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Sedway Kotin Mouchly Group's Report: Redwood City Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion Study, May 13, 1996 Director Church presented the staff report and described the joint efforts for constructing an Economic Development Strategy by the City, Redevelopment Agency and Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce. Director Church said the Council had approved part of the Strategy during the July 29, 1996 Council Meeting and the remaining elements would be presented at this Meeting for Council consideration. Jack Greenalch, fonner Mayor of Redwood City and member of the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Strategy Subcommittee, thanked Patricia Webb, Chairperson of the Subcommittee, Redevelopment Agency Director Church, Housing and Economic Development Specialist Cady and fonner member Housing and Economic Development Specialist Svoboda, and the members of the Subcommittee, some of whom were in the audience, Don Saye, Larry Buckmaster, Frank Barta1do and Council representative Ira Ruskin, for their hard work and commitment which resulted in the recommendations before the Council. Member Greenalch said the last recommendation of the report "is not a call for a new Business Improvement District, but a recognition that where downtowns have made successful economic turnabouts some sort of association has been in place to facilitate communication and make joint efforts possible." He suggested a task force of chamber and downtown business people and City staff to make specific recommendations to the Council. Member Greenalch focused on the fundamental change to local economic development embodied in the recommendations before the Council and their very important goals of attracting and retaining businesses, business expansion, job creation and increased revenues. He said the Redevelopment Agency had already approved much of the Strategy, and the Chamber hoped the Council would approve the remaining elements and overall Strategy "to send a strong message that Redwood City is serious about economic development." John Lee, President of the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the recommendations for economic development presented by the staff and Subcommittee. Director Church used overheads and described the four elements of the Strategy which the Council had not yet reviewed and approved: 1. Auto Strategy (formerly Auto Mall). Appropriate $75,000 from unappropriated fund balance to the Auto Strategy project, to signal that the City is serious in its intention to stop the leakage of dealers to other communities. Director Church described the large focus group held with almost all the auto dealers in Redwood City, and the follow-up smaller meetings. He said the auto dealers expressed interest in pursuing a joint marketing effort with the City. Director Church asked that the $75,000 be appropriated as a signal to the auto dealers that the City is serious about supporting auto dealers in Redwood City. He said discussions with the auto dealers would follow, and any recommendations on how and where to spend up to $75,000 in support of Redwood City auto dealers would come back to the Council for approval. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 NOVEMBER25,1996 MINUTES Page No. 052 PAGE 5