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<br />.5./E-~4 <br /> <br />We will consult with City staff about whether the economic analysis should extend to <br />outlets south of the City limits into Menlo Park, recognizing that it may be difficult to <br />obtain retail sales tax data at the desired level of detail for locations outside Redwood <br />City. <br /> <br />Existing and Future Demand for Goods Offered at Costco. To project the future level of <br />support for retail space and gas stations, we will assemble information about projected <br />population growth in Redwood City and the surrounding area, and particularly in <br />emerging areas that are expected to be predominantly residential for the next 5 to 10 <br />years. This information will provide the basis for projecting future demand for retail <br />goods in the market area. <br /> <br />Worker Compensation. Finally, we will ask the City for information about typical wages- <br />and-benefits paid to retail workers in Redwood City. If this information is not available <br />from the City, we would attempt to get it from the Chamber of Commerce, the <br />Downtown Business Group, or a similar source. <br /> <br />Focus group interview of gas station owners/managers: Mundie & Associates would <br />conduct one or two focus groups (depending on the number of participants) to discuss <br />the characteristics of existing stations and the impacts on operating characteristics that <br />participants expect from a new Costco facility with 16 fueling stations. As of one year <br />ago, the State Board of Equalization reported that Redwood City had 26 existing gas <br />stations. Topics to,be discussed at the focus group would include the number of gallons <br />pumped per fueling station per month (or per year), residence locations of the customer <br />base to the extent known (may be discernible from credit card and debit card <br />payments), factors in achieving and maintaining financial viability of a gas station, and <br />other issues that we identify as we prepare for this meeting. <br /> <br />City staff would be responsible for (1) identifying and inviting participants, (2) arranging <br />meeting space, and (3) providing simple refreshments (e.g., coffee/tea/water and <br />pastries or cookies). The ideal size for a group interview is 8 to 12 participants: if more <br />than 12 people indicate interest in attending, then a second session would be <br />warranted. <br /> <br />Analysis of shifts in per-station sales when new stations open. We note from State <br />Board of Equalization records that one gas station was added in Redwood City in late <br />2003; we have not yet checked records prior to 2003 to describe a longer trend. We <br />would include the analysis of changes in per-station sales as part of our economic <br />analysis. <br /> <br />Economic Task 3: Contact Cities with Comparable Projects <br />We will ask both the City and Costco to help us identify cities where Costco has recently <br />(past 5 to 10 years) expanded a store and/or added a gas station. If possible, these <br />cities should be communities that are comparable to Redwood City; that is, of <br />comparable size and immediately adjacent to other incorporated areas. <br /> <br />Atty/Agr/2005.024 <br />062105 <br /> <br />22 <br /> <br />'I <br />