City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 10/15/07 Item Number: J-2
AGENDA ITEM: A Joint Item with the Redevelopment Agency to Discuss and
Comment on the Proposed Business Resource Center.
Contact Person/Dept.: Kriss Casanova/
CDD
Phone Number: (310) 253-5769
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master Broker List (9/17/07). Culver City Chamber of Commerce
(9/18/07). Master Notification List (10/10/07).
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (10/09/07)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
Jerry Fulwood (10/10/07)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Marlee Chang (by N. Kimball) (10/10/07)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (the “Council”) and the Redevelopment Agency
(the “Agency”) review and provide input on the proposed Business Resource Center.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
At the June Agency budget session, staff introduced the concept of the Business
Resource Center (“BRC”) as part of the proposed Economic Development ’07-08
work program. The project was described as a one-stop permit and information
center for new and expanding businesses. As noted during the budget session,
starting or expanding a business can be a challenging experience, as the rules,
procedures, and policies may seem overwhelming.
The BRC is proposed to be a primary resource available to businesses, developers,
real estate professionals, and property owners to assist with the City
entitlement/permitting process. The BRC would facilitate business operations and
work with businesses to provide information on obtaining permits, licenses, and
approvals necessary to conduct business In Culver City. Thus, the BRC would
promote economic development by helping businesses open or expand.
The proposed BRC is divided into four components: the Business Assistance Team,
Business Info and Publications, Biz Connection, and the Business Hotline.
Information will be made available to the business community to help aid them in
decision-making regarding development and expansion. The result of this pre-
planning will help eliminate future problems before they arise.
In June 2001, Culver City introduced permit streamlining. The revised process has
been a success. The timeframe for plan check has been reduced to a five-day turn-
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City Council Agenda Item Report
2
around for most building permits. Additionally, in the last year, business tax
certificates now include Building & Safety and Fire Prevention sign off to help ensure
compliance with City codes. The BRC would complement these efforts.
The concept of the BRC was introduced to the Economic Development
Subcommittee, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, and the broker community.
Comments from them have been incorporated and feedback has been positive.
Goals & Objectives
Creation of the BRC is consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan
Land Use Element|1010|. The proposed goals of the BRC are:
• Actively promote and preserve the economic strength of the City to ensure that
Culver City remains competitive and the preferred location for new, existing and
expanding businesses and organizations.
• Apply staff time in the most efficient manner by providing readily available permit
and development information to assist the business community, brokers and
prospective clients.
• Promote the City’s efforts to streamline and make more understandable the
business and permit process.
• Coordinate City divisions to act as a liaison to help businesses quickly become
operational, thereby saving time, creating significant cost savings, and accelerate
collection of sales taxes.
• Assist businesses locating to or looking to locate to Culver City with the site
selection process, plan review and permitting process.
• Effectively move project plans through the interdepartmental review and approval
process.
THE BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
|1010| Culver City General Plan Land Use Element:
• Encourage new business opportunities that expand Culver City’s economic base and serve the
needs of the City’s residential and business community.
• Revitalize the physical character and economic well-being of the City’s commercial corridors.
• Encourage revitalization of commercial corridors in the City through new development and
renovation of existing structures with incentives, which address development standards and the
project approval process.
• Allow the development of new regional commercial centers that contribute to the economic health
of the City.
• Foster the growth of businesses that increase City revenues by promoting attractive, quality retail
establishments that serve neighborhood, community and regional markets.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
3
Access to the BRC would be available in person at City Hall, as well as through the
City’s new Business Web Page and the Business Hotline. It will be possible to
“enter” the BRC on the first floor when obtaining a business tax certificate, the
second floor when approaching the Building & Safety or Planning Divisions, and the
third floor when contacting redevelopment and economic development staff. In
appropriate areas, City Hall would be signed with BRC signage alerting business
owners, contractors and architects to contact the BRC for assistance as they walk in
the door. BRC information and publications would also be available. Promotions for
the BRC would also be visible on the City’s Business Web Page, where it would be
possible to access a questionnaire, obtain information and contact BRC staff.
Business Assistance Team
A staff team approach would be created utilizing staff from various City Departments
to convey permit and development information to businesses. The Business
Assistance Team (the “Team”) would ensure that businesses receive the assistance
they need to make their enterprise a success by creating a 'one-stop' shop for
agencies and services.
The core Team would be comprised of division designees from the following City
divisions: Planning, Building & Safety, Fire Prevention, Redevelopment, Economic
Development, Treasury, Code Enforcement, and Public Works. For special
circumstances, staff from other disciplinary areas may also be asked to join the
Team.
Business Info & Publications
To make the process of opening a business in Culver City as straightforward as
possible, the BRC is designed to help businesses understand the City’s regulations.
The following information would be available to help businesses understand and
navigate through the City standards applicable to their business. Prototypes of
informational materials are attached for reference:
• Quick Guide to Opening a Business in Culver City (Attachment No. 1) The
guide provides a quick directory to the different City Divisions and the permits or
procedures needed to open or grow a business in Culver City. The directory
includes a brief summary, phone numbers, the location of the different City
divisions and other agencies that a new business may need to contact.
• Frequently Asked Questions (Attachment No. 2) - This document provides
answers to common business questions received from businesses considering
relocating to or expanding in Culver City. Such questions relate to economic
development incentives, business licensing, zoning, and building requirements.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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• Flowchart (Attachment No. 3) - This flowchart helps familiarize businesses with
the City’s regulatory process.
• Forms and Applications (Attachment No. 4) – City forms and applications
would be made available in one central location and on the web (where
possible).
• Construction Permitting Guidelines (Attachment No. 5) – This document, as
well as approximately 25 others that have already been created by the Building &
Safety Division, will be promoted by the BRC. This referenced document geared
towards businesses provides construction permitting guidelines for businesses
moving into existing buildings.
• Advertising (Attachment No. 6) – Signs and flyers promoting the services of
the BRC would be made available to the public on the first, second, and third
floor of City Hall. Promotions of the BRC would be highly visible on the City’s
new Business Web Page. Additionally, staff will work with the Culver City
Chamber of Commerce to send an email blast to their members announcing the
launch of the BRC and make information available at the Chamber.
• Decision Trees - These question forms will help determine which requirements
are appropriate for certain types of businesses.
Biz Connection
BizConnection is a web-based tool designed to help businesses succeed in Culver
City. The website features 24-hour access for businesses by providing them with an
efficient web interface that will reach the Business Assistance Team online during
City Hall business hours. Businesses will have immediate access to staff, and the
City will be able to reply and address issues in a timely manner.
• Business Web Page (Attachment No. 7) - The new Business Web Page will
provide information on business resources and assistance in Culver City. This
site will connect to information that is needed to help streamline various areas,
including permits, zoning, financing, etc.
• Business Assistance Request Form (Attachment No. 8) - A customized
Business Assistance Request Form has been created to help staff better
understand business’ goals and immediate needs, as well as concerns,
suggestions or questions relative to the process or a project. The public would
also have access to an on-line questionnaire that will identify types of assistance
needed for new or existing businesses.
The form will also include a site selection section which will address land City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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specifications and needs. If this portion of the form is filled out, then an Economic
Development representative will respond to assist businesses searching for new
or additional site(s).
It is expected that this web function will be used in conjunction with the City’s
Citizen Request Management system.
Business Hotline
For those who want to start a business but don't know where to start or need
answers quickly, the Business Hotline (310-253-5765) is available to help. The
Business Hotline, similar to the Planning Hotline, will provide rapid help to existing
and prospective businesses requiring immediate information or assistance. To
establish a presence similar to the public counter, the BRC will provide a phone on
the 2nd floor that can be used to call the Business Hotline or other City divisions.
Staff will monitor calls by inputting them into the tracking system, via the business
assistance request form. Redevelopment support staff will assist in this process.
PROCESS
When an interested company contacts economic development staff through the
Business Hotline, the Business Web Page or in person, economic development staff
will determine if such requests are minor or major. Minor requests refer to basic
code questions, while major requests refer to division-head decision making or an
interdivisional or interdepartmental coordinated response. Through the Team, rapid
responses for questions and concerns will be available, minimizing trips to City Hall.
The request form database will track all inquiries for staff follow-up. This process
should help make it much easier to do business in Culver City.
Minor Requests
For basic inquiries made on-line, applicants will be asked to select the appropriate
division that pertains to the request. For inquiries made in person, over the phone,
or for those who there are unsure about their request, economic development staff
will determine the responsible division. Once a request is made it will be emailed
directly to the appropriate division designee, as well as an economic development
representative who will monitor requests. For minor requests, team representatives
will be responsible for responding within three business working days. Such
questions may involve: outdoor dining requirements, business licenses, zoning, plan
check status, parking standards, signage and redevelopment incentives.
Major Requests
For more complicated questions, special requests, or interdepartmental items,
inquiries will be emailed to division designees who will be responsible for working
with division heads as necessary. The staff designee will be responsible for City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
notifying their division of special requests, unique circumstances and any problems
or issues involving the division.
Major requests may require a Team site visit or meeting for discussion and issue
resolution. It is expected that there would be no more than five meetings or visits a
month.
• Team Site Visit - Some businesses may need site specific answers when
opening a new business. When necessary, the appropriate Team members may
be asked to assemble at the site to inform prospective business operators of any
applicable City requirements. For example, if an existing restaurant space was
on the market, prospective restaurant operators may have concerns about ADA
compliance, alcohol permits, and/or fire requirements. By assembling members
of the Team together at the site, the Team can highlight city requirements that
may need to be addressed during the permit review process.
Request Form/
Hotline/ In Person
Minor
Requests
(Basic
questions)
Interdivisional or
Interdepartmental
Response
Major Requests
(Complicated questions,
issues, special requests)
Email to
Division
Designee
Decision -
Making
Email to
Division
Designee
Team Meeting
Or Site Visit
Comment
Period
Issue
Resolution
Response
(3 business
working days)
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City Council Agenda Item Report
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• Team Meeting - For unique businesses, the Team may be asked to meet with
applicants to discuss permitting, licensing or other regulatory issues. At one
meeting, many questions can be answered and several suggestions made which
make it beneficial in meeting the client’s needs and timeline. These meetings
may or may not include the applicant.
Weekly Correspondence
Most information received through the BRC will be inputted into a weekly email
distributed to the Team. The email will summarize business activity for the week,
including property that has gone on the market, new tenants that have signed
leases, interested businesses wanting to come to Culver City, businesses that have
submitted for plan check, outstanding issues, and city responses. The purpose of
the email is to make the Team aware of upcoming projects that may be of interest
and to keep all members involved in what’s going on in the business community.
The number of inquiries and outcomes will be documented in the Community
Development Department’s Weekly Update.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed BRC encourages business development that will help to promote the
economic strength of the City. The BRC keeps Culver City competitive and a
preferred location for new, existing and expanding businesses and organizations.
The BRC will also reduce staff time by coordinating the work of various city divisions
and may create savings for businesses by acting as a liaison to help businesses
quickly solve problems and become operational. This effort will also assist in
streamlining the operational process that will ultimately increase the efficiency of the
City’s operation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Quick Guide to Opening a Business in Culver City
2) Frequently Asked Questions
3) Flowchart
4) Forms and Applications
5) Construction Permitting Guidelines
6) Advertising - Business Resource Center
7) Business Web Page
8) Business Assistance Request Form
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
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MOTION:
That the City Council and Redevelopment Agency:
Discuss and provide comment on the proposed Business Resource Center.