BIPP Meetings
I went to a BIPP meeting at the Chamber of Commerce this week. BIPP (Business Issues & Public Policy) is the branch of the Chamber that advocates for the business community. BIPP is like the eyes, ears, and voice of local business. The decisions that the BIPP committee makes are presented to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The Chamber BOD then decides and votes on whether or not they will take a position on an issue, and what that position will be.
Anyone can attend BIPP meetings, but you need to attend 3 of them and become an official BIPP member, before you are allowed to vote.
How are decisions made in Mountain View, and how do you, as a business owner or resident, make sure your voice is heard? By attending BIPP meetings!
During election years, the Chamber determines which City Council candidates are best for the business community. The Chamber website says that they “seek City Council representation that shares its core values and its desire to thoughtfully address the issues of smart growth, integrated transportation, housing & office supply which leads to availability/affordability, and economic development. We will support candidates for City Council who will not only lead our community in addressing these challenges, but also those candidates who are eager to engage the Chamber of Commerce as a key partner in developing meaningful/sustainable solutions.”
There are so many different projects happening right now in Mountain View, that it’s really difficult to keep up and know about all of them on your own. That’s why Bruce Humphrey, Director of Government Affairs and Business Advocacy, invites speakers, from both sides of an issue, to BIPP meetings, so members have a chance to hear different perspectives, ask questions, and learn.
The Chamber isn’t just about ribbon cuttings and networking events, although they do plenty of that, we have a continual dialog with the decision-makers in our community.
If you want to know more about the possibility of Castro street being closed to cars, or the new transportation center, or all of the new housing that is going up, you should attend these meetings. If you have ideas and opinions about bike lanes, shuttles, automated driveways, or other various transit projects, you should be present.
The BIPP meeting in January was Lenny Siegel’s first day in the job as our new Mayor and he spoke to the group about his priorities for the year: housing, transportation and downtown.
He briefly touched on everything from saving the redwoods, to marijuana, to our outrageously successful downtown, and how we can retain more retail and get people to leave their cars at home when they visit Castro street.
BIPP meetings are held on the 2nd Wed of the month, from 12-1:30 and lunch is always served during the meeting, which is in the Chamber boardroom. For more info:
I’m grateful to live in such a vibrant, thriving city, with forward-thinking, brilliant minds, and I’m proud of my community for being, what I consider, cutting-edge as we tackle every issue that arises.
