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• Reviews of internal processes as well as identifying any outdated regulations that may be creating barriers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