HomeMy WebLinkAbout19D - ECON. DEV. ACTIVITY REPORT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
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REQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
DECEMBER 19, 2005
TITLE:
APPROVED
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER -
NOVEMBER 2005
o As Recommended
o As Amended
o Ordinance on 1 st Reading
o Ordinance on 2nd Reading
o Implementing Resolution
o Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
~~lv.~ Jl
CITY MANAGER
FILE NUMBER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file.
DISCUSSION
The Economic Development status report has been developed to provide City
Council with regular updates. The following report covers acti vi ty for
September-November 2005.
Downtown
. Business Improvement District (BID) Consultant The Downtown
Associations have entered into a consultant contract with Marco Li
Mandri of New City America to review the existing assessment structure
and make recommendations to improve the BID. Meetings are being held
with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy for the BID.
. Vendor Carts Eleven Downtown carts are being replaced with new
higher quality carts. The carts are under construction and estimated
to be complete by February 2006.
. Chiarini Fountain This fountain was donated in memory of George
Chiarini and was placed in the Second Street Promenade in the Artist
Village. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on November 19, 2005.
. Fiestas Patrias - This event generated approximately 140,000 visitors
to the Downtown over a two-day period. Work is currently underway in
planning the 2006 event.
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Economic Development Activity
Report for September-November 2005
December 19, 2005
Page 2
Workforce Investment Board/ W/O/R/K Center
· Return on Investment (ROI) Study The Workforce Investment Board
(WIB) has contracted with Cal State Fullerton to conduct the ROI
study. The researchers will survey general users of the W/O/R/K
Center in an effort to calculate the ROI of Federal Workforce Funds.
The study is near completion with a final report due to be released on
January 13, 2006, at a regular WIB meeting. This study will assist
with future funding requests.
· Orange County Volvo Partnership - W/O/R/K Center staff has partnered
with Professional Career College to identify potential candidates for
four to seven vacant mechanic positions at Volvo.
· Faith-Based Initiative - The City's W/O/R/K Center received a $500,000
funding award and is initiating an RFP to develop partnerships with
grassroots faith-based organizations to provide employment
opportunities to Santa Ana residents. The RFP closed on December 16,
2005, and organizations will be selected in January.
· W/O/R/K Center Client Statistics - During November 2005, the W/O/R/K
Center recorded a total of 3,625 visits. Client profile is summarized
in the following charts:
WORK Center Ethnic Profile
I
I
I
. Latino I
. Caucasian I
I o African American I
10 Other
Job Seeker Industry Profile
Other
African (10%
America~
8%
Caucasian Latino
22% 60%
Service
11%
Transportation
3%
Construction
16%
Aerospace
2%
. Retail
. Transportation
o Finance
DAerospace
. Manufacturing
III Service
. Construction
Finance
10%
Manufacturing
47%
· Standards Exceeded The Workforce Investment Board received
confirmation from the State Employment Development Department for the
Program Year (PY) 2004-05 Exemplary Performance Incentive Award for
meeting its negotiated performance standards. A $4,181 award will be
added to the WIB's PY 2005 subgrant.
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Economic Development Activity
Report for September-November 2005
December 19, 2005
Page 3
Marketing
· The DEPOT Marketing Program Staff has begun cost analysis and
research for banners, racks, and other equipment needed to facilitate
the implementation of the marketing plan at The DEPOT. A status
report will be presented at the Main Street Council Committee
meetings.
· Manufacturers Roundtable - This quarterly meeting was held in October
wi th 21 business representatives in attendance. A panel discussion
consisted of Workers Compensation compliance and working with
insurance brokers.
· Citywide Marketing Plan - Staff is developing a Request for Proposals
to assist with the development of a City-wide marketing plan.
· OC Small Business Tax Day - Staff participated in the annual event and
manned a resource table marketing the City and business incentives.
· Business Attraction - Approximately 30 companies have contacted staff
regarding relocating to the City. Staff is assisting with property
leads, interfacing with the City's development agencies, providing
information on tax incentives, and demographic data.
· Business Retention- Approximately 50 retention meetings were held with
local businesses. The meetings focused on such issues as expanding
operations, City services, tax incentive programs, foreign trade zone,
and workforce needs.
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Economic Development Activity
Report for September-November 2005
December 19, 2005
Page 4
Enterprise Zone (EZ)
· Website Award - At its annual statewide conference, the California
Association of Enterprise Zones recently awarded Santa Ana recognition
as having the "Best Enterprise Zone Website." The website was
recognized for easy navigation, depth of information, and use by the
business community.
· The Enterprise Zone has issued 1,358 vouchers for this reporting
period, bringing the year-to-date total to 3,700.
Total Num ber of Vouchers Issued
Year to Date 23,396
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
o
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
I_ Vouchers I
· EZ Extension Bill - EZ staff is working closely with the California
Association of Enterprise Zones on legislation that will allow zones
throughout the state to apply for two five-year extensions, for a
total designation period of up to 25 years. Santa Ana EZ businesses
are writing letters in support of these bills.
· EZ/FEZ Workshop - The 12th Annual Workshop was held in November at the
Delhi Community Center. It was conducted in partnership with a local
CPA firm with 91 business representatives in attendance. The workshop
is an opportunity to provide in-depth training on the tax benefits and
to answer technical questions with experienced accountants.
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Economic Development Activity
Report for September-November 2005
December 19, 2005
Page 5
· Enterprise Zone Audit The Enterprise Zone program was recently
audited by the State Housing and Community Development Agency (HCD).
The auditor was impressed with the internal procedures, quality
controls, user guides, and the level of support and resources
allocated to the program. It is anticipated that the City will be
invited to participate at an upcoming Best Practices forum hosted by
HCD next year.
Empowerment Zone (FEZ)
· Study Session The Santa Ana Empowerment Corporation (SAEC) Board
held a study session in November to discuss priori ties and possible
sustainability sources beyond 2009. An ad hoc committee has been
formed to pursue the topics discussed.
· Kidworks Donahue Center - The SAEC joined the community in celebrating
the grand opening of this center located in Zone 4 of the Federal
Empowerment Zone. Last year, the corporation approved a $628,500 loan
and grant for construction of the facility.
Weed and Seed
· Request for Recognition - Working with Santa Ana Police Department,
staff submitted a joint application requesting Official Recognition by
the Department of Justice for two Weed and Seed sites. Decision on
the proposals will be announced early 2006.
· Financial Literacy workshops - Workshops were conducted in partnership
with a non-profit organization. More than 40 individuals attended the
workshops held at Pio Pi co Elementary School and Corbin Center. The
three-night workshop has been an ongoing project for the two existing
weed and seed sites. Instruction was conducted in Spanish and on-site
childcare was provided in an effort to encourage participation.
impact associated with this action.
Patricia C. Whitaker
Executive Director
Community Development Agency
PCW/LS/mlr
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