Councilwoman Bass introduces legislation for Mt. Airy BID’s charter renewal

The Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) is now one step closer to staying part of the community.

Eighth District Councilwoman Cindy Bass introduced legislation during Thursday’s City Council meeting that, if passed, would renew the body’s charter for the next five years.

BID officials are seeking a five-year renewal in response to feedback they received at two public stakeholders meetings held earlier this year. The bylaws spelled out in the association’s original charter will remain the same.

Now that the legislation has been introduced, a mailing will be sent out alerting commercial property owners on Germantown Avenue between Washington Lane and Cresheim Valley Drive.

BID Chair Ken Weinstein has said that the letter will go out the first week of May.

Thirty days after the mailing, City Council’s Committee on Rules will hold an initial hearing on the charter renewal where the public is invited to testify for or against the measure.

Another hearing will then be held following a second mailing to the same set of property owners. Committee members will take a vote at that hearing, after which property owners will have another 45 days to voice any objections to BID officials.

Weinstein has said that the seconding mailing will be sent around June 18, setting up a mid-September committee vote.

If 51 percent or more of property owners send written objections to City Council, the BID’s charter will not be renewed and cease to exist.

BID board members have expressed confidence, though, that they will be successful in obtaining a charter renewal.

If the BID receives approval from the majority of property owners, the legislation will then have its first reading before City Council around November 1.