Sunday, May 8, 2011
Chamber of Commerce proposal to Pacifica to increase business activity
The following ideas to increase business activity within Pacifica were presented to the city by the Chamber of Commerce, along with funding requests for those ideas.
http://pacificachamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/May-4-City-Presentation8.pdf
Posted by Steve Sinai
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34 comments:
Excellent. Great start. When, and when, the economy comes back , Pacifica will be in a good position and may attract some attention, that is if council commits to the Chamber proposal.
Build trails to the beach, the tourists will come, build trails on Mori's Point, the tourists will come, Build a trail at Sharp Park, the tourists will come, Build a trail at Linda Mar Beach, the tourists will come!!!
745, where is the tax revenue cash? Eco-tourism in itself is not a solid basis for a city economy in this geographical area, its secondary. Better, promote and build a tax producing tourist and hometown destination with a parking lot.
Kathy, I dare you to be project specific. Can you, just for argument sake, be less general and define what you think could reasonably be accomplished in 3 to 5 years?
After reading this "plan" it sounds like the Chamber is saying that "The Environment is our Economy".
Todd,
It's not really fair to challenge Kathy (who is not an architect, developer or planner) to come up with a specific project.
She is correct however, eco-tourism will not sustain an economy. If Yosemite, arguably one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, had to rely on eco-tourist fees alone it would have never opened.
How 'bout this?
The City of Pacifica and The Chamber of Commerce team up in trade publications, advertising that Pacifica is "OPEN FOR BUSINESS". Then qualify it a bit with promises to help streamline permitting processes, consultation services to help navigate the myriad of environmental requirements, tax incentives, long-term and inexpensive leases on municipal properties in exchange for favorable development, low crime rates, beautiful beaches, close proximity to technology, finance and transportation hubs, etc. etc.
If we change our reputation from "a place to waste millions in time and money" to "a place where good ideas and quality investments are welcome" we might acually get something great that none of us ever imagined.
Whale watching at Pacifica Pier was incredible, saturday afternoon.
Two whales feeding, close to Pacifica shore, right next to the pier. It was a sight to see.
Todd dare away, how about a "3-5 year action plan" from city council to promote properties, and move the same through regulation; and fill-in existing business spaces. By contrast, last year city council delivered a pre-determined "5 year action plan" though an appointed citizen Finance Committee: Cut service and tax Pacificans. Nice!
Ditto, Anon 1256. And, as Steve Sinai commented 5/8 on the 5/7 "...cutting Pacifica public employee...." article, paraphrasing Einstein: "the people who create the problems are not the ones who will solve them."
Mike 418, I saw your comment when getting ready to post my comment. As you mention those specifics are outside the scope of my argument. Similar to you and others I generally understand the issues (part of my educational background is that of a post graduate certified financial planner, registered securities principal, and business real estate certificate (I took those 8 real estate courses for fun). But, anyone who lives in this city, has discovered what's missing, and can balance a check-book should be able to figure-out this one.
And, thanks for the whale update Anon 431pm. That time of year.
I know most of you and I know that many of you know my history with the Chamber has not always, let's say, been co-operative. In the late 1990's I was on the board of directors. That was a strong willed board made up of successful business people. Meetings could prove to be contentious, however, we always worked towards the goal of promoting our city and our business community. In my opinion, the board drifted from that focus during the following years. I'm very happy to say that our chamber board is now, once again, focused on business outreach and promotion. Along with that comes enhanced services to our chamber members and extensive interaction with our city. We are committed to facilitate new business in town and work to increase tax revenues. Our hotel occupancy rate is below 60%. The Chamber is committed to increasing that occupancy by 10% this next year. That will generate up to $90,000 in new TOT revenue to the city. The Chamber intends to continue promoting our city outside our "bubble". Eco- tourism is a small part of that focus. In conjuction with all the other facets that need to work together, the Chamber can and will be part of Pacifica's resurgence as a viable, safe, and successful community. I am proud to be a member of our Pacifica Chamber of Commerce.
The state of California is more than 20 billion in deficit and yet their silly legislature has time to consider laws for whether motels and hotels in California should be mandated to purchase ONLY fitted sheets. Unions representing the maids in the facilities say it will prevent back injuries because they won't have to pick up the mattresses as required for flat sheets.
More job killing laws.
Anon 455, preventing back injuries from repeated activity is a positive, regulated move forward. You would think so, if it were your back.
The economy is recovering some. California has received $2 billion more in revenues than expected this year.
Thanks for the updated "vote of confidence" for Pacifica Chamber of Commerce activity Jim Wagner (452). Much emphasis on eco-tourism, makes makes my teeth chatter, you know: "our environment is almost NO economy".
Kathy ,
I meant to say that you were not a "city" planner. I wish you were Pacifica's "financial" planner.
Mike, I didn't mean my question to sound like a bad challenge, just trying to foster greater understanding. Kathy, something does need to happen to encourage business here. I agree with you about that five year financial plan by appointed citizens. It's obvious senior staff merely want to tax us to maintain their standard of living at our expense and are willing to cut services rather than adjust compensation to conform to the revenues we have in order to do so, something i find very cynical as contract law is on their side. My only reluctance is that unless we can fix the flawed way our employees are compensated improved revenues will simply be sucked dry by wages and pensions which begs the question of whether or not to drive the city into bankruptcy to have the contracts and MOU restructured by an appointed arbitrator to conform to our revenues. Without contract, MOU and pension reform there is really no way forward as far as I can see... unfortunately. I am very sad at this point.
flat sheets , fitted sheets, you still need to bend over. Unions create job losses. Legislatures are owned by the unions. When will the madness end.
Next, unions will demand money from all hotels motels for the employees for having to endure years of back breaking work making beds. Employees will get a couple hundred, unions bosses will get a couple thousand, lawyers will get a couple hundred thousand, legislatures are guaranteed their seat or move up. Hotels/Motels will be forced to close their doors. Then all employees will lose their jobs. When will you stand up and say enough.
"Two whales feeding, close to Pacifica shore, right next to the pier. It was a sight to see."
If we can get them to do it at 11 AM and 2 PM every Saturday and Sunday, along with jumping through hoops and balancing beach balls on their noses, maybe we'll have something to attract visitors to town.
Todd (649) another thing we agree on, the purpose of the City Finance Committee, and "let them eat cake" was not a birthday event.
And, Mike (542) thank you for your kind thought-- the thought will will go in one door and out the other.
Anon (848), you remind me a little of hotel magnum Leona Helmsley, "the queen of mean". There would be no fuss over sheets "for the little people" if folding flat sheets under a mattress on a repeated basis were not an issue.
Anon8:48 what kind of sheets do you buy? Oh, you're probably not in charge of sheets and bed-making in your world. Do a little of that and you'll appreciate fitted bottom sheets. Do a lot and you'll really begin to evolve.
I think the chamber askin' the city for money is hilarious. Doesn't anyone see the irony in this after the chamber was so supportive of the hotel tax measure (which passed nonetheless) and the fire assessment (which went down in flames)?
Maybe the chamber could do something to bring in more revenue for the city, but this is not the time to be asking the city for money as there really is none to spare for such things. Need to pay for the very basics first.
Nothing hilarious about it. Something might have worked but you're right, we don't even have the $75,000 to find out. Nothing funny about that.
11:43 that was the guy who ran the Chamber before.
He did nothing but run the Chamber into the ground.
flat sheets, fitted sheets you still need to bend over and lift. What's the diff? Or is this just more of a planned agenda, to destroy private industry, from the democrats that have run this state into the ground.
"...the chamber was so supportive of the hotel tax measure..." Anon (5/9, 1143) the Chamber should have been against the increased hotel tax, which as I recall they were. Its another regressive tax to support (prop-up) the City General Fund.
Had the tax provided a 2% provision to promote tourism, which it did not, that would have been smart economics, and worth supporting. (2% was the amount of the increased tax). But, as you said the tax was approved by voter majority anyway.
It is to the city's advantage to support the Chamber of Commerce (which should be primarily the promotion of business in this city). As Anon (800) has suggested, the Chamber has been too much another eco-arm of the city.
Anon (956) I'm sure you know more than the proven medical statistics from x-ray of permanent lower back injury. Although you may not care about the individual human lives affected, there is the ongoing, collective State disability claims cost which you may care about.
The Chamber was against the hotel tax and took no position on the fire assessment.
Baby Fox sighted at lindamar state beach. I was walking on the beach path up the hill and it was following me. Very cute.
How do they feel about plovers?
Note: Councilmembers DeJarnatt and Vreeland were MIA from this meeting.
631, about the baby fox, cute, but I hope not to see his/her mother in my neighborhood. There have been complaints about foxes killing our domestic cats and small dogs.
What to foxes eat? From FCPS education: "Red Foxes eat whatever is available. They are actually omnivores and eat many things besides meat. Their main food, however, is small mammals, including: mice, voles, shrews, moles, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, opossums, raccoons, skunks, muskrats, and beaver. Other meats they consume include: waterfowl, turkey, and other birds, turtles, lizards, snakes, crayfish, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. When available, foxes will also eat grapes, acorns, cherries, berries, grasses, sedges, nuts, and other vegetation. Red Foxes will eat carrion (previously dead animals) and will occasionally kill someone's pet dog or cat." And as someone mention in several funny commentaries a few weeks back, and just now (Anon 11:25), dinner could also include Snowy Plovers, oops.
Good UK Urban Fox reference.
Hey Hey Mr/Ms. Coyote. The local nutjobs want to put up a plover corral. Known in your world as a real fresh and easy supermarket.
Fox, coyote...come on down.
Pete and Jim MIA? If only this could be permanent.
Pete, Jim MIA.
And that's news?
It's easier to spot a fox than see a council meeting with both of those bozo's there at the same time.
HaHa! How will those little plovers survive. Mama Fox knows where to bring the family for dinner.
the snakes eat the frogs
the feral cats eat the snakes
the fox eat the plovers
Oh lets call the whole thing off
I saw a yellow lizard in the quarry today. it was at least 8 inches long.
Pete and Jim missed another Council meeting? Pissed off about losing cafeteria cash or what? Guys, don't go away mad. Just go away!
Place your bets now on who shows for tonight's budget hooha. When the going gets tough Jim and Pete get scarce.
They were all present!! And they seem very somber after the sudden death of San Carlos Mayor who suffered a heart attack the morning after an evening study session. No question these are stressful jobs in very difficult times.
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