City looks to partner with business to boost economy City looks to partner with business to boost economy (February 04, 2004)

** Dr. Seuss, online auctions are part of the mix under consideration.

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

You might not want the Cat in the Hat as a business partner, but he's one small piece of a program to boost Menlo Park's flagging economy.

So is a popular online auction. And, perhaps, radio personality and author Garrison Keillor.

These are all part of strategies by David Johnson, Menlo Park's business development manager, to help local businesses thrive and thus spur sales tax revenue, which provides the bulk of the city's income. Mr. Johnson, who joined the staff in September, is scheduled to present a status report on his program to the City Council on Tuesday, February 3.

One element is partnerships between the city and businesses. For one, Mr. Johnson said he is working with Kepler's Books owner Clark Kepler in hopes of hosting some of the store's larger author events in the City Council chambers. Some big-name speakers, such as Mr. Keillor, Barbara Bush and Al Franken, can draw overflow crowds.

The Civic Center has plenty of parking and a good sound system in the chambers, Mr. Johnson said. In addition, the building has ample capacity for many attendees, which would also benefit the city's sales tax revenues because attendees buy books, he said.

Users of city facilities such as the council chambers typically pay a fee, except for nonprofits, Mr. Johnson said.

The city is also working with the Peabody Fine Art Gallery on Santa Cruz Avenue, which is hosting a Dr. Seuss exhibition from March 27 through April 12, in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Mayor Lee Duboc will open the show and present a key to the city to someone dressed as the Cat in the Hat, Mr. Johnson said.

"We don't have a key to the city, but we'll get one made," he said.

Candace Engelsen, who is publicizing the event, said Mr. Johnson advised her to have the gallery work with Kepler's so that the gallery could encourage its patrons to buy Dr. Seuss books there, and Kepler's could encourage its customers to go to the exhibit and buy prints.

"It was his idea to let everybody know what we're doing to make the event bigger than it is," she said.

Mr. Johnson said he's also working with the Menlo Park office of AuctionDrop, a company that helps people sell goods on the online auction site eBay. The city may sell some of its outdated equipment -- such as computer monitors, printers and typewriters -- this way, both providing revenue for the city and business for a local enterprise, he said.

Other facets of the business development program mentioned in the report include a "Shop Menlo Park" campaign, which includes advertisements and banners around town. In addition, the report lists ways to streamline the permit process and other regulations, with the goal of making it easier for businesses to set up shop and expand in Menlo Park.

The list, which Mr. Johnson said grew out of his discussions with City Manager David Boesch, planning staff and local business people, includes eliminating the need for a use permit in many situations, such as when making structural alterations in the M-2 zoning district in eastern Menlo Park or constructing a building on a substandard lot.

Many business people have called for streamlining, saying stringent regulations keep businesses away. But others say the process is not the problem, and that high rents and a widespread recession are more to blame for vacant buildings around town.

Mr. Johnson said the list was merely a draft and that he hoped to get feedback from the council on these suggestions on February 3. That meeting has been designated a study session, so no formal council action can be taken.
INFORMATION

To read the full business development report, go to www.menlopark.org, click on "City Council," and go to the February 3 agenda. That meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 801 Laurel St. in Menlo Park.

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