City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 2, 2022
FROM: Carmen Gil, Community Engagement & Strat. Partnership Dir.
THROUGH: René L. Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Shop Small Business Campaign
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council support the Shop Small Business Campaign so that City staff may support small business traffic, and work to encourage more local shopping.
BACKGROUND
The Measure X Committee has been working to come up with ideas to support the growth of Measure X revenues that would support city infrastructure projects like the Gonzales Community Center. One of the ideas that the Committee came up with to not only support a slight increase in Measure X funds but also to support our local businesses was to embark on a Support Small Business campaign that would work to highlight our local businesses, promote their products/services and encourage more pedestrian traffic in our shopping corridors.
This campaign would be timely given that the Chamber of Commerce is currently reactivating, and several our small businesses have reached out to seek support around increasing local commerce.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
The Measure X committee would help get the word out about our local business. Some of the ideas that the committee had to support and promote the businesses is to promote them on social media, to establish a Small Business Saturday program, to establish local shopping pledges, along with flyers and banners to encourage shopping especially around the holidays and special occasions. More of the group’s ideas are attached on Exhibit A.
AGENDA
ITEM
10 Duties and Commitments
If the Council decides to support this effort, staff from community engagement and economic development will work with the Measure X committee and our local businesses to implement the campaign and encourage more foot traffic into their shops.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: This campaign will support efforts to increase local shopping, which in turn will help increase local commerce and help enhance collaboration between the city and our local business.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes _____No _____ NA
Explain: This campaign would support the city’s Mission to support the small-town charm that our city aims to achieve by encouraging more traffic into our local businesses.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: This campaign supports our local efforts to achieve a community-friendly environment.
It will also support education by helping to educate the community of local resources and services that our small business offer and help clarify how supporting these businesses will in turn help the overall city structure.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Council decides not to support this campaign, the local small businesses will have to continue to figure out how to advertise their services on their own vs. having one collective effort.
The other option is to wait until the Chamber of Commerce gets up and running and allow them to lead the effort vs. having city staff and Measure X support it.
BUDGET IMPACT
The budget impact will be minimal; however, funds will be needed to purchase banners and signs as well as to allocate staff time to support the campaign.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council support the Shop Small Business Campaign so that City staff may support small business traffic, and work to encourage more local shopping.
Attachments:
1. Ideas/Recommeded Activities