HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2504-4494CITY OF PALO ALTO
Retail Committee
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
9:00 AM
Agenda Item
2.Designation of City Council Liaisons with Local Business Stakeholders New Item Added
Retail Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: April 16, 2025
Report #:2504-4494
TITLE
Designation of City Council Liaisons with Local Business Stakeholders
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Retail Committee discuss potential designation of City Council liaisons
with local business stakeholders and make recommendations to the City Council as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The City Council established Economic Development and Retail Vibrancy as a 2025 priority. A
related objective initially proposed by staff was “enhance partnerships with private-sector
stakeholders”. This was proposed to succeed the 2024 objective to “Facilitate the
establishment of sustainable business organization in the Cal Ave, DT, and Midtown district.”
At its initial discussion of priority objectives, City Council members suggested eliminating the
proposed objective as routine and not reflecting a specific action. This report expands on the
issue of City Council involvement with local business stakeholders and seeks Retail Committee
feedback.
In addition, the Retail Committee, established in 2024 and continued in 2025, is a Council ad
hoc committee that follows the California Brown Act procedures. The Committee provides a
regular forum for business and community stakeholders to engage with Council members on
implementation of the City’s economic development strategy. The Retail Committee makes
recommendations to the City Council on economic development and retail vibrancy efforts,
such as additional business support, proposed University and California Avenue improvements,
and citywide retail zoning code changes.
Retail Committee members and other City Council members have expressed interest in
attending business district stakeholder meetings organized by staff. In order to maintain
consistency with the Brown Act requirements, should a quorum of Retail Committee members
or other City Council members participate in such meetings, public meeting noticing and format
requirements can be triggered. To avoid formalizing such meetings, no more than one Retail
Committee member can participate, while other City Council members (non Retail Committee
members) may observe the meeting without participating.
ANALYSIS
•Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
•University Avenue/Downtown
•California Avenue
•Midtown
•Hoteliers
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
APPROVED BY: