Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Budget to Provide Funds for the Purpose of a Reimbursement to McKinney Main Street for Downtown Security
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe & Secure Community
(6A: Pursue and maintain low crime rates in comparison to other communities.)
MEETING DATE: November 1, 2022
DEPARTMENT: McKinney Main Street
CONTACT: Andrew Jones, Interim Main Street Program Director
Kim Flom, Assistant City Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Approve ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance amends the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Budget to provide funding for reimbursement of downtown security for McKinney Main Street by appropriating $75,000 from the General Fund balance
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Historic Downtown McKinney continues to draw increased numbers of visitors and customers. In the past few years, weekends and evenings have become increasingly popular times to visit.
• In addition to increased customers, there have been increased disturbance incidents. These disturbances include, but are not limited to, threatening outbursts in private shops, loitering, graffiti and sound amplification ordinance violations. Due to space constraints, Downtown employees are not able to park adjacent to their place of work. Some employees have noted that they do not feel safe walking to their car late in the evening.
• These disturbances and parking concerns don’t necessitate a constant law enforcement response, but do make the Downtown area feel unsafe and unwelcoming. Unsafe and unwelcoming environments detract visitors as well as diminish the available pool of employees and can invite escalated negative behavior.
• In 2021, the McKinney Main Street Board hired private security staff to provide downtown security as a pilot program to supplement local law enforcement efforts.
• Responses to this pilot program have been extremely favorable by both business owners and their employees as well as visitors.
• McKinney Main Street Board is requesting a reimbursement from the City for downtown security they have been providing.
• This item was discussed by the McKinney Main Street Board after the Budget Work Session, but was not included the FY2023 adopted budget. This ordinance amends the budget and makes this downtown security program a budgeted expense going forward in future city budgets.
• This item serves the public purpose in the area of safety and economic development. By addressing minor disturbances and making the area feel safer and more visitor and employee friendly, the private security company prevents small items before they become law enforcement issues, thereby preserving and promoting public welfare. Providing a safe and welcoming environment is critical to the continued success and economic growth of Downtown McKinney.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance amends the budget by appropriating $75,000 from the General Fund balance for the reimbursement of Downtown Security for McKinney Main Street
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A