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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 DowntownBusinessAssoc CITY CLERK File # O[!t]lZ][O]-[5JO] AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 16, 2004 SUBJECT: Status Report on Downtown Business Association Report Prepared by: Christopher 1. Foss Economic Development Director ATTACHMENTS: None. RECOMMENDATION: ~ Due to the apparent lack of interest by the downtown business community in the establishment of a Downtown Business Association, Staff would recommend that the City Council receive this report and find that the City's efforts on Goal 11-£-6 complete for FY 2004-05. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None. DESCRIPTION: During FY 2002-03, the City Council established a High Priority Goal (II-D-5) "to evaluate the need for specific business associations within Dublin". There are currently several active business associations in the Tri-Valley area, including the Pleasanton Downtown Association and the Livermore Downtown Association. On April 15, 2003, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Downtown Revitalization Consultants (Dave Kilbourne, Principal) - a leader in the State of California in the establishment of programs to fund economic development, including the establishment of Downtown Business Improvement Districts (BID) - to complete a report on the establishment of a Downtown Business Organization. The goal of the study was to solicit input from business owners and property owners regarding the possible creation of a downtown business advocacy group. The consultant held one meeting with City Staff to discuss the issues from the City's perspective and Staff coordinated two meetings with the potential organization's stakeholders. The workshops, held on June 11, 2003 and July 31, were conducted to provide information on the downtown association concept and the purpose/goals/activities/funding of such an organization. Less than twenty businesses and/or individuals collectively attended the two meetings. Mayor Lockhart also sent a letter to 150 downtown businesses and property owners asking them to complete an opinion survey on this matter, an effort that elicited only four responses. At both meetings and through the mailing, participants were asked to complete an opinion survey designed to elicit responses on downtown Dublin's strengths, weaknesses, and the interest in supporting a Downtown Association. Of the 18 respondents, there was near unanimous support for the pursuit of a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: Rick Camacho Stakeholder Group Participants ITEM NO. 8. 2- HIcc-forms/agdastmt.doc IOb~ ry downtown business advocacy organization of some type with·an average level of funding (per business) for the organization at $195 per year. Staff presented the results of the Downtown Business Association Feasibility Study at the September 16, 2003 City Council meeting. In the report, Staff recommended that the City Council authorize an expenditure of $2,500 to convene a meeting of the previous workshop participants to discuss the report and determine the level of interest, if any, in moving forward with this project. During public comment on this item, the City Council heard :trom Rick Camacho, owner of Automotive Consultants (a downtown business owner) who indicated that he would personally take on the task of meeting with local downtown businesses o~e-on-one to engender support and interest. During the meeting, the City Council did not support the ádditional expenditure for the workshop, but directed Staff to assist with the setting up a meeting, if requested, with any interested business. Over the last year, Staff has remained in contact with Mr. Camacho to ascertain the level of progress he has made with interested local businesses / property owners. Staff provided Mr. Camacho with materials (business lists, maps, etc.) he requested to assist in his efforts - efforts which, to date, have been limited in their success. Mr. Camacho has met with several businesses, but he has been unable to create a core of interested businesses that could serve as the steering committee for any potential downtown association. To date, Staff has received no request to coordinate a downtown business association informational meeting. Staff would, however, make itself available to assist Mr. Camacho and/or a business steering group if the need exists in the future. RECOMMENDATION: Due to the apparent lack of interest by the downtown business community in the establishment of a Downtown Business Association, Staff would recommend that the City Council receive this report and find that the City's efforts on Goal II-E-6 complete for FY 2004-05. G:\Chris\Business Districts\FORM-agenda statement BID wrap 11022004.doc d.fJba..