LTC 379-2019 UPDATE ON WORKING WITH EXISTING AND WELCOMING NEW BUSINESSES MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
379-2019
NO. LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the Cit Commis ion
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Managers„,zez y. . »ri, .
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DATE: July 1, 2019
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON WORKING WITH EXISTING AND WELCOMING NEW BUSINESSES
I am pleased to share with you an abbreviated 90-day update on working with existing
businesses and welcoming new business by exploring various programs and initiatives that
provide information and access to the tools they need to navigate through the City of Miami
Beach. Below are several initiatives that we recently launched to better refine our approach
and improve business engagement throughout the community.
Capacity Building Workshops
On April 22, the city held its first of three workshops held at WeWork on "Navigating City
Services.” Over 25 entrepreneurs and businesses attended the workshop to learn how to
navigate and work with city departments that specialize in launching or growin• a business. The
panel was moderated by Commissioner Mark r .
Samuelian and included panelist from the city' : ► _
planning, building and finance departments and the r-.4-`7:1'. jP'_ I—' `
Miami Beach chamber of commerce. Topics %d 1
included: '' i I
• Permitting and licensing process, �aa►� • "", '"$ .
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inspection requirements for your business; � - 101 ;4
• maintaining compliance for existing 4� _„�` 1 a ti`
business and resource connections; and - $ -
• information on pop-up special event permits - A• = 41.,
allowing business to temporarily activate 4,0„.
retail space in vacant storefronts.
On May 16, approximately 25 businesses
attended the second capacity building workshop
to learn about "Storytelling and Branding.” The
panel included speakers from the new tropic, `
small business administration and the city's III'
marketing department. Topics included: iLl.t °
• Creating powerful brand strategies and ""'1I I. ' ii r_ � -7-
competing in highly competitive markets;
• building a narrative that drive ' �•,,
conversations within a community; and *s �'IF 1
• determining your social media goals and ., 1111 1
develop a plan to reach them • L
On June 27, the city held the third workshop on "Small Business Disaster Preparedness."Over 25
businesses attended the workshop to learn about city emergency resources, building a resilient
business and being emergency ready from the city's economic development, marketing and office
of emergency management and FIU Small Business Development Center.
Topics included:
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• Disaster planning tools and resources, -.-
and review of disaster recovery I,- - _`
programs; ` : '
• developing a business continuity plan T g.,
that is vital to running a business in the ,-' = 7'
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instance of a natural disaster; and - , �'
• insurance planning and check-list . - m•• =�
information {* ` -' i ,.wow
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Small Business Town Hall
On May 6, the Mayor and Commission held a small business town hall meeting at the city hall
that was moderated by Commissioner Ricky Arriola with over 50 community members in
attendance. The purpose of this meeting was to
gather feedback and foster a mutual understanding
on how can develop stronger working relationships
with the business community going forward. t :, ®'I
The top business issues from the meeting were p - P-1y1 4-44 ' 4.
business tax receipt (BTR) process, permitting and , j
licensing predictability and timing and navigating city 1-
processes. From this meeting, the city is updating
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the BTR process, creating a business start-up guide
and establishing a development review committee to
ensure a more in-depth review of the development 'P
application during the planning process. Staff is planning a second town hall meeting that will be
held in North Beach.
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Business Retention Program
This program was developed to retain and strengthen Miami Beach based-businesses through
one-on-one visits and business walks to enhance relationships and improve the local business
climate. In April, staff met with 15 businesses in the North Beach area. The top takeaways were
communication between the city and businesses, code violations, permitting process, and loss of
business due to Deauville Hotel closure. Staff will continue to meet with the city's largest
employers and other businesses going forward.
c: Susanne M. Torriente, Assistant City Manager
BM/LR/GM
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live,work,and play in our vibrant,tropical,
historic community.