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8.B. - Page 5 <br /> Because there remains an ongoing problem with building housing for all income levels <br /> in the Bay Area, cities will struggle with meeting the housing portfolios anticipated by <br /> ABAG and the affordable housing community. In absence of imposing new fees on <br /> development, a program such as this at least begins to set aside funds to assist in <br /> housing at the level the City Council believes is most critical to the prosperity of the City. <br /> Economic development funds could be used broadly to support staffing for business <br /> outreach and development, for programs such as farade and signage improvement <br /> programs, for special events, for the ongoing advertising and marketing it takes for a <br /> city to remain competitive in the search for new and expanding business. This category <br /> should not be so limited as to preclude its use also for assisting in the acquisition of <br /> property that benefits the economic growth of the city. Staff will return with specific <br /> economic development program parameters and policies. <br /> The capital project allocation would be used to fund a portion of infrastructure necessary <br /> or desired to support development in the City. As with funds formerly provided by <br /> redevelopment agencies, this source of funding could enable the City to improve public <br /> infrastructure, such as sewers, storm drains, water, and sidewalks to encourage new <br /> development in the downtown, or in other high priority development areas. These funds <br /> could also be used as the City's contribution to new parking structures in the Downtown, <br /> depending upon the City's parking programs. <br /> As part of the Council discussion on public property it became apparent that there <br /> continues to be a need for appropriate park and other open space in the City. It is the <br /> intention of this concept that these funds could be used for that purpose or some other <br /> public purpose, such as parking in the downtown. <br /> ALTERNATIVES <br /> Direct staff to not proceed with any or all of the recommended actions. <br /> FISCAL IMPACT <br /> No fiscal impact at this time. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW <br /> This activity is not a "project" under the California Environmental Quality Act as defined <br /> in CEQA Guidelines, section 15378, as it involves an administrative activity. <br /> � <br /> BILL EKERN <br /> COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR <br />