BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 1, 2025
N.1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP
AND A CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON THE ONGOING EFFORTS OF THE BUSINESS CONCIERGE PROGRAM Attachments:Powerpoint Presentation on item N.1.
CONTACT: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR N.1 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE
CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WORKING GROUP AND A CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON THE ONGOING
EFFORTS OF THE BUSINESS CONCIERGE PROGRAM
City Council│ April 1, 2025
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
• Program implementation was approved December 2022
Goals
• Improve customer service experience of businesses interacting with the City • Provide more clear guidance to businesses
• Improve turnaround times and consolidated comments
Strategic Plan Calls for the Creation of an Economic Development Working Group • Recruit/retain businesses & developers to the City
• Identify processes, procedures, and regulations that impeded business reinvestment in the City
IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTED
• Updated Integrated Permitting Software
• Business Concierge Webpage & Flyers
• Improved Interdepartmental Coordination
• Check-in kiosks at City Hall
• Online appointment scheduling with City planners
• Approximately 26 businesses helped directly through the program • More businesses have been indirectly helped through the improvements made
SUCCESSES
El Torito
o Expedited gas meter replacement to
ensure timely opening
Pita Café
o Resolved permitting issues enabling
business opening.
Sonesta Hotel
o Quick permit acquisition for hosting a
special event.
ONGOING & FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS
Though progress has been made, many more opportunities for improvement remain, including:
• Additional software system updates to streamline permitting process • Business Survey can reveal potential existing bottlenecks that businesses commonly encounter • Improved interdepartmental coordination such as consolidated comments • Customer service feedback surveys
• Reviews of internal processes as well as identifying any outdated regulations that may be creating barriers
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
• Appoint a subcommittee of the City Council to assist the Economic Development Working Group