HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2020 Item 11, Johnson
Council Agenda Correspondence
City of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
Date:October 20, 2020
TO:Mayor and Council
FROM: Ryan Bez, Assistant to the City Manager
Lee Johnson, Economic Development Manager
VIA:Derek Johnson, City Manager DJ
th
SUBJECT:Item 11–4
Quarter Budget Review
Since the beginning of the COVID-19pandemic, the City has taken a number of actions to support
local business and the economy. A number of these actions were ultimately included in the City’s
Meta Major City Goal,San Luis Obispo’s EconomicStability, Recovery and Resiliency, in
additional to othertasks.Staff has been tracking these actions and economic datatrends which
are summarized in a graphicreportwhich is posted on the City’sCOVID-19 web page.
The City will continue to update the information monthly as new programs are implemented and
as the City receives new economic data.
Attachment -City Actions to Support Out Local Economy
CITYACTIONS
TOSUPPORT
OURLOCAL
ECONOMY
DURING THE COVID-19PANDEMIC
Economic stability,recoveryand
resiliency is the number onegoalfor
the City of San LuisObispo.
slocity.org/covid19
Business Ambassador Hotline (805)783-7835
SUPPORTING OURCOMMUNITY
The City recognizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business community and is
committed to taking action to provide support. The City Council adopted one Major City Goal for
the 202021budget, San Luis Economic Stability, Recovery and Resiliency. This
allows for a single, organization wide focus throughout theyear. The Cityisconstantlyworking
on communication, education, and enforcement efforts as well as identifying, implementing and
promoting new programs to help businesses continue to operate safely in an ever-changing
environment.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has taken a number of actions to
ensure the economic vitality of San Luis Obispo.
SUPPORT TOBUSINESSES
OPENSLO
FLEXIBLE SIGNAGEFITNESS IN THE PARKS
$1M
Open SLO investment
Temporary flexibility withCreated solutions for fitness businesses to
(see page 4 for moreinfo)
signregulationsoperate in City parks for physically
distancedworkouts
DEVELOPMENTTASKFORCE
Implemented Fast Track for Facilitated Downtown Vacancy Taskforce with
Tenant ImprovementsProgram, DowntownSLOto reduce vacancy rates in the
allowing business to open fasterDowntown
1
HEALTH ANDSAFETY
CLEANINGDOWNTOWN AMBASSADORHYGENIE
25
Installed hand-washing
Additional cleaning Financial Support of Downtown
stations
Downtown by CitystaffAmbassador through DowntownSLO
SIGNAGESUPPLYDISTRIBUTION
Posted face covering and physical Face covering and hand
distancing signage throughoutsanitizer distribution tohotels
Downtown
2
COMMUNICATIONANDEDUCATION
BUSINESS R EO P E N IN G A M B A S S A DOR PROGRAM
200+120+100+
Responses to Processed Businesses proactively
Created business-focused
callsbusinessstatus contacted with information
resource webpage
webinquiries&resources
EMAILUPDATES
WEEKLYCALLS
40+
41%
5,000+
Accurate andtimely
Email Open Rate
Participated on weekly informational
Businesses
emails updates to
calls to provide relevant updates to the
(Industry Average:23%)
reachedper
SLOBusinesses
business community
update
BUSINESS& COMMUNITYHOTLINEPOLICESUPPORT
400+
Calls received to Business
Police support to businesses on
mask/safety compliance
CommunityHotline & fromCounty
referrals
BUSINESSSURVEYS
AMPLIFIEDAWARENESS
2
Amplified awareness of partner organized Conducted multiple business surveys to
education, programs & resourcesidentify prioritized businessneeds
3
FINANCIAL
GRANT PROGRAMBUSINESS LICENSE
PERMIT FEES
$250K
Deferred City business Suspension of Industrial
Direct support to 52 small
license renewalUser Permitfees
businesses through the Small
Business GrantProgram
PARKINGTAXDEFERRAL
Free Parking
Relaxedenforcement Provided City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT),
Downtown (Parking
&collectioncurbsidepickupCounty Property Tax, and State
Meters &Structures)
spotsSales TaxDeferral
PROMOTION
RESOURCEMAPS
Created Takeout and Delivery MapsCreated Wellness Businesses Map
Created Online Retail Shopping Map
(18,561 Views, 191 BusinessListings)(577 Views, 45 BusinessListings)
(4,336 Views, 155 BusinessListings)
#SLOTOGETHER
1,5781,000
Total blog reads through VisitSLO.com Uses of #SLOtogether
Created
(Weekly CommunityBlog)promoting on social media
positive communityinspiration
local businesses
#SLOREADY
5,000294,34355%47
Views on Support Impressions frompaid Video completion Business entries on
Encouragedsafe
Localvideomediacampaignrate fromcampaignbusiness interestform
localshopping
4
PARTNERSHIPS
DOWNTOWNSLOHOTHOUSE&SBDC
Support to Downtown SLO for weekly calls,Financial support of Hot House Training and
responses to questions andmaterial delivery to Education (SBA and Other FundingOptions)
all Downtown SLOmembers
SLOCHAMBER
Supported andparticipated Supported Take Out Tuesday and
in COVID-19 related Shop Small Saturdaycampaigns
workshops and events
PROJECTHIGHLIGHT|OPENSLO
4040250212
TemporaryParkletsSidewalkDiningUpgradedParkletsStreamlinedOutdoor Dining
InstalledLocationstoSemi-PermanentInstallationsofInstallationsUsing
DesignPrivatelyFundedCity-Provided
ParkletsMaterials onPrivate
Parking Lots
Partnered with Downtown SLO to create the Downtown Dine Out program in
Mission Plaza with tables, chairs, landscaping, lighting, andsanitation
Suspended enforcement of parking requirements in private parkinglots
5
TRENDS AT AGLANCE
SLOCOUNTYNEWUNEMPLOYMENTCLAIMS
UNEMPLOYMENTRATEBYGEOGRAPHY
HOTELOCCUPANCY
6
DOWNTOWNYEAR-OVER-YEARVISITATION
PARKINGGARAGEENTRIES
CITYWIDECONSTRUCTIONVALUATION(YEAR TO DATE IN THOUSANDS)
7
TO HELP!
We care about our local business community and are here to help. Please
contact us with any support you need:
-Email econdev@slocity.org
-Call the Business Ambassador Hotline (805) 783-7835
-Follow the City on social media for regular updates
-Register for City News e-
www.slocity.org
To receive updates from the City, please register for City News e-
notifications on the website at www.slocity.org or follow the City of
San Luis Obispo on socialmedia.
Business Ambassador Hotline (805)783-7835
slocity.org/covid19