Answer to a longtime question I've had - auto sales make up 16% of the city's total tax revenue, admittedly not as much as I had thought.
Staff note redevelopments in other cities that have created spaces for small businesses and understanding demand in that larger context.
Conversation
Study will have a few goals. Staff will reach out to small businesses throughout the region to better understand what would attract them to Bellevue & what their barriers are.
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Study will incorporate five components -
1) a more typical retail market analysis to assess demand
2) investigating how business districts outside of DT can be supported
3) supporting retail through planning initiatives, like Wilburton & BelRed rezones
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4) strategies to support small businesses & target sectors, like breweries
5) working w/ auto sales companies to create more compact building models & "look at different ideas to help them strategize & help them expand their existing spaces or help build new spaces in the city."
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Staff estimate they'd come back with the findings of the retail study in Q1 2023.
CM Stokes notes the market for auto sales has changed & asks why dealers still create sprawling lots in the city. Staff say it's because structured parking is expensive.
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CM Robertson also supports reducing footprints of auto sales company, wants city to keep spaces for other "big ticket items." W/ online sales, wants more education on making sure things businesses are coding purchases properly so that sales tax comes to Bellevue.
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CM Zahn asks how well consultants can predict the new post-COVID normal, notes how support for small businesses works into 15 minute city concept, and asks if city has map showing small & diverse businesses, wants to make sure city doesn't displace legacy business owners.
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Staff note issue w/ data collection but are doing more work, like neighborhood walks, to understand community needs. They'll provide followup in the future of what DEI looks like in these surveys & prior consultant work.
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DM Nieuwenhuis agrees the study should go beyond DT, wants staff to detail who they've reached out to to ensure they've engaged all parts of the city. Wants study to take on the lens of "building upon [the city's] current successes."
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CM Barksdale notes the importance of businesses in serving cultural niches, "I can say I don't *think* there are a lot of places for Black people to get their hair done in Bellevue".
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Mayor Robinson wants city to look at ways for local artists to display their art in retail spaces. Staff say they're looking at ways to engage w/ orgs to facilitate connections w/ merchant orgs.
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Now onto final item, the updated ordinance for remote participation. New one says:
1) up to 3 board members can participate remotely at each meeting
2) no limit for # times/year
3) wants people in-person "when practicable"
4) Chair must be in-person
5) revisit policy in a year
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Staff say Chair requirement was added because current tech has camera from the back of the room looking at fellow members from afar, so it could present issues for somebody presiding over the meeting.
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DM Nieuwenhuis thinks the recommendations thread the needle well. Wants staff to include data collection of # of remote attendees vs. in-person in one-year evaluation. Mayor Robinson wants to make sure feedback's also gathered from commission members.
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Mayor Robinson asks if they could incorporate language to make sure that approval/rejection of somebody's request for remote participation isn't arbitrary. Staff believe this is already incorporated in the ordinance language, Mayor is fine w/ reassessing in a year.
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CM Zahn wants city to do wider review of codes through an equity lens.
CM Robertson, the CM who pulled the original ordinance from consent, supports this proposal. Echoes recs for data-collection, including feedback from staff & the public, for when it's reassessed in a year.
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Motion passes unanimously, meaning majority of board and commission members will need to return back to in-person meetings.
With that, meeting is adjourned! Thanks for following along.