sr-022211-3jCity Council Meeting: February 22, 2011-~-
Agenda Item: ~- ~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director of Housing and Economic Development
Subject: Resolution Declaring March 19, 2011 as "Buy Local Day"
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council adopt the attached resolution declaring Saturday,
March 19, 2011, as "Buy Local Day."
Executive Summary
Staff recommends that Council declare Saturday, March 19, 2011, as "Buy Local Day"
in Santa Monica. The declaration coincides with the Buy Local Expo being held that
day on the Third Street Promenade, as well as the LA Marathon weekend.
A ceremonial presentation of the resolution, in the form of a proclamation, is planned to
be presented to the Buy Local Committee and Chamber of Commerce at the Buy Local
Expo event.
Background
The Buy Local Santa Monica campaign is led by a partnership of the City, the Santa
Monica Chamber of Commerce and the .local business community (including Bayside,
Main, Montana, Pico and the Pier commercial districts), the SMMUSD and Santa
Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, and local media partners (together functioning as
the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee). The purpose of the campaign is to .support
local businesses by raising .the community's awareness of the economic and
environmental benefits of thinking local first and buying locally.
Discussion
To recognize the importance of buying locally, the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee
is planning a weekend of activities on March 19th and 20th, 2011. The Santa Monica
Chamber of Commerce is rebranding its annual Business and Consumer Expo, to be
held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, between 11 am and 4 pm on the Third Street
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Promenade, as the Buy Local Expo. Also occurring that weekend, on Sunday, March
20, 2011, is the LA Marathon, which is anticipated to attract 50,000 additional visitors to
Santa Monica. The Expo will kick-start a weekend of events highlighting local
businesses to .residents and visitors, including business and community booths, free
demonstrations and food tastings, live music and a citywide "Get Caught with Your
Receipt Showing" raffle. The local business improvement district (BID) partners will
also be organizing events in each of their districts, ranging from sidewalk sales to live
music performances
By declaring March 19th as the official "Buy Local Day" in Santa Monica, the message,
"Thank you for buying local and supporting our community" will be more effective in
generating community pride among residents and businesses. The declaration,
coupled with a ceremonial presentation of the resolution, in the form of a proclamation,
to the Santa Monica Chamber and Buy Local Committee at the Expo, will help to
highlight and' publicize local businesses and the economic, environmental and
community benefits of buying local during this very important weekend.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There are no anticipated financial impacts or budget actions from the recommendation
detailed in this report.
Prepared by: Jennifer Taylor, Senior Development Analyst
Andy Agle, C
Housing and
Attachments:
Attachment A: Resolution-"Buy Local Day"
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Resolution No.
10565 (CCS)