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BACKGROUND In 2012, the Economic Development Department staff along with the City's Economic Vitality Committee worked with JD Franz Research, Inc. to conduct a baseline business needs survey among Pleasanton companies. Significant attention was paid to ensuring the results of that survey were statistically valid, and thus was reliably indicative of the collective commercial community. That effort included pre-survey focus groups, development of a survey instrument, and conducting a telephone survey of required sample population and business characteristics (i.e., company size and industry sector). The process also included an online survey; given the distribution channels of the online survey — primarily through Pleasanton business organizations — it was not considered statistically valid due to the small sample size and self-selected proportion of the city's business population. The results of the survey process were shared with the City Council in February 2013. Overall, Pleasanton businesses reported being happy with their location, with nine in ten companies finding the community an excellent or good place to do business. In particular, they cited the city's central location, which provides access to the regional market, and friendly people, as businesses feel supported by the community. All of the ratings of the city as a business location are above the level of good. In addition, ratings of the city's infrastructure and services were generally good. With the sole exception of entertainment options, city amenities also rated highly especially for local schools and community events. Challenges that emerged from the survey findings included a perception that the City has rules and regulations that make it somewhat difficult to do business and a sense that the City is in some way insufficiently connected to the local business community. Notably, staff was consistently rated from good to high suggesting that the challenges may arise from the process. Specific issues noted in the survey were problematic telecommunications — particularly cellular service — and inadequate public transportation. It was intended the survey create a baseline of data points, and that periodic future surveys would be conducted to identify new and changing trends in the Pleasanton business community. This assists Economic Development staff, the EVC, and local business organizations such as the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, the Pleasanton Downtown Association and Hacienda Owners Association in defining and developing business support programs and projects to further position Pleasanton as an excellent location in which to do business. DISCUSSION As Economic Development staff and the Economic Vitality Committee consider this second business needs survey, there is agreement the most valuable approach will be to replicate the same process with the same consultant — focus groups, survey instrument revision/update, and telephone survey — however, eliminating the online survey. Page 2 of 4