Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2025 11 06

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City Council Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Minutes October 9, 2025 Page 3of8 Mayor Leh invited Gillian Millar to speak about what the Chamber has done with regards to the satisfaction survey. Also asked Manager Zarate to summarize what's been done. Manager Zarate advised information has been sent out in the monthly newsletter a couple of times; it has been sent out stand alone to all the City's subscribers; it has been sent to all of our partners including the Chamber, SBD, CSVA, DBA and the Chamber has been pushing it out to their channels (email, newsletter, Facebook and social media) and we've pushed it out on our social media. Manager Zarate has emailed based on every business license we have to engage as many as possible. Mayor Leh asked if any texts have been sent. Manager Zarate replied no but that she has sent some individual texts but no mass texting for the business survey. Mayor Leh stated perhaps texting is possible by City or others. Councilmember Kern asked what about responses, what is the turnout overall so far? Manager Zarate stated that overall responses are low and the majority have come from downtown. Councilmember Kern commented that we are trying to help other areas in the community and want to encourage the businesses on the west side of town that this is a great opportunity for their voice to be heard. Manager Zarate stated that we have sent it to quite a few real estate partners, brokers and property owners; there are some commercial owner associations we have asked to send out as well. Mayor Leh commented that businesses not responding may be part of the message maybe as some kind of protest and that they don't believe it will go anywhere. He asked if there is something that they can do to be helpful. Manager Zarate remarked that they will take any outreach and promotion they can get. She has had a dozen businesses reach out to her letting her know that they will not be taking the survey. Putting the implementation on Council's workplan could show that we are taking it seriously. Public comment from Gillian Millar: they have been running the survey through their channels but only thing they have not done is send a personal letter; maybe a short letter from the committee or the Mayor directly, sent as a stand alone email as a blast; otherwise every other channel has been hit. It is tough to get folks to complete a survey like this, to take the time is a challenge. Mayor Leh replied they can get a letter drafted and signed by all three committee members.