July Meeting Minutes
Kernside Business Association
Meeting Minutes – July 14, 2025 12pm
Rose City Guitar
Attendees: Thomas, Rebecca, Shay, Amber, Alex, Jude, Kenny, [Anonymous attendees]
1. Enhanced Service District (ESD) Program Presentation by Devon Reynolds
What is an ESD?
ESD = Enhanced Service District (also called Business Improvement District, Community Benefit District, etc. in other cities).
Created by property and business owners within a district to fund local community needs.
Managed by a District Management Association (DMA), which is the organization hired to carry out ESD work.
ESDs provide long-term, dependable funding, typically approved for 10-year cycles.
Potential Benefits of an ESD for Kernside
Reliable, long-term budget to support community projects.
Funds can be used for:
Staffing and office space
District advocacy
Economic development (business attraction, retention, tourism)
Policy and organizational planning
Public events and art (e.g., murals, Keg Lifting event)
Marketing, promotions, light pole banners
Additional janitorial programs
Typically not used for capital improvement projects.
Funding & Ratepayers
Ratepayers = property owners or management companies; they may pass fees to tenants via triple net leases.
Single-family owner-occupied homes are not assessed.
Fee structure based on:
Property value (county assessment)
Lot square footage
Building square footage
Annual fee adjustments for inflation possible; major changes require City Council approval.
City takes ~3% for administration; ~97% goes back into the district.
Oversight & Governance
City oversight via contract with DMA; ensures services enhance city services, not replace them.
City receives quarterly reports on service delivery (e.g., street sweeping, irrigation management).
Devon acts as an ex-officio board member for transparency and advocacy.
Governance model for a new ESD:
Advisory board of ratepayers guides budget and programs (no funds pass through them).
DMA manages daily operations and reports to the board.
Examples of ESDs & Budgets
Portland: Downtown Clean & Safe ($7.4M), Lloyd District ($650k), Industrial District.
Other cities: Denver (6+ districts), Oakland (11), San Francisco (17), Seattle (11+6 planned), Vancouver BC (22), New York (76), Chicago (79).
Programs include: ambassador programs, public art, festivals, marketing, advocacy, unique services (e.g., falconry for pest control).
District Boundaries & Modeling
Boundaries typically include commercial areas; exclude residential zones to focus assessment on funders.
Example for Kernside: commercial strips along Burnside, 28th, Glisan, Stark, Sandy.
Modeled budgets range: $500k–$1.5M depending on district size and property values.
Getting Property Owners Onboard
Retailers and small businesses often support it due to direct benefit from services.
Letters of support from tenants can encourage property owners to approve assessments.
ESD allows property owners to have influence over district direction.
Programs & Events
Street fairs, festivals, and community events can be funded by ESD (example: Ballard Seafood Fest).
Assessment Adjustments & Limitations
CPI/inflation adjustments yearly.
Changing assessments outside of inflation triggers City Council approval.
Current Challenges & Considerations
Bioswales: camping can degrade soil; not currently affected by ESD funding.
Timeline & Next Steps
City currently exploring four districts for potential ESD creation.
Rolling start: districts can begin exploration anytime.
Strategic planning phase lasts ~8–10 months, aiming for City Council approval next year.
Exploration support by the city is generally free unless additional consultant work is needed.
Q&A Highlights
Governance: DMA has operational autonomy; advisory board provides checks and guidance.
ESD benefits outweigh potential minor increases in triple net lease costs.
Colfax Ave (Denver) example: ~20 blocks linear, commercial-focused, similar to Burnside for Kernside modeling.
No set schedule for next round of city-approved explorations; rolling basis.
Closing Remarks
Devon emphasized he is providing education; support or skepticism is welcomed.
Thomas and participants expressed excitement and interest in potential for Kernside
2. Administrative Updates & Nonprofit Status
Thomas provided update on nonprofit application: IRS filing fee $600; currently have $470 raised. QR code available for donations.
Instagram engagement strong: 50,000+ views, 1,600+ interactions in last month.
Multiple recent events highlighted:
Strongman competition, Queer Liberation event, Kernside Serenade, Really Free Market, Tiny Giants and Cachaca Fabrica openings.
Public workout classes well-attended, especially during heat.
Discussion of upcoming events:
Block party organized by Jude on Pine/Ash; call for volunteers to set up booths.
Planning for Octoberfest-style block party to include non-alcoholic participation.
Key Points:
Nonprofit status required for certain events like street fairs; state-level nonprofit may offer some flexibility.
Emphasis on proving concepts with smaller events before larger undertakings.
Increased need for volunteer participation for setup, breakdown, and general event support.
Incoming donations critical; discussion of QR codes and possible sponsorships from local businesses to facilitate contributions.
3. Event Promotion & Volunteer Coordination
Flyers and posters: discussion of professional printing vs. home printing, durability in weather, and placement in local businesses.
Suggestion to have dedicated volunteer(s) at events to circulate QR codes and collect contributions.
Opportunities to engage larger apartment buildings for printing or event support.
Planning for rooftop events at Burnside 26; possibility of partnering with available neighborhood spaces for gatherings, cocktail hours, or private events.
4. Community Resources & Partnerships
Kenny introduced his service connecting Portland businesses with local freelancers and service providers for events, marketing, bookkeeping, and other professional needs.
Amber highlighted open space availability for events or small pop-up businesses; discussion of potential collaboration with Office of Small Business (Prosper Portland) for matchmaking, permitting guidance, and business attraction.
5. Fundraising & Merchandise Opportunities
Amber suggested exploring print-on-demand/dropshipping platforms for Kernside merchandise to raise funds without upfront investment.
Thomas noted recent experiments with 3D printing for swag; potential to produce small-batch t-shirts in-house.
6. Other Updates & Announcements
Summer schedules affecting volunteer availability; call to broaden outreach for participation.
Discussion of potential QR code placements in local businesses to collect donations consistently.
Action Items:
Continue fundraising for nonprofit filing fee via QR code donations.
Recruit volunteers for upcoming block party and other events.
Explore state-level nonprofit options for smaller events.
Coordinate flyer/poster printing and placement with local businesses.
Investigate merchandising options for fundraising (print-on-demand, small-batch t-shirts, 3D-printed swag).
Connect with Office of Small Business for support in matchmaking and business resources.