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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Economic Vitality Plan 2009CITY 00:1 F Agenda Item No: Meeting Date: March 16, 2009 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: CITY MANAGER Prepared by: Ken Nordhoff, City Manager Approval: is SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RECESSION ACTION PLAN, APPROVING THE RELATED ECONOMIC VITALITY PLAN FOR 2009, AND DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO IMPLEMENT AN EMPLOYEE WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM FOR 2009-2010 TION: Adopt Resolution BACKGROUND: The national economic crisis has been taking its toll on the City of San Rafael's budget for some time. Beginning last July, the City projected a deficit at $2.1 million. A series of actions taken by the City Council last summer put our budget into balance. It was clear at that time that the financial and housing markets were in trouble. Clearly no one could forecast the depth of these institutional problems. Fast forward to February of this year. Within seven months, the General Fund budget deficit had grown back to a $2 million plus problem. Rising unemployment, retail closures, and corporate bankruptcies are but a few of the many challenges facing not only San Rafael, but all parts of our country. Both the private and public sectors are facing obstacles that have never been seen (at least since the Great Depression). This latest projected deficit is largely rooted in declines of taxes, and most notably sales taxes which have fallen by $1.5 million below our initial projections (which were lower than prior year results). Actions taken by the Council on February 17th resolved about 75% of this gap. More work is needed to close this year's deficit. Recognizing these financial problems, the City last year established a three year financial model. At that time, we were forecasting similar deficits (around $2 million) for the coming years. That number could likely grow to $3 million or more, depending on a number of factors (many of which we can not control directly). Further refinement of this projection will be occurring in the coming weeks and months. City staff, led by the Finance Department, have commenced the development of our next two year budget. On February 27th, all staff met to begin the rolling up of our expenditure and revenues projections for the 2009-2011 periods. More importantly, staff will be preparing specific work plan objectives for this same time frame. These objectives are intended to support the areas of emphasis and priority that you have in place, and are still subject to formal action by the City Council within the next month. FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: Council Meeting: Disposition: SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 Communicating the budgetary challenges that we face, and how we intend to address our issues, is a vital component to our process. Below is a summation of key documents and actions that we will ask you to approve via the Resolution attached to this report. ANALYSIS: Recognizing the need to inform our residents of our financial plight, and the actions we are taking, we believe a clear reporting mechanism is important. To this end, the City has assembled a Recession Action Plan under the direction of the City Council. This plan includes the following: A stated purpose, including our resolve to respond quickly and swiftly to our situation, while controlling our costs and seeking innovative means of creating new revenues; — Highlighting the State and National trends, as well as our local economic climate and budget situation; Formalizing a series of City Council guidelines for decision making as we respond to the recession; —� Codifying a series of action strategies that have been or can be used to solve the budget situation - o We have denoted actions taken, such as leaving 12 positions vacant, reducing overtime costs, and regionalizing fire services. o Actions in progress include employee work reduction options, additional shared service opportunities with other government agencies, and possible service losses through reductions in workforce; and The summary denotes reporting requirements for the Recession Action Plan. As this Plan unfolds, staff will return to future City Council meetings to report on the steps taken to close the General Fund deficit. Staff also expects to provide frequent updates to the community and employees as the Plan actions unfold. One complementary component to the Recession Action Plan is the attached Economic Vitality Work Plan for 2009. The Economic Development Department has put together this document with a purpose of stimulating business growth and retention, improving our tax base, partnering with our business organizations and creating local employment opportunities. The Work Plan defines strategies to improve business in the following categories: New Development Projects Reuse, Re -tenanting, and Rehabilitation — Sustainability Measures Promotion and Events - Fiscal Strategies - Communication , Education and Outreach Approval of both of these documents will serve as a road map to resolving trials in our City budget and strengthen our local business community. One primary message coming out of the Recession Action Plan is that City services have definitely been reduced based upon budget balancing actions taken to date. More key decisions are coming. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3 Extensive hours have been spent by the City Council and key staff on a variety of difficult budget choices. Some of our early options to save money have included actions that did not invoke employee layoffs. One exception has been the fire dispatching decision you made, which will save the City $225,000 per year and improve dispatching services overall. Other budget gap actions completed or in process include: You approved a severance package for City employees at your February 17th meeting. Continuing to suspend hiring of positions wherever possible. To date, 12 positions have been "suspended" by the City Manager. More will likely occur in the ensuing months. - Initiating a work hours reduction program. Last week, staff distributed a program to employees asking if they wish to reduce their work hours for a period of time. Employee options could include hours or days per week, or an extended leave from work. Management is working with employees to understand this option in relation to furloughing employees (see more below). - City staff have reviewed the options of furloughing employees. This was last done during the 2004-2005 fiscal year when the City experienced its last major economic downturn and budget crisis. Language exists in the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) of the Association of Confidential Employees, Western Council of Engineers, SEIU, and the Fire Chief Officers' Association, as well as the Resolutions for Mid -Managers and Managers. Although the MOU language varies slightly between units, the furlough program typically allows up to a 5% pay reduction, with a corresponding number of days off. The maximum loss of days would be 13 in the next fiscal year. During the last cycle of furloughing, many details needed to be answered in order to implement mandatory time off. Given the order of magnitude of our budget problems, staff is recommending that we formally commence the work furlough program as outlined in various existing MOU's and Resolutions. Staff seeks -the City Council's approval to initiate work furloughs in order to achieve substantial savings that can benefit our General Fund projected deficit. To the extent some labor agreements require Management to ask first (Voluntary time off — VTO), we will do so. To the extent we can not save significant salaries in the VTO effort, staff recommends that you direct us to go to the Mandatory Time Off (MTO) furlough program. Both of these efforts will require extensive time to meet with union representatives and define the implementation details. I am suggesting you declare the need to take this action now, so we have time to address employee concerns, calculate savings, and determine City facilities closure days. Some of the MOU language requires the City to meet and consult no less than 60 days prior to implementing a furlough program. In this case, City labor negotiators must be starting these conversations no later than May 1st. With your approval of beginning this effort, management will report back to the City Council on the furloughing specifics and savings prior to the start of VTO and MTO in the coming fiscal year. FISCAL IMPACT: Adoption of the Recession Action Plan and Economic Vitality Plan for 2009 will have an immediate impact of the City's budget or appropriation levels. The work hours reduction program will be tallied over the next few weeks with the savings value reducing our General Fund deficit. Implementation of an employee work furlough using the VTO and MTO programs is projected to save over $400,000 for fiscal year 2009-2010. Actual results will depend upon a number of implementing details related to the furloughed employees and managers. ACTION REQUIRED: Adopt Resolution. ATTACHMENTS RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING THE RECESSION ACTION PLAN AND ECONOMIC VITALITY PLAN FOR 2009, AND DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO IMPLEMENT AN EMPLOYEE WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM FOR 2009-2010 WHEREAS, a significant budget deficit is projected for the City's General Fund, as more fully described in the accompanying staff report to this Resolution; and WHEREAS, budgetary actions were taken by the City Council on February 17, 2009 which resolved some but not all of the General Fund deficit, and WHEREAS, City staff have prepared a Recession Action Plan and Economic Vitality Plan (jointly the "Plans") to set forth additional actions to investigate and/or implement to resolve the deficit, by controlling City costs, increasing revenues, and improving the tax base; and WHEREAS, staff has submitted the Plans to the City Council for their review on March 16, 2009; and WHEREAS, a Work Furlough Program is one of the actions in the Recession Action Plan that can help to reduce the current General Fund deficit, and is more fully described in the accompanying staff report to this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the Recession Action Plan and Economic Vitality Plan, attached hereto; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council directs staff to commence the bargaining unit meet and confer process to begin implementation of an Employee Work Furlough Program for Fiscal Year 2009-10. I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 16a' day of March, 2009 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk In a recent survey, about 70% of the San Rafael residents polled said they believed the City was moving in the right direction. A large part of the public's perception of how a city is functioning is through its programs and services. Some of our more visible operations include our police, fire and street maintenance services. Many aren't aware of the numerous other City functions that contribute to the fundamental mission of the City to provide a healthy and safe environment where people live, work and conduct business every day. However, the current recession is To understand the economic climate at the local level, it's important to see the big picture in terms of how the state and federal budgetary conditions are impacting San Rafael's budget. There is no doubt we are in the midst of the biggest recession since the Great Depression. All you have to do is turn on the TV and hear how millions of people are out of work, homes are in foreclosure, businesses are closing and industries are suffering. At the state level, lawmakers have put in place a temporary budget package intended to deal with a $41 billion budget deficit, state workers are working fewer hours with less pay, departments are cutting services to the public and unemployment continues to climb. March 2009 compromising our ability to deliver these programs and services as we have in the past. To withstand these economic challenges, we must respond swiftly and appropriately to maintain the strength of our City while controlling costs and finding innovative ways to create new revenues. This Recession Action Plan is a brief summary of the strategies that are currently in place and are being considered by the City to counter the decline in the economy over the course of the next two years (2009 - 2011). We must respond swiftly and appropriately to maintain the strength of our City while controlling costs and being innovative in creating new revenues. Lel Economic Climate The news is not much better in San Rafael. While not as bad as many parts of the country, we are seeing an increase in foreclosures and a decrease in housing prices and sales. A rising number of businesses are closing their doors and many more are struggling to survive as a result of people spending fewer dollars out of fear of the unknown or real economic loss. We've seen closures in the areas of auto sales, home improvement, specialty retail, and many other sectors. Some of our largest employers, such as AutoDesk, have laid off hundreds of workers, and school district employees are being told they could soon lose their jobs. This is a scenario that is taking place at organizations and businesses, large and small, across the board. The steep economic decline is estimated to last for at least 30 months.... we have put in place strategies that offer temporary budgetary relief. In addition, we have longer term liabilities, such as critical city facilities that need replacing, modernization and maintenance, plus rising pension and healthcare commitments. So, what does this mean to our bottom line budget? We will face a $3 million deficit beginning in July 2009. The steep economic decline that we have been on for several months is estimated to last for at least 30 months. How long this period stretches depends on what actions we take now as well as the uncertainties in the local, state or national economies. With such a significant drop in revenues we can no longer afford to provide our current level of service with the same number of employees. Principles for Budget Recovery To meet our financial challenges,the City is • Reject new services or projects if reduced` 1 taking steps that will keep our $83 million staffing levels cannot manage the workload' budget balanced and in 'line with the City . Continually assess and improve efficiency ; Council's goals and priorities. Budget actions in the delivery of services will also be guided by a series of long-standing Manage the size and compensation of the financial management policies. The Council has workforce to best deliver services given identified the following guidelines as we respond our current and anticipated financial to the recession: realities • Collaborate with neighboring • Provide a responsible level of transition governmental agencies to consolidate or assistance to city employees who have lost regionalize services to leverage resources their jobs and improve efficiency Seek additional revenues from all sources' • 'Reduce services, where necessary, after to meet the community's expectations of identifying the impacts and weighing the high level of service reduction against other options In February, the City Council reduced the budget deficit by $1.6 million. Councilmembers continue to create strategies to sustain a high level of service while maintaining an adequate workforce. At the same time, the City is working to build its economic base by keeping businesses strong and attracting new development and jobs to San Rafael. We have taken some immediate steps that are now in place, and other measures are in progress: ACTIONS TAKEN • Left 12 positions vacant over the past several months • Reduced health care allowances for new management and firefighters • Reduced or stopped discretionary funds, such as travel and training over the past several years • Restructured scheduling to reduce overtime costs • Raised user fees to bring them in line with the costs of similar communities and recaptured the cost of providing these services • Suspended recruitments for employees whose jobs are not considered essential or where reorganization allows others to provide the service • Used limited cash reserves to narrow the budget gap • Lobbied lawmakers to prevent local revenues from being used to balance the $41 billion state budget • Regionalized fire dispatch services to save costs • Approved an agreement to share Battalion Chief with Town of Larkspur • IMPU Plan reter as wE • PurSL servic • Contir positic • Offeri throuc • Workii a furls Leduc Citv H ;OGRESS enting an Economic Vitality :using on local business in, expansion and attraction as job development g federal Stimulus actions er'grants that can provide e'resources for projects and needs ing to suspend hiring of is whenever possible early retirement packages incentives IMM UICII WUIK rn �nivur�,n eu a�cgiv... vith employees to develop m certain days ith employee unions to sts by analyzing tion levels, including >ductions in salaries or • Considering alternative work- Schedules in order to save costs • Maximizing opportunities to recover costs, such as changes in our paramedic transport service • Continuing to explore collaboration ,opportunities with other public The City of San Rafael faces serious financial challenges stemming from a national recession that has not yet bottomed out. We must take action to change the course of our current spending or we will face an even more serious budget crisis. It is our challenge and opportunity to find innovative ways to keep our organization operating as an efficient system, making critical decisions on how to realign our services and people to meet our financial obligations. The City's operations will change as a result of this severe recession. But San Rafael will survive these current struggles and continue to serve our community in a creative, compassionate and competent manner. We will strive each day to maintain the quality of our services so that the community will feel satisfied with the job we are doing. The City Council will move forward with the efforts outlined in this plan over the next several months with a final adoption of the 2009-11 budget scheduled for June 15, 2009. We plan to report to the community and employees on a quarterly basis as to the status of the actions the City is taking to resolve our budget problems. In the meantime, stay tuned to the City Manager's weekly Snapshot e -newsletter (www.citvofsanrafael.ore/snapshot), our Focus newsletter, our community meetings through San Rafael Connects, our website (www.citvofsanrafaet.org) and our semi- monthly City Council meetings. You are welcome to contact us by phone or email at any time. Please refer to the department listings below or see the main homepage of our website. CITY MANAGER • 485-3070 city. ma naper@citvofsanrafaet.org PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER • 485-3072 city. manaeer@cityofsanrafael.ore FINANCE DEPARTMENT • 458-5001 finance@citvofsanrafael.ore ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • 485-3383 redevelopment@citvofsanrafaeLore COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • 485-3085 ptanninv,@cityofsanrafael.ore PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - 485-3355 pu blic.works@cityofsanrafael.ora COMMUNITY SERVICES • 485-3333 community.services@citvofsanrafael.org POLICE DEPARTMENT • 485-3000 police. department@citvofsan rafael. org FIRE DEPARTMENT - 485-3304 fire.dei)artment@citvofsanrafaet.org x City of San Rafael Economic Development Department } Economic i s 1" `i n200 Purpose of the Workplan San Rafael's outstanding quality of life is maintained by a healthy economy. The City's beautiful natural setting, sense of community, public safety, recreation facilities, and efficient government is supported by municipal revenues. To develop and expand these services, the City must continually strive to increase its economic base. Uncertain economic times today demand that we take all actions possible at the local level to preserve and enhance San Rafael's economy, to attain the goals of the Redevelopment Agency's Implementation Plan, and the City's General Plan 2020. In summary, these include: • Stimulate business growth through retention, expansion, and business attraction. • Improve the fiscal condition of the City by expanding the tax base. • Remove blight, enhance visual characteristics, and improve circulation and parking infrastructure to encourage business growth and private investment. • Create local employment opportunities. • Keep San Rafael "Business Friendly". • Partner with the Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement District, local brokers, property owners, and business owners to stimulate business development. This Workplan describes 2009 priority programs and tasks of Economic Development Department staff to pursue the above goals. It does not, however, include activities related to affordable housing, a key issue closely linked to a successful economy, as housing programs and tasks are established in detail in the Housing Element of the General Plan. The structure of the Workplan is as follows: I. New Development Projects Reuse, Re -tenanting and Rehabilitation III. Sustainability Measures IV. Promotion and Events V. Fiscal Strategies VI. Communication, Education and Outreach I. NEW DEVELOPMENT In 2009, Economic Development (ED) staff will be proactively involved in several development projects to facilitate new business on the City's few key sites with development potential. In a down economy, we continue to aggressively pursue City approvals for these projects so that the developers/owners can be ready to move quickly when the markets are suitable for more commercial development. a) West Francisco Boulevard (WFB). This freeway -visible area continues to be one of the key locations for improving the City's tax base and providing employment. ED Staff is assisting existing WFB auto dealers in obtaining City approvals for additional sales facilities. This includes the Mercedes dealership plans for a pre -owned auto facility at 540 WFB, and new facilities for VW and Audi at 700 WFB. In addition, a Nissan dealership is planned to replace VW/Audi in their current space at 740 WFB. b) East Francisco Boulevard (EFB). Staff is also focused on retaining and attracting auto dealerships to this area to provide jobs and bring much needed revenues to the City. We have worked with Chrysler Realty for many years and recently helped extend permits for a new dealership at 1075 EFB. Given the national economic uncertainties for this property owner, they are considering selling the site. Should they do so, ED staff will work actively with the broker to find a replacement use for this site. c) Shoreline Center Completion. This key site is one of the last undeveloped locations feasible for a large sales tax generating retailer. Staff is working directly with Calpox, the property owner, to discuss strategies for a Target store or similar retailer. Calpox is currently in the EIR process. d) Marin Square Area Redevelopment. Sutter Health has purchased the Marin Square shopping center and several adjacent properties along Gary Place but has not yet submitted an application or proposal for the redevelopment of the area. ED staff is coordinating City Council Subcommittee meetings and cross departmental work such as the traffic connector feasibility study that is underway. Additional work will be taking place in 2009 to assess any land use proposals submitted by Sutter. e) Completion of the San Rafael Corporate Center. Once occupied, the final phase of this significant office complex (at Lincoln and Second) will add substantial activity to the Downtown. Construction is underway and the first building is scheduled to be completed by mid -2009. ED staff serves as a liaison with Seagate, the property owner and developer. Staff continues to assist Seagate to resolve any issues that could hinder prompt completion of the remainder of this project. The next step is to assist Seagate with filing for permits for the final office building and last parking structure, later this year. San Rafael Corporate Center f) Reuse of PG&E's 999 Third Street Site. This vacant site has the potential for a cineplex, hotel or other activity (once the economy picks up again) that complements the Downtown revitalization effort. PG&E is currently testing the soil on this property and has agreed to a meeting after the reports are completed to discuss the redevelopment possibilities for the site. Staff will pursue with PG&E the sale and development of this property, and in 2009 we plan to initiate these discussions. g) Caltrans Remnant Properties. ED staff has been working with Caltrans staff and will be coordinating with TAM and Public Works to identify and analyze the potential commercial opportunities from any remnant parcels from the Highway 101 project. II. REUSE, RE -TENANTING AND REHABILITATION In our built out City, staff will continue to work with commercial property owners, developers, and brokers to make the most of our existing buildings in achieving our economic goals. a) Economic Study. With the help of a college level intern we have commenced a study on San Rafael's economy. The intern will interview key stakeholders and report on the types of industries, jobs and business development to attract or nurture in the future, to help solidify our tax base and employment. This will include looking at the feasibility of green businesses as well as an assessment of the future of retail, particularly the auto sector as well as the medical office sector. The study will be completed by May. b) Re -tenanting Vacancies. Staff has begun to track retail space vacancies, a task traditionally left to our local real estate brokers. The purpose for ED staff's involvement at this time is not to provide statistics or regular reports, but instead actively assist in re - tenanting the spaces. We provide the information quickly to potential tenants, along with a contact name and phone number for each space. Staff regularly keeps in contact with brokers and property owners to find replacement tenants for key sites such as the former Ford space at 619 East Francisco Blvd, the former Chevrolet at Shoreline Center, and the existing Infiniti space at 620 Du Bois Street. c) Rehabilitation of Northgate Mall. ED staff currently has a limited role now that this project is significantly proceeding with construction. We are assisting by meeting with or talking to key potential tenants embarking on the tenant improvement permit process. d) "Marin Rocks" Exhibition. Because this project will be a new draw to the Downtown, ED staff expedited the application for the new Marin Historical Exhibit called Morin Rocks (to be located at the Mason's building at Fourth and Looters). Staff will continue to work with the Marin History Museum and the building owner to get the application submitted for building permits. The Exhibition is tentatively scheduled to open in the Fall. Northgate Mall e) General Plan Update. ED staff will participate in the update of the General Plan, with an eye to what actions can be taken to amend San Rafael zoning or land use restrictions to better assist in business recruitment. We will be encouraging zoning that will allow more creative uses, given the current business climate. Ill. SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES tiara z?..: �,J Economic Development staff is working on several fronts to make a "greener" Downtown as well as other San Rafael commercial areas. This includes the following: a) Green Businesses. A part of the Economic Study mentioned on page 3 we will consider which green businesses may be feasible to pursue for our community for either sales, manufacturing, and/or green workforce development. b) Climate Change Action Plan Implementation. ED staff will be involved in the business or economic related implementing programs from the Climate Change Action plan, once it is adopted by the City Council. c) SMART. With the passage of the tax measure last November, ED staff is now coordinating the cross -departmental work necessary for this project, including the Andersen Drive crossing and the two stations planned in our City. Issues include land use, impacts on local businesses, parking, traffic, as well as financial and legal. d) Energy Efficient Decorative Lights. Working with Public Works, ED staff is investigating the most appropriate energy efficient "twinkle" lights for the year-round tree lighting along Fourth Street. This requires electrical engineering and light designer's assistance. New lights wilt be installed in 2009. e) Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements and Linkages. ED staff is currently involved in outreach efforts for pedestrian and bike improvements in Downtown and East Francisco Boulevard. We are also participating in the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. f) "Greening" of Community Events. As part of the promotion of the Downtown, staff coordinates more than 35 events in the area, drawing thousands of visitors. In cooperation with event producers and the City's Volunteer Coordinator, staff has added recycling containers to many of the City's events and is pursuing a voluntary program for eliminating styrofoam containers and encouraging the use of "nature -based" containers. Downtown Fourth Street IV. PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS Especially during this "down" economy, it is critical that the ED staff continue to promote the Downtown and Redevelopment Project Area to encourage visitors to shop and dine locally. In addition to the regular calendar of events to promote the Redevelopment Project Area, staff wilt focus on several new initiatives in 2009 including: a) 10`h Anniversary of the re -opening of the Smith Rafael Film Center. ED staff has met with the California Film Institute to plan a public celebration in the Fall for the anniversary of this major draw to the Downtown. In concept, this event is to be combined with a Downtown Dine Around and free outdoor movie. b) West End Village Event. ED staff is planning with the West End businesses to hold at least one event in the West End of Fourth Street this year, to continue to draw visitors to the newly refurbished area of the Downtown. c) Medway/Canal Grand Opening Event. After the Medway Road power poles are removed, a community event wilt be held to celebrate the improved look of this entryway to the Canal Neighborhood. d) Public Arts Installation Program. In cooperation with Artisans and Art Works Downtown, ED staff has initiated a program to install art in the storefront windows of vacant Fourth Street retail spaces. We will continue to promote this effort to all local brokers and property owners with vacant spaces. e) "Marin Rocks" Opening. Staff will be promoting the opening of the new Exhibit as an exciting draw to the Downtown. We will be planning a public event, in coordination with the Business Improvement District and the Marin History Museum. V. FISCAL STRATEGIES Street Painting Festival Staff will be involved in a variety of fiscal issues in 2009, many of which will continue into 2010. a) Redevelopment Bonds. Staff has contracts in place with all necessary consultants to be ready to issue tax increment bonds. Given the economic times and the state of our fellow taxing agencies, it is difficult to estimate when we might be able to issue new bonds. b) Business Improvement District (BID) Strategy. ED and BID staff are working side by side to analyze possible new structures for a BID to be able to raise additional funds to promote and hold events Downtown. This project includes establishing draft goals, boundaries, programs, and assessments, and the analysis includes looking at business -based as well as property -based BIDS. c) Financial Resource Development. ED staff continues to be involved in fundraising. We will head up a citywide committee to analyze and pursue appropriate federal job stimulus monies, seeking opportunities to take on capital projects and obtain grants to create jobs. d) Emergency Preparedness/Business Recovery Plan. Working with the Office of Emergency Services staff, our first step this year is to hold a Get Ready for Businesses. Following that, staff hopes to begin to discuss with the Chamber and BID how they might work with the City to establish recovery steps should a disaster occur that disrupts commercial activity. Given the harsh economic issues before us, it may be difficult to make this a priority project for some of our businesses. e) Real Property Management. In 2009, staff will be supporting citywide efforts with real estate issues such as Critical Facilities, possible acquisition of 1309 Fifth Avenue, possible disposal of Joseph Court Fire Station, and the GASB 49 reporting on environmental liability on City or Agency properties. In addition, we are completing environmental testing of 519 Fourth Street, the City's storage facility. VI. COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION Et OUTREACH Staff will continue to connect with various segments of the community, to provide information about the status of the economy and local issues. a) Communication to the Community. ED staff will continue to participate in San Rafael Connects. In addition, we will regularly meet, beyond Business Issues Committee meetings, with the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District, to partner and strategize about the local economy. b) Managers of Vacant Property. Staff will continue to contact those who manage commercial properties that may be vacant for an extended time period to be sure they take steps to keep their properties in good visual appearance and to protect their properties to avoid fires and/or vandalism. c) Re -Leasing Assistance. To facilitate expediting new business permits, ED staff is partnering with Building Division staff to explore ways to better explain codes and ADA compliance issues to building owners and brokers. The intent is to let them know what to took for and what will be expected in building permits long before a lease is signed. Workplan Amendments and Progress. This plan will be amended as necessary for additional items identified upon completion of the Economic Study, and upon review of goals and objectives each six months. Progress reports will be prepared as part of the City's regular updates on goals and objectives, or upon request. For comments or more information contact the Economic Development Department at: (415) 485-3383 or redevelopment@cityofsanrafael.ora