Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-5 Staff Report - Finding of Public Benefit - BRE SurveyCONSENT ITEM E-5 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: MATT MARQUEZ, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2021 SUBJECT: REQUEST TO MAKE A FINDING OF PUBLIC BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE FOR RECOMMNEDED EXPENDITURES – BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION SURVEY BACKGROUND: As part of retaining and expanding local businesses, the Economic Development Division has developed a three-part Business Retention and Expansion Survey to seek insight to Azusa businesses in efforts of providing targeted programming and business assistance. Azusa businesses will be surveyed in three areas which include Basic Information, Business Environment and Workforce Development. At the completion of the survey, insights will be used to address immediate business needs in collaboration with local agencies and partners. In order to incentivize business participation, Staff is requesting approval to award fifty (50) businesses that participate in the survey with a credit of $50.00 toward their business license renewal fee for a total of $2,500 for the program. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action: 1)Make a finding that the community at large will receive a public benefit from the expenditure of funds for the Business Retention and Expansion Survey; and 2)Approve the award of fifty (50) businesses that participate in the survey a credit of $50.00 towards their business license renewal fees for a total of $2,500. ANALYSIS: The City’s Economic Development Division has draft a three-part Business Retention and Expansion Survey to gain a better understanding of Azusa’s businesses, the business environment and workforce development needs. The survey is divided in the following three parts. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 10/6/2021 Finding of Public Benefit – Business Retention and Expansion Survey October 4, 2021 Page 2 Part 1: Basic Information Staff seeks to gain a better demographic understanding of Azusa businesses. This includes and is not limited to understanding the different types of industries existing within the City, length of business operation, number of full time and part time employees and educational attainment required for employment. Part 2: Business Environment In an effort to retain businesses and expand business in the City, Staff seeks to understand the perceived business environment over the next five years. As a result of COVID-19, many businesses were ordered to suspend their services resulting in interrupted business activity. Many were forced to change their business model to adapt to Public Health guidelines impacting how they conduct business. To date, businesses continue to navigate an uncertain environment. In order to better assist local businesses in recovering and position them to thrive, Staff is seeking to gain a better understanding on business operations, forecasted business activity and input on areas of highest needs. Part 3: Workforce Development Staff seeks to understand the need for qualified candidates to fill current and future job opportunities in Azusa. This effort is aimed at keeping jobs and creating jobs for local Azusa residents by providing the technical training in partnership with local agencies and partners. The completion of surveys will assist the Division’s efforts in providing targeted programming and assistance in the future in collaboration with local agencies and partners. Examples of potential programming and assistance includes: • One-on-one technical assistance • Access to workforce training such as on-the-job training or incumbent worker training • Certifications from the County and State • Workshops on government contracting, digital marketing, access to capital or others The following is a list of anticipated public benefits as a result of the finding of public benefit expenditure: • Encourages business retention • Fosters an environment of business growth • Provides an opportunity to increase our job base • Creates and maintains a strong business environment • Provides an opportunity to create a pathway to fill job opportunities with qualified trained candidates These actions authorize the City Manager to make a finding of public benefit expenditure in the total amount of $2,500 as rewards on an opportunity basis for survey participants. Fifty (50) credits of $50.00 will be applied towards the renewal of opportunity winner’s business license. FISCAL IMPACT: The general fund impact associated with the recommended actions is a total of $2,500 of forgone business license renewal fees. Finding of Public Benefit – Business Retention and Expansion Survey October 4, 2021 Page 3 Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Carina Campos Matt Marquez Economic Development Specialist Economic and Community Development Director Reviewed and Approved: Sergio Gonzalez City Manager Attachments: 1. Business Retention and Expansion Survey Part 1 of 3: Basic InformationPart 1 of 3: Basic Information The City of Azusa Economic Development Division has developed a three-part Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey to seek input from local businesses to foster business retention, business expansion and a strong business environment. Businesses who complete all three (3) parts of the BRE Survey, will be eligible for 1 of 50 credits raffled. Winners will receive a $50 credit towards the renewal of their business license. Awards will be made directly to the business license registration. Business licenses must be active. Pending business licenses will not be eligible. One credit per business. All responses to the survey are voluntary and will be kept confidential. Name Business Name Business Address Address 2 City/Town State/Province -- select state -- ZIP/Postal Code Email Address Phone Number 1.Contact Information (This information is required ifif you want to be entered to the opportunity to win a $50 credit towards your business license renewal at the completion of all three parts to the survey). 1 Attachment 1 * 2. What is the nature of your business? Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Legal, Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Research & Development, Marketing, etc.) Retail Finance or Insurance Real Estate or Rental & Leasing of Equipment or Cars Construction Manufacturing Health and Wellness (Medical, Nursing, Dental, Diagnostic, Home Health Care, Mental Health, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Full Day Spa, etc.) Recreation (Sports, Fitness and/or Recreation Center, Sports Club, Golf Course, etc. Hospitality (Resort, Hotel, Motel) Food Service (Restaurant, Take-out, Bar/Tavern) Educational Services (Schools, Colleges, Trade Schools, Specialized Training, Tutoring, etc.) Entertainment, Arts, (Theater, Museums, Musical Groups, Amusement Parks, etc.) Information (Telecommunications, Data Processing, Broadcasting, Internet Publishing, Software, Music, Video, Books, Periodicals, etc.) Transportation, Warehousing, Logistics, Utilities Personal Services (Auto Repair, Appliance Repair, Pet Care, Hair/Nail Salon, Massage, Laundry/Dry Cleaning, Photo Finishing, Equipment Maintenance etc.) Other (please specify) 3. What is your NAICS code? (If known) * 4. How long has your business been in operation in the City of Azusa? Less than 1 year 1 to 5 years 6 to 10 years 11 to 20 years More than 20 years 2 * 5. If applicable, where do you have facilities with similar operations? (If you own a business in a different business category, please fill out a separate survey). Elsewhere in Azusa Elsewhere in LA County Inland Empire (San Bernardino or Riverside Counties) Another State International Not Applicable * 6. Do you own or lease the property Own all sites Lease all sites Both own and lease all sites * 7. If applicable, where did your business relocate from? Elsewhere in Azusa Elsewhere in LA County Inland Empire (San Bernardino or Riverside Counties) Elsewhere in California Another State International Not Applicable * 8. Is your corporate headquarters located in Azusa? Yes No Below $35,000 $35,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $64,999 $65,000 to $79,999 $80,000 to $99,999 $100,000 or greater Entry Level Mid Management Upper Level * 9. What is the average annual wage per employee at your business? Please provide an answer for all row options. 3 * 10. What is the average level of educational attainment required for the majority of your employees? No high school diploma or equivalency High school diploma or equivalency College degree (Associates or Bachelor ’s) Graduate or Professional Degree * 11. How many full time employees do you have? 0 to 5 6 to 10 11to 20 21 to 30 31 to 50 51 to 100 101 or greater * 12. How many part time employees do you have? 0 to 5 6 to 10 11to 20 21 to 30 31 to 50 51 to 100 101 or greater * 13. What types of candidates would you consider hiring ? (Check all that apply) Paid and non-paid youth interns Paid and non-paid college interns Apprenticeships Previously incarcerated/Justice involved (Fair Chance Initiative) Other (please specify) None of the above 4 Part 2 of 3: Business Environment Part 2 of 3: Business Environment The City of Azusa Economic Development Division has developed a three-part Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey to seek input from local businesses to foster business retention, business expansion and a strong business environment. Businesses who complete all three (3) parts of the BRE Survey, will be eligible for 1 of 50 credits raffled. Winners will receive a $50 credit towards the renewal of their business license. Awards will be made directly to the business license registration. Business licenses must be active. Pending business licenses will not be eligible. One credit per business. All responses to the survey are voluntary and will be kept confidential. Name Business Name Business Address Address 2 City/Town State/Province ZIP/Postal Code Email Address Phone Number 1. Contact Information (This information is required ifif you want to be entered to the opportunity to win a $50 credit towards your business license renewal at the completion of all three parts to the survey). 1 Increased Stayed the same Decreased Number of customers Sales (total revenue) Profits Number of employees Size of facility * 2. Over the pastpast 5 years, have the following factors increased, stayed the same, or decreased? (2016-2021) Please describe * 3. Has the pandemic changed the way you are approaching the workplace? Reevaluating office space Hybrid models of work (e.g., part time in person, part time remote) 100% remote 100% in-person No change Increase Stay the same Decrease Number of customers Sales (total revenue) Profits Number of employees Size of facility * 4. Over the nextnext 5 years, do you expect the following factors to increase, stay the same, or decrease? (2021-2026) 2 * 5. If you expect any of these factors to increase or decrease, what are the principal reasons for the change? Changes to business needs, strategy, and/or structure Changes in local market conditions Changing global market conditions Changes in operating costs Changes in technology Changes in local regulations Other (please specify) * 6. Are you currently considering moving, closing, selling, acquiring or merging with another company? Moving Closing Selling Acquiring or merging with another company None of the above 3 7. If you are considering moving, what are the reasons motivating you to move? (Check all that apply) Expansion needs Changing market conditions Lease expiration Business Fees and Taxes Utility costs Available workforce Existing zoning Parking Transportation needs Other (please specify) * 8. If you were to expand your business in the City of Azusa, would you face any constraints? (Check all that apply) No constraints Need financial assistance Need access to trained workforce Need physical facility planning assistance Insufficient space Parking issues Zoning and building regulations Other (please specify) 4 * 9. What are the top 3 reasons for locating or keeping your business in the City of Azusa? (Check 3 that apply) Good freeway access Business friendly city Access to customers Access to workforce Access to business services Safe environment Access to suppliers Workforce training Zoning and local regulations Quality of life Quality of housing Available amenities Other (please specify) 5 Excellent Good Average Poor Very Poor N/A Access to hotel and conference facilities Business services Access to workforce Electrical Internet Waste Management Natural gas Water Sewers Roads and highways * 10. Rate the City of Azusa on your level of satisfaction with the following services as they relate to your business operations business operations (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor, Very Poor) 6 Excellent Good Average Poor Very Poor N/A Entertainment Shopping Recreation Professional Services Childcare Grade schools K-12 Universities/Colleges Healthcare Services Public Transportation * 11. Rate the City of Azusa on the satisfaction level of your employeessatisfaction level of your employees on the following (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor, Very Poor) 7 Low Need Medium Need High Need Improved roads and highways Greater access to customers Greater access to workforce Access to workforce training Expanded space for facilities More parking Recreational and entertainment amenities for employees Access to capital and financing Access to public transportation or other modes of transportation * 12. Please rate your particular business needs. * 13. I would like to seek (check all that apply) One-on-one technical assistance Access to workforce training Government contracting Certifications from County and State Expansion planning Digital marketing assistance Access to capital No assistance needed Other (please specify) 8 Part 3 of 3: Workforce Development Part 3 of 3: Workforce Development The City of Azusa Economic Development Division has developed a three-part Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey to seek input from local businesses to foster business retention, business expansion and a strong business environment. Businesses who complete all three (3) parts of the BRE Survey, will be eligible for 1 of 50 credits raffled. Winners will receive a $50 credit towards the renewal of their business license. Awards will be made directly to the business license registration. Business licenses must be active. Pending business licenses will not be eligible. One credit per business. All responses to the survey are voluntary and will be kept confidential. Name Business Name Business Address Address 2 City/Town State/Province -- select state -- ZIP/Postal Code Email Address Phone Number 1. Contact Information (This information is required if you want to be entered to the opportunity to win a $50 credit towards your business license renewal at the completion of all three parts to the survey). 1 * 2. Do you predict your business will be adding or reducing your workforce in the next 1-3 years? Adding to the workforce Reducing the workforce Workforce will stay the same * 3. Do you have difficulty finding qualified employees? Yes No 4. If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please specify why. (Check all that apply). Applicants do not have the basic skills we need Applicants do not have the technical skills we need Our wage rate may not be competitive with other employers who employ the same type of applicant Our technology has changed and our employees do not have the skills to perform the new job requirements Applicants lack resume and interview skills Potential employees do not have appropriate people or interpersonal skills Applicants lack desirable characteristics for a positive work environment (i.e. attendance, dependability, work ethics and safety) Other (please specify) * 5. Do you have difficulty keeping qualified employees? Yes No 2 6. If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please specify why. (Check all that apply). Other employers offer more in salary for the same work Employees gain skills and move on quickly to other opportunities Employees go back to school Employees are choosing to work part time instead of full time Other (please specify) * 7. Do you foresee the need for workforce training in the following areas in the next 5 years? Check all that apply. Accounting Administration Architectural technology Automotive maintenance Biotechnology Chemical technology Child development Electrical Construction and Maintenance or Line Worker Hospitality Information technology Manufacturing Medical Ancillary care services Microsoft office applications Logistics Software Water technology Welding Don't foresee any training needs in the next 5 years. Other (please specify) 3 * 8. What do you feel is the most effective format of training for your employees? Classrooms/hands-on training Online training Combination of both classroom and online training Other (please specify) 9 . Do you have additional comments you would like to share with us regarding workforce development? * 10. If future opportunities become available to participate in planning future events or programs, would you be willing to participate. Yes No 4