A review of the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) most recent Business Walk is on the agenda for a busy meeting tonight.

The EDB hosted its first Business Walk in September to gauge the concerns of local business owners, with walks taking place in certain retail districts throughout town roughly every two months. The first walk took place in Solano Square, Davies Square and on First Street. Subsequent walks were held in the shopping centers on Columbus Parkway and Rose Drive. On June 14, the EDB team visited the Southampton Shopping Center and received input from the majority of tenants.

The team consisted of EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada, EDB Vice Chair Dennis Cullen, EDB Member Steve Sillen; Jana Modena of Assemblymember Tim Grayson’s office, Bob Triglia of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani, who all donned green vests and broke into two assigned teams to businesses in the center, which had all been notified via postcard of the team’s visit prior to the walk.

“It should be noted that the owner/managers were more aware of the scheduled visit and its purpose and were more available and prepared to speak with Business Walk Team Members,” the report noted. The team asked three basic questions:”How is your business doing?”, “Do you have any business climate concerns?”, and “Do you have suggestions for building a stronger business community?”

Of the 34 businesses visited in the center, 26 provided input. A large majority of the establishments said business was doing well and they liked being in Benicia. However, businesses did express a number of concerns, the largest being parking and trash pickup. Other issues included kids loitering after school, taxes and high lease rates. Raley’s had expressed concerns over smash and grab incidents, mostly at 7 a.m. Likewise, Dollar Tree’s manager said the store receives help immediately when requested, except in cases of shoplifting and rowdiness by kids.

The next Business Walk will be held in August, although the location has not yet been decided.

In other matters, the EDB will hear updates on the Visit Benicia tourism program and the city’s Request For Proposals on cannabis retail and microbusiness operators. The board will also be voting to appoint a new vice chair, as Cullen has mentioned stepping away from the position. Largaespada will be appointing a new vice chair from the board, who would serve from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. tonight in the Commission Room at City Hall, located at 250 East L St.

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