AgdaPkt 2018-04-09 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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In November, the City mailed a postcard notice to all businesses with an active business license inviting them to participate in an online survey regarding their businesses and one of two business roundtable meetings hosted by the City. The survey, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, asked respondents questions regarding the number of employees the business had, where the majority of the employees live, whether benefits are provided and wage information. The survey also asked if a change to the local minimum wage would affect their business and whether they would support the change. The survey was open from November 13, 2017 until January 31, 2018. Twenty-two businesses participated in the survey during this period. While a majority of the survey participants indicated that they pay their employees higher than the current minimum wage, those that paid their employees at or near the current minimum wage of $10.50 an hour indicated that those employees were tipped employees. Their non-tipped employees were paid closer to $15.00 an hour. Sixty percent of the 22 respondents did not support raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by 2019. Respondents commented that the increased minimum wage may negatively impact their business due to an increase in the cost of goods. This would have a greater impact on their business since they are already paying their employees at the higher rates. One-on-One Business Outreach Visits Between November 2017 and January 2018 City Councilmembers and City staff visited 250 businesses across the City. The goal of these visits was to notify local business owners and managers of the Council’s consideration of a local minimum wage ordinance, provide an informational flyer, promote the City’s online survey, invite owners and managers to attend business roundtable meetings, receive input, and share that the City Council will consider a draft Minimum Wage Ordinance at the March 2018 Council Meeting. Stakeholder feedback Businesses In the business visits and the business roundtable and stakeholder meetings participants generally expressed support for establishing a local minimum wage in Redwood City. Many businesses are currently paying close to or more than $15.00 an hour and see this wage as necessary to attract and retain quality employees due to the high cost of living in the Bay Area. Some businesses and the California Restaurant Association expressed concerns, and recommended the City phase-in the minimum wage increase, as it would be difficult for Attachment 26.3.A. - Page 17