Title
Recommendation for the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel to Review and Approve the Economic Recovery Plan and Recommend Approval of the Plan to the City Council
Body
To: Members of the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July 2018, the City Council adopted the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) that is before you tonight supplements the EDSP by specifically addressing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Alameda’s economy. Since the onset of the pandemic, staff and City Council have worked on a number of initiatives to diminish the impact of the crisis in Alameda. The ERP sets forth additional strategies to further mitigate these impacts. Following the Economic Development Advisory Panel’s (EDAP) review of the ERP and this report, staff recommends that EDAP approve the ERP and recommend approval of the plan to the City Council.
BACKGROUND
The global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted widespread public health and shelter-in-place restrictions, resulting in a sudden economic recession with unprecedented increases in unemployment and business closures.
In the initial weeks and months of the shelter-in-place, staff and City Council worked to implement a number of immediate actions to help local businesses, including:
• Creation of the Commercial Streets Program that included re-striping Park and Webster Streets and implementing a streamlined permitting process for parklets and large al fresco dining areas.
• Creation of emergency zoning changes: for example, to extend business hours for food related services and to make curbside pickup easier.
• Communication of key information and resources through the City’s website, a webinar series and regular town hall meetings.
• Creation of a consumer-facing website to share information about restaurants, retail, and other open businesses in Alameda.
• Award of 74 emergency grants for up to $7,500 to retailers, restaurants, and other small businesses.
• Creation of the Alameda Strong program to raise money for future grants to businesses, non-profits and residents.
• Deferral of payment for business license tax, business improvement area (BIA) fees, and transient occupancy tax (TOT).
• Implementation of a moratorium on commercial and residential eviction for non-payment of rent due to COVID-19.
• Expansion of the City’s homelessness and social service initiatives, including the creation of a Domestic Violence Task Force.
• Technical assistance to individual businesses through our Business Assistance Hotline and At Your Service program.
• Cap on third party delivery fees for restaurants, which impact restaurant revenues.
While these actions were important and necessary, they were primarily “reactive” in nature. At its May 14, 2020 meeting, the EDAP recommended that City staff create a COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force (Task Force), with the goal of moving beyond “reactive” tasks to create a short- to mid-term strategy for economic recovery in Alameda. The EDAP also emphasized that the Task Force should focus on mitigating the economic hardships affecting the City’s most vulnerable businesses, workers, and residents.
The Task Force, appointed by the City Manager, is composed of ten Alameda community members representing businesses, non-profit organizations, and workers. Since forming in June 2020, the Task Force has held 11 public meetings to develop and refine immediate and mid-term strategies (one to two years) to support businesses and workers in response to the economic crisis. This work was informed by ten topic-specific focus group interviews along with economic sector analysis and case studies presented by the City’s consultants Strategic Economics and Beacon Economics.
On November 17, 2020, staff presented to the City Council a status report of the Task Force’s activities. The Task Force has subsequently completed the draft ERP. It is being presented tonight to the EDAP for its review and approval (see Exhibit 1, Draft COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan). In addition, by the time this report is presented to EDAP, the ERP will have been presented to the Planning Board for review and comment. These comments will be verbally shared at the EDAP meeting.
DISCUSSION
The Task Force organized the ERP into eight categories, paying special attention to the types of efforts that can be led by the City and to provide flexibility to address the ever-changing conditions of the pandemic.
1. Land Use and Infrastructure Strategies: Changes to Alameda regulations, processes, and legislation and investments in infrastructure.
2. Use of City Properties: Use of public land and facilities owned by the City of Alameda and other public agencies.
3. Technical Assistance: Technical assistance to businesses, including partnerships with organizations such as East Bay SCORE and Alameda County Small Business Development Corporation.
4. Financial or Other Resource Assistance: Direct provision of or referrals to financial and material resources, such as grants, loans, and other programs.
5. Outreach and Coordination: Convening and coordination related to specific industry sectors and issues, and collaboration with other public agencies.
6. Information Sharing: Direct communication of resources and pertinent or timely news through methods such as webinars, workshops, and manuals.
7. Marketing and Promotion: Promotion of public and private actions, assets, and programs.
8. Support for Vulnerable Workers: Worker protections and resources for worker assistance.
Staff is conducting a business survey, focus groups and listening sessions with local businesses to understand current needs, and assist with prioritization of the strategies included in the ERP.
Next Steps
It is anticipated that the ERP will be presented to the City Council for approval at its April 20, 2021 meeting.
ENVIROMENTAL REVIEW
This proposal is Categorically Exempt from CEQA Guidelines Section.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and approve the Economic Recovery Plan and recommend approval of the Plan to the City Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
By,
Amanda Gehrke, Development Manager
Exhibit:
1. Draft COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan