HomeMy WebLinkAboutED Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: December 6, 2021
Disposition: Resolution 15003
Agenda Item No: 5.e
Meeting Date: December 6, 2021
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Economic Development
Prepared by: Danielle O’Leary, Economic
Development Director
City Manager Approval: _______
TOPIC: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISSOLUTION
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DISSOLVING THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept report and adopt resolution to dissolve the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on
Economic Development and Affordable Housing.
BACKGROUND:
California Redevelopment Agencies started in the 1940s and continued until the State of
California terminated Redevelopment effective February 1, 2012. Many Redevelopment Agencies
had Citizens Advisory Committees (CACs) that provided feedback on how funds were being
allocated. CACs were typically discontinued when Redevelopment Agencies were dissolved in
2012. The City of San Rafael’s Redevelopment Agency started in 1974 and also had a CAC. In
January 2012, with the end of Redevelopment, the City of San Rafael reconstituted its CAC into
the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing with
Resolution 13287. The goal of the CAC was to provide resident and business feedback on
economic development and affordable housing projects and policies.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAC met monthly to provide input on proposed housing and
commercial development projects. As the pandemic continued, CAC monthly meetings were put
on hiatus due to the public health emergency and staffing constraints.
In March of 2021, the city began surveying its established boards and commissions to re-examine
committee roles, with the goal of improving representation and inclusion on city boards and
commissions. The online survey was disseminated to all current and past city commissioners to
receive feedback on their experience serving as a city commissioner, as well as receiving
feedback on inclusion and community representation opportunities.
ANALYSIS:
After reviewing stakeholder feedback, staff’s recommendation is to retire the Citizens Advisory
Committee (CAC) on Economic Development and Affordable Housing because other bodies now
exist that focus on the same topics. As an advisory committee, the CAC is not required for
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
development review. Current CAC members wanting to provide feedback on housing and
commercial projects are encouraged to participate as members of the public in monthly Planning
Commission and/or City Council meetings.
In addition, CAC members are also encouraged to participate in the development of San Rafael’s
Housing Element led by the Community Development Department. More information can be
found at www.sanrafaelhousing.org.
CAC commissioners interested in ongoing city economic development efforts can participate as
members of the public in the City Council’s monthly Economic Development Subcommittee that
meets the second Thursday of every month. More information on City Council subcommittees can
be found here.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City if the resolution to dissolve the Citizens Advisory Committee
on Economic Development and Affordable Housing is approved.
OPTIONS:
1. Adopt the resolution.
2. Request further information.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the resolution approving the dissolution of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic
Development and Affordable Housing.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Dissolving the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on Economic
Development and Affordable Housing
RESOLUTION NO. 15003
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
DISSOLVING THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) ON
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WHEREAS, the City Council originally established the Redevelopment Citizens
Advisory Committee to oversee city redevelopment programming efforts; and
WHEREAS, in January of 2012, the City Council reconstituted the
Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee as the Citizens Advisory Committee on
Economic Development and Affordable Housing to provide input on commercial and
housing development activities; and
WHEREAS, in March 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic created a public health
emergency and staffing constraints that put the Citizens Advisory Committee on
Economic Development and Affordable Housing on hiatus pending further review; and
WHEREAS, in March 2021, the city conducted outreach through an online
survey to all city boards and commissions to receive feedback on commissioner
experience and to look for opportunities to improve community representation and
inclusion; and
WHEREAS, the culmination of survey responses and stakeholder feedback, lead
to a staff recommendation to dissolve and retire the Citizens Advisory Committee on
Economic Development and Affordable Housing and encourage commissioners to
participate in alternative public forums as a member of the public, including Planning
Commission, City Council meetings, Economic Development Subcommittee meetings,
and the City’s development of a new San Rafael Housing Element;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council dissolves
the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing,
effective immediately. The Council further extends its gratitude to the Committee
members for their dedication and service.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council held on Monday, the 6th day of December 2021, by the following vote, to
wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk