HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 Pres Plaza BL WaiverMEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
REQUEST:
Recommendation
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
November 18, 2021
Deborah S. Glickman, Business Advocate
Approve a one (1) year waiver of Business License fees, inclusive
of fees related to the El Paseo Business Improvement District,
for President's Plaza businesses with access exclusively off the
President's Plaza parking lot.
By Minute Motion:
1. Approve a one (1) year waiver of Business License fees, inclusive of
fees related to the El Paseo Business Improvement District, in an
amount not to exceed $3,000 total for President's Plaza businesses with
access exclusively off the President's Plaza parking lot.
2. Approve the use of Economic Development Fund No. 425 to reimburse
to the El Paseo Business Improvement District the portion of the waived
Business License fee related to the District.
Strategic Plan Obiective
Approval of the waiver of Business License fees for businesses in President's Plaza with
access exclusively off the parking lot aligns with the City's Economic Development
Strategic Plan High -Priority Initiative of Business Retention/Expansion.
Executive Summary
The businesses in President's Plaza with access exclusively from the parking lot are
experiencing a unique level of difficulty during the parking lot renovation project. To assist
businesses during this challenging time, staff is requesting a one-time Business License
fee waiver upon the businesses' next license renewal.
Discussion
Approval of staff's recommendation will allow the City to waive one (1) year of Business
License fees, inclusive of fees related to the El Paseo Business Improvement District
where appropriate, for the businesses in President's Plaza that only have parking lot
facing entrances. These businesses have been disproportionally affected by the
November 18, 2021 - Staff Report
President's Plaza BL Fee Waiver
Page 2 of 2
President's Plaza construction because their customers do not have an option to enter
off El Paseo, which is not affected by the construction.
There are approximately twenty (20) businesses with limited access. Staff estimates that
the total cost of the Business License waiver, inclusive of fees related to the El Paseo
Business Improvement District, would not exceed $3,000. Staff has consulted with the
City Attorney who indicated that a waiver of the aforementioned fees is within the rights
of the City Council.
In addition to the waiver of Business Licenses fees for these businesses, staff is working
on other opportunities to assist all the businesses in President's Plaza during the
construction through use of the Courtesy Carts and valet parking. Staff is working to
expand the Courtesy Cart program to utilize the third (currently unused) cart to operate
on a designated route from The Gardens on El Paseo parking lot to the businesses in
President's Plaza. This cart would operate later in the evening to accommodate diners
at the restaurants in President's Plaza. A second option being explored is located
underutilized parking lot in the area to allow opportunities for the restaurants to offer valet
parking to their patrons. Staff anticipates that the implementation of both additional
options will occur in mid -November.
Fiscal Analysis
If approved, the waiver of fees would not exceed $3,000 total for the Business License
fees for all the businesses with only parking lot access. This amount is inclusive of fees
related to the El Paseo Business Improvement District. The portion of the waived
Business License fee related to the El Paseo Business Improvement District will be
reimbursed to the District by the Economic Development Fund No. 425. Staff anticipates
the reimbursement to the El Paseo Business Improvement District to be less than $1,000.
LEGAL
REVIEW
RH
Robert W.
Hargreaves
City Attorney
City Manager:
DEPT. REVIEW
Eric Ceja
Deputy Dir. of
Development
Services
L. Todd Hileman:
DEPT.
REVIEW
FINANCIAL
REVIEW
ASSISTANT
CITY
MANAGER
Mavti.w ALvvare,z .Andy Firestine
meow
Martin Alvarez
Dir. of Janet Moore Andy Firestine
Development Director of Assistant City
Services Finance Manager
cITY COUNCIL 4.CTION
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