CITY OF BELMONT
CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
www.belmont.gov
1. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Persons wishing to orally address the Council on the items of business listed below will be given an opportunity to do so before or during the Councils consideration of the item.
2. CLOSED SESSION 5:30 P.M.
Conference with Conference With Labor Negotiators (Govt Code Section 54957.6)
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
5:30 PM
City Council Chambers
City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California
TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
Councilmembers will participate by teleconference under Government Code Section 54953(e), and City Council Resolution 2021-001. All votes shall be by roll call.
The meeting will be broadcast live to Belmont residents on Comcast Cable Channel 27, streamed live via the City’s website at www.Belmont.gov. The public may also attend the meeting in the City Council Chambers and address the council from the chambers. Social distancing must be practiced, and seating will be limited.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
To maximize time for live public comment, we encourage members of the public to provide comments by joining the City Council meeting via Zoom: For web, visit https://belmontgov.zoom.us/ select “Join” and enter Meeting ID: 95745673035. Use the Raise Hand feature to request to speak. You may rename your profile if you wish to remain anonymous.
For dial-in comments, call *67 1-(669) 900-6833 (your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if *67 is not dialed prior to the phone number), enter Meeting ID: 95745673035, and press *9 to request to speak. All public comments are subject to a 3-minute time limit unless otherwise determined by the Mayor.
If you wish to submit written public comment, you may send an email to [email protected] before the council considers the item. Please indicate the agenda item topic or agenda item number you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line. Any public comment regarding agenda items that are received from the publication of the agenda through the meeting date will be made part of the meeting record, but will not be read during the Council meeting.
1 (1) Agency designated representatives: Afshin Oskoui, City Manager; Employee organization:
Mid-Management Confidential Employees Association (MMCEA)
3. STUDY SESSION (6:00 P.M)
A. Economic Development Task Force Presentation
Recommendation: Receive a presentation from the Economic Development Task Force and provide direction on next steps.
Attachment(s):
Economic Recovery Task Force - Staff Report
Economic Development Task Force - Presentation
4. ADJOURNMENT
If you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (650) 595-7413. The speech and hearing-impaired may call (650) 637-2999 for TDD services. Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at: www.belmont.gov. All staf reports will be posted to the web in advance of the meeting, and any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council/District Board or Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Of ice, One Twin Pines Lane, during normal business hours and at the Council Chambers at City Hall, Second Floor, during the meeting. 2
Economic Recovery Task Force Presentation - Staff Report
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: January 25, 2022
Agency: City of Belmont
Staff Contact: Jennifer Rose, Housing & Economic Development Manager, Finance Department Karen Clark, Administrative Assistant, Parks & Recreation Department Agenda Title: Economic Development Task Force Presentation Agenda Action: Discussion & Direction
Recommendation
Receive a presentation from the Economic Development Task Force and provide direction on next steps.
Strategic Focus Area
Economic Development and Housing
Background
In September 2019, City Council adopted Resolution 2019-087 approving an Economic Development Implementation Strategy which identifies City policies and program activities aimed at furthering the Citywide priority of promoting economic growth. The Resolution also adopted a Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) Action Plan that included a recommended set of City activities to establish a local economic development program, connect the City with community stakeholders, support local businesses, and encourage economic growth. Many of the FY 2020 Action Plan recommendations were incorporated into the City’s 2020 Strategic Plan, and funding resources were included in the Fiscal Year 2021 adopted budget.
Included in the FY 2020 Action Plan was a recommendation to establish an Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to help enhance communications between the City and local business stakeholders while providing a forum for listening to and responding to business community needs and ideas.
In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City shifted staff and resources to focus on responding to altered City operations and business closures. During the business closures, the City partnered with San Mateo County and other local jurisdictions as part of the San Mateo County Strong initiative to provide grant funding opportunities for local businesses impacted by pandemic-related closures and operational changes. The City provided $150,000 for COVID-19 Small Business Grants, leveraged with San Mateo County Measure K funds and other private donations to total $280,000 in available grant funds. San Mateo County Strong grant funds have been disbursed to 28 small businesses in Belmont.
The City Council held a study session on March 9, 2021, during which Council discussed the formation of an Economic Development Task Force (EDTF) focused on economic recovery efforts and provided direction to staff to recruit a diverse group of stakeholders with oversight from the Economic Development Subcommittee. Council approved the general parameters of this effort, including a limited duration (90 3
Economic Development Task Force
days), after which Council would receive recommendations and evaluate options for establishing an ongoing task force or advisory committee.
In August 2021, the City completed a comprehensive update and redesign of the City’s economic development webpage, which includes business resources, developer resources, links to local business directories, and a homepage for the EDTF. Using direction provide by Council, staff developed a charge for the EDTF, proposed meeting dates and topics, and created and online application to join the EDTF.
EDTF member recruitment efforts included City Manager’s Weekly Updates, emails to all business license holders, a press release, the publication of application deadlines on the City website calendar, social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor), and direct communications. The final list of applicants was reviewed by City staff in consultation with the Economic Development Subcommittee.
Analysis
Twelve community members were selected for the Economic Recovery Task Force (EDTF), and nine members were ultimately able to participate for the full duration. The EDTF met six times from October 2021 through January 2022. Meeting facilitation support was provided by the consulting firm Management Partners, with general discussion topics suggested by City staff and ultimately directed by the EDTF. EDTF members included:
1. Patrick Colabucci, Ed.D., Notre Dame de Namur University
2. Mark Gurevich, Private Investor
3. Karen Haas-Foletta, Footsteps Childcare
4. Mary Morrissey Parden, Belmont Chamber of Commerce/The Parden Agency
5. Kenneth M. Pizzi, Thai Tamarind Restaurant
6. Joe Polyak, Realtor, Homes by RISE
7. Walt Shjeflo, Fox, Shjeflo & Babu, LLP
8. Surya Singh, Intutive Surgical and Belmont Resident
9. Sirinee Tippakorn, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
The EDTF was charged with (1) identifying current challenges and opportunities facing the local business community and (2) reviewing best practices and resources available to support Belmont businesses. While COVID-19 pandemic recovery and local business support was a central theme, the EDTF was also interested in discussing Citywide economic development programs and current residential and nonresidential development activity. The following is a summary of the topics reviewed and discussed by the EDTF.
• October 12, 2021 – EDTF charge, tentative work plan, recent business community challenges, and tools to continue to enhance communications between the City and business community; • October 25, 2021 – Economic development trends and shop local best practices and policies; • November 8, 2021 – Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan along with related business assistance, grants, and technical assistance programs;
• November 29, 2021 – Continued discussion of the Economic Development Action Plan and kickoff community benefit priorities conversation; • December 13, 2021 – Results of community benefit prioritization questionnaire, and discussion of the business license tax modernization effort; and,
• January 10, 2021 – Discussion of the City Council presentation. 4
Economic Development Task Force
The general economic development themes and ideas raised during EDTF discussions have been incorporated into the attached presentation (Attachment A). This presentation serves as an informational tool, offering new perspective for Council and staff consideration on ways in which the City can promote local economic development that benefits both residents and businesses.
There was general support from EDTF members and staff to continue using the Task Force as a forum for the City to share ideas, listen to stakeholders, and make sure it is on the right track. However, the City recognizes the need to connect with stakeholders who were missing from these initial conversations, including a larger variety of small business owners, large businesses, and developers.
Recommended Next Steps
City staff and the consultant have prepared a set of recommended next steps for continued expansion of the City’s economic development program and continued engagement with economic development stakeholders and community members.
1. City Council will receive an updated version of the Economic Development Action Plan, including Economic Development Task Force (EDTF) recommendations.
2. Staff and the City’s economic development consultant will prepare information for a Council study session to kick-off the community benefit policy discussion, including the EDTF community benefit priority rankings.
3. The City will commit to reconvening the EDTF two times over the next 18 months to provide updates and gather input on the City’s economic development progress, strategy, and communications/outreach.
4. The City will continue to provide economic development activity updates and City Manager’s Weekly Updates to the EDTF and other interested stakeholders and will work to enhance communication strategies as recommended by the EDTF.
Alternatives
None
Attachments
A. Presentation
Fiscal Impact
☒ No Fiscal Impact
No financial resources are requested at this time. Dedication of supplemental funding or resources for economic development activities can be considered by the City Council at the Strategic Planning Session tentatively scheduled for late February, and as part of the FY 2023 Budget development process.
☐ Funding Source Confirmed:
Source: Purpose: Public Outreach:
Staff Council Vision/Priority Posting of Agenda
5 Economic Development Task Force
City Council Presentation
January 25, 2022
6 Agenda
2 Introductions
Review the Economic Development Task Force Charge and Work Plan Review the Economic Development Task Force Input and Advice Other Economic Development Task Force Reflections
Questions
7 Introductions
3 8
Staff Introductions
4 Jennifer Rose, Finance Department
• Housing, Economic Development and Finance Manager
Karen Clark, Parks and Recreation Department
• Administrative Assistant
Christine Butterfield, Management Partners
• Senior Manager (Consultant)
9 Economic Development Task Force Members
Patrick
Colabucci
Karen HaasFolettaMark
Gurevich
Mary
Morrissey
Parden
Kenneth
Pizzi Joe Polyak
Walt
Shjeflo Surya Singh Sirinee Tippakorn
5 10
Economic Development Task Force Charge
• Identify current challenges and
opportunities facing the local
business community.
• Review best practices and resources
available to support Belmont
businesses.
.
6 11
EDTF Charge (continued)
• Review current efforts by the City
to collaborate with businesses
and identify areas to improve
communications and support.
• Advise the City Council on
methods to grow the City’s
collaborative efforts to support
current and future businesses.
7 12
Economic Development Task Force Work Plan
8 October 12, 2021 - Complete
• Review charge, tentative work plan, recent business
community challenges and communication interests
October 25, 2021 - Complete
• EDTF review economic development trends and
discuss shop local best practices and policies
November 8, 2021 - Complete
• Review the 2019 City of Belmont Economic
Development Strategy and Action Plan along with
related business assistance, grants and technical
assistance programs
13 EDTF Work Plan (continued)
9 November 29, 2021 - Complete
• Continue discussion of the Economic
Development Action Plan and kick-off community
benefit priorities conversation
December 13, 2021 – Complete
• Results of community benefit prioritization
questionnaire, discuss the business license tax
potential changes, ballot measure and timeline
and other topics as requested by the EDTF
January 10, 2022 - Complete
• Review and discuss City Council presentation
14 City of Belmont Economic Profile
10 15
Pandemic Effects on Regional Economic Trends
11 Casual dining up 65%, quick-service restaurants up 35% but below pre-pandemic levels
Return to in-person shopping and consumer demand
strong
Hotels rebounding slowly
Auto/transportation sales soared in Q2-2021
Companies adapting to new ways of doing work as
business services and technology activity spike
Single and Multi-Family Residential construction
remains strong
Nonresidential construction was largely dormant
16 • Office development increasing
and relatively high vacancy rate
19%. New office development
(only 27% pre-leased) will
increase vacancy rate in the
short-term.
• Industrial space expected to
decrease as economic
incentives encourage landlords
to convert existing supply into
alternative uses, such as office,
life science, hotel, and
residential. Low vacancy rate
3%, but availability rate at 8%
(COVID).
12 Office and Industrial Profile
17 • Research and Development activity
pipeline strong, with 3.4 million square
feet currently under construction and
all slated for life science space.
• Pandemic increased demand with
vacancy rate at 7% and availability at
11%.
• San Carlos Eastside Innovation District
catalyzed Belmont’s eastside
development activity.
13 Research and Development Profile
18 Pandemic’s Effect on the Business Community
• Lockdown was difficult
• Nimbleness is key
• Transition to courses,
meetings and services online
• Financial services industry
“busier than ever”
• Pandemic loans helped
• Negative mental health
impacts of the lockdown
• Government response lacked
empathy
• High volume of home
improvements underway
• Hiring is a challenge due to
limited applicants
14 19
Review of City Communications with Businesses
15 20
Business Information and Communication Needs
How do you currently receive or seek
information from the City?
Which ways are most useful and
beneficial?
What is least useful?
What improvements in communications
do you recommend?
16 21
EDTF Offered Communication Interests
The City should continue to:
• Send targeted emails (e.g., park and
recreation alerts, economic
development specific updates)
• Promote the City Manager’s weekly
update
• Use both email and social media
platforms
The City should avoid using:
• Nextdoor
17 22
EDTF Communication Recommendations
• Implement a social media strategy
• Target information to different types of
businesses and sizes
• Develop a merchant portal to allow businesses
to share and exchange information and
resources
• Assist with development of Chamber of
Commerce’s business listing and link the City
website to it
• Improve website search function
• Develop a map showing local business
locations
• Provide 24-hour turnaround on public
questions
18 23
Review of the Economic Development Strategy
19 24
Economic Development Strategy Background
City Council adopted
economic development
strategy September 2019
Result of six-month public
input process:
City Council study sessions
Community stakeholder
interviews including
developers, landowners,
brokers and the Chamber of
Commerce
20 25
Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan
21 Guiding principles of the strategy and action plan
• Formulate realistic economic development
expectations for the City and private sector
• Develop long-term strategies for business
retention and expansion
• Identify types of development the community
wants and create local incentives program to
facilitate
26 • Aspirational timeline
• Pandemic led 2020 and
2021 budget priorities
• No funding sources
identified to implement
the strategy
• Limited staff capacity
22 Action Plan Challenges
27 • Current pipeline activity
includes six multifamily
housing developments and
three research and
development office
projects
• COVID increased regional
collaboration with County
and economic development
organizations
• EDTF creates a new
opportunity for
stakeholder review of the
action plan
23 Action Plan Opportunities
28 Review Economic Development Strategy Elements
24 I. Policy Framework – define what is most
important to the City. What development does
the City want, and what is the City willing to
offer in exchange?
II. Funding Economic Development – Identify
existing and new funding sources; establish
investment priorities.
III. Marketing Campaign – Communicate our vision
and priorities to the public; partner with
existing business community to create Belmont
brand identity.
(Source 2019 Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG) II. Funding
Economic
Development
III. Marketing
Campaign
I. Policy
Framework
29 Economic Development Action Plan Accomplishments
25 Actions Completed or In Progress as of November 2021 Status Economic Development Manager Complete
City's Economic Development webpage Complete
Development Impact Fees Update Completed
• Economic Development Task Force In Progress
• Explore funding mechanisms for addressing and funding business needs, such as pros and cons of forming a CFD/BID, consider a feasibility study In Progress
• Belmont wayfinding and placemaking project In Progress • Permit streamlining In Progress
• Modernize/simplify the Belmont Business License Tax. In Progress (Source 2019 Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG) 30 Economic Development Action Plan
26 Strategy 1: Formulate Realistic Economic Development Expectations for the City And Private Sector ED Strategy
1. Enhance communications to communicate City's goal to balance long term fiscal sustainability with business retention/attraction efforts.
Marketing
2. Prepare a regular newsletter with info/links to available resources, workshops/webinars.
Marketing
3. Conduct developer and property owner outreach to discuss and evaluate what may be feasible to do today given available resources and market conditions. Establish short term priorities and long-term goals/alternatives.
Policy
(Source 2019 Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG) 31 Economic Development Action Plan (continued)
27 Strategy 2: Develop Long Term Strategies for Business Retention and Expansion ED Strategy
4. Develop Inventory of Belmont businesses, identifying their business profile to help determine ways in which the City can offer support. Marketing
5. Develop a Business Visitation Program to provide regular interaction between City Hall and business leaders, and to listen and learn from businesses. Marketing
6. Partner with Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Corporation, Senior Core of Retired Executives to provide regular programming Policy
7. Establish Economic Development Fund and propose funding priorities and criteria for incentives to retain/support/attract businesses to Belmont Policy/ Funding
8. Conduct stakeholder surveys to identify any City development review bottlenecks; consider process and systems improvements. Policy
(Source 2019 Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG) 32 Economic Development Action Plan (continued)
28 Strategy 3: Identify Types of Development the Community Wants to See in Belmont, and Create Local Incentives Program to Facilitate Priority Development Activity
ED Strategy
9. Adopt a community benefits program to identify what community benefits/ improvements are most important; make a list of concessions the City is willing to provide to developers in exchange for community benefits.
Marketing
10. Update the inventory of City assets available to further its goals (i.e., land held, funds, grant eligibility, partnerships, etc.).
Marketing
11. Create Economic Development Fund with both one-time monies and identify ongoing funding sources; make a list of the funding priorities (see page 10 of the strategy).
Policy
(Source 2019 Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG) 33 Economic Development Tools and Approaches
29 Economic Development Tools Belmont San Carlos Redwood City South SF San Bruno* Business Visitation Program
Small Business Assistance, Senior Core of
Retired Executives Programming
Economic Development Newsletter
Marketing Development Sites
Economic Development Fund
Community Benefits/Priorities Policy
Wayfinding Program
Note: Some of these activities may be altered or on hold due to COVID-19 safety precautions *Activities carried out by the San Bruno Community Foundation Non-Profit 34 EDTF Action Plan Weighted Rankings
30 20
25 31
34 38
38 39
43 44
44 Partner with SBA/SBDC/SCORE
Economic Development Newsletter
Stakeholder Surveys
Business Visitation Program
Developer Outreach
Community Benefits Program
Enhanced Marketing/Communications
Economic Development Fund & Priorities*
Inventory City Assets
Business Needs Inventory
*Combines Economic Development Funding Actions
**Rankings weighted to attribute more “points” to higher-ranked items (e.g., out of 11 items ranked, a #1 ranking received 11 points, a #2 ranking 10 points, a #3 ranking 9 points, and so on) 35 EDTF Action Plan Ranking Reflections
• Share more information about
affordable and attainable housing
• Balance parking needs with the
retail, business and housing growth
• Improve walkability of community
with economic development
growth
• Provide an inventory/list of local
businesses
31 II. Funding
Economic
Development
III. Marketing
Campaign
I. Policy
Framework
36 Discussion of Community Benefits Program
32 37
What is a Community Benefit Program?
33 A method for local governments to derive benefits from new development by offering developers incentives that
• Increase property value in exchange for community benefit • Provide amenities and public improvements
• Deliver a public purpose and advance community needs
38 How Do Community Benefit Programs Work?
• City and Community members
identify priority “needs” or benefits
• Priorities are summarized in a
“menu” for developers
• Developers contribute or construct
community benefits including
monetary contributions for a public
purpose, and/or improvements
(i.e., construction streets,
sidewalks, bridges, etc.)
34 39
Potential Belmont Community Benefits
35 Community Amenities
• Belmont community center
• Parks and recreation facilities
• Improved pedestrian sidewalk and crosswalks
• Pedestrian amenities (benches, signage,
shelters)
Sustainability
• Electric charging stations
• Solar photovoltaic panel facilities
• LEED building ratings
• Stormwater flood protection facilities (swales,
floodwalls, pumps)
Transportation
• Shared parking facilities
• Bike and pedestrian overpass/undercrossing
• Bike lanes and bike racks
• Shuttle and ride-sharing programs
Housing
• Affordable housing
• Childcare facilities
• Historic preservation
Wages and Local Hiring
• Living/prevailing wage
• Hiring low-income residents
40 EDTF Community Benefit Priorities Survey Feedback
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Hiring low-income residents
Shuttles & ride-sharing
Bike lanes /racks
LEED building ratings
Living/prevailing wage
Solar PV panels
Pedestrian amenities
Electric charging stations
Historic preservation
Childcare facilities
Affordable housing
Bike & pedestrian overpass/undercrossing
Parks & Recreation facilities
Belmont Community Center
Improved pedestrian sidewalks/crosswalks
Shared parking facilities
Flood protection facilities
36 Number of EDTF Members Who Indicated Item Was a Priority 41 EDTF’s Top Community Benefit Priorities
37 Belmont
Community
Center
Shared Parking Flood
Protection
Pedestrian
Sidewalks/
Crosswalks
Parks and
Recreation
Facilities
Bike/Pedestrian
Overpass/
Undercrossing
Affordable
Housing
Childcare
Facilities
Historic
Preservation
EV Charging
Stations
42 EDTF Community Benefit Discussion
Do the ranked list of community
benefits capture community needs?
• Civic center needs improvement
• Economic development growth puts
pressure on schools and childcare
facilities
• Build gathering spaces like the City
of San Carlos
• Transportation improvements and
more downtown parking are
needed
38 43
Other EDTF Community Benefit Comments
What stands out?
• EDTF is a small group and may not
represent all community interests
• Gather more input from the business
community as the EDTF includes
nonbusiness owners
• Belmont needs a business welcome
visit and marketing program
• Belmont would benefit from
investing in a broadband network
39 44
Economic Development Task Force Feedback
40 45
EDTF Experience High Points
What are some of the high points?
• Learning about the projects in the pipeline
• Provide input with a diverse group of
community members
• Enjoyed interacting with staff
• Invited to engage with the community
• Participated in discussions and heard an
array of viewpoints about housing and
development
41 46
EDTF Challenges
What was challenging about the
experience?
• Ensuring the information we
learned will be shared throughout
the community
• Digesting the volume of information
• Would like to interact with the EDTF
after the meetings
• Ensuring the committee as a whole
remains engaged
42 47
EDTF Comments and Key Takeaways
What did you learn?
• About government
• What it takes to build consensus
• Belmont is growing
• Limitations placed on
government
• How to focus
• Neighbor to neighbor learning
• My thoughts matter
• Additional EDTF thoughts (one
minute or less)
Would you recommend the City
offer more opportunities like this
on?
• Yes!
• Fine tune future efforts to focus
on economic development
incentives and growth
opportunities
• Engage the school district in
future efforts
43 48
Next Steps
• City Council will receive an
updated version of the Action
Plan including the EDTF
recommendations in the
2022/2023 Budget process
• Staff will prepare information for
a City Council study session to
kick-off the community benefit
policy discussion including the
EDTF rankings
• Staff proposes to reconvene the
EDTF twice over the next 18
months to provide updates and
gather input on the City of
Belmont’s economic
development progress, strategy
and outreach
• Continue to distribute
development activity updates
and the City Manager’s Report to
the EDTF
44 49
Questions
50