HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1994, 01/24) - F-28 - Reaffirmed - changed to F-17ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY
F -17
The City Council recognizes that the City's ability to deliver quality municipal services
is dependent on adequate tax revenues derived primarily from the property and
businesses located within the City. Healthy, thriving businesses not only increase sales
and bed taxes, but also enhance the value of commercial property and hence property
taxes. Residential property values also increase commensurate with employment
opportunities. The City Council seeks to promote economic activity within the City to
increase the revenues available to provide municipal services. The goal of the City
Council is to balance the needs for Economic Development with other City polices and
ordinances relating to health and safety, environmental protection, and infrastructure
maintenance.
Consistent with this goal, the City Manager under the general direction of the City
Council Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee shall insure that appropriate City
departments conduct the following activities.
Data and Analysis
isData shall be compiled and analysis conducted to:
o Identify those businesses and activities which comply with other City plans and
policies and which also generate substantial municipal revenues.
o Identify, where possible, specific addresses and owners of businesses and
economic activities which generate municipal revenues.
o Estimate taxes, fees and other municipal revenues from various land use
categories including residential densities.
o Display geographic distributions of revenue generators within certain areas and
retail centers within the City.
o Maintain a fiscal impact analysis system to assess the fiscal impact of land use
conversions and development.
o Estimate the time required to issue various permits, entitlements and licenses
within the City.
o Assess cost /revenue aspects of tourism within the City.
o Assess potential of City property and assets to promote those businesses and
activities that generate municipal revenues.
F -17 to
o Provide, when necessary, assistance to the City Council and City staff to
accomplish the purposes of this Policy.
o Provide an overview of City revenues and expenditures to enable the public to
critique the City's budget practices.
Regulatory and Land Use Actions
Based upon the data and analysis referenced above, all major planning, development,
zoning, regulatory and permitting decisions made by the City shall include a review of
the economic implications of such action. Toward that end, the following shall be
accomplished.
o Major development projects, and General Plan amendments shall include an
economic development component
o All major zoning, subdivision and development permits considered by the City
Council or Planning Commission shall be accompanied by an economic analysis
describing the cost and revenues to the City associated with the actions. Land
use conversions shall be accompanied by a before and after cost /revenue
analysis.
o Cost estimates of City imposed conditions on development projects that are
provided by project sponsors shall be reviewed by the City Council or Planning
Commission at the time such conditions are considered.
o All amendments proposed by the City to building, construction and utility
codes/ regulations shall be accompanied by an analysis of the costs associated
with compliance with such amendments.
o Project proposals shall be evaluated as early as possible in the permitting process
to determine their potential to generate substantial municipal revenues and to
determine what measures, if any, may be employed to fast track the proposal.
Business Relations and Marketing
It is the policy of the City Council that developers, business persons and other private
individuals shall be consulted on the economic cost of various decisions made by the
City. Further, the City Council desires that efforts be made to attract and retain those
businesses and economic activities which serve to increase municipal revenues in a
manner consistent with other City plans and policies. To further this policy, the •
following shall be accomplished.
2
F -17
o City representatives shall meet periodically with the various Chambers of
Commerce, business groups and individual business owners to assess the
economic impacts of City regulations, to explore areas of financial mutual
interest and to provide, where possible, City assistance to retain in the City those
businesses which generate municipal revenues.
o The City shall provide a forum for groups and individuals seeking relief from
City regulatory actions as a means to increase profitability.
o The City shall consider the appointment of a staff economic development
coordinator who may also serve as a business development facilitator or a
project ombudsman.
o The City shall consider actions to assist priority economic development projects
obtain approvals from other regulatory agencies.
o The City shall consider ordinances or other means to provide financial incentives
such as sales tax rebates to attract revenue generating businesses and activities to
the City.
o The City shall consider actions to promote land use conversions and
improvements such as redevelopment, assessment districts, loan programs, etc.
o The City shall develop a comprehensive marketing and public relations program
to attract and retain revenue generating businesses and activities. The program
shall:
a) Create and maintain a comprehensive market - related data base (e.g.
labor pool, land /housing cost, community assets, etc.) for distribution
to businesses.
b) Develop and update professional marketing materials including
advertisements, promotional brochures, City exhibits, media kits, videos,
and maps, perhaps incorporating a promotional theme and logo in all
such materials.
c) Develop a prospect response system including reception team, tour and
materials.
d) Consider a public relations plan including advertising and editorial
placement, participation in conferences and trade shows, media
campaign, direct mail and special events.
3
F -17 0
e) Encourage joint marketing efforts with outside groups such as real estate
brokers, developers, utilities, Visitors and Convention Bureau and other
economic development groups.
f) Increase local and regional business and citizen awareness of economic
development goals and activities.
Adopted March 22,1993
Reaffirmed January 24, 1994
Formerly F -28
4
Is