C4L - Strengthen Small Biz Outreach

Committee Referrals - C4 L

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Please place on the June, 2025 agenda a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to discuss strengthening small-business outreach and permitting guidance tools.

Since I’ve been in office I have heard from multiple new small business owners who were cited for operating without the required Business Tax Receipt or for occupying a space that lacked the proper “change-of-use” approvals. In several cases the business owners relied on assurances from their landlord or real-estate broker that all zoning and licensing matters were in order, only to discover—after signing a lease and investing in build-out—that the premises could not legally support their intended use. The penalties, fines, and lost revenue are falling squarely on the operators, while the parties who failed to provide accurate information, whether due to lack of due diligence or negligence, bear little or no responsibility.

While our City’s Economic Development team already offers some small business outreach tools, these incidents show we are not consistently reaching every prospective business owner before problems arise. I would like for the Committee to review our existing small-business outreach tools and consider additional measure to ensure entrepreneurs receive clear, accurate permitting guidance at the outset.

The Administration should be prepared to present potential solutions, resource needs, and any code changes.

ANALYSIS

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

n/a

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:

See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: FERC - Strengthen Small-Business Outreach and Permitting Guidance. (Bhatt)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)