AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: PC
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2024
AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: 7.h
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2024
AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: 9.d
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2024
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Stephen Peck <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2024 6:39 PM
To: Council
Subject: Item 9d. Harbor Lease Policy Ad Hoc
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I just wanted to take a moment to thank the City Council for forming the Ad Hoc joint CFAC/HAB task force. Reaching across our advisory bodies has and will conƟnue to provide the Council and staff with the best advice on important maƩers facing the community.
I wanted to also comment that Cal Myers was a capable and efficient facilitator and we were able to cover lots of material and come to consensus in a fair and deliberaƟve manner.
Stephen J. Peck, AICP
Peck Planning and Development, LLC
Planning+Development+Economics
(559)731-5778
[email protected]
AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: 9.e
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2024
2 Sincerely,
Albertsons 1345
Morro Bay, CA
805-772-0670
From: Judy Salamacha >
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2024 4:53 PM
To: Store 1345 c90 - Store Manager <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL EMAIL: If you can't write a letter or be there tomorrow night for the Chamber's Economic Development Contract....
I plan to attend and I only have 3 minutes and have already written and sent my letter, but I could add and would love to add…comments from other member like yourself how the chamber has welcome and invited you to become part of Morro Bay’s effort to plan and grow…or whatever you might want to briefly state about how it is a resource for Albertson’s….if not that is fine, too.
Sorry to think of this so close to the meeting tomorrow.
Email back is fine.
Judy
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1 Heather Goodwin
From:
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 8:57 PM
To: Council
Subject: Economic Development Process
Attachments: a.pdf
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City Council and Staff;
In one of my prior roles I established and ran over 20 business locations across the US and Mexico. Even though we were a $40B company with many resources, once we targeted a regional area my staff would always reach out to local Chambers of Commerce for demographic and qualitative type information. We used that as kind of an acid test before we would go to the next step which would be to reach out to the State or Local government. We did this because staff wanted to get a feel for the business climate since we would be utilizing many local business resources.
Economic Development is much more critical for Morro Bay than many other communities because of our extremely large dependence on tourism revenue. We witnessed that when the power plant closed operations. Morro Bay being a predominantly Tourism area, has so many vulnerabilities. This is why developing a broader economic base is critical.
Vulnerabilities include but not limited to:
• Seasonality- Economic development can foster year-round industries to balance this out • External economic and weather factors. A diversified economy provides a buffer for some of these factors • Limited Control –Trends, Competitive marketing efforts. Economic development allows more control over the local economy's direction
Economic Development should not be placed in the hands of City or State officials until such time that the potential party has developed interest into this area as a possible location.
Chambers of Commerce can provide the following:
• Local Expertise: Chambers are filled with business owners and professionals who have their fingers on the pulse of the local economy.
• Qualitative Data: Beyond just numbers, Chambers can offer qualitative information about the business climate.
This might include things like the prevailing attitude towards new businesses, the availability of skilled labor, or potential challenges specific to the area.
• Networking Opportunities: Connecting with the Chamber can put you in touch with other businesses, potential partners, and even future customers. (I have personally had discussions with potential business prospects to Morro Bay as the result of Chamber contacts)
• Credibility Check: By engaging with the Chamber, you demonstrate your commitment to the community and your interest in integrating your business into the local landscape. This can build trust and goodwill with potential customers and partners.
The Chamber of Commerce reflects a much more personal face of Morro Bay than City staff would. The Chamber and its members have a VESTED interest.
The kind of business interested in Morro Bay as a potential location is going to be looking at Morro Bay with a more qualitative perspective. Walmart, Costco etc. use quantitative information only and would not be interested in Morro Bay and who we really are.
In closing, during my past experiences I have not had productive meetings with public officials as the initial point of contact for Economic Development opportunities. The questions a business person have, are best dealt with by other business people until it progresses to pursuing potential opportunity sites, licenses, regulations, permits etc. I hope that you will consider this going forth in future discussions about Econ Development.
2 Stephen J. Peck, AICP
Peck Planning and Development
2455 Greenwood Avenue
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(559) 731-5778
1 Dana Swanson
From: Judy Salamacha <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2024 2:10 PM
To: Council
Subject: Re: Support to approve Economic Development Contract with Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce
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Dear Mayor Wixom & Council Members:
On Tuesday May 14 I encourage you to approve the proposed Economic Development Agreement with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce for 2024-5. Your vote will conƟnue what I am currently hearing said about Morro Bay, “There is something vibrant going on in all of our business districts.” That only happens when businesses are provided “boots on the ground” support, recogniƟon fanfare, and acƟviƟes focused on the development of new customers and the expansion of exisƟng business as well as sourcing and encouraging relocaƟon of new business development.
Indeed, it is the Chamber’s mission to support our business members, but when the City and Chamber work together sharing a scope of work needed for all business and are vested to produce true economic development, both Chamber and City staff can produce more business support and more business development outreach. In the last couple years Morro Bay has aƩracted new energy, revitalizaƟon of current properƟes and new ownership. And the Morro Bay Chamber staff has been there to answer quesƟons, guide criƟcal pathways and welcome innovaƟon and promote, promote, promote. And, although we know how hard government and chamber staffs and leadership have worked both publically and behind the scenes to make Morro Bay inviƟng to business development, we are sƟll an economic development work-in-progress.
I’ve witnessed Morro Bay’s hiccoughs and celebrated its advances as a resident and media representaƟve over 22 years. I relocated from Bakersfield, Kern County where I enjoyed several corporate posiƟons unƟl I started my own markeƟng/public relaƟons business. I was fortunate to play a major liaison role in creaƟng the Kern Economic Development CorporaƟon. I learned public/private partnerships were far beƩer equipped to generate economic development efforts. Private industry and government leadership working together contributed to the expansion of exisƟng business, the aƩracƟon of new business and posiƟve growth for the community. Common goals were aligned for financial savings, producƟve use of staff Ɵme, future business growth and ulƟmate sustainability for all concerned - also celebrated as success in acƟviƟes such as Morro Bay’s Summit - the State of the City.
While I was affiliated with media in SLO and the Estero Bay I was always welcomed to parƟcipate in Chamber acƟviƟes, even honored in 2013 as CiƟzen of the Year, but I was not compelled to become a chamber board and commiƩee member unƟl the Chamber created a Governmental Affairs CommiƩee and City/Chamber developed a strong liaison relaƟonship supporƟng economic development acƟviƟes. Finally, I could see potenƟal progress worthy of my direct investment of Ɵme and energy. Our City leadership and chamber staff were beginning to work together for mutually agreed upon benefits. I sincerely hope you too will see the opportuniƟes. With your endorsement, the Chamber is up to the tasks agreed upon to share economic development duƟes with the City of Morro Bay.
Sincerely,
Judy Salamacha
Salamacha PR Strategie
1 (805) 801-1442
Member, MB Chamber Board of Directors
2 Member, Governmental Advisory CommiƩee
May 12, 2024
Mayor, Council and Staff,
I have been the owner of a retail store in Morro Bay since 2006. As a neophyte business owner, I joined the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Morro Bay Merchant’s Association (long since disbanded) not only for my own support and education, but knowing that these groups supported the rest of the business community. Every business is made stronger by the strength and success of the businesses around it.
Likewise, every business struggles if those around it are faltering.
I have seen many changes in our Chamber through the years; it has honed it’s focus and purpose. One of the most beneficial partnerships has been that between the City and Chamber for the purpose of “Economic Development”-- a catch-all phrase that has come to mean business support, development, expansion, retention, education--what basically amounts to viability. Our lodging industry has it’s own independent marketing and lobbying groups, the waterfront leaseholders have a strong consortium, the fishing community has organizations which speak out about the challenges and needs of that group. Certainly every professional group (real estate, insurance, banking etc.) has larger groups working on their behalf. For our small independent retail and restaurant businesses the Chamber is the champion, the support system, the greater voice that can identify and speak for our needs.
And the Chamber works to link all of the elements of our business community together. I think what is often forgotten, is that not only are most of our business owners also residents of Morro Bay and adjacent communities, but also provide a good percentage of the tax dollars that support the town. Never mind all that we contribute to local nonprofits, school programs, community events, local character and beautification. Natural beauty alone will not keep police and fire local, pave streets, clean parks, etc.
During times of crisis, whether pandemic, flooding, or economic downturns, the Chamber has provided prompt factual information to ALL in the business community, not just members. And it opened much of that information to the general public as well. The Chamber has also provided support for new and continuing businesses, as well as education, assistance with City licensing and permitting processes, accessing resources, and trying to educate staff and council on the issues and needs of the business community. They provide opportunities for networking and mutual support. The relationship that the Chamber built with City staff helped create bridges toward understanding, and therefore solutions which could benefit all.
All this being said, it is a small town, with a relatively small group of businesses. We recently lost a brilliant and dynamic leader and CEO, and the challenge of replacing her has been exacerbated by the high cost of housing and the low salary we can offer. The fact that the City wants to offer even less money for the new contract is worrisome. The City of Morro Bay has never had the ability to fund a staff position that is dedicated to economic development and sustainability. So the relationship with the Chamber was a smart way to outsource that position in a way that was also “insourcing.” My understanding is that the money to fund this contract comes through the SB 1099 Diablo Canyon Closure economic development fund, and can ONLY be used for economic development. If staff and council feel it wise to reduce this contract between Chamber and City, my hope is that they will find another way to use it to support and strengthen our small businesses.
Good luck with your deliberations on this matter. I see it as a pivotal decision that will affect the future of our government, our business community, and the residents of Morro Bay.
Susan Stewart
Morro Bay Business Owner