DATE:
March 7, 2023
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, 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 2022; And Proposed Committee Priorities For Calendar Year 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council accept this report on the Economic Development Advisory Committee’s accomplishments in 2022 and proposed priorities for 2023 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 2022
The EDAC’s highlighted priorities for 2022 were 1) the completion of a marketing program that advances the City’s image as a center of art and innovation; and 2) 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 included additional industry-focused roundtable discussions, continued support of business networking events as conditions permit, an increased focus on the production of affordable housing, and continued monitoring of the City’s labor standards.
The EDAC’s work in 2022 focused on the development of the marketing program and the restart of the BizNexus Networking Event Series. The EDAC also continued to convene industry roundtable discussions to help maintain communications between the EDAC and the business community, as described in more detail below.
In January 2022, the EDAC discussed the marketing program at length, focusing on a review of staff’s analysis of the City’s internal capacity, legal and budgetary constraints, and best practices by other area cities. Additionally, the EDAC reviewed its annual report to the City Council.
In March 2022, the EDAC received an update on the “Right to Recall” Ordinance, which provides that hotel and card room workers who were laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic be offered employment for their former positions before a covered employer hires new workers. The EDAC received a presentation from East Bay Community Energy regarding a change to the default service level for commercial electrical accounts, an overview of the Otocast smart phone guided tour of the City’s public art collection and the Cultural District, a presentation by Gig Carshare, and an overview of the City’s budget for economic development activities.
In May 2022, the EDAC recognized businesses that voluntarily participated in Earth Day cleanup activities, and reviewed proposed changes to the Sidewalk Café and Parklet Ordinances. The May 2022 meeting featured a restaurant industry roundtable discussion, with participation from several Emeryville restauranteurs. The EDAC also received a presentation on ballot measures proposed for November 2022, and an update from the ad-hoc subcommittee on the marketing program.
In June 2022, the BizNexus Networking Event Series was restarted after pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An event focused on sustainability, cleantech and cannabis – all part of the theme of “going green” – was held on the Emeryville Greenway at Café Rack.
In July 2022, the regular EDAC meeting was cancelled; however the ad-hoc subcommittee on the marketing program met to further refine the proposed marking program in preparation for review by the full EDAC.
In September 2022, the EDAC reviewed proposed “reach code” changes to the Building Code and proposed revisions to the ordinance regulating the issuance of Cabaret Licenses. The EDAC also discussed the marketing program in outline form and appointed members to the ad-hoc subcommittee on the marketing program to replace members that had resigned. The outline of the marketing program will form the basis for a Request for Proposals for implementation activities. Additionally, the EDAC received a presentation from Fish Emeryville and the Emeryville Marina regarding current activities and challenges.
In October 2022, a BizNexus Networking Event was held at Honor Kitchen and Cocktails focused on Emeryville’s creative economy and celebrating the installation of murals by the City and the PangeaSeed Foundation SeaWalls Mural Festival.
In December 2022, BizNexus returned to Public Market Emeryville for the “Merry at the Market” networking event. This event was the best-attended for BizNexus to-date, with over 60 reservations, which was the capacity for this event. The strong attendance at this event signals the continued support for networking opportunities for Emeryville businesses.
Top Priorities for Calendar Year 2023
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.
First Highlighted Priority
Marketing Program – With the preliminary outreach and planning for a marketing program completed in 2021, and the completion of an outline and scope of work in 2022, the implementation of the marketing program continues to be a priority of the EDAC. In 2023, the EDAC will work to begin implementation activities including review of a Request for Proposals for consultant support, expected to include development of a plan to execute the marketing program, image, content, graphic and web design, photography, video, social media and media relations tasks.
Second Highlighted Priority
Solutions Grant Program – 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 uses 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 or community-serving nonprofit organization. Sometimes, the costs of compliance with building and planning regulations are significant as compared to the tenant improvement costs for a business, resulting in the business choosing to locate outside of Emeryville. This is particularly acute for businesses and nonprofit organizations that have limited access to capital. The EDAC will continue to prioritize the development of a program to provide assistance in the form of a “Solutions Grant” to help facilitate the location of beneficial operations in Emeryville.
Other Priorities
Other activities expected to involve the EDAC in 2023 include additional industry-focused roundtable discussions, continued support of business networking events, continued support for 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 2022. The EDAC will continue to use the Strategy to guide its work efforts to support the local economy in Emeryville.
PREPARED BY: Chadrick Smalley, Deputy Director of Community Development Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Economic Development Strategy
Economic Development Advisory Committee Annual Report
City Council Meeting | March 7, 2023
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM