COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – June 05, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: Council Member Andrews called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: (September 2022-July 2023)
Meeting Attendees
Present
6/5/2023
All Meetings
Year to Date
Meetings Mandated
By Resolution
Present
Absent
Present
Absent
Mayor Salinas
4 1
4 1
Council Member Andrews
5 0
5 0
Council Member Bonilla
2 0
2 0
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Kelly McAdoo, City Manager; Paul Nguyen, Chief Economic Development Officer; Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist; Catherine Ralston, Economic Development Specialist; Javier Castro, Administrative Assistant; Christopher (no last name given); Rosa Rodriguez.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING May 1, 2023
A motion to approve the minutes from May 1, 2023, Regular Meeting was made by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews. The minutes were approved with Mayor Salinas absent.
Approval of FY24 CEDC Regular Meeting Schedule
A motion to approve the Schedule for FY24 CEDC Regular Meeting was made by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews. The Schedule were approved with Mayor Salians absent.
Hayward Upward Economic Recovery Plan Update: Restaurant Relaunch and Restore and Reopen Programs Council Member Bonilla thanked the team for the presentation and asked what some of the requirements are to be eligible and selected for Restaurant Relaunch Program and the Façade program. Economic Development Specialist Ralston stated that for Restaurant Relaunch, the city required the business to be open for at least 5 years and also be open during the pandemic. Matching funds or other contributions were optional but were used in application scoring.
Economic Development Specialist Ralston added that they looked at the business to see if the business had gotten a previous façade grant within the last five years. The business also had to state what they were using the grant money for so the Economic Development team could determine which program they would qualify under.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that the grantees in the Restaurant Relaunch program would have a very visible impact. ED Specialist Daniel Mao added the Economic Development team created a bench of qualified architects and made those professionals available to the business at no extra cost to them.
Council Member Bonilla asked what the maximum grant was given to the business. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered $20,000 plus any architect services that were used.
Council Member Bonilla asked if there were any remaining funds to award to other businesses Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen said no. The remaining funds are held in reserve for contingencies of ongoing projects. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that as the other businesses wrap up and come under budget, the ED Team will use the remaining funding to assist other businesses who have applied.
Council Member Bonilla instructed staff to add a column to the staff report to say if the business projects were complete or not, if they were a minority, how much was given, and what was done with the grant.
Council Member Bonilla asked how we can continue this program with low barriers for future emergencies. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that this program was built and improved upon by the ED team over the past five years. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that the current program is funded by ARPA funds and that it’s a question for Council on how we can continue funding for future years.
Council Member Bonilla asked how the business can learn how to be resilient. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that there are government agencies including the East Bay Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration that offers free classes and training.
Council Member Andrews applauded the team and commended the use of an architect bench. Council Member Andrews then stated that she would like to see more marquee signs for a more permanent look.
Council Member Andrews asked why one of the grantees used the money for a banner instead of a marquee sign. Ralston answered and stated since that business is in the industrial district, they are not allowed to have free standing signs for retail uses due to zoning. Ralston also added that the business also uses a branded tent and banner to create an outdoor dining area. Council Member Andrews stated that Planning needs to look at the zoning to have a more attractive signage in the industrial area.
Council Member Andrews asked if the Chamber of Commerce looked at how ED worked with small businesses so they could use those same tactics. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that staff provided ED program information to Hayward Chamber of Commerce to promote to their memberships.
Council Member Andrews asked if the Hayward Chamber of Commerce will have the capacity to do a similar program. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that’s a question about staff and resources. He stated that the programs described were labor intensive. He stated that small businesses often require multiple contacts and follow-up assistance to build trust and ensure the businesses follow through.
Council Member Andrews asked if we could do a mentorship program with big businesses to small businesses in Hayward. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that the State Department of Commerce and other Federal agencies have such programs for international or local mentorships. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that it will be efficient to use these programs instead of city resources to start a program in Hayward.
Council Member Andrews asked if Restaurant Relaunch had an adaptability aspect to encourage restaurants to offer grab-and-go products and other promotions. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that Hayward Live! is a program that focuses on adaptability and the official launch is in July. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that the ED team is working with the business to get involved in the program so the supports brick-and-mortar business.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that the city will provide to businesses Hayward Live! branded material including pint glasses to giveaway . Business would need to do offer a special promotion so that customers can receive Hayward Live! promotional items.
Council Member Andrews questioned if there can be seating outdoors at restaurants and if we could rent chairs for restaurants to use for Hayward Live! dates. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that Hayward Live! is not a special event and it is not an idea to create a crowd or close streets. The purpose of the program is to create small-scale street activations that will push people to brick-and-mortar stores. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that staff would look in offering chairs and tables to businesses.
Council Member Bonilla asked how Economic Development is working with Hayward Chamber of Commerce. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that Economic Development works in collaboration with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that information about Economic Development programs, including “Hayward Live!”, is available to the public via the City website. Information is also posted across all the City of Hayward social media and newsletters.
Council Member Bonilla asked if we have ever asked the Hayward Chamber of Commerce for input and if we relay the message of safety and the Hayward Chamber of Commerce can help echo that message.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that every program concept comes to Council Economic Development Committee and historically Hayward Chamber of Commerce join the meetings where they can be involved.
Council Member Andrews stated that she can contact the Hayward Chamber of Commerce about attending Council Economic Development Committee meetings.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that all the programs created by Economic Development are predicated on data and the team conducted a city-wide business needs survey The survey was also pushed out by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. The response of the survey and feedback were used for the ARPA programs we see today.
Council Member Andrews added that the problems in downtown Hayward are associated with vacant properties and nefarious activity that takes place near those properties. She asked if Economic Development talked to Hayward Police Department presence in downtown Hayward.
City Manager McAdoo stated that she is in conversations with Interim Police Chief Bryan Matthews regarding restarting the downtown officer and walking patrols on B Street. Unfortunately, due to staffing levels that is currently not feasible. City Manager McAdoo added that there is promising news about officers in the academy. She hopes that we can get those officers into those specialty units.
Council Member Andrews stated we can have Downtown Streets Team have a bigger presence where people would see these personnel and understand that they will call Hayward Police Department if needed.
Council Member Andrews also added that Downtown Hayward Improvement Association and the City of Hayward had a security contractor, but it did not work out and we were left without security. She added that Downtown Hayward Improvement Association could help with the safety concerns.
Council Member Andrews asked if the Downtown Hayward Improvement Association could afford extra security and if they could pay for Hayward Police Department patrol. City Manager McAdoo stated we must investigate that and added one of the challenges with Downtown Hayward Improvement Association they are supposed to pay for services above and beyond what the City of Hayward can provide. City Manager McAdoo added that it would also be overtime for Hayward Police Department and it would be volunteer based.
Council Member Andrews thanked staff for the presentations and answers.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS AS OF June 5, 2023
Council Member Andrews asked after the downtown tour if the information can be retained in notes. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that staff will take notes during the walking tour. Council Member Andrews is very excited to take the tour.
Council Member Andrews asked if we could get an update on the food hall on A Street. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that he could provide an update now and stated that that the East Bay Eats food hall developer completed construction. The facility features up to 25 individual kitchen stalls and they received a Certificate of Occupancy. He added that staff has been in contact with other staff and community members to get a wish list of different uses for the space that developers could use to target tenants. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that there is currently no ETA on opening and that the developers are working two opening other food halls.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that there will be limited seating onsite and that the primary use will be the third-party delivery customers.
Council Member Andrews asked if it would be possible to have tables and chairs facing A street. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that is not a part of the approved project. Council Member Andrews asked about signage facing A street. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that there are signs that will need to be approved by Planning.
Council Member Andrews questions if we could put out a notification when a celebrity is in town. City Manager McAdoo answered we can investigate each case and if they are here to promote a product, we will not be able to announce their arrival. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Hayward Improvement Association can promote these celebrities coming to town.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/ STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS
Council Member Andrews States that Juneteenth celebration in Hayward will be hosted on June 15 as a street party in collaboration with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. She also added on June 17th the Russell City Blues Festival will be occurring as well.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that on May 11 they participated in the grand opening of Avirmax, a biotechnology company. Mayor Salinas and Council Member Goldstein cut the red ribbon along with the business owners. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that the business owner chose Hayward for its real estate affordability and central location for their clients and suppliers. The business also wanted to connect with CSU East Bay for job pipelines.
Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen announced the grand opening of Veev, a manufacturer of modular homes. He stated that Veev had multiple arms of the company around the Bay Area but decided consolidate to Hayward. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen stated that ED staff played a major in attracting this company, including providing site selection assistance, pre-application meetings and streamlining permitting. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen added that 450 to 500 homes will be produced from this facility each year and that they are being connected to Chabot College and Cal State East Bay for workforce development opportunities.
Council Member Bonilla questioned how this company will benefit Hayward. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen answered that Veev is backed by major venture capital groups. Other investors or businesses will look at Veev’s success in Hayward and consider investing or locating here. Chief Economic Development Officer Nguyen also added that the job creation could benefit Hayward residents. Lastly, Nguyen stated city revenue is generated from associated sales tax, use tax, and property tax.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Hayward Council Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2023