HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC 2018-10-04 MinutesOctober 4, 2018
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THIRD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
7:00 P.M.
Meeting Summary Notes
CAC Members Present: Bill Carney, Glenn Koorhan, Andrew Naja-Riese, William O’Connell, Roger Smith
CIty Staff Present: Danielle O’Leary, Simon Vuong
Members of the Public: None
Guest Presenter: Miriam Karell
1. Call to Order: Chair Carney called the CAC meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
2. Approval of August 2nd Meeting Notes: Approved as submitted.
3. Presentation – Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Miriam Karell is the Director of
the Marin SBDC, a nonprofit organization that provides free one-on-one business advising and
offers low cost workshops to small private businesses (fewer than 100 employees). The
organization works in partnership with 17 experts who provide advice, guidance and counsel to
help start new or grow established businesses. The SBDC has served 950 unique business clients
with over 9,900 hours of consultation time in Marin County.
The Center is funded by grants awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration requiring a
financial match from local operators. The City of San Rafael provides $10,000 annually as a
source of local matching funds. In San Rafael, like other cities, the SBDC helps local businesses
address a variety of local challenges, like adapting to “e-commerce”, helping to navigate through
local laws. The biggest obstacles for local business owners include locating affordable rent and
housing and finding qualified staff at an affordable rate. Additionally, foot traffic is sparse in
some communities due to Marin’s population centers being too spread apart. Shopping malls, in
particular, are struggling. One CAC member commented that a challenge is recruiting qualified
staff who can find local housing, and that local businesses could benefit from shared
employment services (e.g., pooled health care group plans across multiple businesses to
negotiate lower premiums).
The SBDC’s team of experts provides free private consultation and low-cost workshop services in
a variety of areas, with the exception of legal advice or tax guidance. Ms. Karell described the
emergent area of Internet and search engine optimization (SEO) as a key business strategy.
Additionally, new California laws on employment and contractors will require greater attention
in the coming years. A CAC member observed that none of the SBDC’s advisors represent
commercial real estate, and recommended adding an advisor who would help small businesses
negotiate leases.
Overall, CAC members expressed appreciation for Ms. Karell’s presentation and discussed ways
to identify businesses that could benefit from the SBDC’s services.
4. Project Updates
a. Transit Center and Station Areas: Director O’Leary announced the Golden Gate Bridge District
will hold a public scoping meeting to gather input and comments from public agencies and the
community on the scope for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to be prepared for the
San Rafael Transit Center Replacement Project, on Tuesday, October 30, 5:30-7:00 PM, at
Whistlestop.
Results from the Golden Gate Bridge District Survey revealed that respondents preferred the
Whistlestop block concept the most, followed by the Fourth Street Gateway. The CAC discussed
advantages of the “Under the Freeway” option and recommends further exploration as to what
facilities could be moved under the freeway on the south and north sides of 4th St. CAC
members further discussed a variety of issues related to understanding the flow and connection
between buses, understanding the commuter experience to transfer between buses, and the
attractiveness of the site. The CAC agreed by consensus to re-send a copy of its earlier letter to
the Golden Gate Bridge District, re-affirming its previous recommendations and considerations.
b. Northgate Walk. Director O’Leary communicated an announcement from Community
Development Department Director Paul Jensen that the first public meeting for review of the
136-unit Northgate Walk residential development at the Fort Point Sheraton Hotel Site is
tentatively scheduled for the October 23rd Planning Commission. Thirty of the units at this
project are designated for seniors, and 20 percent are affordable. Because the site is entitled to
300 units, the CAC expressed concern about the reduction in housing.
c. General Plan progress: Chair Carney reported that the first public meeting was held the
night before. The meeting was full of good dialogue, and the group generally was in support of
development and housing. Additional discussion sessions will occur in two other neighborhoods
around the city.
d. Others: New Downtown Businesses: Simon Vuong shared updates on new businesses that
have recently opened in downtown including: Taste of Himalayas, which replaced Napoli; Better
Bar, a juice bar on 4th Street, Fox and Kit, a new coffee bar with a children’s zone; Julie’s
Hummus, located on 4th Street, Libation Tap Room; and L.A.B. next to Lotus restaurant.
CAC members were glad to hear of these businesses and wanted more information on the
materials that the City shares to recruit new businesses. CAC members also asked why
businesses had left the city, and Mr. Vuong shared that it’s usually when they go out of business.
It’s difficult to assess after the business has left, since they usually leave without first notifying
the City.
5. Follow-up Economic Development Discussion: The CAC was pleased with the report from
Director O’Leary and encouraged her continued progress. The CAC also discussed progress
related to the city’s cannabis licensing program and would like future updates.
6. Public comment on non-agenda items: None.
7. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items: Andrew Henning will present on issues affecting renters
and CAC Member Andrea de La Fuente will present on financing for affordable housing in
November.
Other suggestions include: Northgate Walk, Transit Center Updates, Housing projects, the City’s
recruitment materials for new businesses, and the City’s new branding campaign.
8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Naja-Riese