EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 7, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Melvin Gaines, City Manager
BY: Greg Henry, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Update on the status of the Business Discovery Program Recommendation
Receive this report on the status of the Business Discovery Program.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 2: Enhance Economic Vitality
Priority No. 3: Increase Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Background
On February 7, 2023, the City Council approved the start of HdL’s Business Discovery Program to find non-compliant businesses in East Palo Alto and bring them to compliance with the City’s Business License Tax. Further, the City Council authorized an Amnesty and Education Phase. During this Amnesty and Education Phase, businesses who come into compliance wave all or some of their penalties and fees.
On Monday, February 13, 2023, HdL began sending letters to business owners who were out of compliance with the City’s business license requirements. This was followed on February 20, 2023, by letters with Spanish translation. The City also made social media posts and distributed a City e-newsletter with information about HdL’s Business Discovery Program.
Analysis
This informational item is intended to further inform the public about the Business Discovery Program, to update the City Council and public about the program’s progress and to provide an opportunity to receive feedback and answer any questions Councilmembers of the public may have.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to this report.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo Co. Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.