Along with the separation agreement, the council directed staff to research the possibility of having the city form its own business commission.

Questions surfaced last month about whether SBDC should continue to operate informally or be recognized as a city commission.

Since 1995, SBDC—the driving force in bolstering and addressing issues affecting local businesses—has met as an informal roundtable, with rules less stringent than those required of city commissions.

Merchants can choose whether to attend each meeting. There is no limit as to how many people can participate or a number of attendees required to start the meeting; it can range from as few as three people to 20 business owners. In addition, information outside of meeting times is channeled through an electronic listserve, on which approximately 20 local merchants are included.

At the same time, the council shared characteristics with city commissions. The organization has a city-council-approved mission statement and posts agendas and meeting minutes, although these were not requirements. In the past, the group served as an advisory committee to the city council for specific issues. In addition, the group received financial support from the city to complete certain projects and had assistance from staff in preparing agendas and facilitating meetings.

Many merchants have objected to the idea of the council's becoming a more formal body, arguing that the formation of a commission would deter merchants from being involved with the city.

"People would be less inclined to voice their opinions and give input because of all the formalities one would have to go through," said business development member Brian Berg. "One of the reasons why the current council works so well is because of the relaxed nature of the group and the resulting level of enthusiasm among the participants."

Berg said that the council has been successful in seeing projects through to fruition.

"The council is an effective tool," Berg said. "It has made things happen. For example, it helped bring Farmers Market to the area, installed trash bins and benches in the village and added lights to beautify downtown Saratoga."

Another reason why some members were hesitant about the idea of turning the council into a commission is because many members may not be eligible to serve on the commission. According to Councilman Norman Kline and City Manager Dave Anderson, in most cases commissioners would have to be Saratoga residents, which is a problem for some members like Bill Cooper, owner of Bella Saratoga and a non-Saratoga resident.

"If SBDC were to turn into a commission, it would change the dynamics of everything," Cooper said. "I wouldn't be able to take part in discussions and the decision-making process as I would in an informal roundtable."

But Saratoga resident Clare McBride faces another challenge: she is an employee at Alpine Travel and not an actual business owner, which is what being a commission member would most likely entail.

Other options that were discussed at a meeting last month include the council's remaining an informal committee, with changes in its operations; and creating a separate and more formal advisory commission as an adjunct to the existing group, much like how the Heritage Preservation Commission deals with the Historical Foundation. At the meeting, merchants said they were in favor of creating a new commission and keeping the current council.

"Anything we can do to help with the prosperity of Saratoga would be helpful," said McBride. "A commission would serve as a more powerful voice and help with the retention of local businesses."

According to Anderson, it takes between three to six months to start a commission. The process entails recruiting and interviewing potential commissioners appointed by members of the city council. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and must be registered voters in Saratoga.