REACTIVATING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: TOOLS FOR A NEW ERA Santa Clara County Leadership Academy Fall 2015 About Us Sponsors Julio Fuentes - City Manager, Santa Clara Steve Rymer - City Manager, Morgan Hill Project Team Erwin Ching, Cupertino Mariah Dabel, Campbell Shelayne Hammack, Los Gatos Lorenzo Perez, County Fire Dale Seale, Santa Clara Tina Yoke, Mountain View Downtown Salinas Shooting This can happen anywhere New record: 33 Homicides this year Background 1945: Community Redevelopment Act 2010: Proposition : Redevelopment Agencies dissolve Project Goal Identify emerging economic development tools in the new post-redevelopment era. Project Challenge There are no short cuts Methodology Subject Matter Expert Interviews: Edith Ramirez, Economic Development Manager, Morgan Hill Kelly Kline, Economic Development Manager, Fremont Assembly Member Luis Alejo Angela Tsui, Economic Development Manager, Cupertino Monica Renn, Economic Vitality Manager, Los Gatos Jay Swardenski, Fire Marshal, Fremont Aarti Shrivastava, Assistant City Manager, Cupertino Lori Taylor, Economic Development Director, Dublin Mark Evanoff, Interim Deputy City Manager, Union City Kara Goss, Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance (SVEDA) Site Visits: Morgan Hill: Pop-Up Park/Road Diet Launch SVEDA Meeting Reading: Whats in the Toolkit? Tool #1 Legislation Tool #2 Streamline Processes Tool #3 Financing Tool #4 Branding Tool #1 Legislation Current Legislation AB2 Community Revitalization Authority SB628 Enhanced infrastructure financing districts SB107 Redevelopment dissolution bill SB614 Jurisdiction changes for special district/annexed area for infrastructure financing Legislation, continued Future Legislation AB229 Infrastructure and revitalization of financial districts on former military bases AB2: Community Revitalization and Investment Authority (CRIA) No links or references to previous RDA Law (intentionally) CRIA establishes a plan within a CRIA area Tax Increment Financing (TIF)/spent in area generated Eminent Domain for real property acquisition Oversight and Audits City, County, Special District or any combination of the three School Districts prohibited from establishing a CRIA 25% minimum for affordable housing + rental unit conditions Potentially powerful tool for disadvantaged communities Where would a CRIA be in your city? 1) Unemployment 3% higher than CA median. 2) Crime rates 5% higher than state median. 3) Deteriorated or inadequate infrastructure 4) Deteriorated commercial or residential structures, including former military bases. Develop Relationship with Assembly Members and Senators Smaller Cities dont have lobbyists Each City is unique Make sure your citys interests are being addressed at the state level. Coordinate ordinances, agreements, MOUs etc. to take full advantage of the provisions of the law to benefit the residents of your city. Tool #2 Streamline Processes Time and uncertainty mean money not available for projects Start with a Streamlined Home Page Make it simple & easy to read Directly to Economic Development Zoning Map Accurate and current available square feet for Industrial, R&D, Commercial Available acres of vacant land for development (toxic chemical free) Promote regional transportation (major freeways, transit) Discuss local utility partnerships, ie., to leverage AB 32 (Greenhouse Gas Reduction) Permits (hyperlinks to relevant departments) Streamline Processes continued Building Plan review counter hours (specific & first page) Plan review completion date (transparency) Inspections Inspector contact information with phone #s Geographical Area & Inspection Type Daily inspection schedule with time (transparency) Link to Codes and Regulations Planning Contact information with phone # Positions with name New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Encourage development in low income neighbors without destroying them by gentrification. California NMTC Projects EB-5 Investor Visa Program Federal state roles, eligibility and parameters of investors for new commercial enterprise projects Enhanced Infrastructure Financial Districts (EIFDs) Tool #3 Financing What types of projects could an EIFD fund? Tool #4 Branding Why Brand a City? Economic Development Marketing Attract, retain, expand businesses Attract and retain residents and tourists Improve the communitys image Establish Identity & Quality of Life Many factors influence the decision of a company or individual to move into or out of a city, with a major one being quality of life Talented youth, key to successful economy, seek places with real urban charm: walkable, amenities, open spaces Businesses migrate to areas where the quality of life matches the group of employees they are trying to attract Branding continued Placemaking Identify focus areas and clarify a vision for each place: downtown, transit hubs, gathering places Program & activate: pop-up retail, maker spaces, parklets, ambassadors, road diets Branding continued Leverage Partnerships Cities play a unique role in convening groups and defining a community vision Business Improvement Districts, Downtown Associations, Chambers of Commerce, developers, colleges & universities, nonprofits The degree to which these orgs coordinate activities around a common vision is critical to marketing success Branding Example Greeley, Colorado Greeley Unexpected Image Campaign Alliance for Innovation Award Winner Campaign to overcome negative stereotypes and community misconceptions LEADERSHIP = 3Cs Now What?! There are no short cuts. The new landscape is composed of hand tools, not power tools. This calls for a new kind of leadership. Creativity Courage Collaboration Creativity Identify your goals and the interests of stakeholders who will help deliver your vision Courage Redevelopment gave political cover; use the tools you still have to advance community interests Collaboration The best ideas wont necessarily come from cities Call to Action Nothing stops a bullet like a job Assembly Member Luis Alejo