HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 2 BUSINESS OUTREACH 10-19-92NEW BUSINESS N0. 2
10-19-92
E N D A Y
Inter -Com
DATE: OCTOBER 15, 1992
TO: HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: HONORABLE MAYOR LESLIE ANNE PONTIOUS
SUBJECT: BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM
The City Council has had discussions about the need for the City to
develop a business outreach program. There are a number of approaches
to a public agency working in cooperation with the private sector for
the purpose of attracting and retaining businesses. Given Tustin's
commercial/ industrial base; economic conditions and capabilities of the
City, I recommend that the City Council approve the following elements
of a program:
■ A letter from the Mayor sent to each new business locating in
Tustin. Using business license and certificate of occupancy
records, the letter would be sent welcoming the business,
offering 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 can
make contact with 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 could be done by letters,
phone calls or personal visits. Coupled with this would be
periodic meetings with merchant associations (e.g. Tustin Auto
Dealers Association) to discuss matters of mutual concern.
■ 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.
Honorable City Council
October 15, 1992
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 can develop a more aggressive posture on business
attraction through the Redevelopment Agency and through
opportunities identified in the Marine base specific plan.
■ Explore the feasibility of developing a business magazine
oriented to disseminating information from the City
that is of interest to the business community. There are a
variety of topics that could be featured: new sign code
regulations; City permit procedures; transportation projects,
etc. The magazine could be self-supporting through
advertising in the same manner as the City's quarterly Tustin
Today publication which advertises Community services and
special event programs. Tustin Today is published at no cost
to the City because it is supported financially by advertising
sold by the publisher under contract to the City.
If after initiating a business outreach program, it is felt the City
should become more aggressive on business retention and attraction, then
modifications can be made or new programs considered. The
recommendations presented in this report are a start and can be modified
as deemed appropriate by the City Council.
bsoutrch.lap
NEW BUSINESS NO. 2
10-19-92
�� Y )ATE: OCTOBER 19, 1992 I n t e r- C O m msj
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: VALERIE WHITEMAN, CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM
This item will be delivered under separate cover to the City
Council on or before Friday, October 16, 1992.
Valerie Whiteman
Chief Deputy City Clerk
2:10MEM03