DSP Committees

Policy Committee*

The DSP is an effective advocacy organization because its members believe that downtown Spokane is the basis of an economically healthy region. The Committee is focused on issues that grow the economy, enhance livability, support accessibility and strategic development, attract talent and make downtown the premier destination to work, live and recreate. Committee members leverage professional insight to discuss a spectrum of ideas and solutions for addressing challenges and opportunities facing downtown. Through a thoughtful process, the committee builds consensus on position recommendations that are presented to the DSP Board. If approved by the Board, the DSP advocates on behalf of its membership.

- Meetings are organized with the latest information and materials.
- Special guests are regularly invited to share insight into policy issues.
- Messaging drafted at meetings is communicated at public comment and public hearings.

2024 Committee Chair: Chris Batten, RenCorp Realty

Meets monthly on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Rae-Lynn Barden.

*Committee members are required to be current members of the DSP.

Public Safety Committee:

Creating a safe, clean and welcoming downtown with active public spaces to support employees, residents and visitors requires sharing of information among safety agencies operating in downtown. The Committee convenes local partners and members to leverage professional insight to provide feedback guidance on clean and safe programs, including security and hospitality ambassadors, clean team operations, safety, social outreach programs, and more.

- - Meetings are organized for regular information sharing on operations and best practices.
  - Special guests may be invited to provide specialized training.

2024 Committee Chair:

Meets monthly on the 2^nd Monday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Emilie Cameron.

Transportation & Parking Committee:

Tracking the latest information, issues and projects that impact downtown Spokane’s mobility network, the Committee reviews transportation improvement projects, mobility solutions, on-street and off-street parking management and issues, and provides recommendations and feedback to the DSP Board consistent with guiding policy platform principles.

- - Meetings are organized with the latest information and materials.
  - Special guests are regularly invited to present early in project conception.

2024 Committee Chair: Jonathan Moog, Riverfront Park

Meets bi-monthly on the 1^st Friday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Rae-Lynn Barden.

Marketing & Activation Committee:

Telling the “story” of downtown Spokane to positively promote the public image of the area is crucial to DSP’s mission. The Committee provides input on communications and marketing strategies, helps to identify channels to reach intended audiences, supports message development and suggests new & creative ideas to support destination branding and awareness. Additionally, the Committee supports brainstorming, planning, partner development and execution of events, outdoor decorations/beautification, public art and seasonal displays.

- - Meetings review strategic priorities and ideas.
  - Members share best practices and recommendations.
  - Members help to review and support sponsorship/grant funding.

2024 Committee Chair: Rae-Lynn Barden

Meets monthly on the 3^rd Thursday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Elisabeth Hooker.

Membership & Outreach Committee:

This Committee helps grow the DSP and deliver its mission by ensuring DSP has a comprehensive membership program offering the right mix of benefits and value to retain and attract new members. By focusing on the value proposition of membership, members of the committee provide feedback to enhance membership offerings and benefits, support programs and recruitment efforts.

2024 Committee Chair: Alicia Barbieri

Meets bi-monthly on the 1^st Thursday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Emilie Cameron.

Economic Development Committee:

Supporting and retaining existing downtown businesses while attracting new businesses helps DSP to foster a strong economic base in the heart of the region. The Committee assists in retail recruitment and sustainability, storefront activation, employer/employee engagement and curates investor, demographic and trends data. The Committee develops and supports strategic programs, including promotions, programs and community connections, to support business owners.

2024 Committee Chair: Open

Meets bi-monthly on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month. For more information or to join, contact Kevin Campbell.

STANDING DSP COMMITTEES

DSP Executive Committee: The committee of elected officers of the Board shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate past Chair, and up to three at large directors as the Board may designate. The Committee shall meet monthly and exercise the authority of the Board in the management of the Corporation between meetings of the Board unless and to the extent that the Board specifies otherwise.

DSP Nominating & Governance Committee: The subcommittee of Board members shall be convened by the Executive Committee to provide a slate of Class B annually appointed director candidates and a slate of Class C director candidates to the members to be presented for confirmation at the Annual Meeting. The subcommittee shall convene as necessary and reviews the Board bylaws, board demographics and maintain pipeline of potential director nominations.

DSP Audit & Finance Committee: The committee of appointed officers and directors of the Board oversees the finance functions and duties of the Board and assists management as needed. The Committee shall consist of the Board Chair, Treasurer, President, and up to two additional Board directors appointed by the Chair. The Committee shall meet quarterly to:

Recommend engagement of an independent auditor to perform an annual audit of the BID, as required by the contract, and the DSP, if deemed necessary. This may include an RFP process, requesting audit bids, interviews, etc.

Meet with the auditors to review the draft audit results including any recommendations for improvement and/or management letter.

Review in detail any material financial matters or proposed financial expenditures, review preparation of the annual budget and three-year forecast, and review and update the Financial Policies and Procedures annually to recommend approval to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

STANDING BID COMMITTEES

BID Executive Committee: The Committee of elected officers of the Board shall be Chair, Vice- Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Past Chair, and the Board legal representative. The Committee meets bi-monthly and supervises BID affairs, prepares agendas for board meetings and reviews draft BID monthly financial reports.

BID Nominating Committee: The subcommittee of Board members, consisting of five members and chaired by the Secretary, convenes as needed and receives nomination applications for open Board positions, confirms which candidates are eligible and willing to stand for election and recommends a nomination slate to the BID Board for confirmation at the Annual Meeting.

JOINT BID – DSP COMMITTEE

Membership consists of at least one (1) director of the DSP board and one (1) member of the BID Board.

Strategic Planning Committee: Established with BID ratepayers and DSP members that have an interest in a stronger future for downtown Spokane, this Committee provides input, direction and overall support for the work underway by Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) The Committee is structed into 3 subcommittees that report back to the Committee bi-monthly:

The Organizational Strategic Plan Subcommittee is focused on building a plan responsive to market trends to help guide the next 5 years of DSP growth and resiliency initiatives.

The BID Management Plan Subcommittee is focused on the implementation of an updated BID service plan, allocation and recommendations for improvement.

The BID Expansion Subcommittee, formally the BID Expansion Ad Hoc Committee, is focused on supporting outreach and exploration of the potential for BID expansion.

2023 Committee Chairs: Stephanie Curran (DSP) / Doug Kapalke (BID)

The Committee meets quarterly. For more information or to join, contact Emilie Cameron.

About

*Committee members are required to be current members of the DSP.

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