Candidates Questionnaire: What innovations would you propose to increase our business base?

The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce submitted 12 questions to each of the candidates for Pacifica City Council. Every week we will be posting two questions, and the answers from each of the candidates.


Question 4. What innovations would you propose to increase our business base?

Karen Ervin - 4 Year Seat

In order to streamline the business permitting process the city needs to continue to develop a “one stop planning and permitting” system, where all information is accessible and readily available.  Provide incentives such as a tax rebate to new businesses that move into vacant sites or invest in property.  As funds can be invested into economic development offer short-term financial assistance to new restaurants, shops, retailers, entertainment or office space that improve their sites and construction/renovation incentives for new or existing commercial buildings.  There are many potential opportunities to increase our business base, which should be thoroughly explored by City Council and the Pacifica Planning and Economic Development Department.

Mary Ann Nihart - 4 Year Seat

Our Economic Development Committee has begun a major effort to move businesses from homes into storefronts via an incubator business model.  Victor Spano and Mary Brown have been instrumental in this work. While the dedicated volunteers on the EDC have done an excellent job, but I believe we need a City staff member who specializes in economic development.  We also need an ongoing strategy to recruit new businesses to town.  Finally, I support improved resources for new businesses via the city website and a supportive permitting process.

Susan Vellone - 4 Year Seat

Open dialogue with the Corporations that own the larger retail areas and identify the people who are able to enact change. Find solutions for a win-win situation for our City, businesses, and those entities by the continuation of streamlining the planning dept process. Adjust fees when possible to entice smaller businesses, and be receptive to new ideas.

 

Victor Spano - 2 Year Seat

On the Economic Development Committee we have been working on a Small Business Incubator and High Tech Workspace. The idea with the Incubator is to grow currently Home Based Retail businesses with low-cost shared storefront space and services, technical assitance from mentors, Chamber of Commerce, lenders, and volunteer groups such as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, so that within one year they have the velocity and wherewithal to 'graduate" from the Incubator into a currently vacant storefront.....creating jobs, and producing Sales Tax Revenue. 

The "High Tech Workspace" is modeled on "Co-Working" trend which is growing in popularity and practice. Popular with programmers, salespersons, and other solo practitioners, this is the new way to work....you will find a lot of these people at Starbucks. There is a place for them in our Incubator too, they can benefit by the services the Incubator will offer, such as reception, conference room and other amenities.  If anyone out there reading this is interested in participating in our Incubator / High Tech Workspace as a user, please contact me.

Gary Mondfrans -2 Year Seat

A climate of leadership needs to be created in order to counter the present reputation that Pacifica is not business friendly, by streamlining the application and approval process at City Hall, and by outreaching and promoting Pacifica and our city's position as the Gateway to the San Mateo south coast. The opening of the Devil's Slide Tunnel Bypass will present tremendous opportunities to discover Pacifica and to drive coastal Devil's Slide for the last time before the old roadway is closed open and that open even more opportunity in the future for so many more to safely explore our south coast after the bypass tunnel is open.

Pacifica city staff has already been given direction to find ways to make the permit and application process more expedited and streamlined and that needs to be followed through from the top down.

Mike O'Neill - 2 Year Seat

Outreach to business, commercial brokers, and franchise operators.  Depending on cost look at setting up booths at trade shows.  We need to do outreach and share our demographics 65% are between the ages of 25 to 54, 63% have a household income of $75,000 or higher, 81% regularly dine out.

I think we need to pay attention to the needs of business and will talk to individual businesses to hear the concerns.  I will also be willing to visit and chat with usurious landlords.  I will be willing to make the tough calls that need to be done.

Rich Campbell - 2 Year Seat

            -Promote establishment of a sprint triatholon in Pacifica to capture recreational sports market.