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Title:
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JOINT ITEM - Implementation of a Business Outreach Team.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency implement a
Business Outreach Team as proposed herein.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City’s economic development work plan includes the creation of a Business
Outreach Team (the “Team”). The purpose of the Team is to provide a select
group of businesses with an introduction to the City and to review potential
economic development services that may be available. The Team is comprised
of City/Agency staff, representatives of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce,
and City Council/Redevelopment Agency members.
The Team will visit key business owners/operators to discuss their business
needs, concerns, issues, and/or provide information about Culver City and its
processes and requirements to facilitate an easy transition or start-up for
businesses. Key businesses include top sales and property tax producers, top
employers, businesses that have recently signed leases or are currently under
construction, businesses looking to relocate to Culver City and/or establish their
business in the City and specific tenants the City/Agency is seeking to attract.
Businesses will be identified using existing data available to the City and will be
recognized if they recently signed leases or are looking to relocate to the City.
Meeting Date: 07/07/08 Item Number: J-1
AGENDA ITEM: JOINT ITEM Implementation of a Business Outreach Team.
Contact Person/Dept.: Todd Tipton /
Kriss Casanova – CDD
Phone Number: (310) 253-5783
(310) 253-5769
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [ ]
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Downtown Business Association (07/2/08); Chamber of Commerce
(06/19/08); Master E-Mail Notification List (07/2/08).
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (06/25/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (07/02/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (07/02/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (07/02/08) City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Team Members
The Team will consist of Council/Agency members, City/Agency staff
(Redevelopment Administrator, Economic Development Manager) and a Culver
City Chamber of Commerce representative. Depending on the type of business
and the nature of the visit, the Team may include additional or different members.
When attracting key businesses to the City through marketing efforts, the Mayor
and the Redevelopment Agency Chair will be asked to represent the Team in
conjunction with City/Agency staff. For visits with existing City businesses, the
Economic Development Subcommittee Members will be invited to participate.
On an as-need basis, the Team may expand to include the City Manager,
Community Development Director, and staff from other City departments.
Representatives of regional and county economic development organizations
and other members of interest may also be asked to join.
Process
At the beginning of each month, a list of targeted businesses will be prepared
and relevant staff and community representatives will be contacted for
participation. Outreach letters (Attachment No. 1) will be emailed or mailed to
targeted businesses. CoStar (commercial property data), business license data
and broker connections will be used to obtain appropriate contact information.
Staff anticipates 2 - 4 visits will be conducted per month. Updates will be
presented to the Economic Development Subcommittee during its meetings and
distributed to the Council in the Community Development Department’s Weekly
Updates.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Businesses play an influential role in the economic success of the City by
increasing the tax base, improving the quality of life, and revitalizing economically
challenged areas. Outreach efforts will increase partnerships with the business
community to address obstacles to relocations and expansion and increase
business attraction. Demonstrating support for local businesses and identifying
immediate issues affecting success will improve the local business climate. While
it is expected the Team’s efforts will have a positive fiscal impact on the City, the
amount of that impact is difficult to estimate at this time.
ATTACHMENT:
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
1. Outreach Letter
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the implementation of a Business Outreach Team.
That the Redevelopment Agency:
1. Authorize the implementation of a Business Outreach Team.
MEETING DATE: 07/07/08
AGENDA ITEM: Joint Item: To consider Implementation of a Business
Outreach Team.
ATTACHMENT
Pages
1. Outreach Letter 19770 CULVER BOULEVARD CULVER CITY, CA 90232-0507 www.culvercity.org
Greetings I am extending to you this invitation to connect with the Culver City
Business Outreach Team (Team). The purpose of the Team is to
provide new and existing businesses with an introduction to the City
and to review potential economic development services that may be
available. The Team would like to discuss your business needs and
provide information about starting or improving a business in Culver
City.
The Team is comprised of Redevelopment staff, representatives of the
Culver City Chamber of Commerce, and City Council / Redevelopment
Agency members.
Please consider contacting us if you would like to further establish your
connections within Culver City. Should you have any questions, would
like more information, or are interested in scheduling a visit, please call
Kriss Casanova, Economic Development Manager, at (310) 253-5769
or email kriss.casanovaculvercity.orq
Sincerely,
Sol Blumenfeld
Community Development Director
SOL BLUMENFELD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
CITY OF CULVER CITY TEL 310.253.5760 FAX 310.253.5779