HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2f: Resolution 6752 supporting "Business Friendly Principles" as part of the Southern California Economic Growth Strategy G „,IFO$ A ,, i '.
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° STAFF REPORT
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Office of the City Manager
DATE: December 7, 2010
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donald Penman, City Manager
By: Linda Garcia, Com nications, Marketing and Special
Projects Manage Ob
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 6752 SUPPORTING "BUSINESS FRIENDLY
PRINCIPLES" AS PART OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT'S DEVELOPMENT OF A
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECONOMIC GROWTH STRATEGY
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
As part of the development of a Southern California Economic Growth Strategy, the
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is asking cities in the region to
adopt the attached resolution in support of the Business Friendly Principles approved by
SCAG's Regional Council.
DISCUSSION
The Southern California Association of Governments is currently working on a Southern
California Economic Growth Strategy to help address what they believe is a "dim
prospect for significant regional economic growth unless there is a concerted leadership
effort to reduce impediments for creating jobs and stimulating economic investments
through incentives." SCAG has identified areas where they feel the organization can be
helpful in this endeavor. These areas include partnering with others to reduce
impediments to regional economic growth and developing a better understanding of the
common regional objectives established by the cities and counties in the SCAG region,
as well as in Kern and San Diego counties due to their interconnectivity with Southern
California's economy. Attached is a report from SCAG's Executive Director that
describes this effort in more detail.
In order to show commitment to economic recovery, the SCAG Regional Council has
adopted several business friendly principles and they are encouraging member cities
and counties to support these principles by passage of a resolution. The intent is to use
the compendium of resolutions in their efforts to demonstrate to State Officials and
Mayor and City Council — Resolution No. 6752
December 7, 2010
Page 2
Legislators that cities are serious about working together to find ways to increase
economic growth. The Business Friendly Principles are:
1. Economic Growth as a Priority
2. Business Partnership
3. Business Responsive Process
4. Attractiveness to Business Investment
The referenced principles are already a part of Arcadia's economic development
strategy and process and do not present any burden to the City either financially or in
staff time and resources.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with adoption of Resolution No. 6752.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 6752 supporting
"Business Friendly Principles" as part of the Southern California Association of
Government's Development of a Southern California Economic Growth Strategy.
Attachments: Resolution No. 6752
Report from SCAG's Executive Director dated September 2, 2010
AGENDA ITEM 1 __!,
REPORT
DATE: September 2, 2010
TO: Executive /Administration Committee
Regional Council
FROM: Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Southern California Economic Growth Strategy: Approval of Draft Business Friendly
Principles for Distribution to Cities /Counties and Project Budget Approval
EXECUTIVE DI ECTOR'S APPROVAL:
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
As part of SCAG's development of a Southern California Economic Growth Strategy (Strategy) and in
preparation for the December 2 " Southern California Road to Economic Recovery Summit, staff
recommends approval of "Business Friendly Principles" for distribution to SCAG member jurisdictions. In
addition, it is recommended that the Regional Council authorize staff to encourage SCAG's member cities
and counties to pass resolutions in support of these Business Friendly Principles within the next 60 days;
and, authorize a maximum budget of $450,000 for developing the Strategy with monthly status reports to be
provided to the Board.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In accordance with previous direction from the General Assembly and Regional Council, a Southern
California Regional Economic Growth Strategy is proceeding with collaboration from key
stakeholders. A proposed workplan was provided to the Regional Council at the July meeting. Since
that time, staff has issued a request - for - qualifications from regional economic experts to assist SCAG
on the tasks identified in the proposed workplan. SCAG is fortunate to have the assistance of Jack
Kyser who as the SCAG Chief Economic Advisor will coordinate the data collection and findings with
the regional economic experts. In addition, staff has planned a December 2, 2010 Southern California
Road to Economic Recovery Summit for the Regional Council. It is planned for the Governor - elect,
State legislative leaders, the Regional Council, cities, counties and business leaders to discuss
preliminary findings of the Southern California Regional Economic Growth Strategy. The meeting is
intended to discuss how to work together in the next year to remove State - related economic
impediments to economic growth as well as strengthen the upcoming Regional Transportation Plan.
To demonstrate Southern California's commitment at the December 2nd Summit, staff is proposing
that SCAG member cities and counties pass local resolutions supporting the "Business Friendly
Principles" (see attached sample resolution). If approved, Regional Council members representing
SCAG member cities and counties are asked to share the Principles with their own agencies as well as
the other agencies within their RC District (if applicable) and seek their support of the Principles
within 60 days in order to present at the December 2nd meeting. Finally, to expedite this high priority
Board project, staff seeks approval of a maximum project budget of $450,000. Staff intends to
provide monthly status reports to the Regional Council on the project and project budget.
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REPORT
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 1 - Improve Regional Decision Making by Providing Leadership and Consensus Building on Key
Plans and Policies
BACKGROUND:
At the May 6, 201() General Assembly, information was provided by economic experts about the severe
economic challenges facing the cities, counties and residents of Southern California. Their remarks included
a dim prospect for significant regional economic growth unless there was a concerted leadership effort to
reduce impediments for creating jobs and stimulating economic investments through incentives. At the
subsequent May 7 111 Regional Council retreat, there was concurrence that SCAG should identify areas where
the Agency could be helpful by partnering with others to reduce impediments to regional economic growth
and develop a better understanding of the common regional economic objectives established by the cities
and counties in the SCAG region, as well as in Kern and San Diego counties due to their interconnectivity
with Southern California's economy.
Developing this regional growth strategy is being done in the context of the recession that has impacted both
the nation and Southern California. Economists agree that the recovery will be slow and challenging, and
that some industries have been permanently changed. Further complicating the situation, other states and
regions are conducting sophisticated business recruitment efforts to extract businesses out of Southern
California.
As a metropolitan planning organization with a focus on transportation planning, understanding the
economic drivers and trends of Southern California are important and intrinsically linked to developing a
successful Regional Transportation Plan as all of the major industries of Southern California depend on an
efficient transportation system. Historically, SCAG has studied and tracked the economic conditions of the
SCAG region and used such information throughout its planning efforts, including developing the financial
element of the RTP. This project is an outgrowth of these efforts, especially when the need for a more
comprehensive regional economic strategy appears to be most critical.
The project is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on: collecting economic data and existing
economic development plans at the county and city levels, and preparing a proposed regional action plan to
bring to the Regional Council for approval which identifies areas where SCAG can partner with member
cities, counties, other agencies, business leaders and other key stakeholders to reduce or remove high
priority economic challenges to Southern California economic recovery, and which compiles the best
thinking within the region regarding how to improve our economic situation. Working with key business
stakeholders, and upon Regional Council approval, the second phase will suggest ways to better "brand"
and understand the Southern California economy, in order to increase investments in business opportunities
from outside the region.
To assist staff in supporting the above objectives, SCAG qualified earlier this summer regional experts to
provide data collection and analysis of the proposed workplan. Based upon its planned activities for the
project, staff has determined that a maximum budget of $450,000 would be appropriate to successfully
accomplish the Strategy. This budget would come from a combination of federal planning grant funds, state
planning grant funds and Iocal funds, including TDA and general funds. The initial tasks for data collection
and analysis are included in the current approved Overall Work Program (OW?) for FY 2010 -11.
Subsequent tasks will be issued and funded in accordance with the scopes of work. Monthly updates will be
provided to the Regional Council.
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REPORT
On December 2, 2010, SCAG will host The Southern California Road to Economic Recovery Summit at the
Wilshire Grand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles (9am -1 pm). The purpose of the summit is for SCAG's
Regional Council to discuss key findings, high priority state impediments to economic recovery, and
potential for agreement to removing impediments with state leaders and business leaders. The Governor -
elect, state legislative leaders, key business leaders, cities, and counties will be invited to participate in the
discussion. It is anticipated that the Summit would result in identifying key economic impediments whereby
all parties can work together to remove impediments to spur economic growth and recovery and strengthen
the upcoming analysis for development of the 2012 . Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). A similar federal
economic summit is planned for later in the fiscal year with the same goal.
In order to demonstrate Southern California's commitment to economic recovery, staff has drafted
"Business Friendly Principles" for the Regional Council's review and approval, and is proposing that the
member cities and counties in Southern California support these "Business Friendly Principles" by passage
of local resolutions. It is intended that the compendium of resolutions would be presented to the Governor -
elect and the State legislative leaders at the Summit. Staff also requested input from city managers on the
attached Principles. It is understood that many local jurisdictions are currently following these Principles as
part of their regular practices (and doing more). Having a compendium of the 189 cities and counties
resolutions of support for the December 2nd Summit is intended to demonstrate to state leaders that
municipalities and SCAG's Regional Council are serious about working together in the next legislative
session to find ways together to increase economic growth.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact would be a maximum project budget of $450.000, to be funded from federal, state and
Local funds.
ATTACHMENT:
Sample resolution in support of "Business Friendly Principles"
Reviewed by: ( L
Interim Deputy Executive Dirr of
Strategy, Policy c4. Public Affairs
Reviewed by:
Chief Fi tt, icial Officer
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RESOLUTION NO. 6752
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING "BUSINESS FRIENDLY
PRINCIPLES" AS PART OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT'S DEVELOPMENT OF A
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECONOMIC GROWTH STRATEGY
WHEREAS, the City of Arcadia is a member of the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) which is engaged in the development of a
Southern California Economic Growth Strategy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arcadia supports working with SCAG and other key
economic stakeholders to improve the Southern California economy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arcadia is a business friendly municipality and has
numerous practices in place to encourage economic growth within the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Arcadia, California, hereby declares
its support of the following business friendly principles as part of SCAG's development
of a Southern California Economic Growth Strategy:
Principle One — Economic Development as a Priority
Arcadia strives to demonstrate commitment to economic development as a
priority.
Principle Two — Business Partnership
Arcadia strives to provide quality municipal services to attract and retain
businesses and employees.
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Principle Three — Business Responsible Processes
Arcadia strives to communicate effectively with businesses including processes
to increase responsiveness to businesses that are seeking or doing business
within our jurisdiction.
Principle Four — Attractiveness to Business Investment
Arcadia strives to streamline operations for efficient and responsive business
assistance in areas of licensing, permitting, inspections and other municipal
services, and will seek to improve its attractiveness to new and existing
businesses within our jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of , 2010.
Mayor of the City of Arcadia
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ce:t P.
Stephen P. Deitsch
City Attorney
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