Selma’s Business Improvement District (BID) told the City Council March 18 that a restrictive storefront improvement grant program had discouraged applicants; BID members asked the council to broaden eligibility and help spur downtown façade investments.

Council voted to remove the conflict‑of‑interest language that had barred BID board members, property‑managers and other affiliated individuals from applying for matching storefront grants. The motion passed in a roll call that included one abstention (Councilmember Trujillo). Staff said the program remains a 50% matching grant up to $10,000 per project, with a $100,000 city allocation for the program in total.

The BID and city staff asked council to delay adding paint as an immediately eligible grant item until the city finalizes design guidelines and a color palette. Staff advised that awarding paint money before the design guidelines are adopted could require later corrective action. Council agreed to schedule a public workshop to review draft design guidelines and choose a color palette; proposed workshop dates are May 13 and May 15, and staff will coordinate availability for BID members, planning commissioners and council members.

The BID reported it supports preserving brick as the primary facade material, allowing cohesive base colors and limited bold accent colors, and prioritizing awnings, signage and storefront‑level repairs. BID member Ramza Khouri told council the board recommended expanding the grant’s eligible activities (to include awnings and paint) after the design‑guidelines workshop and urged the council to remove the restrictive conflict language that had discouraged property owners from applying.

Why it matters: Removing eligibility restrictions could allow more downtown property owners, managers and tenants to access matching funds and accelerate façade improvements. The city budget includes $100,000 for the program; council members asked staff to ensure clear guidelines and a fair scoring rubric when the BID evaluates applications.

Next steps: Staff will revise grant documentation to strike the conflict clause, publish updated application materials and accept applications consistent with existing scoring rules. A design‑guideline workshop will be scheduled in mid‑May; the BID will bring visual renderings and sample palettes for public comment, then finalize recommended colors for council consideration.

Quote from the meeting: “I would recommend that we open it up for additional property owners to be able to apply or tenants or landlords. And maybe do make the addition of the paint and other things tonight pending, finalizing the design guidelines and color palette for downtown so you don't have to bring it back a second time.” (Ramza Khouri, BID board member)