Economic Development Committee Workplan

Agenda Item No. 4(A)
Economic Development Committee
FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 WORK PLAN
Members:
Tess Taylor, Wendy Horng Brawer, Ann Lehman, Jean Shrem, Mark Figone, Scott Kagawa, George
Gager
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Agenda Item No. 4(A)
MISSION STATEMENT:
Resolution 2013-66 of the City Council created the El Cerrito Economic Development Committee, with the following duties and
responsibilities:
1) To advise the council on economic development matters, including budget, staffing levels, policies, selection criteria, project
financial feasibility and suitability and investment of resources into proposed projects;
2) To make recommendations on the annual economic development work plan, including its priorities and evaluation measures;
3) To oversee the work of subcommittees established to concentrate on creating plans for high-priority areas;
4) To provide input to other city boards and commissions on economic development matters;
5) To review progress toward achieving the annual work plans goals and long range economic development goals;
6) To encourage community involvement in economic development; and
7) With the advice and consent of the city council, perform as a resource council of business and community members who are
available to provide assistance on an ad hoc basis.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
In 2000, the City’s Economic Development Board was created to review the City’s economic development matters including budget,
staffing, policies and project feasibility, recommend annual work plans to the City Council, encourage community involvement in
economic development matters, and serve as a resource council of business and community members on matters of economic
development. In 2005 and 2007, the City Council, as part of a review of all City Boards, Commissions and Committees, affirmed the
mission of the Economic Development Board, while making revisions to membership criteria and meeting frequency. In 2013, the
City Council conducted another review and indicated that, with the demise of the Redevelopment Agency and the focus on economic
development that arose through the City Council’s Strategic Plan process, the role, duties and configuration of the Economic
Development Board could be better focused as a working group as opposed to a sitting board. The Council determined that a
Committee structure would allow the members to be able to be utilized better as a working group that would build upon and assist
City staff’s efforts in Economic Development, would allow for more flexibility in its mission and duties, and would have the ability to
increase the number of members from 7 members to 15. The City Council passed Resolution 2013-66 restructuring the Board into a
Committee.
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Agenda Item No. 4(A)
FISCAL YEAR 2014-15 WORK PLAN
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
GOAL/OBJECTIVE
1. Understand different models of
City revenue generation
through Committee efforts
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2. Gain insight into the needs,
trends, challenges and
opportunities of commercial
property and business owners
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3. Develop understanding of
City’s history, resources,
strengths and partnerships to
support marketing and
branding
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4. Identify next steps following
initial activities in ’14-’15 year
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Inventory real estate development opportunities
Research and evaluate local, regional and
comparable city demographic and market data
Understand and help facilitate City economic
development roles with limited staffing
o Support intern hiring process
o Facilitate regular progress updates between
EDC, City staff and Council
Research HUB and other co-working models,
and other innovative economic development
trends
Develop relationships through meetings, events
and surveys with property and business owners
Explore ways to partner with the Chamber and
Rotary Club on joint projects
Receiving trainings and presentations to better
understand economic development processes
and current business opportunities and trends
Meet with potential new businesses to discuss
their needs
Partner with other Committees and
organizations to promote the City and support
the Committees’ joint goals
Sponsor events to promote, educate and engage
the public on economic development issues and
opportunities
Plan process to capture lessons learned as we go
through the year
Develop 2015-’16 Work Plan
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PRIORITY
RANKING
TIMELINE FOR
COMPLETION
FY ’14-‘15
FY ’14-‘15
FY ’14-‘15
FY ’14-‘15
Agenda Item No. 4(A)
ONGOING PROJECTS
PROJECT
ACTIVITIES
• Support the City’s revision of the 2006 Economic
Development Action Plan
Economic Development Action Plan
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Study proposed policies and regulations that effect El
Cerrito’s businesses and economic development potential,
as needed
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Help connect potential businesses with vacant commercial
spaces when opportunities arise
Develop internal processes to help tenant vacant spaces
with businesses that have been identified as community
priorities or needs
Business Policy and Regulations
Commercial Real Estate
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Agenda Item No. 4(A)
Economic Development Committee
2015 Workplan
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Tess Taylor, Chair
Wendy Horng Brawer, Vice-Chair
Ann Lehman
Jean Shrem
Mark Figone
Scott Kagawa
George Gager
BACKGROUND
In 2000, the City’s Economic Development Board was created to:
review the City’s economic development matters including
budget, staffing, policies and project feasibility, recommend annual
work plans to the City Council, encourage community
involvement in economic development matters, and serve as a
resource council of business and community members on matters
of economic development.
In 2013, Board structure was changed to Committee to:
constitute working group that would build upon and assist City
staff’s efforts in Economic Development would allow for more
flexibility in its mission and duties, and would have the ability to
increase the number of members from 7 members to 15.
YEAR ONE
Goal
Developing Leadership Role of EC Development Committee
Highlights
1. Transition from Board to Committee structure
2. Change in Economic Development staffing
3. Membership grew from 5 to 8 with additional prospective members in
the pipeline for summer 2015 and beyond
4. Early months spent developing 2015 workplan
YEAR ONE
Process
Launching our “Listening Tour”
Highlights
1. Learning about El Cerrito—scheduling presentations at Committee
meetings on demographics, El Cerrito history of economic
development, and “Envisioning Urbanism”
2. Hearing from local businesses—committee member meetings with
owners of Vitale Building and Rialto Theater
3. Gathering data—learning from local realtors, conducting surveys
Early, industrial roots
of El Cerrito
www.urban-advantage.com
Envisioning the Future
ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
YEAR ONE
Process
Building Relationships
Highlights
1. Hosting mixers to meet El Cerrito business owners
2. Working with Community Development Department to launch a
newsletter for outreach to local business owners and residents
3. Attending EC Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club meetings and
co-hosting events
Chamber and EC
Development
Committee Mixer,
Rialto Theater
YEAR ONE
Process
Building Capacity
Highlights
Encouraging the Community Development Department to hire
an intern to work on economic development issues, including
various initiatives and research, such as fall 2015 Restaurant
Week
WHAT’S NEXT?
Goal
Develop workplan for 2016; build upon current momentum
Proposed Activities
1. Research collaborative workspaces, such as Berkeley and Mission
Hubs
2. Foster a pop ups event in a vacant space
3. Continue hosting events and building relationships, including
Richmond (possibly, a “Restaurant Crawl in fall 2015”)
4. Conduct a retail business inventory
5. Develop marketing materials
6. Host Open House and invite businesses who are considering El
Cerrito
7. Set a vision of economic development for El Cerrito (ie. study what
is happening around Gilman St., Berkeley; Richmond, etc.)
WHAT’S NEEDED?
Requests of City Council
1. Create a funded, permanent staff position with focus on economic
development
2. Dedicate funds to develop marketing materials promoting economic
development to residents, businesses, and future community
members