the Executive Director for the White Rock Business Improvement Association, will become executive director for both the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Association and Point Grey Village Business Association.
According to the Peace Arch News, Davies who has been with the White Rock BIA since October 2005 was headhunted for the new position. Davies said he has achieved everything he wanted to with the White Rock BIA, including having the association renewed by its membership for a further 10 years at its annual general meeting in January.
I sure this has some of you wondering who pays for BIAs like ours?
Funding for Business Improvement Areas is advanced by Vancouver City Council as a grant and recovered through a special BIA property tax levy. Each year Council approves BIA budgets and staff prepare rating by-laws for Council’s enactment. Each rating by-law authorizes the imposition of a levy on every qualifying property within the BIA area. Funding is released to the BIA societies beginning in April and, after the rating by-laws are enacted, recovered through subsequent property taxes.
In the case of the Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA, the Association submitted a budget for Council’s approval and requested a recoverable grant of $140,000 for 2009-10. Included in the budget were $64,000 for Business & Tourism Promotion, Advertising, Events, $36,000 for Street Enhancements – Banners, Clean Team, Pole Painting, and $41,000 for Staffing, Administration, Advocacy & Communication.
The complete budget is available online in Appendix O of this PDF document.
Last modified: March 9, 2010
Maybe this new appointment will bring some well needed ‘tone’ to street festivals ‘n the hood.
One can only hope.
Just heard that Kits Business Assoc. has cancelled Hippie Daze Aug 14, 2010. This is a HUGE disappointment to the community. This event was just wonderful and the crowds have reflected just that. The work that goes into events like this is greatly appreciated..not an easy task! We need to continue with this same spirit and the spirit that the Olympics brought to the city by keeping these neighbourhood special events. Lets keep the spirit alive and encourage the Kits Business Assoc. to reconsider!