Agenda Item C.2
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM
Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: Economic Development Strategic Plan – Old Town Initiatives RECOMMENDATION:
A. Initiate the Old Town Pride of Place Grant Program and provide direction to staff on any other economic development initiatives.
B. Find that the Old Town Pride of Place Grant Program is not a gift of public funds.
BACKGROUND:
On October 1, 2024, the City Council received an update on the 2023 -2028 Economic Development Strategic Plan and provided direction to staff on economic development initiatives for Old Town. The City Council discussed initiatives including a grant program, general business license fee waiver program, community events, and other agency resources through the Economic Development Collaborative Small Business Development Center (EDC SBDC). The City Council approved the implementation of the general business license fee waiver program and directed staff to work with the Economic Development & Revitalization Committee (Committee), community stakeholders, and WEV to develop a grant program and/or other initiatives to support Old Town Goleta.
On December 11, 2024, the Committee met to discuss the Old Town Small Business Assistance Program Initiative s and recommended to move forward with the Old Town Pride of Place (POP) Gran t Program. The POP Grant Program could provide the businesses an opportunity to collaborate and take pride in ownership in investments in Old Town and their businesses. The Committee provided feedback to staff to bring a final draft of the POP guidelines with a clear timeline, an update on the business license waiver program, and one or two other potential initiatives for the Council to consider.
DISCUSSION:
Old Town Business License Fee Waiver Program
After the October 1, 2024, City Council meeting, staff requested $50,000 back from WEV to support the Old Town Business License Fee Waiver Program. Since then, the City’s 1 Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
Finance Department, in collaboration with other key staff, has developed an “Old Town Initiatives Map” and begun integrating the program into the City’s business license application system within the City’s permit tracking software. This integration will help identify Old Town businesses that qualify for the fee waiver. Additionally, staff is in the process of developing a new mechanism within the business license application system to trigger an automatic fee waiver during the application process for eligible businesses within the Old Town neighborhood. Beta testing for this program is expected to beg in in early February 2025, with a go-live start date targeted at the beginning of March 2025.
The program will run for one year from the start date. See Attachment 1 for the draft letter that will be sent to the businesses receiving the fee waiver.
Economic Development Initiatives for Old Town
At the December 11, 2024, Committee meeting, the Committee discussed the POP Grant Program guidelines and criteria, the outreach conducted to get input from Old Town businesses and heard from members of the public who participated in public comment.
A
summary of the business outreach can be found in Attachment 2. The Committee also discussed the potential to change the current Streamlined Loan Program by making it interest free; however, the Committee did not recommend moving forward with any loan program at this time.
The Committee recommended using a portion of the remaining Streamlined Business Loan Program funding (approx. $145,000) for the POP Grant, to be administered and managed by the City. The Committee discussed a potential 50-50 breakdown of the funds with half for the POP Grant and the other half for a different initiative, however the Committee did not recommend that split, and instead requested staff to present a n alternative breakdown for Council to consider. Staff is proposin g to use $120,000 of the estimated $145,000 to be available for the POP Grant which would leave approximately $25,000 for another initiative(s). If $120,000 was allocated with an average grant award estimated at $6,000 per recipient, approximately 20 recipients/businesses could receive a grant . The Committee recommended to not put a cap on the maximum amount a recipient may receive because multiple businesses could apply for a grant together and the amount could vary depending on the proposal.
See Attachment 3 for the full POP Grant Program Guidelines. A summary of the proposed general guidelines and criteria are listed below:
Total funding allocated: $120,000
o Average award range: $3,000-$10,000
Goal: Promote the businesses in Old Town by enhancing the sense of place and attracting more customers to Old Town businesses
o Examples: advertising, m arketing, beautification, p lants, events, specials, promotions, signage, seating, customer parking, permits, insurance, etc. Application Requirements:
o Must be a business or nonprofit in Old Town
o Provide thorough description of program, activity, event or other services bring proposed addressing the following criteria:
2 Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
Alignment with program goals
Community impact
Innovation and creativity
Financial feasibility
Community or customer engagement
Collaboration between businesses
o Provide a breakdown of how the funding will be spent for the project (i.e. materials, vendors, rentals, overhead, etc.)
The following calendar is proposed for the POP Grant Program roll-out and implementation:
Timeline/Date Activity/Action Item
January 21, 2025 Initiation of POP Grant Program
By January 31, 2025 Release Notice of Funding Availability January 31 – February 28,
2025
Application Period Open – Outreach to Old
Businesses
February 28, 2025 Applications Due
March 2025 Application Period Review – Economic Development & Revitalization Committee Meeting(s) for funding
recommendations
April 2025 City Council approval of grant award
recommendations
April – May 2025 Finalize Grant Agreements and disburse funding
The City Council could direct changes and adjustments to the guidelines, criteria and timeline, and funding breakdown as desired.
Potential Long-Term Economic Development Initiatives
As recommended by the Committee, staff researched several other approaches to small business economic development initiatives for Old Town that co uld be considered for more long-term projects. See below for three (3) potential projects. If there was desire to further look into any future projects, whether the ones listed below or other suggestions from Council, staff would return at a future meeting with more details.
1) Public Gathering Plaza/Pocket Park —Public seating area creating vibrant community spaces, sometimes conversion of public street parking spaces or under-utilized city property.
2) Street Streetscape Infrastructure and Amenities —Attractive streetscape improvements such as benches, plantings, lights, wayfinding/signage, bike racks, etc.
3) Buy Local Incentive Pr ogram—Encouraging the community to s upport small businesses and for every $100 spent locally in Old Town, participants are eligible to receive a prize (i.e. a Goleta/Old Town t-shirt, gift basket, gift card, etc.) 3 Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
Current FY 2024-25 Economic Development Initiatives
Other FY 2024-25 Economic Development Initiatives previously discussed are underway.
See Table 1 below for the full list of initiatives for this FY, including their statuses.
One in particular is the Old Town Open for Business Campaign that t he Community Relations Teams has been promoting through the City’s social media channel s. One of the key take-ways from the community outreach and business survey feedback was that marketing and advertising was one of the highest chosen responses for what type of programs they would like to see for economic development in Old Town. As a result, the Community Relations Team will be bolstering the Old Town Open for Business Campaign including utilizing paid advertising to help get th e word out even further to let our neighboring communities know about all the great diverse businesses in Old Town.
Staff are also in process of launching two other initiatives: Innovation and technology branding and the Meet Me in Old Town events and exp ect to finalize those agreements by Spring 2025.
Table 1. FY 2024-25 Economic Development Initiatives Summary Imperative Strategy Initiative Status Estimated $
Amplify the reputation of
Goleta as a world-class
center of innovation and
technology.
Support marketing
and branding
campaigns designed
to position Goleta as
a technology and
innovation hub.
1. Innovation and
technology
branding
In Progress $25,000
Improve access to
economic opportunity by
increasing the availability
of livable-wage jobs and
enhancing support for
local BIPOC and women-
owned small businesses
and entrepreneurs.
Invest in relationship
development with
and support of
culturally focused
organizations to
better support
women-owned and
BIPOC-owned small
businesses.
2. Mexican
Independence Day Completed $10,000
Enhance the experience of
Goleta for both residents
and visitors by leveraging
Old Town’s unique
historical and cultural
identity and investing in
district placemaking.
Explore the feasibility
of a Business
Improvement District
(BID) through the Old
Town Visioning
Process.
3. Business
Improvement
District Analysis/
Survey
Not Yet
Started $7,000
N/A
4. Meet Me in Old
Town Events In Progress $20,000
5. Old Town Open for
Business
Campaign
Launched
/Ongoing $8,000
Improve City Government
support of local
businesses and
relationships with
N/A
6. GoodLand
GoodShopping
Business Directory
Platform
Launched
/Ongoing $3,000
4 Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
economic development
stakeholders.
7. Business
Recognition
Program
Launched
/Ongoing $1,000
8. Sponsorships for
events/ programs
Launched
/Ongoing $15,000
9. Update City’s
Economic
Development
webpage
Not Yet
Started $1,000
10. Business
events/support in
other parts of City
Not Yet
Started $10,000
TOTAL $100,000
Preliminary Sales Tax Information
Staff has received preliminary sales tax data for both Bradley-Burns and Transaction and Use Tax for calendar year Q3 2024 (July–September):
Overall sales tax revenue from the Bradley -Burns local sales tax decreased by
2.0% compared to the same period in the prior year (from $2.2M down to $2.09M). o Declines in several major industry groups, including Building and Construction, Business and Industry, Autos and Transportation, and Fuel and Service Stations.
o Increases were noted in Food and Drugs, County Pool allocations, and the Restaurant and Hotel sectors.
Transaction and Use Tax (TUT) – “Measure B” preliminary data indicates $2.8 million was generated.
o Since this tax took effect on January 1, 2024, there is no pr ior year data available for comparison for Q3.
o However, by analyzing trends from the previous two quarters and comparing TUT performance against the Bradley -Burns sales tax, it appears that revenues are on track to meet the budgeted amount of $11 million for the Fiscal Year 2024/25.
The next key sales tax meeting with the City’s sales tax consultant is set for February 2025 to review detailed information regarding the activity from July to September. Further updates will be included in the Second Quarter Financial Review report.
Not a Gift of Public Funds
The expenditure of funds for the proposed Old Town Small Business Assistance Program would not constitute a gift of public funds. Article XVI, section 6 of the California Constitution prohibits expenditures of public funds when not used for a public purpose.
However, incidental benefits to private individuals do not transform an expenditur e for a public purpose into a private gift. In adopting this program, the City Council should find and determine that the program is not a gift of public funds because it promotes economic development within the City of Goleta and maintains the character o f a historically 5 Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
significant area. As discussed in this staff report, the program is consistent with and promotes the goals of the 2023-2028 Economic Development Strategic Plan.
The program, therefore, is designed to prevent blight in Old Town and mainta in it as a productive commercial area for the City, drawing both residents and visitors to the area.
The Old Town POP Grant Program will help allow businesses to stay in Old Town with the aim of maintaining and creating jobs in Goleta. Moreover, the existe nt businesses in Old Town add to the unique character of the area, and this program would be implemented in part to preserve that character for current residents and visitors. This program will enable the City to promote a sustainable local economy and imp lement related imperatives and strategies of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Therefore, the proposed program will have significant public benefits for the City.
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
City-Wide Strategy: 4. Support Economic Vitality
Strategic Goals:
4.1 Promote a sustainable local economy
4.3 Encourage residents, neighboring shoppers, and tourists to support locally owned businesses in Goleta
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The MOU with WEV for a Small Business loan program was originally funded at $200,000 in 2020 via General Fund Account 101 -60-6100-54012 and $50,000 has already been reallocated to the Old Town Business License Fee Waiver Program. Council could direct staff to initiate the Old Town POP Grant Program and use the $120,000 portion of the remaining funding for the grant program.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may choose to change the proposed guidelines, criteria , funding breakdown, and timeline for the POP Gran t. The City Council may also choose to not move forward with a grant program and provide different direction to staff.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, Acting City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Business License Fee Waiver Letter
2. Business Community Outreach Summary
3. POP Grant Guidelines and Criteria
4. Draft Grant Agreement Template
5. Staff Presentation
6 ATTACHMENT 1
Draft Business License Fee Waiver Letter
7 CITY COUNCIL
Paula Perotte
Mayor
Stuart Kasdin
Mayor Pro Tempore
District 4
Luz Reyes -Martín
Councilmember
District 1
James Kyriaco
Councilmember
District 2
Jennifer Smith
Councilmember
District 3
CITY MANAGER
Robert Nisbet
January XX, 2025
Dear Old Town Business Owner,
We appreciate you and your business!
We are pleased to announce that your business is eligible for a Business License Fee Waiver, a significant decision made possible by the recent funding approval in October 2024 from the Goleta City Council. This initiative not only reflects the City Council’s commitment to supporting local businesses but also hopefully provides some financial relief.
Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are so glad that you have chosen to set up shop in the City of Goleta. We understand that financial burdens can be challenging, and we hope this support alleviates some of that pressure, allowing you to focus on further growth and success in your business.
If you have any questions regarding this waiver or if you require any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Shannon Kirn at [email protected]. We are here to help and support you in any way we can.
Once again, thank you for choosing to provide your services to our community, you are what makes Goleta a great place to Live, Work, and Play! We look forward to seeing your business thrive in our community.
Warm regards,
Paula Perotte,
City of Goleta Mayor
8 ATTACHMENT 2
Business Community Outreach Summary
9 Business Community Outreach Summary
A survey was conducted to better understand the needs of Old Town businesses and get business owners' suggestions on how to best use the funds to support the businesses.
Survey questions were specifically geared toward business owners to see what type of grant programs and criteria they would like to see. The 10-question survey was available online through Survey Monkey in both Spanish and English from November 21, 2024 to December 3, 2024. Staff sent out multiple email notifications to businesses encouragi ng them to take the survey. Staff also conducted in-person outreach and talked to business owners in Old Town and handed out flyers (Spanish and English) with a QR code encouraging them to take the survey.
The Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with its coalition, Old Town United, assisted in collecting survey responses through a grassroots effort and walked Old Town with paper copies of the survey for business owners to take in person.
The survey results described below include b oth the online and the paper surveys city staff received.
88 Responses (25 Spanish, 63 English):
Online: 18 (2 Spanish, 16 English)
Paper: 70 (23 Spanish, 47 English)
Key themes from the survey include (n=number of respondents):
60% of businesses reported they are struggling to retain and attract new customers (n=36)
45% of businesses reported that they would like to see grant programs that support marketing and advertising (n=38),
56% of businesses reported they would like to see criteria that prioritize attracting more customers to Old Town (n=39)
o The second highest with 27% was a change in year -over-year revenue (n=19)
Many of the written responses in “other” fields stated that construction, parking in general (employees not having parking, custome rs not having parking, back -in parking, and cars being parked for long periods without moving), large trucks not being able to safely unload, and the traffic have all held a negative compound ing effect on their business with fewer people coming to Old Town and would like to see the parking and/or stripping changed back.
Other comments were made about the need to enforce illegal food vendors, needing help with permitting, more events and fun programs that bring people and families, improving the look of Old Town (cleaning sidewalks, artistic murals, repairing/repainting businesses), suggestion for nighttime construction work, and a suggestion for the city to prioritize using only Old Town vendors/business for things cush as catering, janitorial, auto repair, events/venues, etc.
10 ATTACHMENT 3
POP Grant Guidelines and Criteria
11 Pride of Place Grant Program Guidelines
PURPOSE
The City of Goleta has allocated approximately $120,000 to provide Old Town businesses an opportunity to collaborate and take pride in ownership in investments in Old Town and their businesses. Businesses can apply for the Pride of Place (POP) Grant for funding to implement innovative and creative programs and ideas for Old Town.
Potential examples include but are not limited to:
Advertising/Marketing
Beautification/Plants
Events/Special/Promotions
Signage
Benches/Seating
Business/Customer Parking
Permits/Insurance, etc.
The average grant award is estimated to range from $3,000-$10,000, and while there is no limit to the funding amount requested, applications will be evaluated per the criteria listed below.
GOAL
The goal of the program is to promote the businesses in Old Town by enhancing the sense of place and attracting more customers to Old Town businesses.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications for a grant must be submitted electronically through the ZoomGrant s program and include the following basic elements:
1. Name of Old Town business or nonprofit
2. Applicant(s)/business(es) must be in good standing with the City and any applicable state and federal entities and agencies
3. Provide business address, contract information and City Business License number a. If nonprofit provide proof of non-profit status
4. Description of proposed project/program/activity/service
5. Provide a breakdown of how the funding will be spent for the project (i.e. materials, vendors, rentals, overhead, etc.)
a. Including any supporting joint partnerships, matching funding, or cost sharing
REVIEW CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed and funding determined based on the following criteria:
12 1. To what extent does the proposal a lign with program goals of promoting the businesses in Old Town , enhancing the sense of place , and attracting more customers?
o Does the proposal strongly align, somewhat align, or not align at all with the program goals?
2. To what extent does the proposal positively impact the community? o Does the proposal have minimal impact, moderate impact, or high transformative impact?
3. To what extent does the proposal demonstrate creative or innovative approaches? o Is the proposal highly innovative/creative and original, moderately creative/innovated, or lack creativity?
4. Is the amount of funding requested appropriate and reasonable for the project/program/service?
o Is the proposal unrealistically budgeted, reasonably budgeted but could use more detail, or highly feasible and realistically budgeted?
5. Does the project engage community members and/or customers in a meaningful way?
o Does the proposal have minimal to no engagement, moderate engagement, or strong and diverse engagement?
6. Does the project involve collaboration with two or more Old Town Businesses? o Does the project not collaborate with any businesses, have some collaboration with businesses, or strong partnerships with multiple businesses?
PROCESS & SELECTION
Grant applications may be submitted only during the open application period designated through the release of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). The NOFA application period will be open for a minimum of four (4) weeks. No late applications will be accepted.
Staff will review application submissions for completeness and will bring completed applications for funding recommendation to the Economic Development & Revitalization Committee (Committee) for review likely i n March 2025. Committee meetings and materials are subject to the Brown Act. Applicants may be present during the Committee meeting and may be asked clarifying questions by the Committee. Applications will be evaluated using the criteria and rating scale l isted above.
The Committee will recommend funding awards to the full City Council. The City Council will take final action on the award of all the grants at a City Council meeting in spring 2025, likely in April 2025.
COMPLIANCE
All grant recipients will need to provide the following:
1. Signed W9
13 a. Business address on W9 must match business mailing address listed on application
2. Signed grant agreement
a. All grant recipients are required to sign a grant agreement. Per the agreement terms, grant recipients are expected to provide a written report one year from receiving the funds demonstrating how the funds benefited the Old Town community. The recipient ma y be requested to provide a report to the Committee or at a City Council meeting or workshop.
b. If feasible, grant recipients shall use local Old Town and Goleta vendors where possible when procuring goods and services related to grant fund uses.
RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
Grant funds shall not be used for political campaigning purposes or activities. Grant recipients (and affiliates) shall not endorse, fundraise, campaign or otherwise support or oppose a candidate for a City of Goleta elected office. Furthermore, grant funds shall not be used for religious activities. Grant funds will not be awarded to individuals, unless they are a sole proprietor, and only to Old Town Businesses and/or nonprofit organizations.
14 ATTACHMENT 4
Draft Grant Agreement Template
15 CITY OF GOLETA FUNDING AGREEMENT
OLD TOWN PRIDE OF PLACE GRANT PROGRAM
BUSINESS NAME
CONTACT
PHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
MAILING ADDRESS
PROGRAM/ ACTIVITY
TITLE AND
DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT AWARDED
As Grantee, I will complete Exhibit A (End of Year Report) to this agreement by December 31, 2025.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the funds awarded through the City of Goleta (City) will be used for the program or activity specified above, and as detailed in the grant application submitted to the Old Town Pride of Place Grant Program funding. When feasible, Grantees shall use local vendors when procuring goods and services related to the program or activity specified above. In addition, grant funds provided by City under this agreement shall not be used for political campaigning purposes or activities. My organization will not endorse, fundraise, campaign or otherwise support or oppose a candidate for a City of Goleta elected office.
Grantee holds City, its elected officials, officers, and employees, harmless from and agrees to defend and indemnify Grantor against all claims, demands, lawsuits, judgments, damages, losses, injuries or liabilit y arising from or related to Grantee’s use of the grant funds awarded under this Agreement. The duty to defend shall include any suits or actions concerning any use of the grant funds and also include the obligation to pay court costs, attorney fees, expert witness costs, investigation costs, claims adjusting costs and any other costs required for and related to such litigation.
Print Name
_________________________________
Signature Date
This executed agreement must be received by the City of Goleta in order to receive payment of the grant . Please submit this agreement electronically to Shannon Kirn at [email protected]
16 EXHIBIT A
End of Year Report
Agency Name:
Contract Amount: $
Activity or Program Name:
Activity Location:
Agency Contact Name:
Agency Contact Number:
Provide a description of the funded activity or program.
What were the goals and objectives of the funded activity or program?
Describe activity or program accomplishments.
Describe any areas of significant deviation from the activity/program goals and objectives, if any.
Describe any areas of significant deviation from the budget proposal submitted with the activity/project application, if any.
17 ATTACHMENT 5
Staff Presentation
18 Economic
Development - Old
Town Initiatives
Shannon Kirn
Assistant to the City Manager
Presentation to City Council
January 21, 2025
19 Background
2 Adopted Economic
Develpoment Strategic
Plan
June 2023
Core Planning Team
sequenced strategies
Aug. 2023
EDRC meeting
presented the
sequencing of the
strategies
29 Jan. 2024
Adopted FY 2024-25
Mid-cycle Budget,
$100,000 for economic
development
18 June 2024
Councilmember
Kyriaco requested an
item on Economic
Development Strategic
Plan and Old Town
initiatives
3 Sep. 2024
City Council received
presentation &
approved Old Town
Business License Fee
Waiver Program
1 Oct. 2024
Tasked staff to bring
this item to EDRC &
work with community
stakeholders to
developed grant
program
1 Oct. 2024
EDRC meeting
recommended to move
forward with POP Grant
11 Dec. 2024
January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
20 Sequencing Spreadsheet (Old Town Imperative only)
3 Imperative Objectives
Phase 1: Year 1
Strategies
Phase 2: Year 2-3
Strategies
Phase 3: Year 4+
Strategies Status Notes
FY 24-25 Draft
Expenditure List
Enhance the
experience of
Goleta for
both residents
and visitors by
leveraging Old
Town’s unique
historical and
cultural
identity and
investing in
district
placemaking.
• Annual increase in
service and retail
sales in Old Town
• 5-year increase in
the number of
visitors
to Old
Town as measured
by cell phone
location data
• Increased positive
neighborhood
perception
of
businesses in Old
Town as measured
by an annual
business survey
Invest in infrastructure
and streetscape
amenities in Old Town. In Progress
Streetscape
amenities
Meet Me in Old
Town
Explore the feasibility of a
Business Improvement
District (BID) through the
Old Town Visioning
Process.
Plan to Start
this Year
Business
Improvement
District Survey
Identify incentives to
encourage property
owners and businesses
to activate underutilized
properties in Old Town. Not Yet Started
Activate the
implementation of
existing Old Town visions
and plans. In Progress
Project Connect,
Interim Striping
Project
Study, identify, and
implement anti-
displacement to
ols and
strategies for Old Town
businesses and
residents. Not Yet Started
Activate
Old Town by
studying the feasibility of
relocating City services to
the district and/or
investing in community
infrastructure. Not Yet Started
January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
21 Proposed Pride of Place (POP) Grant Program
Total funding allocation: $120,000
• Average award range: $3,000-$10,000
Goal: Promote the businesses in Old Town by enhancing the sense of place and attracting more customers to Old Town businesses
• Examples: advertising, marketing, beautification, plants, events, specials, promotions, signage, seating, customer parking, permits, insura
nce, etc.
Application Requirements:
• Must be a business or nonprofit in Old Town
• Provide thorough d
escription of program, activity, event or other services bring proposed addressing the following criteria:
• Alignment with program goals
• Community impact
• Innovation and creativity
• Financial feasibility
• Community or customer engagement
• Collaboration between businesses
• Breakdown of how funds will be used
4January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
22 Proposed Pride of Place (POP) Grant Timeline
Timeline/Date Activity/Action Item
January 21, 2025 Initiation of POP Grant Program
By January 31, 2025 Release Notice of Funding Availability January 31 – February 28,
2025
Application Period Open – Outreach to Old
Businesses
February 28, 2025 Applications Due
March 2025 Application Period Review – Economic Development & Revitaliz
ation Committee Meeting(s) for funding
recommendations
April 2025 City Council approval of grant award
recommendations
April –
May 2025 Finalize Grant Agreements and disburse funding 5January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
23 Other Project Suggestions
6 Public Gathering Plaza/Pocket Park
Street Streetscape Infrastructure and
Amenities
Buy Local Incentive Program
January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
24 FY 24-25 Economic Development Expenditure
Summary
7 Innovation and technology
branding, $25,000
GoodLand GoodShopping
Business Directory
Platform, $3,000
Update City’s Economic
Development webpage, $1,000 Meet Me in Old Town
Events, $20,000
Mexican Independence Day
Event, $10,000
Business Improvement
District Analysis/ Survey,
$7,000
Sponsorships for events/
programs, $15,000
Business events/support in
other parts of City , $10,000 Old Town Open for
Business Campaign, $8,000
Business Recognition
Program, $1,000
January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
25 Recommendation
Initiate the Old Town Initiative – Pride of Place Grant Program and provide direction
to staff on any other economic development
initiatives.
Find that the Old Town Pride of Place Grant Program is not a gift of public funds.
8January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
26