CITY OF SUNNYVALE
City Council Study Session Summary
Presentation of Background Report for the
Economic Development Strategy
June 3, 2008
The City Council met in study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, Sunnyvale, California on June 3, 2008, with Vice Mayor Hamilton presiding.
City Councilmembers Present:
Mayor Tony Spitaleri
Vice Mayor Melinda Hamilton
Councilmember John Howe
Councilmember Ron Swegles
Councilmember Christopher Moylan
Councilmember David Whittum
City Councilmembers Absent:
Councilmember Otto Lee
City Staff Present:
Amy Chan, City Manager
David Khan, City Attorney
Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager
Mary Bradley, Finance Director
Mike Curran, Director of Employment Development
Hanson Hom, Community Development Director
Brice McQueen, Business Development Manager
Maria Rodriguez, Business Development Specialist
Connie Verceles, Business Development Manager
Visitors/Guests Present:
Ron Golem, Bay Area Economics
Janet Smith-Heimer, Bay Area Economics
Call to Order: 5:04 pm
Study Session Summary:
Amy Chan stated that the purpose of the Study Session was to provide Council with update on the Economic Development Strategy process.
Hanson Hom provided an overview and background of the process to develop a strategy for the Economic Development program. Hanson Hom stated that target completion date for the strategy is September 2008.
Ron Golem and Janet Smith-Heimer presented slides showing the data to be used for the strategy. Demographic data was provided; however, Janet explained that the information would be updated once Economic Development and Bay Area Economics meet with specific business groups and representatives. The outreach would support the strategy by providing information on current and future needs of existing businesses in Sunnyvale as well as up and coming business clusters.
Ron explained that the city has opportunities to create partnerships between the community and businesses. Other areas to look at include retention of business and redevelopment opportunities in the City.
Councilmembers made various comments regarding the contents of the strategy. Some of the comments were:
- Strategy should do a detail analysis of retail sales leakage.
- Solar Study Issue should be linked to the Economic Development strategy.
- Vacancy rate changes (retail, office, commercial, warehouse) may be used as a performance measure
- Staff should build relationships with property owners to better match tenants to vacant buildings.
- A performance measure should address whether or not the City is “business friendly”.
- Measure sustainability using the business license database. How long have businesses been in Sunnyvale? What’s the turnover?
- Focus on businesses that attract people to Sunnyvale (Comedy clubs, others that don’t exist in nearby communities)
- Can the strategy address why businesses leave smaller shopping centers. Is it high rent costs, locations, loss of business, etc.?
- Focus on north Sunnyvale for service businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants.
- Can the strategy address the amount of land available for new development?
- Surveys should focus on top 10 sales tax generators and their satisfaction with the city and its services. Staff should focus on retention since keeping a business in the City is easier than trying to replace it.
- Can the strategy include information on dealing with residents that commute to work outside of Sunnyvale? What is needed to reduce this number?
- Past business visits provide a good opportunity to find out business concerns.
- What can the City do to assist businesses with employee retention?
Adjournment: 6:12 pm
Connie Verceles