ISSUE 05

Business Todaythe official publication of the pittsburg chamber of commerce

VOLUME 46 May 2013

Company Selected torun california theatre..............................2

County Launches Northern waterfronteconomic development initiative.............3Pittsburg businesses to get a “boost” from chamber’s program.........4

Company selected to run California Theatre

County launches Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative See Page 3

The California Theatre has taken another step toward reopening its doors, now that it has a professional management group to book shows, produce events and sell tickets.

The Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce is rolling out a citywide marketing campaign that draws on the city’s cultural diversity, rich history and various businesses to get more residents to buy locally.

"Pittsburg Businesses to get a Boost from Chamber’s Keep It Local Campaign"

See Page 3

2013 Pittsburg Chamber President’s Club:

2013 Partners:

See Page 2

The waterfront from Hercules to Oakley would become even more of a working waterfront under an economic development proposal being touted by Supervisor Federal Glover.

New Segment of CalChamber News Released: Video Features Answers to Questions about Covered California

See Page 4

The California Chamber of Commerce released its latest edition of CalChamber News featuring information about Covered California, the state’s health exchange. Covered California is the �rst-in-the nation online health insurance marketplace established under the A�ordable Care Act. It will help individuals and small businesses compare health plans, get answers to questions, �nd out if they qualify for federal tax credits and enroll in a plan that meets their speci�c needs.

Pittsburg police department has a new mascot

CalChamber Answers to Questions about Covered California

Q&A on Use of Form I-9for Verifying Employment Eligibility

See Page 2

See Page 3

See Page 4

Coffee & Commerce

POWs on the Bataan Death March. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Business Today Page 2

Move over McGru�. The people have spoken and the Pittsburg Police Department has a new mascot: a German shepherd. Arf!

"We had a total of 1,144 votes and out of those, over 54 percent chose that the German shepherd should be our crime-�ghting mascot," police spokesman Lt. Ron Raman said.

Some of the votes were cast on the department's Facebook page while others resulted from vote-gathering e�ort at schools in the Pittsburg Uni�ed School District during the survey period which lasted just over a week.

The German shepherd candidate was among four choices in the survey. The eagle came in at second place with 20 percent of the vote, followed by McGru� the Crime Dog, who was the department's previous mascot and garnered 15 percent. And last and least, a cougar candidate got just 10 percent of the vote.

"We had some voters from Antioch, Concord and Bay Point, but the majority of voters were from Pittsburg," Raman said.

Now that the mascot has been selected, the next step will be to come up with a name along with purchasing of the appropriate German shepherd costume.

"He is in the process of getting hired, and once hired will have the uniform," Raman quipped. "McGru� is retired."

News about the new mascot is also on the department's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pittsburgpd.

Company selected to run California Theatre

Q: What is Software as a Service?

A: Software As a Service (or SaaS) is a relatively new concept. Essentially, it means outsourcing most of your software (and in many cases, hardware) so that you can get the same functionality as you normally would, without paying hundreds or thousands of dollars up front for software-in-a-box. Some of the benefits include worry-free secure cloud storage for your information, and a low monthly fee that enables you to have better access to support, collaboration, and future upgrades. Here's a good example of free Software-as-a-Service: Facebook. And now you know!

Lafayette-based Venuetech Management Group will run day-to-day operations of the theater.

"People are calling us and are interested in doing events," said John Lind, president of Venuetech. But, he added, no public events can be o�cially booked until some administrative matters are �rst resolved.

"We're in the process of hiring a manager now that we have a contract in place, and we have a few improvements that we are making with the city. We're working with all that right now. It's our hope to get it done in the next 30 days," Lind said.

The to-do list also includes setting up a box o�ce to sell tickets, along with o�ce space to house a half-dozen or so part-time employees whose salaries will be paid by Venuetech to handle marketing, ticket sales and other tasks.

In addition, the company is developing policies for setting rental rates, what kind of events would be suitable, and insurance requirements.

The theater opened in 1920 and served as a venue for vaudeville acts, silent �lms, live entertainment and movies before closing in 1954. In 1970, the city purchased the building.

Ten years ago, redevelopment funds became available for its restoration, and the work was �nally completed earlier this year. In January, an opening gala celebrated the completion of the $7.6 million renovation of the beaux-arts building on Railroad Avenue in Old Town. The main auditorium has seating for about 300.

Venuetech manages other publicly owned theaters in California, including the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center in San Ramon, Heritage Theatre in Campbell and the Downey Civic Theatre.

The company will book some nationally touring acts and �lms at the California Theatre, but mostly will work with the city, local nonpro�ts and the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation to develop community events for fundraisers.

There is one con�rmed booking in June: a private party has scheduled a wedding at the theater, Lind said.

Under the �ve-year agreement approved in April by the City Council, Venuetech will be paid about $200,000 a year for running day-to-day opera-tions, said a sta� report. The cost will be paid by Pittsburg Power Co., the city-owned power company that uses revenues from energy projects it develops to promote economic development in the city.

"The theater is anticipated to be an economic driver for Old Town Pittsburg, bringing more people into Old Town to visit the stores, buy a meal or dessert at the co�ee shop, etc., so that is why this fund is involved in the support of the theater budget," Jill Hecht, assistant to the city manager, wrote in an email.

Lind cited statistics from a national study that found a patron who attends an event at a publicly owned theater on average will spend an additional $24.60 beyond the cost of the ticket on extras such as going out to dinner or dessert and co�ee after the event.

In 2004, Venuetech completed a feasibility study for Pittsburg's then-redevelopment agency on the property.

"Many years ago, we helped do an analysis of the building when it was just a condemned building (and) looked to see what the opportunities were, " he said.

Pittsburg police department has a new mascot

how to get the best from your technology...

By Eve Mitchell Contra Costa Timescontracostatimes.com

By Eve Mitchell Contra Costa Timescontracostatimes.com

Business Today Page 3

County launches Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative The Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative calls for stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the Board of Supervisors to adopt by year's end. Once a plan is in place, an interagency group will work to improve maritime and land-based resources to encourage development of vacant and underused industrial lands in the absence of redevelopment programs.

Stakeholders will include local businesses, representatives from Hercules, Martinez, Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch and Oakley, special districts in the area, industry and regional associations.

"This is a great opportunity to do great things," Glover said at a town-hall meeting in Bay Point, one of four such meetings in April on the initiative.

At a February meeting, the Board of Supervisors authorized the initiative to go forward.

The 50-mile stretch of shoreline covers both unincorporated areas and cities, but excludes parks, open spaces and wetlands, which makes up about 60 percent of the waterfront area. The initiative area goes from the shoreline to a mile inland.

The area, which has deep industrial roots that stretch back more than 100 years, is home to several oil re�neries, chemical manufacturing facilities, railroads, deep-water wharves and power plants.

"Contra Costa County's 'working waterfront' is more than a historic artifact, it is still a vital part of the region's economy," the report said. "However, as the working waterfront matures and the region's economy evolves, it is in the county's interest to gain a better understanding and insight about waterfront's future and strategically plan for that future."

Existing industrial and commercial lands, along with maritime and land-based transportation

CalChamber Answers to Questions about Covered California

facilities and utilities, will be inventoried and mapped to produce an atlas of the northern waterfront. A market study will be done to assess demand for new industrial or maritime-related space.

Glover said it is too early to say how many jobs will result as a result of the initiative, but said employment will be a part of the analysis.

"This is the monster that's in the room and we are going to tackle it," he said.

Rich Seithel, chief of annexations and economic stimulus programs for Contra Costa County, said the area has a well-developed rail system that is not being used enough. The widening of Highway 4 is another plus for the initiative, he said.

Just talk of the initiative has apparently provoked interest.

"We've had three international shipping terminals talking to us about putting in terminals," in the unincorporated area of Antioch, he said.

Richmond, which operates a very active and diversi�ed port, is not included in the initiative.

"With Richmond, we'd like to use them as a resource. They're pretty well-developed," Seithel said.By Eve Mitchell Contra Costa Timescontracostatimes.com

Overview of Antioch from the Antioch Bridge facing west. Southern Company's Antioch power plant, illuminated at right, is just one of the many industries lining the coast line between Antioch and Bay Point. (Dean Coppola/Contra Costa Times Sta� Archives)

A key part of the A�ordable Care Act, Covered California will go live in January 2014 but many small businesses still have questions about the marketplace as well as their options and obligations. In this installment of CalChamber News, Peter Lee, Executive Director of Covered California, clari�es what small businesses (2-50 employees) need to know about the state’s new insurance marketplace.

Designed to o�er small businesses and their workers simplicity and a chance for a�ordable health coverage, Covered California aims to level the playing �eld and o�er employers better choices at lower costs. Covered California will provide California small businesses one more avenue to maintain a healthy, productive workforce.

Health care reform “is a mammoth challenge,” says Lee. But, purchasing insurance will be “easy relative to how complicated buying insurance has been in the past.”

In response to questions posed by small business owners Patrick Mulvaney of Mulvaney's Building & Loan and Marco Rodriguez of MVP's Sports Grill, Lee explains:

Small businesses don’t have a mandate to o�er health insurance.Small businesses will be able to purchase insurance through Covered California’s marketplace or on the open market.Small businesses will be able to choose how much coverage they want to provide but then let employees pick the right plan from a range of options that �t them best.Additionally, small businesses purchasing coverage in Covered California’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) will be able to continue to use their brokers and some will be eligible for federal tax credits.

According to Lee, getting everyone insured through the A�ordable Care Act and having a system about better care and prevention will help to reduce health care premium costs over time.

Launched last year, CalChamber News covers issues a�ecting employers in the state. This is the third of a four part video series produced in partnership with Health Law Guide for Business to educate employers about the implementation of the A�ordable Care Act in California. To view the video, visit, www.calchamber.com/calchambernews.

Business Starts Here

Business TodAY Page 4

"Pittsburg Businesses to get a Boost from Chamber’s Keep It Local Campaign"

SCORE BusinessSmall Business Counseling

By appointment only

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Coffee & CommerceDalta Sanitation Dist.Location: 985 railroad ave.8:00AM to 9:00AM

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Pittsburg Chamber

of Commerce

985 Railroad Ave.

Pittsburg, CA. 94565

(925)432-7301

NewsletterMonica Couture

Pittsburg Chamberof Commerce

monica@pittsburgchamber.org

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Contra Costa CountySmall Business Awards11:30pm-1:00pm

Contact us for advertising at

(925) 432-7301or email

chamber@pittsburgchamber.org

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PHS Career FairPittsburg High School7:15am to 12:30PM

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Pittsburg ChamberPHS Mock InterviewProgram

Atlantic PlazaCinco De Mayo Celebration10:00am to 3:00pm

Q&A on Use of Form I-9

for Verifying Employment Eligibility

May 2013 Calendar of events

New Members

Tax AllianceGroup

1123 Olive DriveDavis, Ca. 94616(530)-750-0211

Island PacificSupermarket

2100 North Park Blvd.Pittsburg, Ca. 94565

(925)473-0803

To help improve Pittsburg’s public perception, the Chamber has partnered with the City of Pittsburg, Paci�c Gas & Electric Company, Sierra Paci�c Properties, and Bay Area News Group to promote the City’s neighborhood business centers and present local retailers and neighborhood businesses with exciting opportunities to e�ectively market their products and services to an East County wide audience.

The Chamber’s marketing and communications department has been diligently working to promote the “Keep it Local Pittsburg” campaign by working with the city’s diverse businesses/retailers through consumer-focused marketing strategies. The Chamber’s e�ort is aimed directly at increasing sales and therefore sales tax revenues in the city.

The Pittsburg Chamber’s neighborhood marketing campaign targets eight di�erent city neighborhood business areas. The campaign kicks o� with a month long marketing program consisting of online, print and social media bringing focus to area businesses and builds up community excitement centered around a �nale event.

“We want to move people to buy, we want to create excitement, we want to create demand and awareness, and we want to remind residents that great shopping, dining and service experiences can all be found right here in Pittsburg,” said Chamber CEO, Harry York.

Strategies to promote the campaign include print advertisements, window clings for businesses, banners and signage, online and social media advertising, along with business outreach and cooperative marketing.

“If all goes well,” York said, “within 12 to 18 months, the ”Keep it Local Pittsburg” brand will have caught on and become part of the local framework and more residents will chose to shop and seek services at businesses in their own city.”

Highland Square Shopping Center business owner Jackie Felipe of East Bay Karate-Do told York that the campaign is “incredible” and exactly what local businesses need”.

“I am so happy to see what the Chamber is doing to help the local businesses,” she said. “We have really great ideas going on here and we are really looking forward to having an opportunity to getting to know our business neighbors. With the Chamber’s help we are so excited about putting on a great event in appreciation of our loyal customers and bringing awareness of all of the goods and services we have to o�er to the community. We are also really excited about our newly launched Facebook page set up for us by the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. We now have an opportunity to interact and reach out to our customers on Facebook on the Highlands Shopping Center Facebook Page! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of all this.”

“The objective for the campaign is providing goods and services, in the right locations, at the right value, not only to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Pittsburg, but to make our businesses more prosperous.” said York. By: Monica Couturemonica@Pittsburgchamber.org

Do we have to have current employees �ll out the new form?

No. If an I-9 Form was completed at the time of hire, there is no need to ever complete a new form even though I-9 Forms may change from time to time.

When do I have to use the new I-9 Form?

A new I-9 Form went into e�ect on March 8, 2013; however, employers have until May 6, 2013 to stop using the old form. The new I-9 Form must be used starting May 7, 2013 for all new hires, rehires, and whenever new work authorization documents are issued.

Who is not required to complete an I-9?

Employees not physically working in the United States;Independent contractors;Employees who work for independent contractors on your site, i.e., temporary agency employees or leased employees;Individuals hired to do casual domestic work in a private home on a sporadic, irregular or intermittent basis; andEmployees hired prior to November 6, 1986.May I copy the I-9 Form?

Yes. Form I-9 may be photocopied.

Do I need to retain the instructions, which are quite lengthy, with the completed I-9 Form?

No. Only the completed three pages of the Form I-9 are required to be retained.

In order to save paper, employers may laminate the instructions. That way only one set of instructions needs to be copied and retained for I-9 use in �lling out the form. This suggestion was provided by the I-9 Team at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What are some of the changes in the new I-9 that I need to know?

The new form contains much more detailed instructions (six pages) and new inquiries are included in Section 1.

More InformationUSCIS has developed a very helpful guide for employers in reference to the Form I-9. It is called “Handbook for Employers” and may be viewed or downloaded at www.uscis.gov/�les/form/m-274.pdf.

I-9 Forms are available in both English and Spanish. Questions may be directed to the California Chamber of Commerce Helpline and information also is available on HRCalifornia.com.