DATE:
March 1, 2022
TO:
Christine Daniel, City Manager
FROM:
Charles S. Bryant, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
Economic Development Advisory Committee’s Annual Report On Committee Goals, Principles And Accomplishments For Calendar Year 2021; And Proposed Committee Priorities For Calendar Year 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council accept this report on the Economic Development Advisory Committee’s accomplishments in 2021 and proposed priorities for 2022.
Committee Goals and Principles
The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) provides input and recommendations regarding City policies and priorities related to the City’s economic development priorities and strategies.
Accomplishments for Calendar Year 2021
The EDAC’s highlighted priorities for 2021 were 1) the development of business incentive programs to assist with post-pandemic economic recovery by addressing financial and regulatory barriers to business establishment and reuse of buildings; and 2) to develop a marketing program that capitalizes on the City’s strengths as a center of art and innovation. Other priorities included continued support of business networking events, continued implementation of the Art Center project, an increased focus on the production of affordable housing, and monitoring of the City’s labor standards. The EDAC’s work in 2021 focused on the development of a marketing program, and the EDAC was successful in using direct outreach, a survey, and convening industry roundtable discussions to help inform this ongoing effort, as described in more detail below.
In January 2021, the EDAC received a presentation from PilotCity, an innovative early workforce development program that works with schools to connect high school students to employers to build projects to win internships. PilotCity expanded its program by partnering with Emery Unified School District. Additionally, in January, the EDAC reviewed the committee’s annual report to the City Council.
In March 2021, the EDAC received a presentation on the City’s Affordable Housing Bond Administration and Expenditure Plan that had been approved by the City Council on March 2. The EDAC carefully reviewed the preliminary results of a business survey conducted in early 2021 to gauge interest in a virtual format for networking events, interest in participating in the development of promotional content for the City, and general feedback on Emeryville’s business climate In May 2021, the EDAC discussed a potential “Right to Recall” ordinance, which would provide for employees laid off from hotel and card room businesses during the pandemic to be offered positions when the business begins rehiring, in seniority order. The EDAC also discussed the cannabis industry in Emeryville, focusing on barriers to expansion of the industry. At this meeting, the EDAC also initiated discussions on the development of a marketing program for the City (a highlighted 2021 priority as noted above) and formed an ad-hoc subcommittee to work on this initiative. The EDAC reviewed the final results of the business survey conducted in early 2021, and used the results to inform next steps for the marketing program and to adjust the implementation details related to the Economic Development Strategy to reflect insights gleaned from the business survey, current business needs and changes due to the pandemic.
In July 2021, the EDAC was introduced to, and received a presentation from, CenterCal Properties, the new owner of Bay Street. The EDAC furthered its discussion on the marketing program, outlining a strategy to solicit business input on the messaging, audiences and media that would best support the business community. The EDAC also received a recap of the City Council’s study session on expansion of the cannabis industry in Emeryville. In support of this, the EDAC welcomed the Council’s recommendation to hold a “cannabis business roundtable” discussion and scheduled the roundtable for the next EDAC meeting to solicit input from existing and prospective Emeryville cannabis businesses.
In September 2021, the EDAC held a Cannabis Industry Roundtable discussion, which was well attended and appreciated by EDAC members and industry participants alike. This event helped inform the development of the marketing program and prompted discussion on holding other industry roundtables at future EDAC meetings to reinforce the connection between the business community and the EDAC. The EDAC also heard an update from the ad-hoc subcommittee for the marketing program, reviewing preliminary results from business outreach activities.
In November 2021, the EDAC received a presentation from CenterCal Properties regarding their proposal for a grocery store at Bay Street. The EDAC also held a Hotel Industry Roundtable, which furthered the EDAC’s insights and discussion on the marketing program. In addition, the EDAC reviewed recent public safety-related articles that were published by multiple news outlets and staff’s response to those articles.
Top Priorities for Calendar Year 2022
The City’s Economic Development Strategy (see Attachment 1) includes a broad list of activities under the EDAC’s purview, and the Strategy is prioritized to give staff, EDAC and the City Council guidance on which activities to allocate resources to first. With the continuing impact of the pandemic, implementation of the Strategy’s actions also requires consideration of the current economic context and need for recovery.
First Highlighted Priority
Marketing Program – With the preliminary outreach and planning for a marketing program nearly completed in 2021, the completion and implementation of the marketing program continues to be a priority of the EDAC. In 2022, the EDAC will work to finalize the marketing program and begin implementation activities, including support of tourism.
Second Highlighted Priority
Business Incentive Programs – The City’s business incentive offerings are currently limited; however, there is a need to provide financial support for the reuse of commercial buildings by businesses that would strengthen the City’s economy. Specifically, many buildings require significant investment in fire protection, accessibility, seismic safety, public improvements and development impact fees in order to change the existing permitted use and/or occupancies to accommodate occupancy by a desirable business. Sometimes, the costs of compliance with building and planning regulations are significant as compared to the tenant improvement costs for a business, discouraging the business from locating in Emeryville. The EDAC will prioritize the development of a program to provide assistance in the form of a “Solutions Grant” to help facilitate the location of beneficial businesses in Emeryville.
Other Priorities
Other activities expected to involve the EDAC in 2022 include additional industry-focused roundtable discussions to inform the EDAC of the business climate and to inform marketing strategies, continued support of business networking events as conditions permit, increased focus on the production of affordable housing, and continued monitoring of the City’s labor standards.
Conclusion
The EDAC has remained an engaged and productive advisory body in 2021. The EDAC will continue to use the Strategy to guide its work efforts to support the recovery of the local economy in Emeryville.
PREPARED BY: Chadrick Smalley, Economic Development and Housing Manager Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Christine Daniel, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Economic Development Strategy
Economic Development Advisory Committee Annual Report
City Council Meeting | March 1, 2022
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM