HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 3 ECON DEV COUNCIL 02-16-93NEW BUSINESS N0. 3
2-16-93
ATE: Inter -Com
W�8U1
FEBRUARY 1.1, 1993
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
RECOMMENDATION:
Pleasure of the City Council,
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has approved a business outreach program consisting of
the following components:.
■ A letter from the Mayor is sent to each new business locating
in Tustin. Using business license and certificate' of
occupancy records, the letter welcomes the business, offers
the City's assistance whenever possible, etc.
■ Target key businesses which the City feels are at risk of
leaving Tustin. From time to time, there are rumors about.a
major business relocating or the City's sales tax trending
reports will identify a business apparently having
difficulties. The Mayor and/or appropriate City officials
will contact the business and offer assistance. If there are
any circumstances the City has control over, then it can act
accordingly. There are other circumstances (e.g. the negative
business climate in California due to worker's compensation
laws, Air Quality Management. District (AQMD) regulations,
etc.) over which the City has no control.
■ Target the top sales tax producers and businesses that are
showing significant increases and let them know the City
appreciates their efforts. This is done by letters, phone
calls or personal visits.
■ Conduct a survey of Tustin businesses through a mailer to
solicit their views about doing business in Tustin. The
survey would be aimed at determining the things the City is
doing that helps business and things perceived by business
that are not helpful. This information would assist the City
in assessing its services, methods of operation, codes,
administrative regulations, etc.
Economic Development Council
February 11, 1993
Page two
■ Over the years, the City has not had an aggressive business
attraction program because Tustin is in a strong market area.
There have been times where the City took the lead (Tustin
Auto Center, Plaza LaFayette) in initiating projects, but
generally speaking it has relied upon major developers to
market their sites. The City does work closely with
developers in identifying desired businesses and meeting with
targeted businesses, when necessary. Ikea, Costco and K -Mart
are examples of where the developer targeted a particular
business and the City assisted by meeting with the business to
assure them of City cooperation, fast tracking permits, etc.
The City will be developing a more aggressive posture on
business attraction through the Redevelopment Agency and
through opportunities identified in the Marine base specific
plan.
The City Council also authorized Mayor Pontious and Councilmember Thomas
to formulate a proposal concerning the role and membership of an
Economic Development Council (EDC). It is their recommendation that an
EDC be created by the City Council. EDC members would be appointed by
the City Council and serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council
regarding economic development matters. There are two immediate
projects which could be undertaken by the EDC:
■ development of a survey of businesses through a mailer.
This was approved by the City Council last October as a means
of soliciting input from the business community regarding what
the City can do to assist Tustin's economy.
■ explore the feasibility of developing a business magazine.
The magazine would serve as a vehicle for the City to
communicate with the business community regarding City events,
programs, regulations, etc. affecting business.
One of the first tasks of the EDC would be development of a mission
statement and a strategic plan (e.g. attraction and retention of
businesses). Staff support for the EDC would be provided through
existing City staff.
Attached is a proposed letter that would be sent to persons invited to
serve on the EDC. Mayor Pontious and Councilmember Thomas have
suggested that two City Councilmembers be appointed to the EDC and that
persons/businesses invited to serve on the EDC should include:
• Chamber of Commerce representative
Southern California Edison Company
9 Pac-Tel
Economic Development Council
February 11, 1993
Page three
• Fisher Scientific
• Scantron
• Steelcase
• Ricoh
•. Basic Four Computers
• Silicon Systems
• The Irvine Company
• Tustin School District
• An auto dealer
Local banker
• Local consulting engineering company
• Louise Pomroy of Abigail Abbott Company
• Ikea, Costco or Home Depot representative
• Catellus Company
• Tustin Marketplace manager
• Nieuport 17 restaurant owner
WAH
Attachment
edc.wah
Date
The City of Tustin has decided to create an Economic
Development Council. The City Council feels that an
Economic Development Council would be of significant
assistance to the City in its efforts to attract, retain
and promote business.
We recognize the significant contributions business makes
to the economic prosperity of our community. And, the
business sector is an important contributor to the social
well-being of the community. For these reasons, we feel it
is important to establish closer ties between the City and
the business community.
The City is looking to the Economic Development Council as
a forum where ideas can be explored about how the City and
business can work together to promote economic development
in Tustin. A joint City -business sector approach makes
sense because we each have an important role to play and
will mutually benefit from such a partnership. We envision
that the Economic Development Council will initially deal -
with a survey of businesses to ascertain what their needs
are and how the City can be helpful; brochures promoting
business opportunities in Tustin; and an outreach program
to attract particular businesses. Undoubtedly, the
Economic Development Council will come up with ideas that
also will be pursued.
The Economic Development Council will include two
representatives from the Tustin City Council and
approximately seventeen other persons representing a cross-
section of businesses located in Tustin. Staff support
will be provided by City staff. We expect that the
Economic Development Council will meet quarterly. Meetings
would be scheduled at times convenient for members of the
Economic Development Council.
With this background, I now want to extend an invitation
for you to be a member of the Economic Development Council.
You are a respected and important member of the business
community. We feel your participation would be very
helpful in making this program successful. On behalf of
the Tustin City Council, we hope that you will accept our
invitation. If you have any questions or need any
information, please do not hesitate to contact me or City
Manager, Bill Huston, at (714) 544-8890, extension 210.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Leslie Anne Pontious
Mayor